This story is from January 3, 2008

The real Ms India!

KARTHIK P / TNN / Jan 3, 2008, 00:00 IST

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There is something about people who choose to do the unusual. Shefali Talwar is one such person.

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Shefali Talwar Datta (TOI Photo) The former Miss Delhi & Femina Miss India holds a degree in business management, has tried her hand at everything–– modelling, television chat shows, compering, writing and social activism to list a few. In town to host a party, Hyderabad Times caught up with her for a tête-à-tête.
“The name is Shefali Talwar Datta,” she corrects me when I casually address her as Shefali.“I am married now and don't want my husband to leave me,” she adds as she introduces her husband, a strapping Air Force Captain.
His towering presence did weigh on my mind and most definitely had an effect on my questioning. In hindsight, though, her husband's presence really did not matter much as she utters a hundred words a minute. It took all my skill to catch up with her words and meticulously make notes. Here’s the story...
Shefali seems to be at home in Hyderabad. "I spent many summer vacations here and so have had the privilege of watching this city evolve over the years. It's really come into its own as a top class city. I'd love to buy a home here," she says.

Knowing that she was a former Miss India it was relevant to ask her how she felt about the hype and glamour that goes with the title. "It used to be very different when I participated. We had to carry our own clothes, make-up, work on our diction and had no expert help. So I think we are the real beauty queens. But jokes apart, I think it is fantastic for girls today. It's great that the contest has gone regional again as it opens up a wider pool of talent," she shares.
As the conversation veered to her career graph, I realise that acting is not on that long list of credits. For someone who's tried her hand at everything why not acting? "I am not much of a TV soap person. For the amount I talk I am more suited for talk shows. I'd love to be the Oprah of India... no... South East Asia," she says breaking into a guffaw. "But I would certainly love to act in a Tollywood film. I am totally in awe of the industry here," she adds, but I notice her husband frowning in disapproval. But she can talk him out, surely!

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