Easier for models to enter Bollywood: Mr. World 2016

Rohit Khandelwal, the first Indian to win the coveted Mr. World title, dreams of entering Bollywood. He feels that things have now become a little easier for a model to enter the movie industry, thanks to model-turned-actors like John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.

"I would say things are a bit easy for models to enter Bollywood because they are connected to a lot of people and networking is pretty strong. At the same time, actors like John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra have also proved that you need to put in a lot of hard work to become good actors or producers.

"It requires a lot of time and passion," Rohit told IANS on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festive 2016 where he walked for designer Ajay Kumar.

Hailing from Hyderabad, Rohit moved to Mumbai a few years back to follow his dreams, and started his career as a model. He was crowned Provogue Personal Care Mr. India World 2015, and clinched the Mr. World title at the event in Britain earlier this year.

With a passion to act some day, he stepped into modelling but he still has his dreams intact - to work with known faces of Bollywood.

"I definitely have movies in my mind which I want to do in future. Films like 'Jodhaa Akbar' are very close to my heart and this is something which I was dreaming about and I am sure that very soon I will achieve those dreams," he said.

He has a list of favourites too.

"I want to work with Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra and so many of them who are very good at their work," said the 27-year-old who emphasised on his single status.

He also says that Mumbai is a magical city and one can fulfill his or her dreams with hard work and dedication.

"I was this ordinary guy who came from Hyderabad and had no contacts, had nobody to help him out, but there is only one thing which helped me and that was my belief in myself and working hard. That's the message I want to give to everybody. Just believe in yourself and have that confidence to achieve," he said.

He is currently promoting Beauty with a Purpose with the Mr. World organisation.

(The writer is in Mumbai at the invitation of LFW organisers. Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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