'I am a bit of a playboy'

JAYEETA GANGULY / TNN / Jun 23, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Model Romeo Gates indulges in a freewheeling chat with Rouge.

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Model Romeo Gates indulges in a freewheeling chat with Rouge.

Model Romeo Gates indulges in a freewheeling chat with Rouge. NAME: Romeo Gates
DATE OF BIRTH: November 13
Foreign return, desi babu:
I went to London in 1999 for my graduation. I have also done my MBA from there. I did my schooling from Kolkata - Don Bosco to be precise.

Family:
I lost my father when I was very young. My mother lives in Delhi. We have a family business - we export steel.I also have a younger sister, Rashi.
Getting into modelling:
It just happened. I have always been into sports - I loved to play football and was always well-built . Also, I think I have taken after my mother's side of the family. She's a Jat. When I went to London, people said that I have a great body and go for modelling. Fashion co-ordinators and those associated with the fashion houses could come and give me their cards. After completing my MBA, I joined Armani and was working as a business manager. Here too, people started saying that I should try out modelling. Then, one fine day, I decided to give it a shot. If nothing else, I was getting extra money and that always helps. Eventually, I started getting work. This was around 2002/03. I have walked the ramp for Armani, Valentino and Gucci.

Home beckoned:
I returned to India last year and here too, be it in Delhi or Mumbai. People would notice me at parties and say that I should go for male male pageants and manhunt contests. My family was very encouraging and asked me to take up modelling full-time , if I wanted to. In India, the best place to get noticed is to be in Mumbai. I shifted there last August. I met Prasad Bidapa, my good friend Haider Khan shot my portfolio. I met people and of course knocked on the doors to get work.
Winner takes it all:
I was at a mall when I found out that about a competition that was organized by a magazine to hunt for the man with the best body. My friends urged me to give it a shot. I filled the forms and got selected. And eventually won the competition which gave me exposure. Then I entered one of India's well-known male pageants. And, of course, I emerged as the winner.
What worked?
People loved my body. I am a regular at the gym. I work for three hours each day. And of course, Lady luck and hard work played an important role. These days lot of people take protein capsules to build muscles and so on. Yes, they do give you an extra edge, but nothing can beat exercise.
Romeo is:
A guy with attitude and is not apologetic about it. A guy who knows how to win. I am a bit of a playboy and I like it. I used to be shy in school, but I have opened up now, yet I am a loner who likes to read books on magic, history and spirits.
Passionate about:
Sports, football to be precise. I was into sports ever since my childhood. I am also passionate about cars. If I did not become a model, I would have probably got into designing cars and eventually started a car business.
Stop comparing:
I have heard people (read girls) telling me that I look like Johnny Depp, Shawar Ali. But I do not pay heed to them. I like being me. I am Romeo and that's it. I am here to break new ground.
The look I dig:
The rough and tough rugged look. The typical bad boy look. That suits me best. And of course, with make-up and from certain angles I do look like Depp, but then that's not the real me.
Right time to be in India:
Absolutely. I am getting calls. I am going from metro to metro and checking out the scene. Like from Kolkata I will go to Delhi. People have to know me. Besides, India is opening up now. Big brands are coming here. Work is flowing in. In fact, the houses I have already worked for in London are now coming to India. I have met some designers here - Dev r Nil, Abhishek Dutta. I am getting assignments in Mumbai.
What's next?
I will be representing the country in two international male pageants. I am training for those. One is in Istanbul in December and the other in Korea in February next year. I will also be visiting Spain, Paris and Milan. I have contact with some people there who can help me to check out the international scene. This is the time to build contacts.
Bolly dreams:
I have already been offered roles. But the film-makers either want to become terrorist or an action hero. But I am not ready. I have to prepare myself first. I will join theatre, learn the basics and then think of films. Right now I am happy being a model. Let me take one step at a time and prove myself.

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