NRI California
beauty, Parvati got offer in Bollywood
Mumbay, May 6 2006
Ravi Tandon
NRI beauty Parvati Melton became the heroine in the recent
Raja-starrer Vennela. She is now reportedly getting a lot of offers
from Bollywood, including a film with Hrithik Roshan for Suresh
Productions.
One on One with New actress Parvati Melton
Who is Parvati Melton?
She is 17 and her first film Vennela is just a prelude to her immense
potential as an actress.
They say this Punjabi kudi has the beauty of Aishwarya
Rai, the looks and charm of Sushmita Sen, the physique of Shilpa
Shetty, and the smile of Shirya. Parvati has no apprehensions about
how she would be perceived in the film. On the contrary, she finds
it quite a challenge playing the lead role and working with artistes
of great calibre. She was always enthralled by the magic of cinema.
Films did not happen by fluke for me.
"Actually, I dont quite go by established norms when
it comes to signing films. It has more to do with the director I
am working with and the kind of challenge the role involves,"
she says.
Parvati Melton, thats her name and she unravels the history
behind it. "My father is a German and my mother a North Indian.
Apparently he was the one who gave me the name Parvati. Weve
been settled in the US for quite some time and like most Indian
Americans Ive had a conservative upbringing. I had always
loved acting and, from the beginning, was involved in modelling
and music videos. And I think moving over to films is a natural
process. I am a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and films didnt
happen to me by fluke. I learn and teach BharatNatyam and this helps
me pick up steps easily. Dance masters also played an important
role in fine tuning my steps and expressions. I wanted to complete
my studies first before getting into this line. I have a year-and-a-half
more to complete my bachelors but couldnt turn down this offer."
Why did she prefer Indian films, a Telugu one at that, as a launch
pad?
"Its definitely more competitive there in the West.
The style of acting I prefer and have adopted is more Indianised.
I have done a lot of Indian American pageants and commercials for
Indian television in the US. Thats where the producers discovered
my pictures and profile and called me for a screen test. Learning
Telugu is a great challenge. Me not knowing this language makes
it all the more interesting. I make an effort to understand each
word in the dialogue and the overall meaning. All this brings the
scene to life. It is quite interesting and a great working atmosphere."
Compliment her on her svelte, slim figure and she gushes, "I
dont believe in dieting because I always eat the right kind
of food. Im a vegetarian. I always stay away from oily food
and exercise well. I did taste all the South Indian food and quite
like it."
She adds, "I did some research to learn more about the films
and actors here. After this film, I want to wait and do good films
because Im keen on making a career here. A lot of hero-oriented
films are made here but I chose this project because I do have a
substantial role. People should realise that women can be actors
and not just decorative dolls. There is a right way and a wrong
way of doing things in any profession and priorities for most people
differ. Im here to do good work and all I want are blessings
to take off from here. Its the best time for an actress to
be in Indian movies and I just need to hold on.
What more can a debutante ask for?
"Parvati has a bright future ahead of her. With just her first
film she has made an impact on the intire film industry. With offers
puring in from Telegu, Tamil, Kanada, and Hindi film industry.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Various styles of Dancing, Acting, Modeling, Ice Skating, Sports,
Writing poetry and short stories, cooking, travelling, volunteering
with children, learning new thing, and meeting new people. I enjoy
dancing, teaching dance, choreographing dance, modelling, acting,
and working with children.
What's your personality like?
I'm a very open-minded girl. I'm an early graduate from High School
and jumped into college at the age of 16. I got started on my career
on a early stage, because I wanted to get out in the real world
as soon as possible. I am the oldest girl in my whole family, which
means I have a loving and protective family whom I respect to the
fullest. I take on full responsibilities as each day goes on. I
cook, clean, and respect what my parents say. I am always there
for a person in need and am always willing to lead in an extra hand...
I am friendly, kind, and loving person, enjoy meeting new people,
and making new friends. I am dependable, responsible and committed
with what I take on. I have a great attitude and am confident in
myself and believe my destiny lies in my reach.
What can make you angry?
Since I am a perfectionist and aim for the stars. I tend to be
hard on myself when I do not achieve my goals. I am hard on myself
but as I get older and more mature, I am handling this better
What are your major strengths?
My greatest strengths are my confidence, determination, and my
assertiveness. My confidence gives my courage, and strength to fulfil
my dreams. My determination gives me stamina to succeed in all I
do, and conviction from within. My assertiveness helps me to be
the best in all I do. This is why I believe in myself and follow
my dreams
What are your major Weaknesses?
My greatest weakness is the fact that I tend to listen to what
others think about me, or something that I do. I try to please everyone,
to be the ideal person in everyones eyes.
Whats your favorite color?
I love the color black, its so royal and rich. I wear black
all the time, its sleek, elegant, and mysteries. I also like Deep
Reds and turquoise.
What's your favorite drink?
Water!!!
What's in your fridge?
Fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese
FOOD!!!!!
What touches you most?
The innocence of a child, I love children.
Whats your favorite past time?
Dancing, when I dance I feel free, its a way I express myself
and take out anger or stress. As well I love spending time with
my friends and close family.
What do you do before you go to bed?
Thank good for granting e another beautiful day.
Your dream date?
lol
..?????????
Who are your favorite actors and actresses?
Julia Roberts, Shan Conery, Kamal Hassan, George Colny, Tom Hanks,
Amitab Bachan
What's your dream role?
Cleopatra, Angelina Jolie Tobmb Raider, Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil
De Chuke Sanam, Julia Roberts in Erin Brakavich
Who is your role model or whom do you admire?
My mother has always been my inspiration and pillar of strength.
Although I believe no one is perfect or infallible, what is important
is to look at the good qualities in people around you and imbibe
them and learn from your mistakes so you can be a better all-round
human being. The world will never inspire you, you have to inspire
your self.
How do you manage to stay slim?
I dont really believe in dieting because I always eat healthy.
I am a vegetarian and eat proper food, all my fruits and veggies.
As well being dancer helps. Since I am a Bharatnatyam dancer and
dance all the time that really helps keep me in shape.
Now I am asking a question every guy wish to know....Are you married
????
( Smile) NO ooo I am single
With such stunning looks lot of guys may be chasing and proposing
you all the time.
(Laughs) Wow!!! Thanks for the complement. Interesting question,
you got me. Hummm, let me think. Well, to be honest I believe there
is no particular wayof dealing with it. But it depends on the circumstances
and how a person approachesme. I am very friendly, and I love meeting
new people. But I dislike when someonetakes advantage of that.
What is your Philosophy in Life?
When life pushes you back a step, take two steps forward.
People are saying that you look like some actresses, who are those
actresses, and is there any thing you would like to change about
your looks because of that?
It quite funny actually, many say I look like Aishwarya Rai, other
argue that I look like Sushmita Sen, some even say Shilpa Shety
or Shirya. I dont think thats ever happened to an actress
before. Automatically when there is a new comer the
media tries to place her or compare her to existing artists. The
fact that I have been called so many different actresses look alike
means they cant place me, so its quite satisfying being
the look alike of four different actresses. Occasionally people
even add in names of other actress like Kareena, Celina, and Koena,
so its quite funny actually.
Why Telegu movies as a launch pad?
For me I dont look at Hindi Cinema, English cinema, or telegu
cinema. Acting is an art, and more than where you pursue the art,
its how you peruse the art. So for me rather than being concerned
if its a Hindi film or Telegu, I look at the character I am
being offered, the story, the cast, ect. So I am here to pursue
my passion to become an actress, which I have done. Eventually I
would like to do a Hindi or English movie if all is well.
How did you bag the lead in Vennela?
Director Deva Katta discovered my pictures on the Internet and
contacted me. Since I am a model, and have won various Indo-American
pageants, and I have done many Indian music videos, I was quite
popular here in the US. He saw the rushes of my recently released
Punjabi Music video, he was so impressed that he immediately offered
me the role. I flew over to Detroit and did a screening test. I
was very excited when he called. After hearing the narration of
the story, and reading the script, I was even more impressed.
How do you feel working with such great artist like Raju Sundram,
Raja, Sharwanand, Bramhanandam?
Having the opportunity to work with such great artist on my first
film was amzing. We had such a great team! Everyone was very helpful
and very kind, I really learned a lot. Raju Sundram Garus
work is simply amazing. Raja has already proved him self to be an
excellent actor. He is also a very sweet and impressive person.
I have learned a lot from him. He did an excellent job in the film.
Sharwanand was a lot of fun on the sets. He defiantly is an upcoming
star. he was very fun on the sets. He was very sportive and showed
a lot of dedication. Which is influential so it was very helpful.
What is your role like in Vennela?
Please excuse me, I am not supposed to reveal anything.
We hear you have gotton Bollywood offers?
I am not supposed to reveal anything.
Your forthcoming films?
I am in the process of deciding
.
Sources- author : Anjali
date : 10/11/2005
2005
This is the fourth and last article in our series profiling four
outstanding Peralta students, Parvati Melton from Vista Community
College.
Parvati Melton, 17, Vista Community College
Transfer University: UC Berkeley
Career Choice: Business Administration
To read through her resume and listen to Parvati Melton talk about
her life is to wonder whether she has an extra twenty-four hours
that most people dont have.
Since Melton enrolled at Vista College when she was 16 as an early
graduate from Emeryville High School, her life has included going
to school full-time, teaching, modeling, performing, doing test
shoots, acting, doing interviews for magazines and winning beauty
pageants. She currently holds the United States title for modeling
with the Miss India Le Visage USA beauty competition, as well as
numerous other titles in dancing and figure skating.
Recently, she was awarded $5,000 expense paid trip to Beirut to
represent Southeast Asian women in an international beauty and talent
pageant.
I live by the quote that the world will never inspire you,
Melton said, You have to inspire yourself. I have all these
talents and traits and eventually I will see what carries me on.
I see myself focusing on one thing once I succeed with it.
Her goals include being a South Asian model to succeed in the international
modeling industry and using her success to encourage other ethnic
women from other Asian countries to succeed. Having five languages
under her belt (English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Gujarati) and
so much experience at such a young age, she feels she is well on
her way to a successful career, especially since she intends to
be part of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. When asked what
she enjoys about competing in pageants, its the uncertainty
she speaks of.
The pageants are not just about beauty, Melton said,
Theyre about the way you present yourself, about your
confidence. What excites me the most is the communication, the fact
of not knowing how the night is going to end and competing with
so many talented, beautiful women.
But beauty pageants are not all Melton plans for her future. She
intends to go to UC Berkeley for a degree in business administration.
Business interests me because I have very good people skills
and I would be good at international relations, Melton said.
I feel I have talent in that area, even if I have a passion
for my other work, I think its important to have that foundation
too.
At the end of her four-page resume packed with awards and experience,
Melton attaches a personal statement that ends with her personal
philosophy of life.
When life pushes you back a step, take two steps forward.
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