First Day First Show

In the fittings room,the models get ready for a jacket change for designer Krishna Mehta,who will showcase her collection on Saturday. Unlike the others who get chatty,Singh keeps to himself. After changing into a simple grey shirt and a pair of rugged denims,he signs the contract and speaks to us in chaste Hindi.

“I auditioned for the men’s week last year as well but I was slightly overweight then. If I hadn’t made it this time,I would have quit,” he says,quickly adding that Rohit Bal,who was on the selection panel complimented him,suggesting he should work on his shoulders as they are too broad.

In 2009,Singh had started working out rigorously at the gym. Within seven months,he had lost almost 50 kg. “Bas ek bar apne aap ko hoarding par dekhna tha. I had told myself that the day I appear on a hoarding,I would leave modelling. But then I got a TV ad and now,with this show,my portfolio is complete,” he says.

Ever since he began running around for the men’s week auditions,Singh has been very careful with his diet. “I gain weight very easily,and I haven’t touched roti for two-and-a-half months now. Oats,fruits (except bananas and pomegranate),brown bread and protein shakes — that’s all I’m surviving on,” he says with a chuckle.

Singh knows little about the fashion industry but that hasn’t stopped him from signing up for five shows at the three-day-long event.

He will walk for Arjun Khanna and Krishna Mehta but doesn’t remember the names of the others. “I want to walk for Rohit Bal — I know he is a big name,” he says.

Though his is a story of grit,it’s not a rags-to-riches tale. He had no trouble investing money into his first portfolio nor did he sleep on the pavement or end his night hungry. His father is a rich businessman in Rohtak running transport and property businesses. He also realises he can’t depend on a modelling career for the rest of his life,and is pursuing an MBA degree. “I’ve invested around Rs 50 lakh in a packaging business,” he says.

He tries to sound informed when he can. He knows,for instance,that female models get more work and are better paid. “Anyway,I am not working for money. Woh jawani kya,jiski koi kahani naa ho,Main apni kahaani dhoond raha hu,” he says,romantically. We can’t help but agree.