She’s the fourth sexiest woman in the world according to FHM magazine and popularly known as the seductive Phoebe Haliwell of the witch trio in Charmed. But for the past four days, actor Alyssa Milano has shed her screen image to step into the role of UNICEF’s ambassador to India.
Hair held back with a white crochet band, palms decorated with bridal henna she strolls out of a Chillout session with Cyrus Broacha at MTV’s Parel studio. ‘‘I’ve wanted to come to India ever since I was young,’’ says the Pandit Ravi Shankar fan, who also dabbles in Buddhism and Hinduism.
The 32-year-old has eight different symbols tattooed on her body, including an Om, on her left wrist.
On her agenda were the tsunami-hit areas of Cuddalore, visiting HIV affected families in Maharashtra and schools in Dharavi. ‘‘My most amazing experience was in a small village called Chinnur where they sang and danced for me,’’ adds Milano who’s also on the board of a children’s hospital back home.
While in Los Angeles, the actor regularly visits a regression therapist who told her that in a past life, she was friends with Lord Krishna. ‘‘I was also completely at ease with my wardrobe here, because I wear a lot of kurtas back home as well,’’ says the yoga addict who read five books on Indian history in preparation for her visit.
With nine-hour work schedules, this was no pleasure trip. The only party she attended was a small do, attended by Rahul Bose and Farooque Shaikh. ‘‘I couldn’t believe actors from Bollywood were so short,’’ she laughs.
Indian food’s part of her diet with at least one greasy, spicy meal each week. But being vegetarian, it was only dals and curries at the Grand Hyatt, where she was put up. ‘‘I turned vegetarian after 9/11. A friend of mine came back from New York and said that he couldn’t stand the smell of burnt flesh. It immediately reminded me of a barbecue,’’ she shudders.
When she wasn’t interacting with kids, or drawing up proposals, Milano spent her time souvenir shopping—a saree, the only Indian outfit she doesn’t own, a bunch of Ganesha wood carvings, and a sitar, which she hopes to play soon.
For Buffy fans, Charmed is the next best thing. And the show appeals to her because of the strong female characters. Spook flicks have always been part of her identity, with Poison Ivy, Fear and The Ghost of Canterbury Hall on her filmography. This Charmed one is also considered the fashion icon of the show with her multiple makeovers. ‘‘I’m not really fascinated with the occult, it’s just what people like.’’
And once she returns home, it will be time for a brand new look as Season 8 hits the floors.