Fashion, Bollywood fraternity mourn Viveka Babajee’s death

NEW DELHI - Condolences poured in from the fashion and Bollywood fraternity for former supermodel Viveka Babajee, who committed suicide in Mumbai.

Viveka, 37, was found hanging from the ceiling fan at her Bandra apartment Friday evening. She had reportedly broken off with her boyfriend two months back and was emotionally wrecked and depressed, which eventually prompted her to end her life.

Terming it an “unfortunate” incident, Mumbai-based photographer Daboo Ratnani remembers Viveka as a strong person.

“I don’t think that she was a person who would give up. She never looked depressed and it’s the media which is assuming that she was in depression and hence committed suicide,” Ratnani said.

“She used to enjoy whatever she did - modelling, choreography or events. She was a very professional person and I loved working with her. I met her few months back and I remember she was fine. I didn’t feel for a moment she was going through something,” he added.

Ace photographer Atul Kasbekar who had shot the famous “Kamasutra” advertisement with Babajee said that it was hard to believe that she is no more.

“I had worked with her during the ‘Kamasutra’ campaign and she had come across as a very happy, warm and nice person who always used to smile. Though, it has been a long time since I worked with her, the news of the suicide is a real shocker. I would have never imagined her to take such a drastic step,” Kasbekar told IANS on the phone from Mumbai.

A number of Bollywood celebrities also mourned the death of the former supermodel who had also worked in a movie “Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat”.

“Viveka was one of the nicest people. Kind, helpful, warm and friendly. I can still see her smiling. RIP (Rest in Peace) Viveka,” Dia Mirza wrote on her Twitter account.

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi posted: “Viveka Babajee….really sad that she took her own life. May god give her the peace and solace she was looking for and give her family the strength to cope with this untimely tragedy. God bless!.”

Jewellery designer Farah Khan said it was a sad incident but one should never give up in life.

“It does not take courage to take one’s life..it is ‘failure’ that makes one do such a cowardly act without even thinking of the pain one causes to loved ones,” Farah posted on her Twitter page.

“It’s sad Viveka took such a step but I have no sympathy for people who take their lives…I prefer people who are strong and fight back not ones who cave in…Be Strong and a winner not a loser,” she wrote.