Fashionistas fear 'Fashion' might generate negative vibes about industry

By Shilpa Raina, New Delhi, Oct 13 : Director Madhur Bhandarkar's attempt to probe the dark side of the style industry in his upcoming movie 'Fashion' has fashionistas worried that it might generate negative vibes about the industry.

Many in the fraternity object to the movie's tagline, "In the world of fashion, you will have to give up more than just your morals", saying it will send out all the wrong signals.

"I am dreading the movie as already there are so many myths and misconceptions about this industry," model Amanpreet Wahi, who has been around for more than four years, told IANS.

"People believe that our life is all about partying, looking good and taking drugs, which is not true. We work hard like everyone else to prove ourselves," she maintained.

"The tagline just degrades our work. Movies create a certain image in the mind of the people and they believe what they see. I know that after the release of the movie, we will have to be doubly answerable to our families, friends and other people by fielding questions that just don't exist," Wahi pointed out.

"Fashion" releases Oct 29, just 10 days after the conclusion of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), the country's premier business-to-business showcase of the design industry. Memories of that event are sure to be fresh in the minds of many of those who view the movie.

Laxmi Rana, who has been modelling for the past six years, said the negative tagline was indicative of the director's preconceptions about the fashion industry.

"The negative tagline is indicative of how the director perceives our profession. This is very unfortunate as I have worked in a very dignified manner and what I am today is only because of my hard work," she contended.

"Movies need to be spiced up with gossip and spice to sell in the market and directors focus only on that. There is more to the fashion industry than just casting couches, glamour and drugs," Rana added.

Amruta Patki, Miss India Earth 2006, who has been in the modeling business for the past two years, said Bhandarkar had made a name for himself with movies like "Page 3" and "Chandni Bar" and "Corprate" - all based on real life situations, but has dished out a cocktail of fact and fiction with "Fashion".

"'Page 3' was a real good movie and all of us could relate to it. But somehow I feel that this time, his movie is based on just superficial observations. It may be a combination of some facts and fiction," Patki told IANS.

"There is no short cut to success in any field and the same happens here too. If you have potential and talent, nothing can stop you. You do not have to give up your morals - as the movie projects. We all work in a dignified manner and there is total professionalism in this field," she added.

Model Vipassa Aggarwal - the current face of cosmetic brand Lakme - maintained that all those in the fashion industry worked with dignity and led perfectly normal lives.

"I am looking forward to seeing the movie but it is too early to comment on it. But the tagline and promos give a negative feel to the movie which is not good. So many models are happily married and have families and children. We all work in a very dignified manner," she contended.

"Just because it is a glamorous field we face awkward questions as people are always curious about the lives of celebrities," Aggarwal explained.

Model Esha Gupta agreed with this and said: "One has to maintain individuality and morality in every profession. Just because we are in the fashion world, it doesn't mean we all take drugs and look for shortcuts to climb up the ladder of success.

"Hard work and patience play a pivotal role in this field," Gupta added.

Supermodel Indrani Dasgupta refused to comment on the movie but said: "I have been in this business for ages now and I have not come across anything dark or unethical. I can't comment unless I see the movie."

"Fashion" stars Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Arbaaz Khan. Model Mugdha Godse makes her big screen debut with the film, which also has Arjan Bajwa and many members of the fashion industry as part of its cast.

--IANS