I have lost 10 kg: Ruprekha - Mid-Day

No ghar ka khana

"I have shed 10 kilos since my first day on the show," she says. And Ruprekha is not complaining about this blessing in disguise. "I am not dieting, gymming or exercising.

The hectic rehearsals, promotions and concerts have made me shed all the excess weight," she says. Add to the fact that she is now based in Mumbai, away from home in Kolkata; so homemade Bengali food is sorely missed.

Gurukul viewers will recall Ruprekha as a portly, bushy-haired contestant from Kolkata, who was called moti by co-contestant Rex D'Souza. "Yes, I had quite a few nicknames, even though I am called Pinky at home. Rex and the rest of the participants used to tease me. But now I am making them all eat their words."

The winner does not want to make her new look a big issue. "During the Gurukul days, we all had a makeover done at Adhuna Akhtar's b:blunt salon; it was like a new me. I wondered what my parents would think about it.

As we are performing, we get to wear all the fancy outfits and accessories."

Staying back

Ruprekha is now making herself comfortable in Mumbai. She has taken up rented accommodation at Vile Parle. "My parents keep coming down to Mumbai, as I will be based here for the moment." Ruprekha has an elder married sister, Payal, who stays in Kolkata.

"I am looking at a career in playback singing," she says. At present, along with Qazi, she is busy promoting their music album Qazi, Ruprekha — Jodi No 1, released by Sony BMG Music, with lyrics by Sameer and music by Prem Pal and Hardip Sidhu. "I don't want to act, just sing for films," she emphasises. Ruprekha has already sung a stanza for a Bengali film, and the title track for Bangla serial.

Ask her about Rex, and she says, "There was nothing like that; there was no pairing and all that. Rex loved to joke around to lighten up those Gurukul moments. We were all just contestants, and the best won."

shaheen@mid-day.com