NOTHING tastes sweeter than success. And who else could perceive it better than city lad Ashish Mishra, the hunk who made it to the top 15 contestants in the 'Gladrags Manhunt and Mega Model Contest 2006'.
The achievement of Ashish has brought laurels to the city as he claims to be first one from Allahabad to make his way to the semi-final round of this most sought after title. The contest was held in Mumbai on April 8.
Representing the coterie of some of the best looking men in the country, Ashish displays just the right attitude suitable to match the verve of country's top models.
A mechanical engineer in Cummins India Ltd, Ashish is based at Pune at present and his journey towards success started much earlier. "It all happened way back in the year 2003 when I competed for a state- level modelling contest held in Allahabad. My friends coaxed me to compete as they were much confident about my winning the title," he said.
But the good looks were to be enhanced with perfect biceps and such a metamorphosis was not achieved in a day. "I concentrated on workouts and then competed for the title which I won. Thereafter I participated in 'Effervescence' held at IIIT-A where I was bestowed with the title of 'Man of the show award' and then there was no looking back."
{{/usCountry}}But the good looks were to be enhanced with perfect biceps and such a metamorphosis was not achieved in a day. "I concentrated on workouts and then competed for the title which I won. Thereafter I participated in 'Effervescence' held at IIIT-A where I was bestowed with the title of 'Man of the show award' and then there was no looking back."
{{/usCountry}}Ashish submitted his photographs for 'Gladrags Manhunt and Mega Model Contest 2005' in which he was chosen in the top 50 slot. "I bounced back with double the energy and confidence in the year 2006 and was chosen among the best 15 out of 250 others competing for the title," he added. Now he has been labelled as the Gladrags model for the next two years. Certainly, the hard work paid for this guy who sweated in the gym for two hours daily while coordinating with his office schedule.
This 6 feet guy is all praise for Maurine Wadia, the chairperson of Gladrags. "Her suave personality never goes unnoticed. She gives individual attention to all the contestants and guides them by sharing her personal experience," related Ashish.
"All the contestants were trained for about a month. Right from enhancing our looks, we were taught the etiquette, and how to face the media. All of us were provided with the five-star hotel facilities and Ben, our choreographer, trained us to 'walk the walk'. But it is essential to co-ordinate well with your partner during the show," he said.
He has met several celebrities of Bollywood. Katrina Kaif, Diana Hayden, John Abraham, Arjun Rampal, to name a few. John Abraham is his inspiration. "He started from the ground level to reach the top. Who else could inspire the aspiring models better than him," says Ashish.
Enjoying the admiring glances right now, he will continue with his modelling assignments along with handling his job. What's next on the cards? "Films, what else," he replied.