Never had this doe-eyed beauty thought that she would be a model, let alone an actress as the years would gradually move on. But some things are meant to be. That’s called destiny. And it was destiny that Vinnie was to be a renowned model-cum-actress.

The chain of events that took place - for the very young Vinnie - seem to be straight out of a movie, where the girl is out at a party with friends. She catches the photographic eye of Khawar Riaz, the photographer and he stands spellbound. It is this girl he wants to capture with the eye of his camera. Determined yet, hesitant, he approaches the gal and tells her he would like her to model while he clicks away. Indignant, well not exactly, but neither thrilled. That is how the girl reacts. The girl in question is our precious Vinnie.

It was a decade back that this incident took place. Vinnie was not at all comfy with the idea of being photographed. However, there was no getting out of it. As hard as she tried to decline Khawar’s offer, he was as persistent as can be. “Khawar was adamant and said that he would only take a single photograph of me and that too I can take from him. Finally, I acquiesced,” Vinnie recounts.

You would think that off went Vinnie for a complete transformation via the wonder cosmetics. But that was hardly the way it went. “I just put on some lipstick and my liner and was all set for the photograph,” not giving it another thought as she was always under the impression that she was not photogenic. “But when I saw the result I was surprised at how good it had turned out to be.” So she thought why not give modeling a try? And that is how Vinnie sailed into the sea of piranhas where she has managed to survive despite the vicious lot. After Khawar Riaz she did a couple of shoots with Athar Shahzad and then Arif Mahmood. Vinnie has been lucky in this respect that since the beginning she got to work with photographers of caliber.            

Once she settled in, the restless Vinnie wanted to something more. It was at this time that Jamal Shah spotted the creative person housed within this attractive girl. And he offered Vinnie a role in his play. For Vinnie it was just the opportunity she had been waiting for. “You know at that time everybody had this thing for Jamal Shah and to turn him down was out of the question. So once again we saw the diva take on a challenge as always.

But even that did not have pull enough for Vinnie to get hooked on to acting. After her first stint she stayed away from the screen for the next two years. “I had been away from home for a very long time and did not want that to be repeated, as I had missed my normal life with my family.” So for her it was adios to the mini screen.

If this decision had been reached, then why is it we are still seeing Vinnie on television, and not only seeing but seeing her all the time in one or the other serial. “When Haseena Moin’s serial was offered to me all my defenses crumbled and it was too good an offer to turn down.” Don’t we all know what happens when once you’ve been cast as Haseena Moin’s leading lady? You are the most wanted and sought after female artist for quite some time. The same has been Vinnie’s story. “But for this I had to get permission from my mom because we were to shoot in Mauritius.” Did mommy dear have a problem with her acting after her modeling assignments, we wonder? “She was never really for it but she has been very cool about it.” So once permission was granted off went the gal to foreign lands for her very first TV shoot.

Seems lady luck was really benevolent on Vinnie, for her next serial was also another Haseena Moin’s project Tum Sey Mil Kar. And then there was no looking back. Ever since it has been one good offer after another, “all of them irresistible,” says she.

For Vinnie, acting is not something she had always been desirous of doing but then who can say no to fame and oodles of money? Nobody! “If asked honestly I would like to be a begum sitting pretty at home and enjoying a laid back life. I believe if you have to work it should not be something that takes too much of your time. Unfortunately, the field I am in is too time consuming and I don’t get to spend much time with my family.”

Vinnie is no hypocrite and is honest enough to admit that she has entered this field for money. “I can easily lie by saying that I’m in for the love of art. But I do not believe in lying. I am not scared to admit that I’m in for the money. I have to support my home so that is all there is to it.”

Talent it seems is something that her family is blessed with. She has a younger sister who also stepped into the world of fashion. “She was very good at it and could have done well in this field but she was not serious about it. Rather, she preferred to get married and sit at home,” says Vinnie lovingly of her younger sister, “who is far more beautiful than I am and has a much better figure than I can ever dream of,” she concludes laughingly.

A common observation is that no matter how skimpy an outfit is it never appears vulgar on this lissome girl. “As a result I end up getting the miniest of sari tops at shows as well as shoots. I suppose this has to do with the fact that I do not have a cleavage which does not make it look all that improper,” says the slender Vinnie.

This silken haired diva has succeeded in treading the ground ever so carefully and has managed to keep away from too many rumors. Despite that she has had her fair share of being observed through a microscope. When Vinnie and Humayun became a hot favourite with the producers and directors and all were tripping over themselves to cast this duo in their serials and plays, there arose a story that both were romantically inclined towards each other. “If such was the case I would not have been appearing with Humayun in other serials. Since there was no basis to it I was not really bugged by the rumors. Then why is it that Vinnie ends up as Humayun’s leading lady in most of the serials? “What can I say save that there aren’t too many guys as tall as me so we end up together,” she justifies.

But on a more serious note, some time back rumors were rife of Vinnie’s association with Ali Azmat. “He’s a very good friend of mine.” And further adds, “Lets just say it was an experience that did not work out,” and goes silent after that leaving us in no doubt that she cares to pursue the subject no more. So we let it go at that!

At present, Vinnie is completely wrapped up in her acting and modeling activities, which leave her with very little time for settling down just now. Add to that the idea of being dependent on someone completely, that is certainly not a pleasant thought to her. “I have learnt that financial independence is a must and right now I’m still making money.” She is in no mood to take any drastic steps and is waiting for such a time till Cupid pays her a personalized visit. “When I meet someone who understands me, is loving and willing to take care of me then I’ll settle down.” Hey, anyone out there who feels you can do it? If so, give it your best shot!