Face off

This former Miss Mauritius first came to India to do the Chiclets campaign. During the course of that she met the associate fashion editor of ELLE Anaita Shroff and photographer Atul Kasbekar. They shot with her for the glossy and that’s was it. And little did she know that this would be the beginning of a career for her in this city.

After searching high and low in India for a perfect 10, they chanced upon Viveka’s pictures and boom! They flew her down from Mauritius to do the campaign — opposite last year’s model Inder Sudan.

"Everyone keeps telling me that my life is going to change after this campaign is released but I will just have to wait and see." And while she is not allowed to talk about the campaign, insiders insist that it will be in the same league as the Bedi pictures — sensuous, sexy and slick.

"My sisters were really very happy. My mom, who has always encouraged me in my modelling assignments, was a bit worried about this campaign. My family is very conservative and she thought that the ad may involve some indecent exposure."

"It is more about grubstakes than revealing your body. And it is a great campaign as it is marketed so well."

Maybe. Viveka is thinking about moving here. She has Maharashtrian roots so the shift does not scare her completely.

"I do enjoy partying, if I have no work to do."

"Nothing special, I just drink lots of water." Though she confesses that being a tropical girl she finds constant air-conditioning really bothersome — as it saps her skin of moisture.

No. This beauty oozes confidence. "I believe in myself. I have been modelling in Mauritius for five years and have learnt to deal with the scene."

"It may upset me for five minutes, but that’s it." She really seems to have her act together.

Well, Viveka is determined to follow in her own footsteps, and she is firm about putting her foot down on acting. "I am happy being a model."

Viveka is confident of success but if her career is shortlived, she will return to her souvenir shop. Currently closed, Viveka can see herself in the retail business one day.

"It seems to be what is happening at the moment. But I will not die if it does not. There are so many options open to me. I am meeting so many people every day and something new seems to be happening all the time."

She quickly jumps to her defense. "I look dark because I tan easily. I can look white or dark — it depends on how my make-up is done and what the product is. The only thing I cannot change are my features."

"No, I am happy with what I have. I would not want to get into that."

"Que sera sera."

"Just too bad."