Male models: Motion, lights and half naked bodies

There’s continuous motion, bright lights, half naked bodies, and six packs on display. Most averages Joe’s do not look like the pack of not-so-average Indian men before me. All sunken cheeks, and totally ripped, it’s not surprising the green room and the hair and makeup room is off limits to the masses. Clocking in time backstage at the all male show meant being part of the inner world, where few women were allowed into, sans the thread and the attitude, usually synonymous with the ramp. On location at the third Van Heusen Men’s Fashion Week in Delhi, it’s the opening day, and the boys are as excited about the show as designer Arjun Khanna who comes back to the city after a five year long hiatus. Most models are making their debut into the big bad world of fashion. Karan Kapoor *(name changed), 23, says, “I’ve always wanted to be a part of this world. It’s not been easy, this is my first big show and I am excited about it. My parents weren’t too happy with my career choice so they’ve disowned me. I don’t care though, I’m making a name for myself now. This is just the beginning”. I ask Karan if the infamous casting couch has been a deterrent. Karan says, “Most of the model coordinators are sleazy. I haven’t come across any designer who’s told me to stand in the buff so he can take pictures for a supposed shoot. I did that once because I was new, now I know better. All new comers should watch out for those b*******.” Karan bounced back after the brush with the coordinator, although some may not be as lucky as him as he points out. Atin Guha*(name changed), a regular page 3 journalist says, “It’s a sad sight when you see the LGBT queens trying to hit on the boys fresh off the block. I remember I had gone to a casting where I saw this coordinator guy approaching a male model, on the pretext of asking if he had a Blackberry. On being told he had one, the same guy jumped on him for his pin. The poor thing had no option but to give it to him. This often happens in every profession, you have your fair share of vultures, but the world, and the media are quick to demonize it.” I had to agree with Atin on it being not so terrible/dirty, maybe we were so programmed to stereotypes that we couldn’t see the happy. My few hours backstage only reaffirmed that, or maybe I had chanced upon a fairly decent running. ‘Vanity is my favourite sin’, declared Al Pacino in The Devil’s Advocate. And here I was, seeing firsthand all forms of vanity in motion in the hair and make up room. Some checked their reflection every minute, while most were peering into the mirror for more than a few minutes lest they spotted something out of the ordinary. Who knew what a lack of nano second checks could produce on the cashable mug? Krishan Vraj, 24, says, “I love modelling, and I love it even more when girls want to see me without my shirt. The high I get while walking the ramp is something else.” Nitin Chauhan, 23, a popular face at fashion weeks and on his way to being part of the big league says, “I am from Batala, Punjab and I am a freelacer graphic designer besides being a model. I have a pretty hectic schedule, I have to make sure my body looks good all the time, and my hair is silky and shiny. It’s been a good ride, although it can give me a headache with back-to-back shows.” As a parting shot he reminds me, “You’ll probably see me on the big screen someday hopefully.” A newcomer can make anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 and a seasoned model can ask for Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000. No surprise then when I see college students, all of 21 walking the ramp. The lure of big money and city lights is motivation enough for good looking small town boys to pack their bags and leave. Sanjay Padiyar, 23, a blacksmith’s son who made his debut last year at Lakme Fashion Week could do it, so can anyone else with some grit and attitude, exclaims Krishna, 21 from Mathura, in his 2nd year at Delhi University’s Khalsa College. The bonhomie and the brotherhood of the hair and makeup room starts to diminish as we move to the green room, minutes before the show. The seemingly lackadaisical approach is replaced with panic and energy. From boxers to tight briefs, while I am left red-faced at the sight of half naked bodies, the models are only too happy to strip, slipping in out of Arjun’s designs, and packing in last minute sit-ups. In the midst of all the energy and excitement of the green room, a friendly sandwich guy is severely reprimanded by a model devouring the same hearty looking sandwich in the hair and make-up room a few minutes back with a, “Are you insane to have brought this here? Yuck, take it away!” The choreographer, designer, and coordinators metamorphose into a pack of mother hens. At once, comforting, shouting, smiling, and primping their coven of beautiful boys before they set the stage on fire. Programmed to get a reaction, Sahil Shroff and Hrishant Goswami, look at ease, chilling like brothers in arms, while the newbies, slightly nervous, constantly shrug their shoulders to ease the tension when the first strains of music fill up the green room. ‘The Action Men by Arjun Khanna’ transforms the boys to men. With leather on linen and the whole look reminiscent of everything vintage and retro, the collection is at once quirky and eccentric. Sweaty handshakes and a few hugs later, Arjun hollers, ‘Do me proud boys, set the stage on fire’. The line-up is set, the music sets the mood, and everyone looks like they’re finally home.