Somashukla Sinha Walunjkar
New Delhi, May 14, 2005
Not all screen makeovers make life easier for stars. Ask Mona Singh who's been working 20X7 ever since the Jassi braces, shapeless salwar-kameezes and glasses came off.
In between anchoring shows for Sony, promoting her soap, doing commercials and being part of talk shows on TV, life hasn't been the same at all. "I haven't enjoyed my stardom at all for the last two months. I am not complaining about the work schedule — just that mom is upset because I'm hardly home."
Mona, an MBA from Pune, admits: "I always wanted to be famous but the last two years have been hectic. Becoming an icon is tough because people start having expectations from you. But then I wouldn't have it any other way." In many ways, the makeover has been a relief: "The braces made my gums bleed and I wanted a haircut badly. The only plus was I could eat what I wanted and it wouldn't show." Mona Singh: Life has become very different
Her makeover has upset many fans, she says: "They wanted the 'ordinary girl' look to remain. I think good looks are just gloss. Inner confidence always shows." And yes, like most TV stars, Mona's "open about movies." Only she's "waiting for the perfect break".