When a man makes an indecent proposal..to a man

The 'casting couch' is serious trouble for male models in India

The Casting Couch is a reality. Not just for female models but also the males in India’s buzzing fashion industry. In a quest to make it big, acquire fame, money and a high-profile lifestyle, many male models face the rude reality of ‘talent hunts’ under the guise of ramp show auditions. While many such auditions are genuine, others are ‘indecent proposals’ or a fast dial way to make it on the ramp for big designers and then to the silver screen.
Incidentally, under the scanner of late is model Sid Gupta (name changed), assistant director in a recent Shah Rukh Khan film, who was given a shot on the ramp to open and close the KJo-Varun Bahl’s menswear show in Delhi and the India Couture Week in Mumbai. Fashion circles in both cities are abuzz with rumours about he being a toyboy for his godfather. Not just him, in the recent past model Inder Bajwa and then Lalit Trehan were rumoured to have been the boyfriends of designer Rohit Bal. How true is the casting couch proposal?

EASY LIFESTYLE, BIG MONIES, LOADS OF FAME
It’s the lure of life on the fast lane. Who would refuse it? Model-actor Rajneish Duggall says, “Every guy who gets into the modelling profession, comes with dreams in his eyes. When I started off, a ‘biggie’ made a direct pass at me with an assurance of a hefty assignment. I politely told him to F@#k Off. Later on, when I won the Mr India title, no one dared to mess with me. Newcomers are targets. But it’s a personal choice that an individual eventually makes.”

YAHAN PAR RAPE NAHI HOTA
Models Viraf Patel and Freddy Daruwala walk the ramp for Indian designers in Mumbai, Delhi and also abroad. Both have been approached for ‘couch sessions’ by male designers. Says Freddy, “This a professional hazard. While many professionals genuinely try to help models, there are some people who tend to take advantage of vulnerable newcomers. Those not patient enough to wait for their turn on the ramp, tend to give in. I chose to stay clear. No one forces anyone. You just miss a chance to walk the fashion ramp. Yahan rape nahi hota. But missing too many chances can hurt, especially if odd faces hop, skip and jig on the runway and deserving ones are made to wait and watch.”

STAKES ARE HIGH
Supporting a model’s lifestyle in Mumbai or Delhi can be rather tricky at times. Admits Viraf Patel, “I was approached by a big designer when I was relatively new. When I refused, I didn’t get to walk the ramp for him; but I eventually did after a year. But no love lost here. He and I are nice to each other now. This industry works on favouritism. If a senior likes me, he recommends me and I get work. Talent keeps me anchored to get more work.”

TALENTED GUYS GET WORK, ANYWAY
Choreographer and event manager Marc Robinson, who started his showbiz career as a model, adds, “Of course, the ‘sleeping couch’ exists. But it’s more of a mutual thing for strugglers wanting to get a quick ‘entry’ into the glam world.” However, model Saquib Quereshi, a newcomer who has bagged a big advertisement opposite Ranbir Kapoor, says work is plenty for models who fit the bill for designers: “If a model is talented why shouldn’t he get assignments? Just hold on, don’t give in.”