Making her sensational debut in Hollywood’s most talked about award winning film, `The Man Who Knew Infinity,’ paired opposite Oscar nominee and heartthrob, Dev Patel, actor Devika Bhise cut an intelligent portrayal as Janaki, wife of mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. Soon to be seen in a biopic based on Rani Lakshimibai – which recently wrapped up the India leg of shooting in Rajasthan – Devika is also an accomplished Bharat Natyam dancer, jazz singer and a filmmaker. But few know the lovely actor also harbors a secret passion.

Shoes maketh this woman. If you have been watching Hollywood’s debutantes take the red carpet like steeds on gallop, you will know that every shoe couturier worth his dollar is paying serious attention to sole-stoppers these days. Devika’s shoe closet stands glamorous witness to every woman’s dream come true. In the lady’s own words, Devika shares her shoe fetish with Ethel Da Costa, and an enviable collection it is.

Heels are a girl’s best friend…
Like any good accessory, heels can dress up every look, even jeans! A dramatic, bold heel is always my last minute life saver to pull together an outfit. Or, when in doubt, a classic black close toed pump has never disappointed! It’s also a state of mind… slipping on a pair of heels makes every woman feel more confident, sexy, tall, powerful, and able to conquer the world!

The day I discovered shoes maketh a woman
I started obsessing over shoes in my early teens. The way you walk changes your entire demeanor and nothing beats the way women walk in high heels– unless they are limping by the end of the night, but that’s another story.

Brands that define my style sensibilities
Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weizmann, Giuseppe Zanotti. Always classic, always chic. I think style is timeless and their collections never disappoint! I never look at brands when buying shoes though, my shoe closet has a lot of diversity with vintage pairs as well.

My Red Carpet decoded
There are so many things that go into a Red Carpet look– you always want to shine, but can’t have too much going on. If I have a classic, simple outfit I will always choose bold shoes, accessories or make up, and vice versa. It’s about the whole package! For my Red Carpet confidence, I would say that high heels are my secret weapon.

Shoe tips for the debutante
Always carry spare band-aids in your purse in case of any last minute discomfort! Dr. Scholl’s gel insoles always help me stay on my feet for long nights. But just in case, I also carry a pair of compact, foldable ballet slippers.