'I went topless with my parents' consent'

When Anju Sharma first came to Delhi from Chandigarh she was an ordinary college girl who wanted an extraordinary career in modelling. She has got her wish, but not in the way she imagined. The first offer to pose topless came eight years ago.

When Anju Sharma (name changed on request) first came to Delhi from Chandigarh she was an ordinary college girl who wanted an extraordinary career in modelling. She has got her wish, but not in the way she imagined.

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"I passed out from a well-known public school in Chandigarh in 1989 and then did my graduation in English (Hons) from a prestigious Delhi University college. I come from a defence background and my father was in the Army. I spent most of my early years travelling because my father would get posted from one city to another. In fact I got an uninterrupted education only after finishing 10th standard.

In Delhi I was staying in a women's hostel. Often my friends and I would talk about a career in modelling and fashion design. The idea of walking the ramp really excited me and I began circulating my pictures among a number of

modelling agencies. I have an attractive face and stunning figure and it was not long before I started getting small assignments. After doing a few photo shoots I told my family that I wanted to be a model. Just as I expected, not only were my parents supportive but they also praised me for making a bold decision. However I did feel at the time that modelling and glamour are an addiction. Sometimes you do things only because you want to be different from others.

When I got my first offer to pose topless some eight years ago, it was a very tough call. Although it is much more socially acceptable today, baring your body then wasn't easy at all. You would be amazed that when I eventually decided to accept the offer, it was with my parent's consent.