The glamorous world that we see from the outside is not that glamorous. There lies a lot of hard work, passion, and dedication in models. To get some insights into the modeling industry we talked with the renowned name Jatin Khirbat. Jatin is an international model who has been in the industry since 2012. Jatin is the leading faculty at T-series stage works where he trains the aspiring model. Today, he has gained ample experience in the industry. While interviewing him, Jatin Khirbat had some stories to share about his journey.
While talking about Jatin’s initial phase of the journey, he told that he started modeling while he was in college. His journey began when his senior put his name into Mr. and Miss Freshers and Jatin Khirbat got the title of “Mr. Cool”. Then he decided to take part in his college’s fashion show but did not get selected. He quoted,
“Fashion show mein jo rejection hua tha usme yarr ab toh kuch krna padega. Ab chahe kuch bhi ho jaye mei issi competition mei part lunga aur issi competition mei part lene k baad mei isse jitunga bhi.” (After I got rejected in that Fashion show, I decided that I needed to do something. And no matter, I will take part in the competition and I will win it)
Then, Jatin searched on the internet about all the requirements to be a model. On searching, Jatin discovered that the main factor was to have a good physique. He started hitting the gym regularly after that. After hitting the gym, Jatin started getting confidence in his body and appearance. Jatin was so passionate about modeling that he never missed his workout. But he had a hard time convincing his parents. When the competition came he gave his 100 percent and ended up winning the title of “Best Male Model”. Jatin did his first show with Paver’s England. He got another show in Chandigarh for which he somehow convinced his parents. Jatin did a show just for the experience and for which he was not paid anything instead he was given shopping vouchers. His main motive behind doing shows was to gain experience.
“Meine socha chalo kuch toh mil rha atleast achha show hai expereince milega” ( I thought, something is better than nothing, atleast I am gaining some expereince)
Jatin Khirbat, while telling about his journey, also told how people scammed him. He expressed how people hyped about how important is a portfolio and charged him extra to make it. Someone dominated him and charged around 40k for a photoshoot. Jatin agreed to it as he was told that the photographer is one of the leading photographers in India. Hence, he managed to arrange 40k and paid them. Despite promising him both indoor and outdoor portfolios, he was delivered just the indoors. Then Jatin Khirbat decided not to depend just on one thing and make his base strong. Jatin started freelancing as a gym trainer. He also did two international courses to expand his knowledge about fitness. He felt that he is not on the right path.
“Firbhi rasta clear nhi tha ki isme kaise mujhe bade campaign shoot milenge bade bade desingers k shows milenge.” (I was still not clear about how will I get big campaign shoots with celebrated designers by doing this)
Jatin decided to join an agency that was suggested by one of his friends. Then he went to meet some agencies and showed them his work. He told how those agencies pointed out what is lacking in his portfolio it was incomplete. After he completed his portfolio, agencies started liking his work and setting up meetings with him. Those agencies helped him to create a new portfolio, and new comp card and gave him time to improve his skills. Jatin Khirbat started working and investing time in himself to improve his skills. After dealing with several rejections he finally started getting regular work through agencies. Jatin has since then been working on himself.
Jab bhi mujhe koi bolta tha Jatin tere mei yeh kami hai tabhi hi mei improve krta tha. Plan banata tha ki karna kya hai, mera clear tha, krna mujhe modeling hi hai chahe kuch bhi jo jaye.”(whenever someone pointed out that I am not good enough, is when I try improving myself. I used to make plans as I was clear that I have to do modeling no matter what)
Jatin’s hard work and determination are the only secret behind his success today. Jatin was clear in his head that no matter what he had to do modeling and follow his passion. He did many things on the side but his main focus was modeling. Even after several disappointments, Jatin did not lose hope. Whenever someone criticized him, he got that force of energy to improve no matter what. He got his next task to improve. And even today Jatin tries to make himself better. Whenever someone criticizes him, he instead of reacting takes necessary action towards upgrading himself.
When asked about what a person should keep in their mind while getting into the modeling career, Jatin replied that a person should have the spirit to upgrade himself and try to improve himself rather than just look into what others are doing. He gave an excellent example of the Apple company that manufactures phones with an upgraded feature every year. Likewise, a person should also upgrade himself. Jatin mentioned,
“Jab apke life mei failure aata hai that means yeh jo time hai na yeh improvement ka time hai. Better hai aap improvement kro aur aap jab next time aaoge toh aap winner toh hog hi hoge. (Whenever failure strikes in your life you should realize that at the moment and should focus on improving and when you try next time then you will be the winner no matter what)”
While discussing why models vanish from the industry, Jatin Khirbat mentioned that people come into the industry with a certain image. He explained that this life looks glamorous from just outside but there is a lot of hard work. To sustain in the industry one should be mentally and physically strong. If you are not strong enough then you can not survive in the industry, Jatin told very bluntly. Focus and discipline are a must to sustain here.
Jatin believes that finding a good agency to work with and then participating in the pageants is a good way to start a modeling career. As it will prove to be a good learning experience. Emphasizing more on the pageants, Jatin mentioned that they are the fastest way to get into the industry and to get recognition.
Jatin started YouTube to guide aspiring models and save them from getting scammed. He shared one incident where a girl was scammed and was charged around 50k just for giving an audition. He felt helpless and got goosebumps after listening to that. Jatin Khirbat thought at that moment about how others like her are getting into a trap. He started by making Tik Tok videos to guide people and worked his way up to YouTube. In the span of three months, people started liking his content as it was helpful to them. When Tik Tok got banned, people started approaching him through Instagram, and then he decided to start YouTube. He also started with a talk show on his YouTube with models to inspire and motivate aspiring models.
Jatin himself takes inspiration from David Gandy. David James Gandy is an English male fashion model who began his career after winning a televised model-search competition.
When asked about how to be financially secure, Jatin Khirbat believes that you can not survive with just one source of income. This is the case with every field. You should have an alternate source of income. If you want to have a certain lifestyle, you should have multiple options.
“Kuch bhi krte raho but khali mat baithna (Do anything you wish to but do not sit idle).”
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