Models: Namit, Jyotsna, Tamara This Delhi boy studied in Modern School, did an MBA from Kingston University in London, came back to India and worked for two years in client servicing with O&M.

The last person to become a model, you’d imagine. But 25-year-old Namit Khanna always wanted to be one. In fact, even before going to London, he’d had his portfolio shot. So one fine day, he quit his job and moved to Mumbai to try his luck.

Namit has now been a model for three years and feels honoured to be nominated as the Next Big Thing by industry bigwigs. “I’m very happy but I can’t let this go to my head. I am a very grounded person, as I have come up the hard way,” he says. The 6ft 2in tall Namit has walked the ramp and done commercials for brands such as L’Oreal, Giovani, Cue and Adidas.

Southern spice

Jyotsna was studying engineering in Bengaluru when she decided to do an assignment with model coordinator Anila Anand. To her surprise, offers for modelling started pouring in soon after. She then took part in the 2009 Mumbai Fashion Week – and life was never the same again. Today, this gorgeous 23-year-old is being touted as the country’s next supermodel.

Besides walking the ramp, Jyotsna has also done print ads and commercials for various brands including Garnier and Provogue. Excited at being nominated as the Next Best Thing, Jyotsna says, “I am very happy but I know that this profession is not long lasting. So I want to study more and also travel a bit.”

Any plans for films? “I’m not sure right now,” she replies frankly.

Although Tamara Moss is half-Dutch and half-Indian, she was born and brought up in India. Modelling began by default after she started working as a soft skills trainer in Bengaluru.

“I didn’t know much about what I wanted to do at the time except that I wanted to enjoy life. As soon as I had made enough money, I went off to London, Paris, Portugal to work and travel,” says Tamara, who is delighted at being nominated as the Next Big Thing.

Tamara’s been modelling for nearly three years now. Some of her best-known work has been for Taj Hotels, Kingfisher and Hazoorilal Jewellers, among others.

A long way from Tamara’s original career choice – to be a pilot!

Our judges

Shantanu & Nikhil, Fashion designers
Namit: Stylish with an innocent look that works
Sahil Shroff: Fresh and good looking
Paresh: A distinct look, has the making of an actor
Jyotsna: Very photogenic with a good attitude
Giselle: Fresh, glamorous
Tamara Moss: Quite stylish and sexy

Harmeet Bajaj, Fashion stylist

Zakib: Has really hot looks
Vaibhav: Great attitude that works well for him
Namit Khanna: Great for commercials and ramp
Arshia: Fresh and innocent looking
Jyotsna: Good body language and attitude
Tamara: Super confident and very sexy

Aparna Bedi Bahl, Choreographer

Namit: Good looks and great attitude
Parvesh: Cool and super professional
Gaurav: Works well for ramp and commercials
Tamara: Unusual looking
Lisa: Sexy and beautiful to boot
Jyotsna: Can be great internationally too