Monikangana Dutta talks about her first break opposite Hrithik Roshan

She blazed a trail as a young,not-to-miss model on the Kingfisher calendar in 2008,sprinting down the white sands of Thailand,before she high-vaulted on to the Paris runway. Now,the 26-year-old Monikangana Dutta who has tried her hand at acting with the upcoming big budget film Guzaarish ,by Sanjay Leela Bhansali,is geared to overturn the great model-turned-actor cliché. “My life began as a high-fashion model and in the beginning I didn’t see myself fitting in Bollywood. I had got offers all along,but never wanted to do films. But now I find Indian cinema has changed a lot,” she says.

However,the Mumbai-based model,who is represented by the agency IMG Models,wants to be known as much for her curves as her acting skills. The Guwahati girl is the newest Victoria’s Secret angel— in fact,the first model from India to make it to the exclusive list of models who showcase the well-known lingerie brand— and will soon fly off to New York to join the other five chosen models,including the likes of Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosia,for a meet-and-greet session. “I got to know about the news two weeks back and since then I have been spending sleepless nights. I feel like Alice in Wonderland. I don’t know where I am or what I would be experiencing in a few days. It is every girl’s teenage dream to be part of Victoria’s Secret,” laughs Dutta. “After the introductions we will be part of the Victoria’s Secret fashion shows and advertising campaigns,” she adds,asserting she hasn’t quit modelling as yet.

But even before she stars in her new role as Moni the Angel,there is Guzaarish ,releasing on November 19. Dutta,who took lessions at Anupam Kher’s acting school,confesses to being a “big Bhansali fan”. She was spotted by the director in a Sabyasachi Mukherjee fashion show in Mumbai,and offered a role in Bhansali’s movie Bajirao Mastani ,opposite Salman Khan,which was eventually shelved. “He even saw some of my photos in the Kingfisher calendar. I have always hugely admired his work in films like Khamoshi ,Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas. For Guzaarish ,I was only auditioned for dancing,and had to learn ballet from Terence Lewis and Ashley Lobo,” she says,admitting to being nervous ahead of the film’s release.

In the film,she plays Estella Francis,Hrithik Roshan’s love interest,and assistant at his magic shows. The film also features Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. In fact,Dutta has been noticeable in her absence from the television promotions so far,but the 5’9.5” model says it’s not something that bothers her. “They are such huge stars and powerhouse actors. I was very apprehensive in the beginning but Hrithik and Ash made me comfortable. I was this scared,shy girl on the sets till Ash broke the ice,chatting with me and advising me on shots. And Sanjay sir was very supportive,” she gushes.