Shweta Kunoor : Actor, model

Name: Shweta Kunoor

Designation: Actor, model

Sun Sign: Cancer

Education:
I have studied in different cities as my father would get transferred from place to place. I have studied in eight to nine schools - Bangalore, Pune, Willingdon, Jaipur, Indore amongst others. I completed my graduation but didn't pursue further studies.

Entry into the world of modelling and advertising:
While I was studying in Pune, I got my portfolio done. It was just a spontaneous move and I didn't take it very seriously at that point of time. Almost immediately, I bagged the Fair & Lovely cream campaign. Over the years, I have done campaigns for Fair & Lovely creams and soaps. I have also worked in films made for Dabur, Wrigley's amongst others.

View about the controversy over the "fairness" ad:
I don't believe in discriminating people based on their skin colour. However, I do believe that in certain areas of the country, several women face problems due to dark skin. Down south India, "fairness" is the in thing. Well, the strategists of that particular ad must have done their homework. While, we were shooting for the ad, we didn't believe that it would create antagonistic feelings. I feel that things have been blown out of proportion needlessly.

Difference between ad films and feature films:
Ad films have a shorter duration and most of them get over before 25 days. Client requirements are given more importance. In the case of feature films, the unit members spend more time with one another due to longer schedules. There is ample scope for improvisations and innovations. New ways of expressing creativity are sought and discovered.

Entry into feature films:
I used to get several offers for doing feature films - especially from south India. Between 1999 and 2003, I have done 16 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Kanada and Telugu. I have acted with some of the leading actors of south like Ajith, Kartik and Mamooty. She won the "Best Debut - Actress" for Telugu for the film Chala Bagundi in the year 2000.

My first Hindi film that will be releasing soon will be Ramgopal Varma's Darna Mana Hai. However, my real debut will be in a movie produced by Percept Picture Company - CU@9. The movie is being directed by debutant director Marlon Rodrigues who began his career as a promo director with Channel V and MTV and has been involved with popular shows like BPL Oye, Videocon Mangta Hai,
Liberty First Day First show, Bacardi Blast, MTV Fresh, MTV Bakra, Smirnoff Mega mix amongst others.

CU@9 is a spine chilling thriller about revenge, betrayal and self-styled justice. A mystery that explores the darker side of the human mind. Aimed at targeting the contemporary youth, the movie is an edge-of-the seat tale of deceit that guarantees to blow your mind. I play a double role in the film.

Impression of television:
I hate Indian television - I can't stand it and get irritated. I feel that it lacks depth. I hate it when my mother watches the meaningless serials. Things must change.

Things I would like to change about the glamour world:
I would like the audiences to change their tastes so that the people associated with the world of films can make better movies. At present, everyone is sticking to the tested formula. The audiences rarely accept change.

Five years from now:
I see myself touching peaks of popularity and working with famous well-known directors. However, I am sure that I shall never work in a television serial. Even if I don't have work, I would prefer to sit at home rather than work on TV.