Sapre back on ramp

MUMBAI: Once a fashion model who was rarely out of the limelight, Madhu Sapre has taken two years to walk the ramp again. But she says things have become very professional now and she misses the backstage fun of the earlier days.

“All the gupshup (chit-chat) that we used to have backstage — it has become very professional and serious now. That fun ingredient is missing completely,” the former Miss India, who won the crown in 1992, said when asked what she misses the most.

Sapre walked the ramp for designer Ashish Soni at the HDIL India Couture Week (ICW).

“It’s always a nice feeling to be back on the ramp, after all it’s the place that has given me identity. I am a bit nervous but excited at the same time,” Sapre, clad in a black deep neck cashmere gown, said. “Before every show I get nervous, but that pushes me to do my best every time, whenever I walk the ramp,” she said. Sapre had once shocked the moral brigade by appearing in a shoe advertisement with then boyfriend Milind Soman with just a python wrapped around them. She was seen in Kaizad Gustad’s Boom in 2003 and since then, she has kept away from Bollywood. “I don’t think I fit the bill of what Bollywood flicks offer nowadays. I have a different identity altogether, the director has to write something keeping me in mind,” Sapre maintained.

Sapre, who has been living out of a suitcase lately, believes this is the best time of her life as she is doing whatever she wishes to do. “I believe life is a one-time experience and you should enjoy every moment of it. I am travelling and also spending quality time with family and friends. What else you want?”

she concluded. So, why does she live out of a suitcase? “I have been living out of the suitcase in recent times because my husband’s business is expanding and I help him on his projects and accompany him everywhere for both work and holidays,” she replied.

Sapre is married to Italian businessman Gian Maria, who has been running the Gelato ice-cream business, for the past eight years and has shifted her base to Italy.