Face Off with Prasad Bidappa

Does his wife mind that the only company he keeps are beautiful women, glamourous models and gorgeous babes?

She did at the beginning but Prasad says he is more of a father figure to these young lasses, so he8217;s not a threat. Finally, growing old has its advantages.

How did all these scantily-clad women become a part of his everyday life?

Well, surprisingly this Prince of Panache came from a middle class family and needed to earn some extra dosh. So at age 15 he began to co-ordinate fashion shows for just Rs 300. quot;And that princely sum used to last me two weeks.quot; Now, he8217;s really dating himself.

Since he had a headstart what stopped him from moving to the country8217;s glamour capital?

Thanks, but no thanks, says Prasad, who is quite happy being the Boy from Bangalore. quot;Mumbai has borrowed style. Bangalore is more discreet, it is not so overt.quot;

Prasad is obviously hard to please. What rigorous standards does he apply then to pick a girl from nowhere and make her a catwalk queen?

She has to be unique. For instance, he chose Vidusha Pavate winner of Supermodel contest two years ago as she was exactly the opposite of what most Indians hold beautiful. quot;She was wearing this long blue nylon frock and was dark, and I thought she had just the look.quot;

Prasad has also got the image of being a Miss India-maker 8212; does he mind this tag?

quot;I do not go out of my way for the Miss India contest, I just help the girls.quot; Though he adds proudly that Southern belles like Rani Jeyraj and Nafisa Joseph were his successful discoveries.

Is he upset then that none of his chosen ones have won the Miss World title?

Not at all. He does not believe that the Miss World title is as big a deal as people think. quot;It has no significance in places like England. It8217;s really a Miss Third World. But it does make a girl8217;s career happen here.quot; He does admit though that he was upset that Nafisa did not do well but then he did warn her to wait a year before entering the contest.

But does he get fed-up with all the glamour around him. It can be very fake after a while, right?

quot;As long as you are not a victim and have a sense of fun it8217;s fine. And he believes that the modelling industry has done great things for Generation X. quot;It has given them a chance to break into the big league.quot;

Did he not want to put himself on the ramp?

quot;Oh yes I did.quot; And he did one ad for Raymond8217;s, which he was thrilled with. He has no problems admitting that he does enjoy being part of the jetset. quot;It is nice being invited everywhere.quot; Not that Prasad goes everywhere he is invited 8212; he is choosy about where he8217;s seen.

So, is he in it for the fortune or the fame?

quot;Both.quot; It took no thinking to answer this question.

What does this image consultant to strike a perfect balance in his personal look?

Prasad has being Prasad down to a fine art 8212; for free. Since he is in the business, designers send him freebies, all the time. But he does all his wife8217;s shopping for her. quot;She has not been into a shop for years.quot; His favourite piece of women8217;s clothing: the sari.

Fine, he is a jack of all trades but which one is his master?

quot;Writing.quot; He loves being a hack. Prasad has columns in the Times Of India, Asian Age and Mid-Day. He does not mind that journalism does not pay as it makes up in other ways. quot;It gives you real influence.quot;

A closet intellectual who loves to read? He must then want to write a book, too.

Yes. He would love to write a book but it would not be based on his glamourous life. quot;That8217;s so easy,I would have no respect for myself.quot; The book he would like to write would be shades of Kingsley Amis.

And what is the King of All Things Bright and Beautiful most likely to say?

quot;Something nice about a person.quot;

And least likely to say?

quot;Never say Never. If you want to make it, you can.quot;