Monsoon Babe - Smiley Suri

Q: Do you enjoy the monsoons?
A: Yes, I do, but the charm was more when I was in school and college. When I was in college, it was a ritual in our colony tomarch the whole of Carter Road soaking in the rain.

Q: Do you prefer getting wet or do you like staying indoors?
A: If I do not have any work, I would definitely go out and get drenched in the rain.

Q: Do you prefer to stay in Mumbai in the rainy season?
A: I think somewhere a little away from Mumbai… Lonawala would be fine.

Q: Any favourite holiday destination during the monsoons?
A: Kerala would the best place to be in during the rains because I was there a few days ago and it was just wonderful.

Q: Do you like your rainwear in bright colours or neutral shades?
A: I think bright colours look good on gloomy, cloudy days. A bright red umbrella would look awesome.

Q: What kind of food do you prefer in the monsoons? Do you follow any particular diet?
A: No, I do not have any particular diet but a hot steaming cup of tea with some bhajias would be just right.

Q. Your favourite monsoon song/song sequence…
A: There is no particular song that I have in mind. But I like Aamir Khan, so as a child, I used to sing Tip tip tip tip barish shuro ho gayee from the film Afsana Pyaar Ka quite a lot.

Q: Is it necessary to have a car during the monsoons in Mumbai?
A: I think a car is a must to reach home as soon as possible when it is raining really hard, but at times, driving in such weather gets dangerous too.

Q: What precautions should one take in the season?
A: If your car gets stuck in rainwater, get out of it, lock it safely and either walk or take a bus. A lot of people stay back in their cars, waiting for the water level to recede, and injure themselves in the process.

Q: Any bad experience related to the monsoons that you can recall at the moment?
A: Yes, I remember the flood in Mumbai on July 26. After a photo-shoot for Kalyug, my hairdresser and I had to walk back home from Ville Parle East to Bandra. It was pitch dark and so many other people were looking for shelter on that evening. What kept us all going was the never-say-die spirit of Mumbai.

Q: Suggestions for B.M.C.
A: It should mend the roads and the drainage system of Mumbai. That would be the only way to avoid such severe water-logging and flood.

Q: What if 26/7 happens again?
A: I wish that it never happens anywhere in the world again.

-As told to Mili Swarnakar (SAMPURN)