What’s more difficult in Calcutta than finding a man who can dress well? A woman who can undress well! On the ramp or in front of the camera, that is. So why do our girls have a bikini block? Is it the mind? Or is it the body? Which plays a greater role in them fighting shy of the sexy two-piece? t2 quizzes four Bong babes who know what it takes to walk the bikini talk. Plus, iconic Bengali bikini bods in bollywood

Tapur Chatterjee

B for bikini, B for bold

Not everyone can carry off a bikini. It doesn’t matter whether you’re thin or fat or fit. You need to have confidence — and not over-confidence — to wear a bikini. You see a lot of fat, out-of-shape women wearing a bikini and flaunting it flawlessly! But a lot of people have the body and yet are not comfortable in it. You should be able to judge what is right or wrong and whether you can carry off a certain style or not.

I feel everything is in the mind. It is the way you have been brought up, your mindset or the society you come from — these may or may not allow you to wear a bikini.

B for bikini, B for blush

I am not open to wearing a bikini and on a holiday, I will probably be more conservatively dressed than the others. It is a mind block somewhere. I have done a cover for Elle in a bikini. But I am still very sceptical about walking the ramp in a bikini. I will not do something that’ll put my parents in an awkward situation.

Nayanika Chatterjee

B for bikini, B for bold

If you have the confidence and want to get into the water, you definitely won’t wear salwar kameez! I think flaunting a bikini has a lot to do with the mind. In Calcutta, people are still a little inhibited. People have so many apprehensions — that it shouldn’t look vulgar or cheap because my body is out of shape. Cellulite hanging out and all that...

B for bikini, B for body

Health and fitness should not be linked only with wearing a bikini. You should look after your body, so that you can wear it whenever you want to. And I would be careful about waxing!

Ushoshi Sengupta

B for bikini, B for bold

In Calcutta, seeing a woman in a bikini is still rare. But I have never been bothered. I remember the first time my pictures came out in t2 in a bikini, my neighbours were scandalised! But my mother stood up for me.

The main thing is style. Do I have the body to look good in a bikini? That’s what one should be worrying about, rather than how people would react. If you can carry it off, why bother about what people think?

Boyfriends can also impose dos and don’ts. A boy will always want to see another girl in a bikini but never his own girlfriend! That’s very typical of Calcutta. Besides, most models, when they start out, are still in college, which can give rise to inhibitions.

“I don’t mind wearing a bikini but when you have to wear it for a movie, you keep thinking whether you are looking all right and that sometimes takes your concentration away from acting,” Bipasha had told t2

B for bikini, B for blush

The first time I slipped into a bikini was during Sananda Tilottama. And that was when I had the biggest bikini malfunction! I was in a one-piece but Sandy, the stylist, thought I was looking a little weird. So, he gave me a two-piece. I was happy because I used to think that unless you’re in a two-piece, you’re not cool enough. But the bikini bottom was a bit loose, so when I was walking it almost became a G-string. My friends were trying to tell me that my bikini was almost flying off and I was thinking, “Wow! I must be walking like a diva!”

B for bikini, B for body

It is a wrong notion that if you have a voluptuous behind, you cannot wear a bikini. I’ve always had a thin waist and a heavy bottom. When I went for Miss Universe, I freaked out on Miss Jamaica’s body. She was so hot! Toned thighs and a thin waist. That drive (to get a good figure) is lacking here. I am not sure how many models in Calcutta go to the gym.

B for bikini, B for basics

A bikini body takes a month to achieve. And that is if you are already in shape. You need to tone up and work out every day. A week’s workout will never get you a bikini bod.

Avoid rice. No carbs. You should focus on your abs. My fitness trainer introduced me to power pilates, which is very good.

Don’t have too much of water for two days before you wear a bikini. This will make sure you don’t look bloated. Try not to have salt in food.

Sharmishtha Chakra

B for bikini, B for blush

Bengali models in Calcutta have issues about wearing a bikini. In fact, even the industry reacts strangely if you wear a bikini. They think you are too desperate! A certain conservativeness comes into play — aami Calcutta-y thaki... aami Bangali... barite ke ki bhabbe... what will my neighbours and relatives think if I do a bikini shoot. Eta bokami chhara kichui noy (This is plain stupidity). They might be willing, but somehow they just can’t take the plunge. A lot of models say their boyfriends have asked them not to wear a bikini.

B for bikini, B for body

Bengalis tend to be a bit bulky. So ektu confidence-er obhab hoy. If you are not confident about your skin and body, you’ll definitely have a problem when it comes to wearing a bikini. I have never been iffy though. I am very confident about my body and skin, so why not? A bikini is so glamorous! I was in a bikini for a good 20 days while shooting for the Kingfisher calendar. That has taken my confidence many notches higher.

B for bikini, B for basics

Take care of your skin. You cannot hide everything with make-up. Please wax!