It’s never been an easy journey for actors in the film industry. Many of them narrate tales of the struggles they faced, scripts that didn’t do justice to them and so on. While many speak of how they waited for a chance to be launched, others share about how it was a smoother ride. In Sandalwood, a more commonly seen trait now is a fair share of young models and fashionistas turning actors.
While their journey isn’t any easier, the exposure they have had, has surely helped them fare better. Vishal Kumar, who will be seen in ‘3D Life’ playing a lead role, had never thought of entering the film industry. “It was through modelling and friends from the field that the projects happened,” he says. Though he got exposure through the ramp, just looks don’t help one to get through films. “One needs acting skills, be able to dance and also deliver dialogues to make it big in films. I have started training in martial arts and there’s a lot to explore,” he adds. Vishal who will also be seen in ‘NO-D’ says that there is a lot more to acting than just posing.
Actor Iti Acharya who was last seen in movies like ‘Deal Raja’, ‘Panganama’, ‘Chatrapati’ and ‘Guest House’, says that she was at another audition when she heard about the film ‘Chatrapati’. “I am a NIFT graduate and this helped to connect to the best photographers, designers, stylists in the glamour industry,” she says.
According to Iti, every model might not be an actor but every actor is a model. “All actors end up doing brand endorsements, in a big or small way.” Iti says that how one carries oneself to the way they present themselves to others, is easily influenced by modelling where grooming is required. “One is more aware about how the entertainment industry functions after getting a headstart through modelling,” she says. Iti feels that it is a two-way process where walking for top designers and brands could lead to big film projects and vice versa.
Avani, another model-cum-actor, who will be seen in Kannada movie ‘Kala Premi’ soon, feels that modelling brings to one the confidence that other fields can’t. “Modelling has definitely added different experiences to my kitty with interesting conversations with people from the industry. The grooming sessions always make one bold enough to face the camera and brave to perform in front of an audience.” When hailing from the fashion industry, one also knows about what are the latest trends. “One will be aware about what suits them best and dress accordingly.”
While modelling teaches one to strike a pose, actor Purvi Joshi says that the emotions and skills required for a movie project have to come from within. Seen last in ‘Preeti Kitabu’, she has other movies like ‘Raja Hamsa’ and ‘BMW’ coming soon. “The biggest hardship I faced is that I didn’t have any connections in the industry. It can be hard for someone who doesn’t have anyone in the industry to establish themselves. Modelling and the fashion industry help to increase one’s contacts,” says Purvi. She says that she is scraping her way through and there have been challenges but she is slowly learning the tricks of the trade.
While it might seem a bit easier for female artistes, male artistes say that there is a lot more that goes into acting. Aryan Raj, who started his modelling career around four years back, was last seen in the movie ‘Red’. As he awaits the release of his upcoming project ‘Mirror’, he says that the journey hasn’t been all smooth.
“I used to be a part of fashion shows during my college days itself. I would be very happy when I got photoshoot assignments, but slowly I realised that the adrenaline rush wasn’t for long. I wanted to explore something which would give me fulfilment.”
Aryan points out that experts in the film industry judge actors who come from a modelling background. “Many believe that models might not have the skill to be an actor and have bad body language for movies. It can be tough to break this thought process.”
He adds that theatre classes helped him to turn into a better actor. “The best part about being a model-turned-actor though is that I am able to make suggestions on sets about what costumes go best as I have a fair sense of dressing.”
While their journey isn’t any easier, the exposure they have had, has surely helped them fare better. Vishal Kumar, who will be seen in ‘3D Life’ playing a lead role, had never thought of entering the film industry. “It was through modelling and friends from the field that the projects happened,” he says. Though he got exposure through the ramp, just looks don’t help one to get through films. “One needs acting skills, be able to dance and also deliver dialogues to make it big in films. I have started training in martial arts and there’s a lot to explore,” he adds. Vishal who will also be seen in ‘NO-D’ says that there is a lot more to acting than just posing.
Actor Iti Acharya who was last seen in movies like ‘Deal Raja’, ‘Panganama’, ‘Chatrapati’ and ‘Guest House’, says that she was at another audition when she heard about the film ‘Chatrapati’. “I am a NIFT graduate and this helped to connect to the best photographers, designers, stylists in the glamour industry,” she says.
According to Iti, every model might not be an actor but every actor is a model. “All actors end up doing brand endorsements, in a big or small way.” Iti says that how one carries oneself to the way they present themselves to others, is easily influenced by modelling where grooming is required. “One is more aware about how the entertainment industry functions after getting a headstart through modelling,” she says. Iti feels that it is a two-way process where walking for top designers and brands could lead to big film projects and vice versa.
Avani, another model-cum-actor, who will be seen in Kannada movie ‘Kala Premi’ soon, feels that modelling brings to one the confidence that other fields can’t. “Modelling has definitely added different experiences to my kitty with interesting conversations with people from the industry. The grooming sessions always make one bold enough to face the camera and brave to perform in front of an audience.” When hailing from the fashion industry, one also knows about what are the latest trends. “One will be aware about what suits them best and dress accordingly.”
While modelling teaches one to strike a pose, actor Purvi Joshi says that the emotions and skills required for a movie project have to come from within. Seen last in ‘Preeti Kitabu’, she has other movies like ‘Raja Hamsa’ and ‘BMW’ coming soon. “The biggest hardship I faced is that I didn’t have any connections in the industry. It can be hard for someone who doesn’t have anyone in the industry to establish themselves. Modelling and the fashion industry help to increase one’s contacts,” says Purvi. She says that she is scraping her way through and there have been challenges but she is slowly learning the tricks of the trade.
While it might seem a bit easier for female artistes, male artistes say that there is a lot more that goes into acting. Aryan Raj, who started his modelling career around four years back, was last seen in the movie ‘Red’. As he awaits the release of his upcoming project ‘Mirror’, he says that the journey hasn’t been all smooth.
“I used to be a part of fashion shows during my college days itself. I would be very happy when I got photoshoot assignments, but slowly I realised that the adrenaline rush wasn’t for long. I wanted to explore something which would give me fulfilment.”
Aryan points out that experts in the film industry judge actors who come from a modelling background. “Many believe that models might not have the skill to be an actor and have bad body language for movies. It can be tough to break this thought process.”
He adds that theatre classes helped him to turn into a better actor. “The best part about being a model-turned-actor though is that I am able to make suggestions on sets about what costumes go best as I have a fair sense of dressing.”