Nostalgia with Kashmera Shah, “I am hotter today than I was at 22”

The actor talks about her modelling career, signing her first film at 22 and wanting to be ‘somebody’ when she was 22

At what stage of your career were you at 22?

I was working every day, being a popular model. And I had just signed my first film, Yes Boss.

Clicked by actor Boman Irani during a shoot for a clothing brand in 1995

Where did you bank and what was the balance in your account then?

I must have had around ₹90,000 in my State Bank Of India account.

What was your romantic status then?

I had no boyfriend. I had a career.

With her co-contestants at Ms Tourism International

Did you know what kind of screen image you wanted to project at 22?

Your focus in life?

My focus was work and nothing else. I wanted to be ‘somebody’. I wanted everyone in the world to know who Kashmera Shah was.

While shooting for a motorcycle brand in 1994

While shooting for a motorcycle brand in 1994

With her uncle Ram, mother Suvarna Anjali, dog Shrikhand and cousin Monty

With her uncle Ram, mother Suvarna Anjali, dog Shrikhand and cousin Monty

Kashmera representing India at the Ms Tourism International in Turkey in 1995, where she won the best National Costume award

Kashmera representing India at the Ms Tourism International in Turkey in 1995, where she won the best National Costume award

Kashmera when she was a six-month-old baby

Your most prized possession at the time?

My Maruti 800 that I drove at 110 kilometres per hour.

And your biggest dream then?

My biggest dream then is the same as it is today—I won’t rest till people can’t forget my name.

Your crush back then?

Tom Cruise.

Any memorable or life-altering experience from that time that changed you?

I was sitting on a bike and I had an accident at the age of 20. It changed my life forever because I realised how unpredictable life was and there was no time to waste.

Your crush back then?

Tom Cruise.

Any memorable or life-altering experience from that time that changed you?

I was sitting on a bike and I had an accident at the age of 20. It changed my life forever because I realised how unpredictable life was and there was no time to waste.

With her mama (maternal uncle), the famous tabla player Sairam Banker

If you had a chance to change one thing about yourself at that time, what would you change and why?

I would stop being so gullible.

Would you like to be 22 again?

No, I would not because I made a lot of mistakes then and I would not like to relive them. I am happy at this age today as I have reached here after a long struggle. Also, being 22 again means I would not have my kids with me, and I can’t imagine my life without them and my husband Krushna.

From HT Brunch, March 13, 2022

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