On the first day of the HDIL India Couture Fashion Week, it was a proud moment for Ashok Chopra, father of actress Priyanka Chopra. Incidentally, Ashok saw Priyanka walking the ramp for the first time ever. 

Ashok confirms, “Yes, it is first time I have seen Priyanka walk the ramp. I usually don’t go for fashion shows. But today I agreed when she said, ‘Dad, let’s go for the show! It is Ritu Kumar’s. It would be nice’. So I accompanied her.” 

He adds, “She was great. I don’t think anyone can be as good as her.” 

Incidentally, Priyanka, who won the Miss World crown in 2000 and has also walked the ramp before, was equally delighted with her father’s presence. Dressed in a red 24 kali lehenga with intricate embroidery and an emerald green choli with net sleeves, she talks about how hectic her work schedule is, “It was insane. I was not sure if I would be able to make it for the show. I was supposed to be off for Vishal Bharwdaj’s next film. 
But the  shoot got delayed. I am glad I made it. My dad has seen me walking the ramp for the first time ever. He is my biggest fan and critic. I am eager to know what he thought about my walk on the runway.” 

Priyanka recalled her association with Ritu Kumar saying, “I was in school when I started modeling. I was like a wide-eyed baby. I walked the ramp for seven years. Ritu Kumar was one of the designers whom I worked with. Even years down the line, I share a wonderful relationship with her. I have great memories associated with her. Some relationships never change.”

Other showstoppers were Anna Bredmayer, Neha Dhupia, Noyonika Chatterjee, Raima and Riya Sen, Shyamolee Varma, Miss India Parvati, Tanvi and Radha.

"I am not a ramp-friendly person, as professionally I have walked the runway just for a couple of months. You can say I am out of practice," Chopra said after she turned out for designer Ritu Kumar at the inaugural show of the HDIL Indian Couture Week in Mumbai late on Tuesday.  "In movie making, we have so many cuts and takes that we can cover up our goof ups but on the ramp, everything is live. Hats off to the professional models who do it so gracefully," Chopra said.

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