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The balancing act
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The world of fashion modelling is very tricky and one has to tread the waters very carefully
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Photo: K.R. Deepak
Stay focussed Fame, glam and easy money could be a heady mix
In the dazzling world of modelling and glamour, we often come across ‘rags to riches’ stories but rarely do we hear tales describing the other side – the murkier side of the industry. The recent discovery of Gitanjali Nagpal, a supe
r model who once sashayed down the ramp with the likes of Sushmita Sen, begging on the pavements in New Delhi, by a team from Delhi Commission for Women, speaks of the darker side of the glamour world. Geetanjali, daughter of a naval officer who completed her schooling from Mount Carmel and her higher studies from the Lady Sri Ram College, was found begging in the streets of Hauz Khas in New Delhi. The person who once blazed the ramp with flashy outfits and led a high profile lifestyle was found in shabby and misfit clothes, mentally deranged and reduced to penury. People attributed many reasons including drug abuse but the doctors at VIMHNAS where she is undergoing treatment ruled out the possibility. Then what could be the reason?
An upcoming model Sanjana (name changed) blames the pressure cooker like environment in the modelling world. “Modelling could be very stressful. It is almost like a 24x7 job. None of us is a born model but are made. The initial entry itself is a culture shock for most of us who come from middle class background. The sudden exposure to lights, camera and fame coupled with cut-throat competition, the pressure of scoring above the rest, the sudden exposure to high profile lifestyle, the constant requirement to look glamorous, and the thought of failure could be a very dangerous cocktail,” says she.
Many also feel that stress is there in every job and it depends on the individual to handle it. “One has to handle it in his or her way, as finally you are responsible for the consequences,” says Sanjay, a software engineer and a part time model.
He rightly points there is stress and danger in every profession but in the case of modelling, the aspect of danger is very high. One has to tread the waters very carefully, especially the women.
“The lure of fame and easy money plays the trick in the minds of the promising models and that concept is exploited by many of the fashion designers, film directors and producers and model coordinators. Most of the models know about the fashion world but still fall prey due to high aspirations and they tend to use the shortcuts to the top,” says fashion photographer B.K. Agarwal.
A successful model is the one who has the right attitude, approach, discipline and talent, he notes. “One should learn to quit the moment he or she understands that they lack the required talent, as finally only the talented ones make it big. If one enters the industry with this attitude then things would be smooth. But most of them try to push forward using the shortcut route and end up nowhere and exploited,” he adds.
Modelling is all about balancing many things at the same time. Patience and discipline are the two main keys to success in the modelling world.
The rush to jump to the top spot at times push them into traps like casting couches and impel them to oblige indecent favours.
Here are a few rules that one should follow: Instant fame should never be allowed to cloud your mind. Marketing of oneself is important in this industry but the lines should be clearly drawn. The ideal mix would be to strike a balance between PR (public relations) activities and lifestyle. Late night parties, alcohol and drugs are part of the industry. But one should treat them as acid tests and stay focused. And finally, keep away from middlemen.
A decade-and-a-half ago a model from this city learnt the rules of the trade very quickly and rose to become a top a model and actress in both Telugu and Tamil filmdom. But at the same time there are many who tried to take the shortcut only to be exploited and have faded into oblivion in no time.
SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Puducherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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