A MODEL AGAINST RACIAL PREJUDICE

As fair skin continues to rule the modelling world across the globe, Indian models say they are also discriminated on the basis of skin colour, ethnicity

Casting agents often advise me to go for skin lightening. They say only then will I get more work in the industry ANAND DIXIT, MODEL

I wasn’t given a music video. The casting director said, ‘Yeh to Nepalan lagti hai (She looks Nepalese)’ ROSE ALISHA, MODEL

We’re neglected in our own country... I exist in the fashion industry because I have an international face RENEE KUJUR, MODEL

Fashion loves fair skin. That’s the harsh reality even in India, say models. “We’re neglected in our own country,” says model Renee Kujur, popular as Barbadian singer Rihanna’s doppelganger. “I exist in the industry because I have an international face. Had I been just another brown or dusky girl, I, too, would’ve found it difficult getting work. Kujur might be doing well as a ramp model, but says print ads are territory of the fair-skinned.

Model Rose Alisha, who’s from the Northeast, rues the same: “I wasn’t given a music video because the casting director said, ‘Yeh to Nepalan lagti hai (She looks Nepalese)’.”

Male models are sailing in the same boat. Anand Dixit, who walked the runway for designer Varun Bahl this July, says: “I have a great body and nice features, but casting agents often advise me to go for skin lightening procedure. They say I’ll get more work then. It’s difficult to bag catalogue shoots because of my complexion.”

The ratio of fair-skinned models to those who aren’t or from different ethnicities is skewed. More like 10:1, says model coordinator Sunny Sapra. “It’s sad that in India too, white skin is what rules the modelling world. Agencies hardly hire black models. We have only two black models, Ryan Atrice and RL Bond. These guys might be doing well, but I see them struggling for top shoots which fair models easily get,” says Sapra.

Designers, however, say the notion is slowly changing. “It’s unfortunate that white skin is preferred, but we do see African girls too on the ramp now, and it is a welcome change,” says designer Nida Mahmood. “Personally designers like darker skin girls. We got a few north eastern girls this time. So things are changing,” adds designer Rina Dhaka