Modelling depends a lot on luck : Sayali Bhagat

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Ex model Gitanjali Nagpal may be in the news for her ''fall from limelight to the deep pit of misfortune'' but she is just one of the many girls from middle and upper middle class families making the mistake of throwing away all their options just for a ''tryst with name, fame and glamour'' that the world of modelling and films, promises.

''A lot in modelling, and even films, depends on luck, apart from merit and persistence of those trying to establish a niche for themselves in the glamour world. Unfortunately, however, there are many like Gitanjali, who even after several failed attempts to make it as a model or an actor, continue to be "glamour struck" enough to keep on with their efforts in vain hope of walking the ramp or appearing on the silver screen, often with disastrous consequences, ''says former Miss India Sayali Bhagat, a well known name in the world of modelling.

Talking to UNI here, Sayali, on the visit to the capital to promote her new film 'Good Luck', a comedy featuring her alongside Ranvir Shorey, Aryaman Ramsay, Archana Puran Singh and Sharad Saxena, said,''I sincerely believe that all the young boys and girls who enter the world of modelling drawn by the glitz and glamour of the profession, also need to have a stand by plan ready in case their efforts to establish themselves prove unsuccessful. That way, they can save themselves from the plight met by Gitanjali, who in her all encompassing desire to make it as a model, closed down all her other options.'' Talking about her experiences as a model, Sayali said,''life out there in the modelling world is full of stress at every juncture - One moment you are on the crest of fame and limelight with the world opening its arms for you while the very next moment you may find yourself out of favours and offers.

''Naturally, such bizarre twists and turns lead many a young boy or girl to go into frequent bouts of depression.'' A case in point is Gitanjali Nagpal, who had once walked the Delhi ramps with the likes of Sushmita Sen. However, in a queet twist of fortune, Gitanjali, a Navy officer's daughter who studied at Lady Sri Ram College, was now short of offers. And, with no help forthcoming from parents and relatives, Gitanjali had, of late been in dire straits, forced to spend nights in parks and temples.

Says Sayali,''as one who has no godfather in the world of modelling or films, I was fortunate to get enough exposure and chances as a model and in films as the Miss India crown (runners up) catapulted me to of limelight and got me noticed. However, going for many others who do not have any contacts or Godfathers in the field may not be all that easy.

''No wonder, many models, after a brief shot with success, could find themselves in the throes of frustration and depression.'' In this context, she said everyone aspiring or trying to make it in modelling or films needed to follow a stress relieving therapy to help them deal with the huge level of stress experienced by models at every stage of their rise, or fall or on the ladder of success.

Sayali, who was runners up in the Femina Miss India contest in 2004, has, within a short time, established a niche for herself in the world of modelling and has now made a foray in films with her debut film 'Train', featuring her alogside Emran Hashmi, releasing earlier this year. Her second film, 'Good Luck', directed by Aditya Dutt (of 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' fame) is ready for release later this year.

UNI