Models Apoorva Vishwanathan and Rohini Mariam Idicula share behind-the-scenes ramp musings with Shilpa Nair Anand
Chatting with Apoorva Vishwanathan and Rohini Mariam Idicula dispels those clichéd notions about models being dumb and all that. These are girls who have very clear notions where they are headed, and what they are doing. One was a semi-finalist at Channel V’s ‘Get Gorgeous’ contest and at L’Oreal Elite Model Look Of The Year, 2006 she was Miss Photogenic, the other is the reigning Miss Kerala. If ‘Get Gorgeous’ was more of a stiff competition then Miss Kerala was tougher given the conservative attitudes, both the girls impress with their attitudes, not just the way they look.
All work, no play
“A contest like ‘Get Gorgeous’ is tough, it is really a stressful situation to be in. Right from the moment you wake to the moment you call it a day, ready for bed it is one hectic schedule. It is not easy, you are working out, attending grooming sessions, makeup…the whole works,” says Apoorva, giving a peek into the crazy world that modelling is. Apoorva is a ramp model and has also modelled for Pantaloon and Wipro. Rohini agrees, “For a week before the contest, all the participants are put through a week’s grooming and it is rigorous. There is not a moment’s rest. Right from 6 in the morning to 11 in the night, it is one after the other without any respite.” Rohini too has walked the ramp, in fact she participated in the Delhi Fashion Week, she was one of the models for designer Deepika Govind. Getting brickbats for participating in a fashion show or contest is easy but participating is not. “It is about your attitude and how you project yourself. You have to compete with 25 other girls, and also convince those who are judging why you should win. It is not just about the confidence you have, but also what you project,” says Apoorva.
“Besides (a fashion contest) this is not just about winning, it is about so much more liking meeting people, new experiences. You discover things about yourself – makeup, dressing – etc and the way you do things,” says Rohini.
It’s a catty world?
Remember all those images of models baring their nails backstage, all set to claw each other? After all it is a catwalk. “Not really,” chorus the girls. Both the girls launch into a defence of their colleagues/friends/compatriots (call them what you will). “We are all good friends, in fact we (the Miss Kerala contestants) keep in touch on Orkut. We call each other up and basically keep in touch,” says Rohini to which Apoorva agrees. “The cattiness is not malicious, it is just that they cannot cope with the losing or the fact that things are not going their way and that nastiness is just their way of dealing with the disappointment,” says Apoorva. But that not affect their off-the-ramp camaraderie.
There’s more to life than cinema
Although these two are passionate about their professions, they are clearly focused on what they want to do in life.
Apoorva agrees and acknowledges the fact that age is a factor in her profession, “Of course, the ticking and the clock is there but I want to make the best of the time that I have.”
The Bangalore-based model has plans to move to Delhi which is the (or at least one of the) fashion hubs of the country. “I feel I have better prospects in Delhi as so much of work is happening in the fashion industry there.”
Rohini who is a student of law has her priorities right, “I am not going to compromise on my education for anything, even modelling. So far I have been able to carry both along and though it has been hard I intend to do it no other way.”
Modelling is not the beginning and the end of the world. Rohini is very conscious about what is going on around her.
She is a member of MAD, Make A Difference, she gives tuitions besides doing a number of other things.
The same goes for Apoorva who is a member of Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) and an animal lover. This vegetarian does her bit for the cause of animals as well.
Physical labour or call it exercising
Being a model is hard work, or rather a hard workout for Rohini, “I exercise five days a week, no matter what. Initially it was sheer drudgery but now I thoroughly enjoy myself.
After all it is about enjoying what one is doing. I go for a jog as well,” says this fitness freak who has a well toned body to show for all the sweat. Apoorva, however, thanks the One above. “I do not workout, I have been blessed with a good body. But I guess in time I will have to start,” she says.
Every li’l girl’s dream
There was a time when little girls wanted to be doctors or an engineers or IAS officers, but now most little girls want to be a Miss Universe or at least a Miss World. “It is quite nice, cute really,” says Apoorva.
“I know of kids who tell me that they can walk like me (catwalk) and they do quite a good job as well, but I tell them glamour is alright but one needs basic elementary education and there shouldn’t be compromises on that,” says Rohini.
The girls were in the city for Josco ‘Fashion Mantra’ organised by the event management company Kamikazee.
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