You can’t be asking an ex-supermodel, daughter-in-law to one of the most respected families in the country, working mother and torchbearer for several issues what her bucket list is.
You can’t be asking an ex-supermodel, daughter-in-law to one of the most respected families in the country, working mother and torchbearer for several issues (saving the Asian elephant being one of them) what her bucket list is — for that is an inventory, admits Feroze Gujral, that she keeps on adding to.
From doing a short film to bringing Indian art to foreign shores under a new mould, trying to be a “sexy, watchable TV host by bringing innovative people, ideas and projects on to the small screen in a talk show,” and penning her new book, “There’s just so much that I want to do,” smiles Feroze. “I have a huge amount of energy and have worked ever since I was 17, so I’d never idle my time away. I guess I want the biggest bite of life.”
The new year is going to be a harbinger of satisfaction, starting with her plans to showcase “exclusive experiences” of Indian art and culture in a broader framework in the country and abroad, the cogwheels for which were set into motion on her travels to Europe.
“I found they have very well-curated Chinese art and craft in a contemporary context but there’s just not enough Indian representation,” she says. “The time for it has come.”
Feroze’s efforts to save the Asian elephant (a pet project as she’s half Malayali) will see her working with renowned conservationist Mark Shand in preparation for a parade of fibre glass elephants in New York, and she’s also got a script ready for her short film.
“It’s a hard, serious look at human relationships, roughly 24 minutes,” she says.
Writing her first book follows from her own bedside habit — that of reading the most eclectic fare.
“The book I’m writing is fiction,” is all she reveals, adding, “I think it’s important to be well informed. Even when we sit with our friends, there’s such a mix — the art world due to my father-in-law (famed painter Satish Gujral), Mohit (her husband) and my industrialist, fashion and golf circle and our Mayo-Sanawar school pals — making it an extremely enriching time,” she laughs.
Once India’s top supermodel, Feroze gave up the spotlight to concentrate on motherhood. Ask her how the Indian face of modeldom has changed, and the answer comes pat: “It’s changed completely! When you were someone who did 50 to 60 products you were treated like a diva, but today beauty and glamour have disappeared — we’re just finding a consumer to suit a product. After me, Mehr (Jesia) was probably the last face. All you have today are bodies, no defining faces of the time. That is why there isn’t and never will be another supermodel!”
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