Tanya Maniktala on The Secret Behind Her Flawless Skin and Her Go-to Wedding Look

What is your go-to wedding look?

I am the quintessential plain Jane, so you’d see me in a very plain, cotton sari in green or blue, vintage jewellery, and heavy kohl around my eyes. So many people tell me that I cannot wear cotton to a wedding, but I feel the simpler you are, the more heightened everything else gets. After A Suitable Boy, I’ve also taken a fancy to organza; it drapes the body in such a beautiful way.

And what is the secret to such a radiant glow on your skin?

Diet is very important. I’m very lazy when it comes to drinking water, but I have to remind myself that there isn’t any excuse for water, water, water. I don’t like vegetables, so I put them in a juice. But I love homemade skincare hacks, and I’m constantly experimenting with face masks and packs. When I was growing up, my mother would make an ubtan scrub with turmeric, gram flour, yoghurt, and milk, which I would rub all over the body because it makes it softer and brighter.

What was your experience shooting for Brides Today?

We had so much fun! It was such an honour because I always fantasised about how elegant and graceful everyone looked in magazines. And here I got to wear such pretty lehengas and dresses. This was my second-ever big photo shoot. It was such a special experience, my heart was so full.

How would you like to dress up for your own wedding?

I think I would go for one of the looks from this shoot— a golden-silver lehenga, my hair worn in vintage waves and a neat bun, and heavily-kohled eyes.

What kind of a wedding would you like it to be, and where?

I haven’t really thought about it, but it would probably be a very private, destination wedding.

What music is on your playlist at the moment?

I enjoy soft rock—Arctic Monkeys, 3 Rounds and a Sound, Coldplay, The Beatles, Nirvana, Bollywood 90s songs, Jubin Nautiyal’s music, and songs from Coke Studio.

What would you like to see more of in the film industry?

For starters, I’d like more interesting plots to come up. I truly believe the extraordinary lies in the ordinary, even the mundane can be riveting. I would like to see more 'normal' people like me...simplicity is the most telling factor in a tale, it stands out in the cacophony of everyone trying to surprise each other. Storytelling, to me, is an art form.

What is your relationship with social media?

I try and stay away from social media...I get that it’s a big thing in our times, but I don’t feel like it is a part of my personality. My Instagram handle is very personal to me, and I’d prefer for it to give an insight into who I am as a person. I guess I’m what they call an ‘old soul’ (laughs); in my head I’m definitely in my 70s, but I have the body of a 23-year-old. I don’t like the importance we give to material things. But I love that my generation is fearless, and that we live by the spirit that whatever may happen, at least we tried.