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Ali had to wait for two years to get this opportunity; the past four seasons didn’t have enough menswear shows for the organisers to conduct fresh auditions. What made his LFW ramp debut tougher was the fact that he was one among a crowd of 240 male applicants (as opposed to just 122 female registrations). “I am glad I made it this time. Now,I have something to show to my parents,” he says.

Modelling remains a popular vocation among India’s youth,seeking a slice of the glamour world. Even though male models often have to deal with lesser opportunities and salaries compared to their female counterparts,the ramp still holds a lure for them. A case in point is Adeem Kirmani. He left his hometown,Srinagar,two years ago to pursue an MBA in Bangalore,but still counts modelling as his first love. “Every time I saw a fashion show on TV,my conviction became stronger that I wanted to be a model,” Kirmani recalls.

The 23-year-old is disappointed over not getting featured on LFW’s list. He,however,doesn’t plan to give up so soon. “I have time. I have been modelling for one-and-a-half years in Bangalore now. So I will look for modelling assignments — be it ads,fashion shows or magazine shoots — for some more years and see how it goes. I will make quick money anyway. Meanwhile,I will complete my MBA,” he points out.

Kirmani’s friend Saif Bhat,who also tried his luck at the LFW auditions,has a similar plan in mind. He has completed his engineering,which he calls his ‘plan B’.

“I know that male models don’t have it easy. But I want to give modelling a shot. In fact,I will come again for the next LFW audition. It’s a game of risks. If I make it,there’s no looking back — even movies can be within my reach,” he says.

Almost all the modelling aspirants have their eyes on Bollywood. Michael Obidike,a trainer at a gym in Mumbai,confesses that when he came for the auditions,he wanted to cash in on his fitness and ‘African genes’. “Having been born and brought up in India,I am aware of the power of Bollywood. The film industry is my ultimate goal; let’s face it — modelling is great fun but it can’t be the destination,” says Obidike.

This is perhaps why the judges were a tad disappointed with the male applicants. Anjana Sharma,Director Fashion,IMG Reliance,says,“Ramp requirements are different from that of Bollywood but a lot of boys who turned up didn’t know this. They were just beefy,and that’s not what walking the ramp is about. It’s about being fit and having the right attitude. How one carries oneself is very important. The four we shortlisted were just the ones we were looking for.”