For Soumya Pradhan of Digapahandi, Berhampur, modelling was her path to the glamour world. The young model was recently crowned Kalinga Sundari 2019, Season II. Orissa POST spoke to Soumya on her modelling career and experience of featuring in music albums.
Born to Kavita and Kailash Chandra Pradhan in Bhubaneswar, Soumya is presently pursuing her intermediate in science at KIIT International School, Patia. Besides, she is also a brilliant dancer. “When I was in class VI, I took training in dancing for two years. As a child, I won a number of dancing competitions. Later, I had to quit dancing to concentrate on academics. I feel I have a creative bent of mind, which makes me explore different art forms,” says Soumya, who resumed dancing after completing her higher secondary.
It was during one such dance competition at Radio Fair that Soumya came across fashion choreographer Sahil Raaj who suggested to her to give modelling a try. “He told me that I have the perfect height and figure to be a model. This inspired me to participate in a beauty contest, where I was the runner up,” she says.
Since then, Soumya has won a number of beauty pageants, including Miss Selfie at KIIT Nanhi Pari 2018. She has also won other beauty competitions organised by Swagatika and Shelter Foundation. However, she continued to pursue dancing even as she successfully did modelling assignments. So much so that she was selected for the folk dance category to represent Gajapati district for the Governor’s Trophy.
Ask her if she has been offered roles in the film and television industry, and Soumya says, “I have already done a few music videos and have even been offered roles in Odia films. But I am waiting for the right role to make my film debut. I have appeared in a few television commercials for some prominent brands, while a few ads are yet to go on the floors.”
Soumya says that she doesn’t have any formal training in acting but considers herself lucky to have bagged quite a few roles as the lead in music videos. “The offer to do a music video first came during a ramp show and I readily agreed,” she says.
Was she comfortable in front of the camera as a newcomer? “Having walked the ramp so many times, I wasn’t nervous about facing the camera for the first time. However, I realised acting isn’t a cakewalk. The crew helped me a lot and things became easy but I know I still have to learn a lot,” she says.
Soumya, a brilliant student, credits her beautician mother for her achievements. “She has not only inspired me but continuously guides me on how to stay healthy and fit to survive in the fashion industry,” she says. Soumya always scores more than 95 per cent in all her examinations and has also won gold medals in both International Mathematics and Science Olympiads at the state level.
All the same, it isn’t easy for Soumya to balance modelling and academics. “At times, it becomes difficult but I do try my best. I wake up early and hit the gym. Following that, I continue with my studies. As my final exams are approaching, I had to give quite a few big fashion shows a miss this time,” she says.
Needless to say, Soumya has her plans set for the near term. “I got offers for films, television shows and music videos after winning Kalinga Sundari 2019. However, modelling apart, I have decided to do only a few music videos and television commercials for the time being. I wish to become a doctor and need to focus on my academics. At the same time, I also don’t intend to quit modelling anytime soon,” she says.
SOYONG, OP