"They say I am quite photogenic and have a lovely smile!" – Niyati Joshi

IAD speaks to the beautiful and cheerful Niyati Joshi, a top model in the Silicon Valley of Glamour, Mumbai. May be you never observed keenly but not a day goes past without watching her on the television and newspaper ads of popular brands!

Some snippets as Niyati shares about her life, journey to fame and her future plans in an exclusive interview, with a twinkly smile! 🙂

Please tell us something more about you…

I am from Pune. I am a B. Com graduate from The Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC). I did my schooling from MIT. I have been in the commercial modelling industry for almost a decade now! I am a very bubbly person. (laughs)

How did you get into modelling?

I always aspired to be a model and I was confident about my goal. In 11th standard, I participated in the Face of 2003 contest by Bunty-Prashant Studio. I won it, and got an opportunity to get trained in modelling by the professionals there. After that, there was no looking back.

I started doing editorial shoots for the Pune Times and magazines, commercial modelling assignments and started getting offers from television serials.

I went on to compete in the Pond’s Femina Miss India 2006 pageant, and won the Sony Miss India subtitle.

How did life change after Pond’s Femina Miss India?

Well, it did not change much actually. I was already working in TV shows and advertisements. But, yes, I got a lot of exposure, grooming from the best industry expert Lovell Prabhu and training from professionals. I learnt a lot and shall always cherish that.

We have seen you in a lot of national and regional campaigns across the country. Total number of ads you have done so far?

I have done over 100 print commercials and nearly 40 TVCs campaigns in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu. TVCs include Malabar Jewellery, Axe Apollo, GE, Tata Sky, Vasan Eye Care, Kellogg’s, CSB, Riti Jewellers, Joy Jets, Farmers Insurance, Air India, Hamdard Oil, Bajaj Allianz, Kanak Atta, Universal Sompo Insurance, Amul Cool Cafe, JO Soap, Domino’s Pizza, Ujala Detergent, Airtel, Meera Shampoo, etc.

Shoots for print ads include brands like Dabur Vatika, Khana Khazana, More, Pampers, Raymond, Zuska, HDFC Home Loan, Axis Women’s Card, Fuji Film, Rediffmail, Godrej Interio, Vaseline, Parachute Lotion, Corelle, Croma, Transition, Nerolac Paints, Godrej Hand Sanitizer, Idea, Reliance, Ezone, Sotc, SBI, Rin, Visa Card, Hero Honda, Gandharaj Hair Oil, DD Jewellers, Onida, Sia Jewellers, Roopam, HNG, LIC, Waagh Bhakri Chai, Inorbit, Toyota Etios, Fresh Valley, among others.

I also did promos for Nerolac, Star One, Star News and corporate films for ICICI Bank, Tata Indicom and Ace Jewellers.

What do you think it is that endears you to advertisers?

I am quite photogenic and have a lovely smile, they say! 😉

What is your first advertisement? And your favourite one?

My first ad shoot was for Jo Soap, in my 1st year of graduation. It gave me a lot of recognition and it’s also my most favorite ad, remembers Niyati in excitement!

Here’s the JO Soap commercial:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8EKkr_H0y0]

You look young and new in every ad. What is the secret behind your beauty? How old are you?

I never put any extra efforts (to look beautiful). It’s just natural me! I wouldn’t lie! I am 28 years old. [You can wish her on: 10 December].

How do you feel when you see yourself on TV or a billboard?

Hmm, I’m kinda used to it now. But seeing self on TV or hoardings is always exciting! When I am with friends and see any of my work, then it’s like “OMG! That’s me!!” 🙂

What is your favorite food? Tell us about your fitness secrets?

I love the junk food that you get on the roadside. I always tell my friends that I can’t digest healthy food! (laughs) I love Chinese and Italian cuisines. I work out thrice a week and do not believe in dieting. You will spot me eating anything and everything!

What are your hobbies and favorite past times?

I go blank for a moment when someone asks me what my hobbies are! I love socializing, reading, chatting and spending time with friends, going out, long drives, and getting back to reading!

Who are your favorite actors? Models you admire the most?

I don’t have any favorites in particular, but I do enjoy watching Ranbir Kapoor and Vidya Balan. My favourite model is my best friend Natasha Suri. She is the 2006 Miss India World winner.

Would you like to share something about your family?

Like any other protective father, my dad was bit skeptical about my getting into the industry. But when I started making a name for myself, he was happy to see me succeed. He took pride in talking to his friends about my work. It’s a great feeling… 🙂

My father passed away a few years ago. I miss him a lot. My elder sister is married and she lives in the US. My mom stays in Pune. Work demands me to stay alone in Mumbai.

Who is your inspiration and why?

My mom is my biggest inspiration. She has always encouraged me to take up challenges and motivated me whenever I was low. She has been a rock solid support through my thick and thin. If I want to be like someone, then it’s her.

Tell us more about your career in television?

I have worked in around 6-7 television serials. They include Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann and Saath Phere on Zee TV; Kumkum –  Ek Pyaara Sa Bandhan on Star Plus; Ek Ladki Anjani Se, Viruddh, and Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi on Sony; and Rakht Sambandh on NDTV Imagine.

I used to travel from Pune to Mumbai for the shoots, for almost two years. It has been eight years that I have moved to Andheri West, the hub of actors. (laughs)

Any plans to hit the big screen?

It’s not easy working in Bollywood. For now, I am really happy being me and with my commercials and television serials.

What are your personal goals and ambitions? Tell us about your current projects?

I have a lot of things in pipeline and I’m really excited about a new business project that I have started recently. I don’t want to reveal much about it now, but I am very passionate about the venture and working hard towards its success. I am eagerly waiting for my new Malabar Gold commercial (shot with Kareena Kapoor). It will go on air soon! 😀

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w95VsVIDBmE]

Would you like to give any advice/suggestions to aspiring models? Any message for your fans out there?

One plain and simple advice I have for all the budding models – just be yourself! If you portray yourself in a clean way in front of the others in this industry, believe me, sky is the limit. It’s a fantastic place to be, enjoy the journey, the fame, the money but at the same time be grounded. The road is not smooth all the way, there are ups and downs.

And yes, keep loving and supporting me as always. 🙂

It’s showtime for some wonderful ad films of pretty Niyati…
Dramatic in Axe Apollo ad:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm10BpXtabs]
 
Prince Jewellery Diamond, Chennai TVC:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEGOKtq3h9Q]
 
For KPL Shudhi:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiQAweFkteo]
 
Lemon Max ad (for Pakistan):
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYrhDRjf6TA]
 
Sirikala Wedding Mall (ahaa! Telugu…) ad:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O7CKkHVGXo]
 
Matrimony Day, BharatMatrimony TVC:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=guQpynmwjj4]
 
Miss Joshi in Joy Jets advert:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqIeQrFe32g]
 
Marble Gallery, Calicut:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8e231u9eDA]
 
CSB Gift Card TVC:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=07ptOv8TEp0]
 
Manappuram Riti Jewellery Malayalam ad:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRiv6EJQoh8]
 
In the famous Meera Shampoo Tamil TVC:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bl3oCpdDMU]
 
Farmers Insurance for US:
[youtube=www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLY900rqyjU]
 
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us, Niyati Joshi. We wish you lots of continued success. 🙂