Opening Doorz

By Lisha Gomes | Opening Doorz Editorial | September 25, 2020

Being the resilient woman she has aspired to be, Chahat Vig has never been hesitant to pursue another dream. Coming from a Punjabi family with a background of mostly commerce and management, Chahat was the first to take up Arts as a career. Be it music, film production or modelling, she never hesitated doing what she loves and her family has been her constant support through it all.

The leggy lass now wants to have a positive impact on the world, but not through correcting people’s actions, but by spreading kindness. She believes Art can move people and is very determined to do so with her music: where words may fall short, music always speaks! 

She is one who doesn’t have just one person who has been her constant encouragement. Everything and everyone has played a role in her journey so far. Even her critics have played a role because she has learnt that when the world pushes you down, you have to find the determination to get back up and move on. “People are not always going to be available to push and appreciate you, most of the time you will have to do it for yourself, so learn to be content with oneself,” is the one advice which she gives herself constantly.

Opening Doorz to Chahat Vig the 21-year-old from Pathankot, Punjab, who is slowly stepping into the professional world of modelling.

Music and Expression…

Chahat was 10 months old when she hummed her first song singing broken Punjabi words. She always crawled towards speakers and was attracted to music. She considers her talent as inherited from her parents who also sing. According to Chahat, “Art’ is a very personal form of internal expression where one can openly express how they are feeling.” Piano is the musical instrument she uses to express her feelings to her mother who encouraged her talent. Today, Chahat has a diploma in music production and is working on music album of her own.

Travelling to find oneself…

Travelling all over is what she revels in. “I love to travel and explore new places and believe that new places have some impact on ourselves and our views,” says the girl who has travelled to numerous places that have had an impact on her. As a model, she has been able to travel and explore our own beautiful country which is so versatile and full of different people and experiences. A place that has had the most impact on her is Bali, Gili Islands. She went right up to an active volcano that could erupt at any moment. “It was so dangerous and beautiful at the same time,” she exclaims. “It is here that I learnt to live in the moment, appreciate things around me and not misuse them.”

Discipline and life lessons…

Sport has played a huge role in making her the disciplined woman she is today. Chahat has played a number of sports in school—Track and Field, Kho-Kho, Badminton at the State and National level. Sports has taught her to explore and not be sore when you lose. Her father introduced her to sports and through it taught her to be strong, resilient and to never hesitate to stand up for herself. Even in her busy life today, she makes time to indulge in sports as it helps her clear her mind and make the right decisions.

Modelling journey…

Chahat’s fondness for modelling began at the age of 16 when she was the ‘model’ for trying out clothes for her sister’s wedding. She tried on every single dress and walked the imaginary ramp, copying models she had seen on TV. “That’s when my interest in modelling was born. After that I started to involve myself in various fashion photo shoots in my home state and Mumbai,” she smiles. Modelling not being her only plan, she joined a film school in Mumbai (Whistling Woods) which had a lot of other departments, fashion being one. Her friends from the fashion department encouraged her to give modelling a try as she had the height and charisma. “I’ve always been very inclined towards fashion and then came a time in my life when I decided to become a professional model and training myself with Cocoaberry Talent and Academy was the best decision I took,” exclaims the bubbly girl. Here, she understood the value of aesthetics and fell in love with modelling.

Experience at Cocoaberry…

When Chahat mentioned to her parents about wanting to take up modelling professionally, they were very supportive. Through her experience, she had learnt that it was not very easy to be a model and asked her parents to enrol her at Cocoaberry Talent and Academy. On the very first day of her class, she was mesmerized by her mentors Alesia and Anjali Raut. She instantly connected with them. She won the ‘Best Body’ on Graduation Day at Cocoaberry. As she was raised, surrounded by mostly boys, here, it was her first time with an all-female group. She also learnt that one can perform best when one support others.

Miss India aspirant…

When Chahat was young, she watched a number of beauty pageants and when she was in college she realized what a strong impact these women had on her. She has always followed Priyanka Chopra who has been an extremely empowering woman. Although many claim that Miss India and other pageants disrespect women because of ‘certain rounds’, she believes that they are actually the place where women are empowered. “Women are allowed to wear what they want and be themselves; it is these pageants that empower women to empower more women. They create a mental space that if she did it, I can do it too,” she asserts. Having a positive impact has always been Chahat’s goal and the Miss India Pageant is one way of achieving this goal. “Women are born empowered, the only need to realize it.”

A motto to follow…

“Don’t hesitate to express yourself, don’t hesitate to accept when wrong and don’t hesitate to try.” This is what has allowed Chahat to explore everything she has tried. She has not always been successful but this has not stopped her from giving her 100 per cent. Once you believe in your own potential, you will be able to do it. “People are not always going to be available to push and appreciate you, most of the time you will have to do it for yourself, so learn to be content with yourself,” she signs off.

(Lisha Gomes is a third year BMM (Bachelor of Mass Media) student at St. Andrews College, Bandra, Mumbai. She is passionate about reading, enjoys singing and has also participated in a few dance shows. She plays soccer for her college. She was a star performer for her school, Mary Immaculate Girls High School, Borivali).

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