Apsara Guhathakurta is a married Bengali woman. What sets her apart from the other married Bengali woman is the fact that she had dared to set wings to her dreams and achieve them. She has recently been crowned as Mrs India Universe Earth 2018. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented lady at her nail studio Jazz Nails in an exclusive chat about her dreams and future aims. Excerpts..

Congrats on winning the title of Mrs India Universe Earth 2018.

Apsara Guhathakurta- Thanks a lot!!

Tell us about how the journey began.

Apsara Guhathakurta- Well, I had always been attracted to the world of glamour. But due to some reason or the other, I could not pursue my journey in this industry. However when I saw the Mrs Universe advertisement in Facebook, I immediately contacted it and enrolled myself. I participated in the auditions and got myself selected as one of the finalists from Kolkata. This is how my journey began.

Since you are not from the glamour industry, how did you prepare yourself for the pageant?

Apsara Guhathakurta- Well, I have always consumed a balanced diet. I only had to take care of the fact that I will have to cut down on my consumption of fats, sugars and carbohydrates. I had to lose weight so I had to look after the food that I consumed and also workout. I started eating at regular intervals and started taking care of my skin too. These are some simple methods that I undertook to prepare myself for the pageant.

Since many contestants were from Bengal, how much fun did you have at the pageant?

Apsara Guhathakurta- I never did get the chance to study abroad or in a different state during my college days. So when I participated in the pageant, my sole idea was not to participate as a competitor. Rather I wanted to go to the pageant and enjoy myself. And I had already made friends with the contestants from Bengal. So I had a gala time there.

I heard that you had a hectic schedule at the pageant. How did you cope up with that?

Apsara Guhathakurta- Our day began at 6 am and ended at 2.30 or 3 pm at night. It was a very strict regime. We had workshops, sessions on women empowerment and so on. We were also given tasks which we had to complete. Failure to attend the classes or the sessions led to negative marking.  I got to learn so many things. We did a protest march against violence against women in Pune. It was altogether an enriching experience.

How much family support did you get?

Apsara Guhathakurta- (touch wood) Well, I am lucky that I have received the support from my parents and my in-laws in equal proportions. My in-laws knew about my knack in the field of glamour and have always encouraged me to go ahead with my dreams. They have always supported me whenever I have needed support from them.

What is next in line for you?

Apsara Guhathakurta- I am getting work offers. I have become the brand ambassador of two organizations namely Speak The Cause and Tiljala Shed. I am also teaching dance to underprivileged kids at a school. Apart from that, I am also attending events. Hence I have a packed up schedule at the moment.

Since you are an entrepreneur yourself, how are you managing your outside work and your nail studio together?

Apsara Guhathakurta– Well, I am getting less time to devote to the nail studio. However I have plans of taking it further with the help of promotions.

You have made a grand entry in the glamour industry. Will you be acting in films or serials soon?

Apsara Guhathakurta- If I get a good script, I will surely do a good film. I have been getting offers for a few music videos. I am not too keen on doing serials at the moment as they are very time consuming. I have a family to take care of, my kid and my outside work. So I am hard pressed for time.

You will be heading to the international pageant next year. Tell us something about that.

Apsara Guhathakurta- I will get to know about that next year in January. And then I will have to prepare myself for the international pageants.

What is your advice to the other married women in Kolkata and India?

Apsara Guhathakurta- Nothing is impossible if you have the courage to follow it. Many of us think that we are married and our life revolves only around our family and kids. But if we dare to follow our dreams simultaneously too, it will keep us happy and satisfied. And that will help us to keep our families and kids happy too.

We hope that Apsara’s positive outlook towards life helps her in attaining her future goals!! All the best!!