Small Towns, Big Dreams

Boys court glitz in a world dominated by women

Ashish Kadya used to be the first one in the line, during his school photoshoots. Little did he know that this enthusiasm would be an asset in the world of modelling, when he was growing up in a non-descript village in Haryana, near Panipat which hasn’t remained untouched by the glitzy world of fashion.

Being the youngest in the family, pampered by his mother, Ashish never knew what waited for him in the fashion capital of India, Delhi when he packed his bags to make his place in the archlights. “I used to travel by buses, had no money or work for four months and was too proud to ask my parents. I used to make rounds of modelling agencies and the first thing I used to ask for is water. Everyone would say, what a lovely face you have, but they would never give me any work,” he remembers.

But don’t be mistaken by Ashish’s Herculean looks, he has a heart that beats for newcomers. And he admits if he gets an opportunity to help those who want to become models, he will do everything he can, to help them, so that they don’t have to struggle, the way he did!

“I did a Honda shoot with Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar, and I got noticed. Plus, Suvo Das helped me, a lot. I owe my success to him. I learnt that being calm, patient and maintaining good relationships with people, being kind to fellow contestants, goes a long way in this line of work,” he adds with a twinkle in his eyes.

But he does add, philosophically, that what is meant to be will be, destiny also has a big role to play, besides hard work. “I want to be a supermodel and I am inching towards it slowly, I’m in no hurry to make it big,” he confirms.

Small towns, big dreams seems to be a constant for boys who aspire for instant success. Mohd Imran, is from Old Delhi’s food haven Chandni Chowk, he has no qualms in telling you that he prefers conversing in Hindi, as he can express himself better, honesty a virtue that is slowly fading away from the world of sepia-toned glimmer. “I want fame,” he unabashedly tells you. “I don’t want to do a regular 9-5 job, what will I earn there? Rs 15,000, maybe a little more! Modelling exposes you to a different world, it is a microcosm where there are parties, style, entertainment, all the things I like,” he smiles.

But all this comes at a price, Imran soon discovered, when for four months, he was work-less, and he realized women get more opportunities than men, as most designers primarily make clothes for women. “Plus, it was a double whammy, as I got no support from my traditional family, which wanted me to get a job, and that too super fast,” he says. He came to terms with the fact that the world only respects those who are successful and winners, no matter how good you are from deep within, as there is no place for ordinary-ness or mediocrity.

Though life did take a turn for the better—today his face smiles from billboards and relatives call his mom to say, how happy they are to see him, find a foothold in an impossibly difficult industry. “My five-year-old niece sees my photo in the newspaper and jumps with joy! It is a sight that is etched in my memory forever and it makes me want to go on, do better,” he admits.

Though contradictions exist here too and education has never been a barrier for those bitten by the glam bug. Gaurav Choudhry is an interior designer by profession, but with Arjun Rampal as his style icon, he aspired to follow in his footsteps. Modelling and then acting is his plan, so when he is not on the ramp, he is at his acting class learning the finer nuances of 70MM. “I am a quick learner, so that I know what is my strongest point, it will take me far. But determination and the willingness to take a risk, in this field makes you a winner. I also like to keep fit, so a daily two-hour workout ensures I am in ship shape,” he adds.

From the picturesque Tibet caught in the grip of unrest, a young boy, 24, raised in Delhi thought he could harness his “unique” looks and make it to the top. Gyaltsen, started his journey with Elite and then decided to go solo, hoping to make the best of his interest in garment construction. “I have enjoyed my two-year journey here, people told me I photographed well, so I gave it a shot, plus I had the blessings of my family, which makes all the difference,” he concludes.