From crowns to Bollywood

Talking about her journey from the pageant world to films, she says, “I won (Miss India) in 2010 and in 2011, I started looking for work in films. For one or two years I was just known as Miss India and nothing else.

Then in 2013 I signed Action Jackson. I had to wait for one-and-a-half years, not a very long time. I didn’t get any offers besides this.”

Talking about the item number she adds, “I am doing a sexy, peppy and foot-tapping number but the character has a bit more to it. I am also doing a promotional number which will be running at the end of the film. I am doing this with Prabhu sir.”

Manasvi adds that she doesn’t have any problems with showing some skin on screen. “I am very comfortable in my skin. While participating in beauty pageants and Miss India, you have bikini rounds. We are very comfortable with our bodies. Good or bad, when you participate in these things, you need to be comfortable with your body.

“I said yes to this item number because, you know, Prabhu sir does not make raunchy films. He is known to make family films. I was aware of that and thus was relaxed working with him. In AJ, I have just worn a short top. I am open to exposing but it has to be in the character. And you have to understand that it’s the character that’s doing it, not you… It should not be that the director is making you expose only for skin show.”

She adds that her inspiration to participate in beauty pageants was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, while in films, she wants to follow in the footsteps of Priyanka Chopra. “I am the only child, my parents are separated. I live with my mom, she’s very supportive and is my confidante.”