By Sanya Pandey

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) Mahir Pandhi, winner of ‘Top Model India’ show says the show has placed him on a map and the right people from the industry know him now.

Talking to UNI, Mahir who was in the national capital said, “Top Model India show has placed me on a map. And the main thing is right people from the industry know me. The main task for a model and an actor is to connect with big people and the right ones, and through this show people know me now.”

“It has made my life much easier. And it’s basically a call time. I might get some big work now,” he said.

Asking about his victory and how what him opt for the show, Mahir said, "I was an aspiring model and ‘Top Model India’ is right now the biggest platform for the models in our country. And when I got the opportunity, I did not had to think much and just grabbed it.”

About how he survived the whole process and competition, Mahir said, "I was one of the youngest guy on the show. Everyone else had some experience, they were well versed, they had done something in terms of modelling. I was the fresher.”

“So competing with them was a big task for me because I did not had that much experience firstly. Secondly, somewhere or the other it affects your confidence. So with the help of Lisa Haydon, Atul Kasbekar, Anaita Shroff Adajania and mentor Shibani Dandekar the process became amazing. They had my back especially ‘Colors Infinity’ team. Everyone supported me and treated me well. So I am going to give them huge credit for this,” he said.

Telling about the toughest task on the show, Mahir said, "first one was walking on the ramp wearing swimwear, because my body was not in shape. But still I got good comments. Second was facing the final judgement. When the two of us were standing and the result was about to announced,so that was very tough.”

Mahir said in future he might participate in male beauty pageant like Mr India. “But I would work and like myself to get groomed in a much better way,” he said.

Whether he will get into Bollywood, Mahir said, "I am going to try both my hands in Bollywood because I have a theatre background. I am an actor. Theatre, acting is something I want to do and I will do. But I am going to look for quality work.”

“So movies are going to be my main focus and may be TV serials also if I get good opportunity,” he said.

About the web medium, he said, "Web is something which is booming right now. It’s a very very strong medium. And if I get something good I would love to try."

Mahir said he would love to walk the ramp for Manish Malhotra.

He told that for the show the only preparations he did was, "eating healthy, keeping my mind healthy and being patient.”

Whether he has got any offers from the Bollywood, Mahir said, "there are lot offers but I would go for quality work. I am not someone who is looking for something which might just affect my future.”

“I am 21 and right now I can afford to choose. And I am looking for roles which will showcase my acting. That’s my main aim right now. I have got a lot of offers but not something which I want to do,” he said.

When asked what does fashion means to him, Mahir said, "fashion for me is doing justice to what you are wearing. Fashion is not just wearing the right clothes, it is also carrying the right clothes.”

The model said that his biggest strength is being respectful and humble.

Mahir told that his biggest critic is his sister. “Not everyone would point out the wrong things in you. Sometimes they keep it to themselves. And I will give my sister a big credit for being my critic as it helped me groom myself,” he said.

Mahir also gave out a message to the aspiring models. He said, "Models should have to be basic. Stay grounded and don’t let the attitude sink in. Because when attitude comes no one loves you. And everyone give work to whom they love, like or appreciate. Be humble and respectful and keep smiling.”

‘Top Model India’ which aired on Colors Infinity, was a progressive model hunt which showcased diverse talent and broke the stereotypes.



The show was a unique platform that took viewers through the transformation of 12 aspiring models into supermodels under the expert guidance of judges Lisa Haydon, Atul Kasbekar, Anaita Shroff Adajania and mentor Shibani Dandekar.

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