Article: The new socialites of Page 3

The small screen is now becoming big, and we're not just referring to the popularity quotient of the saas-bahu serials and reality shows.

Manasi and Rohit Roy

We're talking about the style quotient of the television brigade, and their oomph-atic presence at Page 3 dos.

It wasn't long ago when Page 3 was primarily the domain of society high-fliers, corporate bigwigs and the rich and famous. Then Bollywood began to make a splash there as well. With Indian artists making a name for themselves internationally, the kurta-clad artists began to buzz on Page 3. And now, it's the small screen stars that are making a big impression.

From hosting dos that are at par with some of the most looked forward to parties in town, to holding calendar launches with calendars solely dedicated to them, TV actors and actresses are now slowly but surely beginning to climb up to the 'star' status. What's more, they are doing it in style. The ladies are as chic as society's best-dressed women — well-heeled, well-manicured, hair in place with branded sunglasses and bags in tow, while the men are as suave as their other Page 3 counterparts. Enter the TV divas.

Rakshanda Khan, one of TV's hottest and most stylish women, feels this was something waiting to happen. "TV as a medium had been considered the stepchild for way too long; it's high time it came into its own. Television actors are followed with so much affection that they are bound to give birth to trends. Now they are discovering their own individuality and are being themselves more; it's not just their on-screen characters but their off-screen personalities that are coming to the fore," says Rakshanda.

And it is indeed a real change from their on-screen avatars. From wearing saris in serials to donning dresses in real life; from taking out the sindhoor and putting on the designer shades; from applying layers of make-up to flaunting the minimalistic look, there is a world of difference between their on-screen and off-screen looks. Mandira Bedi agrees.

"You get to know one's real personality through what one wears at Page 3 events. And it's not always like their on-screen image. Reality shows have also played a big part in making TV actors come into their own, and showcase their real selves to the world," says the always stylishly-dressed Mandira.

Though Rohit Roy admits that it feels nice that the TV industry is finally getting noticed, he attributes this recognition to the success of television shows and actors. "Becoming a Page 3-ite is an off-shoot of having a celebrity status. But TV stars are the new flavour of the season because TV is huge right now," feels Rohit.

So the next time you see the bahus of the small screen walk into a do wearing a fetching number, clutch bag in hand, shades stylishly put up on the hair, red-painted nails and puckering up for an air-kiss, you know the TV brigade has arrived!