Jay-Z’s famous quote: “I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man!” has often been quoted, but has never been as fitting as it is with Indian model-turned-actress, Tena Desae. This statuesque Piscean beauty, who stands at 5’ 6”, has consciously carved her niche to international status in a matter of a few short years since entering the industry.

First, as an in-demand model, Tena garnering an impressive portfolio of more than 100 multi-national ad campaigns. That was followed by an enamoured acting career, where she worked with veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher in her debut flick. Then she bagged a principle role in the Hollywood movie, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opposite a stellar ensemble cast including Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Dev Patel to boot. It’s only her third movie to date.

I had the opportunity to chat with her about how a business management degree major got involved in the fashion and entertainment business, how she managed to land an international movie of this caliber so early on in her career, and why she’s still single!

Read On…

BEAUTY. . .

How does it feel knowing that you are on the cover of our annual Beauty Issue?

Awesome! That’s very good news! I’ve never been on a magazine cover in the west. I was told that I would be on a magazine cover, but I didn’t know it was going to be an annual beauty issue. I am very honoured and very flattered.

I want to ask you a little about the notion of what is considered “beauty” today by a Hollywood icon who epitomizes the perceived idea of it. Selma Hayek once said: “People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that YOU are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.” How do you define beauty?

Wow, this is incredibly profound. I cannot come anywhere close to comment on it as she did. I really keep it rather simple, as I honestly don’t think so much about it. If you have skin and hair that you take care of, you automatically look a lot more presentable and pleasing to the eye. Also, I look at it as God’s gift to some people. I have chosen to work in an industry where I have the luxury of dressing up with good clothes and nice makeup that enhances what I’ve been given. And I’ve made a living out of it.

The fact that you are saying that you haven’t thought much about it means that obviously it’s not the biggest priority in your life, but as you also rightfully say, you’re in an industry that gives you access to ways in which to enhance the natural. How do you perceive beauty in others?

I do feel that when you know somebody well and you like that person, regardless of what they look like, you just think that that person is pleasing to the eye. I kind of lose perspective on how someone looks, because I tend to pay attention to what they are like as people.

What are three beauty must-haves in your personal regime?

– Moisturizer.
– I use a face wash that is homemade, which is made up of a little gram flour, sandalwood, turmeric and betel flowers. I mix it all up and use it as a face pack or face wash if I feel that I need something a little more natural and I want a break from chemicals. – I love milk. It just brings out the glow and closes up the larger pores. There’s just something that it does that makes me look fresher.

Do you apply milk to your skin or is the effect through consumption?

I apply it to my skin. When I was younger, I heard that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk, so just to see what it does, I applied it on my face. I left it on, let it soak, then I washed it off. The effect was instant. That’s when I realized how wonderful milk is for skin application.

Great tip! People are always talking about body image, both in a good and bad way. In the world of celebrity, this affixation is taken to a whole other level. Loosely speaking, two types of women exist: the curvaceous woman, like Beyoncé and Sridevi, and the bone-thin woman, like Angelina Jolie and Deepika Padukone. Much has been talked about in the media and in society in general about the pros and cons of both types of women. What in your mind defines the correct balance, bearing in mind that celebrities are typically mimicked and considered role models by a considerably large faction of the public?

I don’t think you can define it as simple as that. I think that if you’re healthy, in shape and toned, no matter what your body type is, it’s fine. I’m on the slimmer side, so I know that no matter how much I try, I will never be voluptuous, and people who have the voluptuous body type, no matter how hard they try, they can’t be skinny. I don’t think it’s right to say that you can strike a balance because your body type may not allow for it. There’s no such thing as the ideal shape, but there is such a thing as the ideal condition the body should be in.

FASHION. . .

The industry you’re in calls for numerous public appearances as part of your job. Tell me what your considerations are in terms of wardrobe criteria?

First thing, whatever I wear HAS to be really comfortable, because when you’re on the red carpet, you don’t want to constantly worry about wearing something that could fall off or is too tight. Since I don’t like to contend with things like that when I’m working, I try to pick items that are completely comfortable, fit well and aren’t constrictive. Secondly, for me, colour plays a huge part. I try to pick a colour that is most flattering against my skin.

What designers do you tend to lean on to accomplish this?

In India, designers I like are: Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and Shantanu & Nikhil. Abroad, I love Elli Saab and Versace.

FIRST BREAK. . .

Let’s talk now about your career and how you got here. How did a business-management degree honorary end up in the Channel V model hunt reality show Get Gorgeous, with a stellar cast of experts like fashion designer Hemant Trivedi, photographer Colston Julian and stylist Mohan Neelkanthan?

It’s like the book How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, where Opal spent her whole life trying to get into Harvard. Once I decided I wanted to be an actor, it was like that for me — constantly sitting and plotting how I could enter the industry while I was still in school. I thought the best way to enter the industry would be through modelling because that way, I would gain experience, learn about camera angles, lighting and basics of acting. My idea with this was so that when I go to meet directors for films in the future, I have something to show them in terms of what I can look like on camera and to also give them a sense of my acting abilities. Also, to learn how to act in front of a crew of 100 to 200 people who are watching you. So, Get Gorgeous came along just when I had finished college so I thought it would be great to start with that. The exposure that the show gave me was brilliant because the expert panel was highly accomplished as you mentioned, and the show was powered by Elite. Luckily, I was signed on by them immediately after the show, although I’m with another agency now. That was the game plan — to start with modelling and then head to acting, but I did business management at college as my fall back because the success rate is not that great in the film industry. Millions of people want a film career so I wanted to make sure I had something to fall back on in case I ever needed it, so there wouldn’t ever be the financial stress to make it. Also, if I get bored of this industry, I can always leave and go back to economics, accounting and finance.

MODELING. . .

Following the reality show, you went deep into the modelling arena, having an accomplished portfolio of more than a hundred ads you’ve been featured in, including Fair & Lovely, Honda, Nescafé and Pepsi. This must have been quite the whirlwind being an in-demand model almost immediately after the show. What was that period of your life like, looking back?

I didn’t get the chance to prepare. It all happened too fast for me to be able to even think about it that much. I just enjoyed the fact that I was getting work and my dream was coming true. I got my first ad one month after I moved to Bombay, the second after two weeks and the third after three days. But don’t get me wrong; It’s not like I’ve had an easy ride. I’ve gone to many, many auditions. At the beginning, you cannot be selective because no one knows you, therefore, no one values you yet. You have to prove yourself so my strategy was to not be selective but to do whatever I got to get my face out there. If there were six auditions in a day for ads, I would go to all six. And it was quite crazy because each audition would end up being a three-hour process.

Wow!

Yes! People don’t realize this, as they only get to see the glamorous finished product, not the work behind it. I didn’t have it easy. At this point in my career, I was like, “There’s no way in hell I’ll get work if I stay at home and not wait for three hours, so if I want to make it, I’ll have to go through the grind,” so I went through my share of auditions.

Clearly it paid off.

Yes, it did because I started picking up work and it felt great. It’s also important to be professional and nice to people when you are working because interpersonal relationships matter. People take you in their ads if they like you as a person. So I learned these things, and with it, I learned that the ad industry is a really nice place to be. People who you work with are very accomplished — makeup artists, stylists; they’re the best in the industry, so when you’re working with such a great team, you know that the end product will always come out good. In the auditioning process, after a point, you all became friends, and auditioning doesn’t seem like an audition anymore because you’re meeting friends and you’re doing stuff that you like. And you end up getting a job and getting paid for it. I just enjoyed the fact that I was living my dream.

FORAY INTO ACTING. . .

Next we saw your foray into the world of entertainment as you were featured in a music video by renowned playback singer, KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath). How did this opportunity come about and how was the experience different from conventional modelling in terms of what you learned?

I have a yearly goal and it’s different each year to help me reach one step higher up the ladder to my ultimate dream of acting. A music video was the natural next step. At the end of my first year, I wanted a solo ad. At the end of the second year, I wanted a skin ad. At the end of the third year, I wanted a music video. So when the music video happened, I was very thrilled because a four- to five-minute video gives you a chance to show more of your acting prowess than a 30-second ad commercial. My goal here was to show filmmakers a little more of what I’m capable of. KK is a very distinguished singer in India, so to be a part of his music video was a key move for me. Even today, I show the music video to people if they want to see something a little more.

BOLLYWOOD. . .

One thing I love about your story is that at every stage of the process, you had a goal and a strategy to get there. I read that you received training from veteran Bollywood actor, Anupam Kher, during the filming of your first feature, Yeh Faasley (2011). How did that come about?

When I took the film, which was a female-oriented story, I took a bit of a risk. The thing is, a lot of Indian films aren’t female-oriented, although this is changing now, but it’s still rare. So, in your first film to be playing the protagonist was incredible but risky. The story has my character finding out that my father had murdered my mother when I was a baby, so I go on to avenge her death because he isn’t repenting. As a result, he ends up getting a death sentence and I go, “Oh crap; I just wanted to punish you. I didn’t want you to die.” Then the investigation proves that in fact, he didn’t kill her intentionally. It was an intense role where I had to scream and cry. I was sure Anupam was going to guide me through it because it was my first role, he has an acting school and he’s done more than 350 films, therefore, very versed and respected in the craft. So when I started shooting for the film, the very first day, he sat me down and said that I needed to work on things that weren’t a part of the script — things like what the girl’s childhood was like, what her favourite colours were, which school she went to, what kind of dreams she had, who her best friends were, what her favourite games were. He told me that all of these things would make my character more believable. Basically, work on extra things so your character has more depth.

Excellent advice and something you’d never learn that early on in your career without acting training.

Absolutely! So from there on, he went on to give me acting training — one-on-one classes for which I was really grateful that he took so much interest in my performance. Much of what he taught me I still use and am very grateful to him because to get it from him is a huge deal.

Tell me one tip he gave you that you still use today.

He said that whatever you do, make sure you do it with conviction because that’s the difference between great and OK. He also said to never fake it on camera. Believe in what you are doing and only then do it otherwise you will fall flat. I think that makes a lot of sense.

And it has definitely helped you along thus far, because you also bagged a second film in 2011 which proved to be a real big year for your acting career. The first one (Yeh Faasley), was a thriller, and the second one, Sahi Dhandhe Ghalat Banday, was a political satire. Tell me a little bit about this one.

Sahi Dhandhay Ghalat Banday is about the farmers’ fight against the government who try to take land away from them unjustly. It’s all about how the farmers fight the government to get back their land, and one of the methods they deploy to do this is to kidnap the chief minister’s son.

How did your role fit into this plot?

I play the gang leader’s girlfriend who helped in the kidnapping. I use my charm to get the chief minister’s son into the kidnap vehicle and deliver him, so it was a small role.

Why do it after such a big debut?

I liked the subject, and it allowed me to diversify my acting experience to show people that I’m able to change it up as an actor.

You also featured in Asia’s first live play-film, Bollywood Bang Bang, a spoof on Hindi films, which was a live telecast play. Interesting! Tell me about this.

I had done an ad for a sari brand for a clothing store called SCC, and the director from that ad called me back because he was working with Channel V and he wanted me to do the part. I went in and he explained to me that it would be a play with seven or eight sets, where we would literally have to jump from one set to the other between scenes within five seconds.

Wow! How would that even be possible?

Well, we had to rehearse hugely. While we were performing in front of a live audience, there were also 40 cameras set up that were recording it. I think this was Asia’s first live play.

So that was the intrigue that made you commit to the project, the fact that it was a first?

Yes. I had to do it because it was such a novel concept for India. It was a really amusing script so I did it just for the experience of it.

And what did the experience teach you?

It was my first try at dancing so it taught me that I have to work on my dancing way more [laughs], which I have been doing since. And the fact that I had barely moments to change in between sets for the dance numbers.

It’s great when every experience provides a person with skills that can be utilized beyond the experience itself, and add to a person’s professional portfolio.

It’s all part of the plan!

HOLLYWOOD. . .

Let’s talk about The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, your first Hollywood movie, hitting the theatre circuit in May. This movie is getting an incredible buzz out here in the west. It has a notable ensemble cast that includes Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and Dev Patel. Clearly this movie is the feather in your film career’s cap so far. How did you get the role?

Seher Latif, the casting director, has known me from my ad days and she called me to test for the film, so I went in and I tested for it. After the audition, I looked around the office at the bulletin board and saw photos of Dev Patel and Judy Dench so I asked her if these actors were in the film. She said: “Yeah, which is why we have them up on the bulletin board.” I was like: “Are you serious? I have been testing for an English film with THESE guys? Damn, now I really have to get this film.” Luckily, I was called in for the second round of auditions. That went well also. A couple of weeks later I was called in for a third audition, where I had to audition for all my scenes in the film. Then they wanted to have a look at my entire work profile — whatever I had done; whatever movies I had been in. The director and Sehar even watched Sahi Dhandhay Ghalat Banday and a few scenes from Yeh Faasley. Finally, I was selected. But I have to tell you, Raj, once I knew who the actors were in the film, I was like: “Guys, take as much time as you want. Test me another 500 times if you want to. Just give me the film at the end.” When I got the film, I was super thrilled; I was on top of the world!

I don’t blame you. So early in your career to be able to work at this kind of level, and to be able to branch out into Hollywood barely into your third film. That is a tremendous accomplishment, Tena.

Absolutely! That’s what I was saying; this is beyond a dream, because when I was younger, I hoped to aspire to be a part of Bollywood films. And this film came along; this is beyond my dreams, who does English films? I was like “Really? I will be working with Judi Dench! Someone who has been in James Bond, and Maggie Smith from Harry Potter!” I could not believe my luck. It is beyond a dream.

So what was it like acting opposite these incredible legends?

Surreal! A true blessing. I made the most of the experience. Whenever I could, when I wasn’t getting in anyone’s way, I would stay back to see these actors at work. If you are going to get to watch these amazing actors at work, you’d be crazy not to watch and learn as much as you can. I’d watch how much they’d bring to each character.

Like?

Stuff that’s not on the script that they were adding. Luckily, a lot of the times, we would have cast dinners. This gave me the opportunity to interact even with those great actors I didn’t have scenes with, like Tom Wilkinson. It was just incredible!

Being able to see first-hand, the way these veteran actors build their characters must have taught you more than years of movie making could. How do you feel that you’ve benefited as an actor watching these tremendous actors at work?

I think there are different styles, (a) because of language and (b) because of sensibilities, so a lot of what is done in English films is different from Indian films. So I looked at how I can do things that are similar to them, but to keep it to our Indian tastes.

Give me an example.

In the west, if you get an offer, you should do the project if you think that you have a character you feel that you can do something with. Whereas here, I have been advised that if the filmmakers are good and the cast is good, only then you should do it. Another thing is, in the west, it’s not taboo to do independent films, but here, you shouldn’t be seen doing independents because that’s not the best thing to do.

Why?

Because name association here is paramount in making a commitment decision, which is sad because I think we should do a film because script is good, not because of names associated with them all the time.

It’s a shame to hear that this is the belief in India where you have to forgo potentially great roles if a known director, producer or actor is not tied to the project. I guess that’s why so many films are made in India – the commercial conveyor belt.

I don’t understand that either. Another point is that watching these guys, I’ve realized that I have to work way harder than what I have been working.

Give me an example of what lead you to this conclusion.

There was a scene with Judi Dench. Before we entered the shoot, the writer told me to pay attention to how Judi says her lines because she is seriously very good. Judi had a long dialogue to deliver and I paid full attention to what she was saying. I was completely taken away until she stopped talking.

What happened?

At first, I didn’t know. Then I was like: “Oh shoot! That was my cue.” I forgot that I was on the job because I got lost in how real and compelling her delivery was, even though there was a camera right in front of my face.

OMG! Did you piss her off?

[Laughs] No, she was utterly graceful.

Tell me about your character, Sunaina.

Sunaina is Dev Patel’s love interest. She’s a strong, modern Indian girl who is ambitious; a go-getter who has a mind of her own but is still Indian.

How does she fit into the plot?

Her main problem is trying to deal with Sonny’s (Dev’s) mothers’ resistance to her marriage because she belongs to a different community. More than that I can’t tell you.

What was it like acting opposite Dev?

Dev is: 1. Hyper-energetic; you have to really keep up with his pace. 2. Very funny; he is always doing something hilarious. He is great entertainment on set; I loved his company.

Having seen his body of work, he’s an extremely intense actor so it’s surprising to hear that he’s so chilled out.

He’s a very versatile actor. You know, I would stay back on-set to watch him also. There was this one scene where he is welcoming all of the British guests to the Marigold Hotel. He delivers a long dialogue, and each time he did it, he did it differently, so he brought some 20 different ways to say the exact same lines. Sometimes he would make it funny. Sometimes he would make it touching, and each and every time, his body language changed. I was like: “Really? You can bring THAT much variety to a single character?”

A true actor’s actor. Why would people want to see this movie? What’s the big deal?

Three things: 1. Performances are really amazing. With a cast like that, it’s worth going to see the film just for them. 2. It has a really great message of hope. 3. It has colourful India shown exactly the way it is. It is quite a correct portrayal and depiction of India and the life here.

THE FUTURE. . .

From this moment on: Hollywood, Bollywood or both?

I hope to do both. I am from India so I would love to do Bollywood films because hey, it’s Bollywood! But Marigold has spoiled me so much that I really hope to do more films in the west. I don’t mind doing films that are Spanish or Japanese even. Language isn’t a barrier for me. I want to do world cinema. I really hope that I can.

What is your dream role?

Harry Potter! [Laughs]

What actor, one male and one female, would you most want to work with, and why?

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Also, Kate Winslet, Amir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

If you were to pick one actor’s career that you would like to emulate, who would that be and why? So it can be Hollywood, Bollywood, man or woman?

I think I would like to have my own little success story.

Good answer!

I think the reason why these actors I just mentioned are so amazing is because they are good at what they do. I don’t think I can do what Helena Bonham Carter does or what Kajol does; they are amazing because that is what their personalities are and that is what their talent is. I want to achieve my own success story or career path that is unlike anybody else’s, that would depend on MY strengths and MY abilities.

What, if you had to pick, would be a negative about being an actor?

Not being paid on time. Everything else is great!

Do you have a celebrity crush?

Currently I have a crush on Bill Nighy from my film, Marigold. He is so cute.

I wasn’t expecting you to say that! Interesting choice; totally cool!

[Laughs] If I had to pick someone of my age, I’d pick Taylor Lautner.

If you weren’t in the entertainment business what do you think you would be doing today?

Banking! I love accounting and financing so I would probably be in investment banking.

THE WOMAN. . .

If someone was to ask you, “who is the woman in you,” what would you say to them?

I’m ambitious, simple, honest. I love adventure and fun. And I’m a romantic.

In those moments when you have challenges, as we all do, where do you get your strength from?

My family — my parents and my sister. We are a very close-knit family. No matter how difficult the situation gets, we always stand up for each other and make everything seem like it’s no big deal at all. When you make a problem seem like it’s nothing THAT is when you have the courage to face it. And that is just something that’s the spirit of our family. I haven’t been through serious stress, but it is our family’s blessing that we have the ability to fight, no matter what.

Tell me something about yourself that people wouldn’t generally know.

I’m a control freak. I HAVE to decide where we go out to dinner, which theatre we go to, what time we need to meet. I HAVE to be in charge.

You must get some serious male attention. Are you dating?

No, I’m not. I am not in a position to get into anything like that because I am a little random. [Laughs]

 

It’s a prerequisite; you’re a woman. Men are used to us by now; I hope. [Laughs]

[Laughs]

Five characteristics that you would want in a man:

Honestly, loyalty, sense of humour, intelligence and him being grounded.

Four ways that you spend time off-duty:

Watching films, shopping, chatting or chilling with friends and sleeping.

Three things you can’t live without:

My cellphone, my family and my work.

Two people who are the most important to you today:

My parents and my sister. That’s three. [Laughs]

Technically, but it works because parents are always one…visit my house. [Laughs]

[Laughs]

I. . .

Get Excited About
Anything

Desire
Prosperity In My Work

Love
Movies

Hate
Insects, Reptiles & Amphibians

Fear
Accidents

Hope
To Be Successful

Believe
In God

Know
I Am Going To Make It!

Am
Spoiled

PREFERENCE. . .

Rain or Shine?
Both

Countryside or City
Countryside

Movie or Theatre
Movie

Party or Home
Home

Long Baths or Quick Showers
Long Baths

Dressing Up or Dressing Down
Both

Tea or Coffee
Coffee

Chocolate or Chips
Chocolate

BlackBerry or iPhone
BlackBerry

Driving or Being Driven
Driving

Sex or Romance
Romance

Well you are a Piscean! The sign of romance.
Ah, yes!

FINAL WORDS. . .

One motto you live by:
Whatever happens, happens for the best!

First published in The Beauty Issue, April 2012, www.anokhimagazine.com

Photos i, ii, iii, iv & vi: courtesy of Tena Desae;
Film still courtesy of Ishika Mohan

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