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From serving in the Indian Navy for twelve years to pursuing his passion in the fashion industry, model Ashish’s journey has been very interesting. He proved that there are no such rules that one can not pursue more than one profession.
Coming from a very simple family from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Ashish completed his education and got commissioned in the year 2007 in the Indian Navy.
“So, I was born and brought up in Lucknow. My parents are from a medical background with UP Government. My father is retired and my mother is still serving. And, my elder sister is retired Army officer (rank: Major). I completed my schooling and college from Lucknow. Then, was commissioned for the Indian Navy in 2007.”
During the end of his tenure in the Navy, he met one of his senior from the Army. He referred to one of his friends, Col. Nitin Mehta who is also an actor and model. He motivated him to model and that was the turning point of his life.
Col. Nitin Mehta helped him with his first professional photoshoot with the very well-known brand ANGRISH from Jaipur. Three weeks later, Ashish got the opportunity to work with United Colors Of Benetton with a notable jury of Pujan Sharma, Sheetal Sharma, and Sonalika Sahay.
“I still remember, it was my first-time audition and I was not aware of anything. Unlike other models, I was wearing a simple formal shirt and pants whereas others were wearing all casual. After walking for the first time, ‘Why are frowning, you are doing great’, said Pujan ma’am and asked me to walk twice and thrice. I was selected. I was proud.”
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Also, Ashish walked in the ramp show of GICW (Gurugram International Couture Week), where he met one of his mentors, Liza Varma. And, he signed up with Style Skool modeling agency from Jaipur and was also guided by the founder of the agency Abhimanyu Singh Tomar.
“Abhimanyu sir tested my patience for almost one year before considering me for Style Skool, whether I am serious about modeling or not. He helped in a lot of things including grooming. I met all the right mentors and people at the right point of life. Some people misguide you. But certainly, you do not get to know them because at the initial stage you usually get desperate to get work. Thankfully, I was with the right people around me.”
After his successful show with United Colors Of Benetton, he got another audition opportunity on the same day for the very renowned brand Blenders Pride Fashion Show with profound jury Sandeep Khosla, Aparna Bahl Bedi.
“There were almost 500 girls and boys for the audition. I was not that confident after seeing them because they all were so good-looking and perfect. The jury asked me to walk like four to five times as they had to select me and another model. I was feeling much more confident when they selected me. The show was fifteen days later, it was huge. It was in February 2019.”
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Ashish has an interest in acting, apart from modeling. He gave a couple of auditions for Netflix and Zee5. Along with this, he worked with eminent designers like Amit GT Couture, Dhruv Bandwal and also walked for India Designer Show.
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When asked about family support he replied,
“My parents have been always supportive at every point of life. They saw how I was keen about joining the Indian Army from my childhood. They supported me that time as well as in my journey to this industry.”
While talking about the financial stage, he replied,
“I am doing a corporate job currently. But for me, fame has been more important than money. I never run after money. I believe that fame is better than money. But that does not mean I will do anything for fame. I will do work with my self-respect and dignity intact.”
Talking about struggles and rejection, he said, his only struggle was during the pandemic. It was the time when I was getting to know people like Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. People rejected me for my age. Although it does not matter, my age was the reason behind many rejections. When asked about social media impact on the industry and model’s life, he said,
“I believe nowadays people are more connected through social media. It has both good and bad sides. But because of the pandemic, there is no charm now. Now, we have to walk with no people and audience around as it is streaming it live on social media. But, it is the easiest way to reach out to people. And, people can notice us as well.”
Ashish also indulges in social work along with his friends by helping transgender people and feeding street dogs.
“Transgenders are treated badly in reality, while people pretend to support them on social media. This made me feel that, I would do whatever I can. There are some days in a year when I buy gift and distribute it to these people to make them happy. My friends are doing it in Lucknow and I am carrying forward this in Delhi.”
Ashish was always keen on sports since childhood. He started swimming when he was in 2nd standard and basketball in 6th standard. He played National level for swimming and State level for Basketball. Representing the Indian Navy he played boat pulling and golf including basketball and swimming.
Regarding fitness he said,
“I never really miss my gym. It is a kind of meditation to me that gives me peace of mind. I make my schedule according to my shoots and shows but I go gym daily.”
Transitioning from the Indian Navy to Fashion Industry, Ashish has done it all. He does not think of his age as a factor and believes talent has no age. Ashish is en route to his success against all odds.
Read: “While Chasing Your Dreams, Don’t Forget Your True Self”, Sher Singh Rathore
