Indians cash in on their looks

Modelling is now seen as a respectable profession

By Jill McGivering in Delhi

Spurred on by the success of Indian contestants at a number of international beauty pageants, many young people in the country are now hoping to cash in on their looks.

Modelling, once considered a slightly shady profession, is now seen as a respectable route to success.

To cope with the demand, schools offering to coach would-be cover girls - and boys - are springing up across the country.

Beauty is becoming a big business.

It may appear to be very glamorous on the outside but... it may take years of struggle

Aspiring model Divya Khosla

At 18, Divya Khosla is eager to cash in on her slim figure and pretty face - and thinks she has got what it takes to be one of India's top models.

Today's job is only a modest one - she's only just starting out in the business - but already she says modelling is tougher than she expected.

"It may appear to be very glamorous on the outside but the thing is it may take years of struggle to reach that stage and it's very taxing. You're required to look very pretty all the time," she says.

Men sign up

She isn't the only one in India eager to become a model. On a rooftop in Delhi, a group of teenage boys are put through their paces, practising how to walk and twirl on the fashion catwalk.

Men are put through their paces as well

Many have come from India's small towns and see modelling as a way out of the suburbs.

The cost of a portfolio can be high - and there's a big queue for classes like these which charge a reasonable rate.

As modelling coach Amir Rajpal explains, the rewards nowadays are also much greater.

"It's the money which plays a very important factor. And the coverage. Earlier, a girl would get a little coverage in local newspapers and she's happy.

"But today it's the TV media which covers you, the radio media which covers you, newspapers and magazines, what exposure! What exposure you get!" he says.

Glamour

It isn't too hard to see the attraction - at a fashion show in Delhi, top models stalk down the catwalk, looking extremely glamorous and well paid.

Top models are glamorous and well paid

Many are big international names.

Indian beauties have come into their own in the fashion world in recent years and with the explosion here of advertising and the beauty industry, the image of modelling has changed dramatically.

It's become a far more respectable profession.

But when I spoke to top model Jessica Randhawa in a noisy dressing room, she said youngsters shouldn't get too carried away.

"I would never suggest anybody to take modelling as their career or as a profession. You can't really take modelling more than 5 or 6 years as a very serious profession. You have to do something very serious about your life.

"But of course you can take it as a side profession, you can take it as your hobby for some time," she says.

It sounds sensible advice. Modelling certainly seems to be the craze of the moment in India - but with so many young hopefuls, not everyone will make it to the top.