As I left the Indian Medical Association at Juhu where Viveka’s memorial was taking
place, I absorbed the strong sense of solidarity that exists in this industry. Like a family
everyone was there — hurt and broken at losing a member of the fraternity.
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eanwhile, the media has liberally taken potshots at the industry. Allegations are being made from all quarters blaming this glamorous business as the cause of her depression and suicide.
When I entered the industry there were enough production houses making ad films. Models then were few. As far as choreographers were concerned, the top ones were Shani and Sangeeta Chopra, Media Makers (Asha and Vidyun Singh) and Sharmila Khanna. Rehearsals for shows were not what they are today. We rehearsed for at least three days for one show. There was far more choreography required than the drill you see today. At rehearsals we hung out together, ate together, laughed and made many friends. Even if we wanted to cry there were enough strong shoulders offered to cry on.
Politics, for sure, existed at that time too, like any other group where many women come together. However, in this industry we all had to work together to get the show on the road. Whatever was happening, the show had to start and it was a team effort.
Many a time, we travelled on shows abroad or within the country. We literally lived together. It was a time when a model could easily be in the industry comfortably for 10 to 12 years. I am not trying to portray this business as a family fairy tale. Of course there was hardship, too, competitiveness and enough number of catfights. There were also enough good times, parties and great energy. Today, there is no membrane that holds this industry together to give it shape. It is open-ended. On one side the Bollywood stars have usurped the commercial angle and on the other side there are a sea of faces, most of them there for a season.
Coming to my point, in a city where survival rules the roost and success is heady, be it any profession, support is imperative. Everyone likes to come home to somebody after a day’s work or a night of flash bulbs.
If not, they find an alternative — friends to hang out with, a dear one to cozy up to, or just to go out to a meal with. Sometimes living alone can get to you. This holds true with any profession. When there are insecurities at work or emotions spring up, you have to deal with it yourself. When you are back to an empty home, loneliness sets in. Sometimes it is so severe that nothing seems to fill the void anymore. So in a silent way, you become desperate and start looking for other ways to numb the vacuous feeling.
People have gone into a frenzy about the use of excessive drugs and alcoholism in the modelling industry. I was a part of the industry for 12 great years and I
did not touch any form of drugs — not even a puff of anything mild. I have been a part of this society and know far more people who are not a part of the modelling industry who snort powder up their noses or fall over people due to binge drinking! Another interesting fact is whenever I experienced peer pressure, it has always been from people who are outside the industry.
All parties today are discussing this. They should pause and look into what is going on in their own homes before they judge Viveka.
How can we reduce Viveka’s 37 years into some depressive dark life? This was triggered by something sad and unfortunate and could have happened to anyone. As a society too, we are also to blame. We wait for an opportunity to attack people — nobody spares anyone, it’s a dog-eat-dog world.
Many friends of Viveka’s choose to remain silent but stood firm like a wall. This industry came together and helped the family complete all the last rites and took Viveka’s lost and shocked family under their wing. Viveka’s soul should be allowed to rest in peace. Her family should be allowed to mourn in peace.
And as I stepped put of the IMA, I was proud to have belonged to this industry that is still full of my friends.