At 21, first time model at AIFW, Simran hopes to balance her wedding planning career with her innate love for travelling and modelling
By Asmita Aggarwal
Born and raised in Mussorie, Simran Mahendrawal studied at the Wynberg Allen School and then completed her graduation from Delhi University. Now a full-time model she juggles her various passions —acting, wedding planning and modelling, rather dexterously. The journey for this 21-year-old, five feet nine-inch tall girl was a rather easy one, thanks to her brother, who is now in the Army, who won Mr Delhi, opening the doors for her as well. People would see us together and ask my brother to encourage me to get into modelling. The irony is that now he is totally away from this field, even though he initiated the process and I am submerged in it, she smiles.
Growing up in a family of four, Simran won many college-level competitions, like Clean & Clear face wash, Ms India (Delhi) and Indian Princess, which kind of boosted her self-confidence. Competitions hone your skills and take out the stage fright from you, and for me, these were a great learning experience, she says.
Not wanting to restrict herself to just modelling, she along with a few friends started a wedding planning company, where they besides customising your D-Day, also plan destination weddings, which now, she says, seems to be the flavour of the season. I always wanted to try my hand at events, even though, I must admit they can drive you crazy, organising various things, it also teaches you determination and focus, which will help you in other areas of your life, she admits.
Simran, who comes from a middle-class service background, with her older brother working in the hospitality sector and sister completing her chartered accountancy, she sees herself as the one who took the road less travelled. In the future, I would like to travel, explore the world and maybe start a blog chronicling all my sojourns. My father was a photographer and also ran his own restaurant, maybe thats from where I get my creative impetus, she adds.
An admirer of model Carol Gracias, who Simran believes even when she was expecting, looked graceful and walked the ramp with her baby bump, she is also inspired by young models like Sania Sheikh. I dont need a superhero to look up to, ordinary people who manage to live their lives in a rather extraordinary way, cruising through difficulties and not giving up, are the people I truly admire, she concludes.