Ramp quest: Will the West be won?

Time for a reality check. Why Indian models have by and large failed to attain global glory after a brief brush with the limelight?

Svelte Saira Mohan is “the new global standard of beauty”. That’s what Newsweek, who featured her on the cover recently, calls the face that has launched countless products. The 25-year-old Manhattan-based model insists global ramp fame is “around the corner for India”.

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Time for a reality check, then. Can Indian models really achieve global superstardom? We’ve had Ujjwala Raut modelling for Angelo Tarazzi, Paco Rabanne and Chanel. Vidisha Pavate was the first Ford supermodel from India. Monikangkana Dutta has modelled for Dior and Chanel, while Sharan Misra is rampwalking for Ungaro and Givenchy. Joey Matthew, Madhu Sapre, Mehr Jessia and Sheetal Malhar have also had their brush with international limelight.

Why can’t they survive out there? Why do most of them return home? Says Dutta: “The West prefers blondes with blue eyes. Plus, I felt lonely.”

Says designer Ritu Kumar: “It’s tough. They will click only if they have patience.” Designer Neelam Saxena feels Indian models suffer from inferiority complex.

Then there is the physical aspect. Says modelling agency Glitz’s Pranav Awasthi. “Can you think of Neha Dhupia or Bipasha Basu making it big abroad with their thunder thighs? Others like Udita Goswami don’t have the height.”

While choreographer Tanya Lefebvre cites “expensive lifestyle abroad,” as a deterrent, model Ramneek Pantal sums it up for her fraternity: “I’m not ambitious enough.”