A sneak peek into the careers of two girls and a guy who have taken the modelling world by storm:
SANAM PRASAD
SHOOTS Khazana, Joy Allukas, Kalamandhir, Tatasky in Bangalore.
IN HER WARDROBE Vero Moda denim shorts
FITNESS MANTRA lots of water, stretches
HANGOUT SPOT Mocha mujo
BEST FEATURE mole on my chin
You will see her in every fashion show walking the ramp in Chennai. This young electronic communication student is one of the top models in the city. Her sparkling eyes and svelte body shot her to fame. Sanam, in her brief period as a model, has built the image of the girl-next-door, groomed within an inch of her life. She slips in and out of several roles; one of a software engineer and the other of a model during the weekends. She shot to fame after she was spotted by Indian fashion guru — Prasad Bidappa. She also walked the red carpet at the Miss Bangalore 2004 contest. But it was Ganesh Gurung who made her a household name in the Chennai fashion scene, after he spotted her at a fashion show.
Says Sanam, “Modeling is my forte.
I feel more professional, now that I’ve been working a while; I believe I know what I’m doing.” This young beauty is confident about her participation in future beauty pageants.
“I have been shortlisted for the finals of Indian Princess,” she adds.
About the industry, she says, “The modeling scene in the north is way different from here. Our city is grounded to its values and we are not carried away. The profession here is safer and people are friendly,” she says.
Sanam also has plans to enter the film industry. “Acting is my passion, but nothing has been confirmed so far.” The 5ft 7” tall model is also hoping to make it to the runways of the Lakme Fashion Week and Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week.
ARTI VENKATESAN
SHOOTS Max launch, Kalaniketan, Kimaya, Nalli
IN HER WARDROBE Monisha Jaisingh dress from Evoluzione
FITNESS MANTRA Regular workout and proper diet
HANGOUT SPOT The Park
BEST FEATURE face
WITH a gleaming smile and playful snappy eyes; Arti Venkatesan is currently one of Chennai’s most sought after models, particularly with those in the know. Even before she started modeling in Chennai, she had participated in Femina Miss India, after Prasad Bidappa took her under his wings. Though she couldn’t make it to the finals, the exposure of the pageant did her a lot of good.
Walking the ramp is not just what she does, the lady is also a skilled interior designer, “Earlier I was doing three to four projects every month, but now, I don’t take up more than two or three projects, as modeling keeps me busy,” says Arti. Even though interior designing takes up a significant amount of her time, she finds time to keep herself in shape and says, “I don’t believe in size zero. A model should be healthy and curvy.” But what does she hope to achieve ten years from now, “I want to become a super model and walk at the Lakme Fashion Week,” she laughs. With more than 35 ramp shows and 12 magazine photo shoots, Arti hopes to strike a balance between her career as an interior designer and a model.
KARRTHIK AHUJA
SHOOTS Fashion Folks, GRT Resorts, Premium Kitchen, M&M
Dance company
IN HER WARDROBE Armani caps
FITNESS MANTRA hits the gym four days a week
HANGOUT SPOT Blend, Leather Bar
BEST FEATURE eyes, smile
THE term ‘model’ — mentioned very often in the media — usually brings to mind an amazingly beautiful woman. But, rarely do we imagine a handsome male. But there are male models who can shoot up the glam quotient anywhere they go, and one among that breed is Karrthik Ahuja. His stunning looks and nearly flawless physique have helped turn this production coordinator into a model. He has been on many magazines and billboards around the city.
“I was born in Chennai and then lived in Bangalore. Later I worked in Dubai. During college, I did a photo shoot for designers Nidhi and Chandini, who gave me the impetus to become a full-fledged model.” What started out as a hobby has now become his full-time profession. This tall hunk is also a trained dancer and a black belt in Karate. He is just 21 years old, but the young model has already travelled to across the globe. “Since I was into production and fashion week, I had travelled to South east Asia, UAE and most places in India.” His modeling career in Chennai picked up after he met the city’s wellknown choreographer, Karun Raman. At present, he is also learning acting.