Do models have it easy in Bollywood?

Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, John Abraham — what do they have in common? They are all models who’ve made it big in Bollywood. And now amid this ‘outsiders versus insiders’ debate, one might wonder whether models also face any prejudice while transitioning to movies.

Muzamil Ibrahim was already a top model when he made his debut with Dhokha (2017). Recalling it, he says, “There was a lot of buzz about me, everyone wanted to launch me. I got much critical appreciation”. Confessing to have auditioned more for later roles, he adds, “I don’t understand what they see you as. It gets to you after a point of time.”

Model-turned-actor Dino Morea found the industry welcoming and talks of facing no prejudice. “As a model, I did a lot of music videos and commercials. So, it prepped me,” says the actor, who made his Hindi film debut with Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999).

Model-actor Mugdha Veira Godse, too asserts that her transition to movies was smooth with Fashion in 2008. “Models becoming actors was well accepted at that time. I didn’t feel entering a different world,” she shares.

So, do models keep getting films or are they boxed? Morea feels he can’t blame his failures on the industry. “There are decisions that I made, that weren’t great. Careers depend on that, not on stigma…,” he quips.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan, too, feels that Bollywood is quite welcoming for models and ultimately, “it all depends on talent”.

PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM Muzamil Ibrahim Mugdha Veira Godse; (right) Dino Morea