NRI California beauty, Parvati got offer in Bollywood

Mumbay, May 6 2006
Ravi Tandon

NRI beauty Parvati Melton became the heroine in the recent Raja-starrer Vennela. She is now reportedly getting a lot of offers from Bollywood, including a film with Hrithik Roshan for Suresh Productions.

• NRImodels.com- http://www.nrimodels.com/viewmodeldetail.asp?mtype=2&userid=parvati

One on One with New actress Parvati Melton

Who is Parvati Melton?

She is 17 and her first film Vennela is just a prelude to her immense potential as an actress.
They say this “Punjabi kudi” has the beauty of Aishwarya Rai, the looks and charm of Sushmita Sen, the physique of Shilpa Shetty, and the smile of Shirya. Parvati has no apprehensions about how she would be perceived in the film. On the contrary, she finds it quite a challenge playing the lead role and working with artistes of great calibre. She was always enthralled by the magic of cinema. Films did not happen by fluke for me.

"Actually, I don’t quite go by established norms when it comes to signing films. It has more to do with the director I am working with and the kind of challenge the role involves," she says.

Parvati Melton, that’s her name and she unravels the history behind it. "My father is a German and my mother a North Indian. Apparently he was the one who gave me the name Parvati. We’ve been settled in the US for quite some time and like most Indian Americans I’ve had a conservative upbringing. I had always loved acting and, from the beginning, was involved in modelling and music videos. And I think moving over to films is a natural process. I am a trained Bharatanatyam dancer and films didn’t happen to me by fluke. I learn and teach BharatNatyam and this helps me pick up steps easily. Dance masters also played an important role in fine tuning my steps and expressions. I wanted to complete my studies first before getting into this line. I have a year-and-a-half more to complete my bachelors but couldn’t turn down this offer."

Why did she prefer Indian films, a Telugu one at that, as a launch pad?

"It’s definitely more competitive there in the West. The style of acting I prefer and have adopted is more Indianised. I have done a lot of Indian American pageants and commercials for Indian television in the US. That’s where the producers discovered my pictures and profile and called me for a screen test. Learning Telugu is a great challenge. Me not knowing this language makes it all the more interesting. I make an effort to understand each word in the dialogue and the overall meaning. All this brings the scene to life. It is quite interesting and a great working atmosphere."
Compliment her on her svelte, slim figure and she gushes, "I don’t believe in dieting because I always eat the right kind of food. I’m a vegetarian. I always stay away from oily food and exercise well. I did taste all the South Indian food and quite like it."
She adds, "I did some research to learn more about the films and actors here. After this film, I want to wait and do good films because I’m keen on making a career here. A lot of hero-oriented films are made here but I chose this project because I do have a substantial role. People should realise that women can be actors and not just decorative dolls. There is a right way and a wrong way of doing things in any profession and priorities for most people differ. I’m here to do good work and all I want are blessings to take off from here. It’s the best time for an actress to be in Indian movies and I just need to hold on.

What more can a debutante ask for?

"Parvati has a bright future ahead of her. With just her first film she has made an impact on the intire film industry. With offers puring in from Telegu, Tamil, Kanada, and Hindi film industry.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Various styles of Dancing, Acting, Modeling, Ice Skating, Sports, Writing poetry and short stories, cooking, travelling, volunteering with children, learning new thing, and meeting new people. I enjoy dancing, teaching dance, choreographing dance, modelling, acting, and working with children.

What's your personality like?

I'm a very open-minded girl. I'm an early graduate from High School and jumped into college at the age of 16. I got started on my career on a early stage, because I wanted to get out in the real world as soon as possible. I am the oldest girl in my whole family, which means I have a loving and protective family whom I respect to the fullest. I take on full responsibilities as each day goes on. I cook, clean, and respect what my parents say. I am always there for a person in need and am always willing to lead in an extra hand... I am friendly, kind, and loving person, enjoy meeting new people, and making new friends. I am dependable, responsible and committed with what I take on. I have a great attitude and am confident in myself and believe my destiny lies in my reach.

What can make you angry?

Since I am a perfectionist and aim for the stars. I tend to be hard on myself when I do not achieve my goals. I am hard on myself but as I get older and more mature, I am handling this better

What are your major strengths?

My greatest strengths are my confidence, determination, and my assertiveness. My confidence gives my courage, and strength to fulfil my dreams. My determination gives me stamina to succeed in all I do, and conviction from within. My assertiveness helps me to be the best in all I do. This is why I believe in myself and follow my dreams

What are your major Weaknesses?

My greatest weakness is the fact that I tend to listen to what others think about me, or something that I do. I try to please everyone, to be the ideal person in everyone’s eyes.

What’s your favorite color?

I love the color black, it’s so royal and rich. I wear black all the time, its sleek, elegant, and mysteries. I also like Deep Reds and turquoise.

What's your favorite drink?

Water!!!

What's in your fridge?

Fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese…………FOOD!!!!!

What touches you most?

The innocence of a child, I love children.

What’s your favorite past time?

Dancing, when I dance I feel free, it’s a way I express myself and take out anger or stress. As well I love spending time with my friends and close family.

What do you do before you go to bed?

Thank good for granting e another beautiful day.

Your dream date?

lol………………..?????????

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

Julia Roberts, Shan Conery, Kamal Hassan, George Colny, Tom Hanks, Amitab Bachan

What's your dream role?

Cleopatra, Angelina Jolie Tobmb Raider, Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Julia Roberts in Erin Brakavich

Who is your role model or whom do you admire?

My mother has always been my inspiration and pillar of strength. Although I believe no one is perfect or infallible, what is important is to look at the good qualities in people around you and imbibe them and learn from your mistakes so you can be a better all-round human being. The world will never inspire you, you have to inspire your self.

How do you manage to stay slim?

I don’t really believe in dieting because I always eat healthy. I am a vegetarian and eat proper food, all my fruits and veggies. As well being dancer helps. Since I am a Bharatnatyam dancer and dance all the time that really helps keep me in shape.

Now I am asking a question every guy wish to know....Are you married ????

( Smile) NO ooo I am single

With such stunning looks lot of guys may be chasing and proposing you all the time.

(Laughs) Wow!!! Thanks for the complement. Interesting question, you got me. Hummm, let me think. Well, to be honest I believe there is no particular wayof dealing with it. But it depends on the circumstances and how a person approachesme. I am very friendly, and I love meeting new people. But I dislike when someonetakes advantage of that.

What is your Philosophy in Life?
“When life pushes you back a step, take two steps forward.”

People are saying that you look like some actresses, who are those actresses, and is there any thing you would like to change about your looks because of that?

It quite funny actually, many say I look like Aishwarya Rai, other argue that I look like Sushmita Sen, some even say Shilpa Shety or Shirya. I don’t think that’s ever happened to an actress before. Automatically when there is a “new comer” the media tries to place her or compare her to existing artists. The fact that I have been called so many different actresses look alike means they can’t place me, so it’s quite satisfying being the look alike of four different actresses. Occasionally people even add in names of other actress like Kareena, Celina, and Koena, so its quite funny actually.

Why Telegu movies as a launch pad?

For me I don’t look at Hindi Cinema, English cinema, or telegu cinema. Acting is an art, and more than where you pursue the art, it’s how you peruse the art. So for me rather than being concerned if it’s a Hindi film or Telegu, I look at the character I am being offered, the story, the cast, ect. So I am here to pursue my passion to become an actress, which I have done. Eventually I would like to do a Hindi or English movie if all is well.

How did you bag the lead in Vennela?

Director Deva Katta discovered my pictures on the Internet and contacted me. Since I am a model, and have won various Indo-American pageants, and I have done many Indian music videos, I was quite popular here in the US. He saw the rushes of my recently released Punjabi Music video, he was so impressed that he immediately offered me the role. I flew over to Detroit and did a screening test. I was very excited when he called. After hearing the narration of the story, and reading the script, I was even more impressed.
How do you feel working with such great artist like Raju Sundram, Raja, Sharwanand, Bramhanandam?
Having the opportunity to work with such great artist on my first film was amzing. We had such a great team! Everyone was very helpful and very kind, I really learned a lot. Raju Sundram Garu’s work is simply amazing. Raja has already proved him self to be an excellent actor. He is also a very sweet and impressive person. I have learned a lot from him. He did an excellent job in the film. Sharwanand was a lot of fun on the sets. He defiantly is an upcoming star. he was very fun on the sets. He was very sportive and showed a lot of dedication. Which is influential so it was very helpful.

What is your role like in Vennela?

Please excuse me, I am not supposed to reveal anything.

We hear you have gotton Bollywood offers?

I am not supposed to reveal anything.

Your forthcoming films?

I am in the process of deciding….

Sources- author : Anjali
date : 10/11/2005

2005

This is the fourth and last article in our series profiling four outstanding Peralta students, Parvati Melton from Vista Community College.

Parvati Melton, 17, Vista Community College

Transfer University: UC Berkeley

Career Choice: Business Administration

To read through her resume and listen to Parvati Melton talk about her life is to wonder whether she has an extra twenty-four hours that most people don’t have.

Since Melton enrolled at Vista College when she was 16 as an early graduate from Emeryville High School, her life has included going to school full-time, teaching, modeling, performing, doing test shoots, acting, doing interviews for magazines and winning beauty pageants. She currently holds the United States title for modeling with the Miss India Le Visage USA beauty competition, as well as numerous other titles in dancing and figure skating.

Recently, she was awarded $5,000 expense paid trip to Beirut to represent Southeast Asian women in an international beauty and talent pageant.

“I live by the quote that the world will never inspire you,” Melton said, “You have to inspire yourself. I have all these talents and traits and eventually I will see what carries me on. I see myself focusing on one thing once I succeed with it.”

Her goals include being a South Asian model to succeed in the international modeling industry and using her success to encourage other ethnic women from other Asian countries to succeed. Having five languages under her belt (English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Gujarati) and so much experience at such a young age, she feels she is well on her way to a successful career, especially since she intends to be part of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. When asked what she enjoys about competing in pageants, it’s the uncertainty she speaks of.

“The pageants are not just about beauty,” Melton said, “They’re about the way you present yourself, about your confidence. What excites me the most is the communication, the fact of not knowing how the night is going to end and competing with so many talented, beautiful women.”

But beauty pageants are not all Melton plans for her future. She intends to go to UC Berkeley for a degree in business administration.

“Business interests me because I have very good people skills and I would be good at international relations,” Melton said. “I feel I have talent in that area, even if I have a passion for my other work, I think it’s important to have that foundation too.”

At the end of her four-page resume packed with awards and experience, Melton attaches a personal statement that ends with her personal philosophy of life.

“When life pushes you back a step, take two steps forward.”