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`Modelling needs no brains, but... '
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Models Pia Trivedi and Marc Robinson try their best to dispel myths about the catwalk
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MODELSPEAK Pia Trivedi and Marc Robinson say youngsters entering the modelling industry should take their job seriously PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.
Marc Robinson needs no introduction as he is one the faces that defined the male Indian model. Fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar meanwhile thrust Pia Trivedi into the spotlight in his Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar. Though Robinson is still in demand as a model, he has dabbled with a few roles in Bollywood while Trivedi is one of the most recognisable faces on Channel [V], where she is a veejay. They were in the city recently to judge the Bangalore episode of the Channel [V] Get Gorgeous Contest. SHILPA SEBASTIAN R. listened as the two left their ramp-selves behind and discussed the human side of the modelling industry.
Pia: Is modelling a platform for most youngsters to get into films?
Marc: Actually no.
Pia: But not all of them made it did they? And what do you think about the adage `models can't act?'
Marc: There are models who have proved to be successful as actors. We have Juhi Chawla, Sonali Bendre, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, John Abraham... It's a myth when they say that models can't act. In fact, I think hits and flops depend on scripts and directors too. These days there are young directors willing to experiment.
Pia: In modelling, 35 is called retirement age.
Marc: Yes, it is. What age did you start modelling?
Pia: Eighteen.
Marc: Brilliant. You see, in the West girls start modelling at that age and stop by the time they are in the 20s. There unless you are a Naomi Campbell, you can't go on till you are in your 30s. But in India people enter the field late and go on, and on.
Pia: In our industry how long does it go on?
Marc: Milind and me were around for 13 or 14 years. And those days if you wanted to do films one did not model for long as one did not want to get typecast. For women it was even tough as society was not so open-minded. But times are changing. It's ok to be a career woman and also have babies when she is in her 30s. Women after a certain point of time don't look as fresh as they did when they were 18. Some even don't know when to call it quits. It's always better to let go and give youngsters a chance. But its tough to move away from all this fame.
Pia: Most models are married and have called it quits. What do you think one can do after quitting modelling?
Marc: There are so many options such as taking to choreographing fashion shows, become a hair stylist, do make up or start a modelling agency or work with one, if you want to continue in the same field.
Pia: Today getting into modelling is so much easier because of the number of agencies, especially if it is run by an ex-model. But the money here is not that big as in Bollywood where one can walk away with crores in one shot. One has to think of investments in the long term.
Marc: Yeah, but the money you make these days is quite handsome.
Pia: Did you plan your future?
Marc: In a way yes. Though I got film offers I was content choreographing shows as that gives me ample time to spend with my family.
(Is modelling life stressful as we've had quite a few suicides in the past: Nafisa Joseph from Bangalore and Kuljeet Randhawa?)
Marc: Modelling isn't so stressful that you have to lose your life. Agreed that the life here or the people you meet and deal with are tough. But, mind you the past suicides of successful models have been due to their personal reasons and not due to work.
Pia: I think it's tough for girls who come from out of town and live alone. When they go back to an empty house and have no one to talk to, they can feel really low. I think family support is really important.
Marc: It's tough, yes, as the hours are long and the make up is elaborate, and involves a lot of travel. But in spite of all this it's a fun place to be in.
Pia: It's also safe as we work and travel together. So there's bonding happening there.
Marc: The only struggle that would happen is when young boys and girls indulge in various other activities besides modelling and claim to be models. One finds many youngsters like that in Mumbai. And the struggle and depression in that sector may add to the already existing ones.
Pia: Modelling circle is so small that everyone knows the other be it another model or the make up artiste or the photographer.
Marc: It's also a glamorous world where one works immensely on oneself — be it the look, the body or the walk. It's as good as any other profession like a journalist or a hotel industry. But it's more visible in our field.
Pia: Yeah. For the Lakme fashion India Week I practised my walk and posture in front of a mirror for really long hours. The competition is so tough these days.
(Is there also a funny side to modelling?)
Marc: That Pia will have plenty to tell you.
Pia: Funny as in there are bad shows where you fall and trip on a long gown. In fact, they are more embarrassing.
(As kids we were told that modelling doesn't need brains.)
Marc: Modelling does not need brains but one has to be street-savvy. One should be able to market one self. Surely a scientist cannot be a model! Today the opportunities are more and there is so much more work for men in the modelling field than for men. Men are used mostly as just props as most of the men are imported to launch products. Women can take to VJing or commercials after ramps.
(Do you believe in remaining faithful to the products that you endorse? Like Aamir who wears a Titan and only drinks Coke in public?)
Marc: Yes, the contract works like that these days. But in our days we endorsed everything.
Pia: You endorsed Thumbs Up and Coke!
Marc: Yes, those days it was quite flexible and also I was lucky or may be marketing savvy.
Pia: What do you think of sports people endorsing a product? I personally think that they should concentrate on their games as one sees that their game gets affected due to these distractions.
Marc: Every company does a market survey before approaching a sports person or a film star to endorse a product. Surely Sachin or Dravid on Doordarshan has better appeal even in the rural areas than you or me. And mind you they do these commercials during the off cricket season. They are not style icons but just icons.
Pia: What about Sania Mirza? Isn't she overdone? Her game is pathetic!
Marc: Yes, I agree. Sania has to realise that she will be in demand as long as she is good at the game. It's just like Saurav Ganguly, he's out of the team and also out of the ad world. Once again it all depends on one's karma you know. If you perform well in your game then you are in demand or vice versa.
Pia: But Saurav has played very well in the past...
Marc: Marketing guys will still not take a chance in approaching Saurav again as too much money is at stake.
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