PRAGMATISM defines Prabh Uppal (35), a celebrated face in the modelling world, who lives by a simple mantra — give it your best shot, accept the rejections that come along the way in your stride, and carry on. His remarkable journey from Jagraon, a small town near Ludhiana, showcases how talent can take a committed individual to new heights.
He has done hundreds of print ads, walked for popular designers and featured in hit music videos, including that of singer Arijit Singh’s ‘Pachtaoge’ with Vicky Kaushal and Nora Fatehi, and ‘Ittar’ with Jasmine Sandlas.
A regular in Raymond advertisements for over a decade now, modelling was never a career option. “I wanted to be an aeronautical or mechanical engineer. My elder brother had featured in some Punjabi music videos when I was in Class X. I was fascinated by the attention he received and so I began thinking about modelling. But I gave it a serious thought when a stranger on a bus asked me if I was a model,” shares Uppal, a graduate in English Honours from SCD Government College, Ludhiana.
He was 20 when, during a visit to Mumbai, his friends encouraged him to submit his photos to different modelling agencies. Luck and opportunity facilitated his dream. Within a few days, an agency called him.
“I was so excited to see myself on posters and brochures. The first cheque I received was for Rs 2,000. Within a week, the same agency called me again for another shoot. The money I made was encouraging enough for me to make Mumbai my second home,” he recalls.
Today, he is a favourite of many well-known designers such as Tarun Tahiliani, Anita Dongre, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta and Sabyasachi and has walked the ramp for them many times. He has also worked with major international and Indian brands.
Despite an impressive portfolio, he still faces rejections, but takes these positively. “If one door closes, another opens, but wherever you go, give it your best shot,” he smiles.
The city of dreams has had a huge impact on his life. “Mumbai made me a man with a strong mind. It made me realise that you have to work hard for your dreams. No one is going to help you, it all boils down to self-belief and the spirit of never giving up.”
What keeps him fit is regular exercise sessions and a vegan diet. “What we eat also influences our mind. Also, living without expectations keeps me calm, essential for a fit body and mind,” he feels.
It is not a handsome face and a fit body which defines a model, according to Uppal. “It is your energy and confidence. There’s a reason why not all models are good-looking, but still something sets them apart.”
After his father passed away, his mother has been his pillar of strength and motivation. “When you get support from home, it truly goes a long way in any success story,” says the model, who likes to visit Jagraon whenever he can, as that’s where his “heart lives”.
— The writer is a freelancer