Shazahn Padamsee

That’s a word Shazahn Padamsee should get used to. You’ve seen her on TV, in the movies and in the papers, but you’ve never seen her like this. like we said… Smokin’.

Photographs  SUBI SAMUEL

Shazahn, welcome to MAXIM. We think we’ve upped the score. How do you feel?
It feels awesome to be the MAXIM Covergirl… I thought it was about time. Don’t you guys?

You bet! Did you enjoy yourself?
Oh yeah. These are some really sexy but fun pictures. The whole theme was sporty and neon bright colours… and I love colours. It was awesome!

Is it true that your dad coined your name?
Very much. “Shazahn” is actually a mixture of my mum’s and dad’s names. It also means the Queen of the Planet.

If it were up to us, we’d make you that. Care to define yourself in just five adjectives?
Fun, cute, quirky, witty and sensitive.

Right. You’re the quintessential cutie. Do you have a wild side?
I think everyone has a bit of a wild side. Trust me, I was quite a rebellious teenager.

Too bad we didn’t know you back then. Did you ever think you’d end up where you are today?
Never! No one in my family thought I’d ever end up being so ambitious. I was extremely shy and hated any attention I got because of my famous parents. But everything changed when I stepped on to the stage and discovered I wanted to be an actress. It was almost like a calling.

Your dad is called the “God of Indian Advertising.” What’s the top thing you’ve picked up from him?
One of the many things he’s taught me is, “If you just focus on any problem, you will see the solution as clear as the morning sunrise.”

You watch cricket. Who is your favourite player?
My favourite would be Virender Sehwag… because no matter what you throw at him, he tries to hit it for a six.

Who’s the hottest cricketer in the world?
Sachin Tendulkar.

Do you have a boyfriend?
Not at the moment.

If you did, how would you distract him from cricket? (We dudes are nuts about the game.)
Hello! First things first. My guy will be someone who knows I’m way more important than cricket!

What is your favourite part about doing films?
That you can reach out to millions and millions of people. This is something you can’t do in any other profession. And the chai on the sets. Yum!

How do you stay so sexy?
Honestly, it’s only after this shoot that I’ve started considering myself “sexy”… so thanks for that! I love to work out and I do a lot of weights to tone up. And I literally swear by green tea!

Green tea? How can we ask you out for a drink?
Just offer it to me without me asking. Simple.

What’d we have to do to score points with you?
You’d have to be a great conversationalist. You must be comfortable in your own skin and be able to make me laugh!

What’s the one super power you’d want?
To be able to eat whatever I wanted and not put on a gram of weight! Ah… If only that were possible!

Is there a word you use a lot? We overuse “sexy.”
The other day I was checking out some of my interviews and noticed that I totally overuse the word “amazing.”