This is the chat conversation we had with Dilruba Pandey, Navy Queen 2009.

1.  How did the Navy Queen come about?

I was told by a lot of friends to take part in navy queen 3 years back. But then I had lot of work here, my VJing and Ads kept me very busy, and also I had a lot of work in Mumbai. This time I made it a point to take part, somehow I felt 2009 will be very lucky for me. I took part and the rest as they say is history.

2. The Highlight of this year is that, the winner is married. Where you the only married person taking part?

No not at all, there were quite a few married women. I think there were 6 to 7 married  women in the prelims and we had 4 in the finals. I believe the tag queen itself signifies the maturity of the person, it does not matter if you are married or unmarried, what actually matters is if you are portraying  your feminity on stage or if you are actually celebrating your womanhood on stage.

3. So was there a generation gap?

Oh! No, I’m still in my late twenties, and there was no generation gap at all. In-fact I was the one making all those jokes and getting trendy with them. There were a few young girls who were so mature and I kept telling them not to grow up and stay in their teen age. It was a fun grooming session we had, so there was a lot of bonding and it was fun.

4. So what is your connection with Kochi?

Well I used to travel a lot to Kochi while I was in Mumbai being an image stylist. My connection with Kochi started then. Then I moved here when my husband got posted here. In the beginning it was a little depressing, coz things were not happening here, but I think it picked up in a year’s time.

5. Which are the Ads you have done?

I have done a lot, I was the face of Apple properties, sunetra eye drops, hridyamruth, I have done about 10 ads. I was also the face of Parpiddam, a magazine. I’m also the face for an online shopping network. I have also done a Malayalam movie, in which I had a small role. The name of the movie was called Roudram.

6. Are you planning to get into movies?

I would love to get into movies, I have done a lot of theatre in Pune and also I’m a trained western classical singer. I have done a lot of musical theatre. I’m on the lookout for good roles, I will not do a small role again, I’m looking for something substantial and has some weightage. I also compere stage shows.

7. What do you think of the casting couch?

It definitely exists, but I have my priorities straight. That is one of the reason why I did Raoudram 2 years back and I have not done a movie till today. Roudram was great, the director was a thorough gentleman. I had a few more offers but I did not get the right vibes. Not all directors are like that some are good and some are bad, who are we to judge. I don’t know about the Malayalam industry that much, but the ad world and TV industry is very clean as far as I know. The industry is not bad, sometimes I feel as an actor, there are agents, who tell you that there is a role available but it comes with a few conditions. It purely depends on how ambitious the girl is, nobody is forcing anybody to do it. So we cannot really blame the industry.

8. How did the Rosebowl thing happen?

Rosebowl happened through a friend of mine. A few people told me that I need to be in front of the camera, and not behind styling people. I gave it a go, sent my pictures and did an audition and thus it happened. We had a blast shooting for Rosebowl, my director used to tease me and tell me the wrong malayalam pronuncitaion to be told on screen for my show song4u.

9. So are you missing Pune.

Yeah, Pune is my life. I have my parents there and all my friends. But Kochi is a very happening place now and i can never forget what Kochi have given to me.

10. Are you Fashion Crazy?

I’m completely into Fashion. I am always dressed upto my best. I love clothes, make up and I love making a statement.

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