Getting to know Adita Wahi:Tara

Reshma Arya

Adita Wahi
Multi-tasking model

Eye on fashion: Adita Wahi had her first tryst with fashion at the tender age

of 14 where she worked as a summer intern with Weekenders. "It gave me a sense of independence, the power of money and made me responsible," she smiles. At 19, Adita was heading a team of 500 people for a leading Export House in Delhi. During a fashion show event, choreographer Rashmi Virmani noticed her and asked her to do ramp shows and very soon Adita was walking the ramp for designers like Ravi Bajaj, Rohit Bal, Ashish Soni and Rocky S amongst others.

Grooming glory: "I was one of the finalists in Miss India '98. My motive wasn't to win, but enjoy every second of the experience. Also in terms of grooming, this was one of the most important milestones of my life," says Adita. "I was so enchanted by Mumbai that I decided to stay on after the contest and did several ad films," she adds. Adita also featured in Ashok Masti's album in the foot-tapping Punjabi number, 'Punjabian Di Ho Gayi Wah Bhai Wah'.

Big Apple beckons: Adita went on to do a merchandising and marketing course from the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, to pursue her studies further. She juggled between her classes and three jobs together. "New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but I took that pretty literally," she jokes. She then joined the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute (which has produced veterans like Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, etc) and that's when the student decided to become an actor.

Mumbai meri hai: Adita moved back to Mumbai bagging meaty roles in many TV serials like 'Saarrthi', 'Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki' and 'Vaidehi'. She also continued doing ad films, although her heart was set on doing theatre. Over a cup of coffee, Rakshanda Khan suggested she venture into live events. With confidence galore, Adita hosted a New Year party bash and thus put her foot into the world of anchoring as well. "Doing multiple things at a time gives me a high," says the Adita, true to her star sign Gemini. Adita is keen to enter Bollywood even if it's a "small, but good role." So does this multi-talented actor have time for love? "I'm happily married to director Ameet Sawant," she reveals. So sorry guys, she's taken.