A career in ‘style’

The Indian fashion industry has evolved in the past 15 years. With fashion gaining momentum, complimentary activities like styling, fashion forecasting, merchandising etc. are also gaining prominence. With international brands springing up, creative youngsters have taken up fashion styling as a career option.

However, the Indian fashion styling industry is still at a nascent stage as compared to European and American markets. Many, like Sandalwood actress Anusha believe that youngsters should not rely on this job. “There are very few people in India who would hire personal stylists,” she explains. “Once the fad of styling catches on, an overdose of stylists will mean not enough openings for the job. Youngsters should have another career to fall back on. Unless they are not the best, they will not be hired,” she adds.

New-age role models

I am influenced by Hannah Montana, Gossip Girls and Beverly Hills 90210 and have to watch these shows without fail. The girls wear fancy clothes and look amazing on screen. We like them because they do things which we love like dressing up, partying and hanging out with friends.” This is not just what student Pratiksha S, 14, thinks but it is the voice of a generation of youngsters whose ‘role-models’ are old enough to be their classmates.

Sex, drugs, all-night partying, hospitalisations and drunken driving are what tweens and young adults are emulating. What they don’t understand is that these celebs have achieved fame through hard work and dedication. “I lost my father when I was a teenager. I had a lot of responsibilities and took to modeling to earn money,” explains Sandalwood actress Anusha. “Being a part of the glamour world is not easy as there is a lot of competition. Getting fame early can change your life. Under pressure, young celebs sometimes do things which they regret. Youngsters should learn from these celebs on how to be independent,” she adds.

Actress Anusha talks about bringing up two adopted girls

Anusha, model and actress, is bringing up two girls she has adopted.

The Venkata in Sankata actress first adopted Sangeetha (12) seven years ago and Maheshwari (7) two years ago.


Happy family: Anusha with Maheshwari (left) and Sangeetha


"Both these girls are from very poor families in Suryapet, Hyderabad, my mom's native place. When I was young, I lost my father and I know how difficult it is to come up in life. Due to financial problems, I started working during my college days. So, I decided to adopt these children and want to give them a good education, see to it that they get a good job and marry nice guys."

Sangeetha is studying in the seventh standard at Christ School while Maheshwari is in the first standard at Johnson Public School, HSR Layout. "Both study very well and are among the top five in class. Sangeetha wants to become a doctor and Maheshwari a teacher," says Anusha.

Anusha loves teaching kids and helps them with their homework. While at it, she also teaches children in the neighbourhood.

"Both of them are very attached to me and my mother. They call me akka (sister) and my mother amma," she says.

Sangeetha's biological mother works as a domestic help and her father as a coolie while Maheshwari's mother is a housewife. Her father works in a field.

"I call their parents and make them talk to these kids. Their parents come during vacations and stay with them for about a week. During their stay, they go sight-seeing in Bangalore. These kids don't like to go home and are more comfortable with us. They love watching movies and I take them to PVR every once in a while. They also love dancing."

And the best part is that the two girls are "very attached to each other".

"I want to take care of them till the end," says Anusha.