Imtiaz Ahmed/Guwahati

As a teenager, Udeshna Borah, daughter of an Indian Air Force officer dreamt of becoming an actor and hogging the limelight. After clearing her XIIth standard examinations, she told her parents that she was no longer interested in academics. But her parents put shot down her idea and she went on to complete her graduation in banking and insurance from KC College in Mumbai.

But her focus never shifted from her goal. She also took acting classes from Roshan Taneja School of Acting in Mumbai alongside her college education.

Udeshna’s pursuit finally yielded result by 2019 when she made the cut for a couple of television shows on some channels and OTT platforms. She started as a television soap artiste in Mumbai and her acting prowess soon took her to the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.

The 24-year-old who is awaiting the release of her first Telugu film, is cagey about disclosing details of it. In the meantime, she also got a break in the fashion industry. Udeshna went to a supermodel pageant, organised by Dreamz Production House in Lucknow, last month with an open mind but ended up being crowned Miss India Supermodel International 2021.

“I am an actor by profession and I came into modeling by chance. I was informed by a friend about a supermodel pageant audition being organised by Dreamz Production House in Lucknow, and I casually filled my entry. I never dreamt that I would be crowned the winner. There were so many contestants from all over India. We had a hectic six-day contest and I was really speechless when I was named the winner. It was a very beautiful experience,” Udeshna told Awaz – The Voice during a virtual interview from Hyderabad.

“This is definitely going to be an extra motivation for me in my acting and modeling career. It has made me extra confident and will go a long way to make me successful. The biggest thing is the people of Assam are getting to know me now,” she added.

As an outsider, finding a foothold in the film industry was not easy. “As usual for anyone without any family link with the film industry, it was quite difficult for me to get a break. However, I was focused and determined. I had confidence in my talent and finally tasted success. My work with Ekta Kapoor in a web series called Paraspur was much appreciated and I started getting the offers. I did not come to Hyderabad looking for an opportunity. I was offered the opportunity to work in a few shows before being offered a film,” said Udeshna.

She does not want to idolise anybody but likes to relate her career to that of Bollywood actress Vidya Balan. “I don’t like to idolise anybody. But, if you ask, I would like to relate my career to that of Vidya Balan because my career so far has been quite similar to hers.”

For now, she is focused on Telugu films but she is open to acting in Bollywood films also. At some point in time, she could also foray into Assamese films. Asked about the cut-throat competition in the fashion industry, the young artiste said: “I am my own competitor. I don’t see anybody as my competitor. I don’t want to sound over-confident. But that’s how I have been brought up. I try to make myself better and that’s what I have learned in my life.”

Having worked with a few acclaimed photographers, such as Pravin Bhat and others, Udeshna said she would love to work with leading designer Manish Malhotra.

She is looking forward to a long inning in the world of films. “My goal is to last a long time in this industry, work with bigger stars and improve in every step. As of now, I am living my goals. And hereafter, I want to work to carve a niche for myself and do some really big things,” she said.

Asked about her Assam connection, Udeshna said: “Although my roots are in Assam, I could hardly spend time in the state. My father’s job took us to different places in the country. I did my schooling in different states before we settled down in Mumbai. Barring a few days’ trips to Assam during our school holidays, we could hardly spend any time in my home state. I am happy that I’ve learned to speak the language, thanks to my parents who made it a rule to talk only in Assamese at home. My parents used to tell me that when I was a kid Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s number Buku Hum Hum Kore was a lullaby for me. I would sleep only after hearing it.”