RAHUL KAMAT
Prathamesh Maulingkar of MTV Splitsvilla fame season 08 is a well known Goan model, known for his distinct bearded look and chiseled body. He started his career in football, followed by his entry into fashion industry and now heading towards his business with a chain of Gyms across Goa. So let’s get to know more about his journey…
Q. WHY DID YOU LEAVE FOOTBALL EVEN AFTER REPRESENTING GOA AT NATIONAL LEVEL?
As I was a part of National Football team, I never thought I would give up on Football, but due to an injury I was not able to play and had to take a break for 6 months.
Q. WAS THE INJURY THE REASON FOR YOUR ENTRY AS A MODEL?
I never thought of being a model, but when I was injured in 2012, I came across a friend of mine who asked me whether I was interested in modeling. He suggested me to appear for model auditions for Mr. Wendell Rodrigues. I was very confident about my fitness and body and I gave it a try which in turn got me into the glamorous world of modeling.
Q. ARE YOU STILL PLAYING FOOTBALL?
Yes, Football is my passion and I still play, I am not playing for any professional teams right now but just play as a hobby to keep me healthy and fit.
Q. HOW MANY FASHION PROJECTS YOU HAVE DONE?
I got my very first project with Wendell Rodrigues at Delhi for Wills India Fashion week. Apart from that, I was also part of other projects namely Amazon fashion week, Lakme Fashion week, India beach fashion week etc.
Q. FROM FOOTBALL TO MODELING AND NOW A GYM INSTRUCTOR, CAN YOU EXPLAIN US HOW WAS THE JOURNEY FROM MODELING TO GYM?
Being a gym freak, I thought of taking it up as a business, a business that will yield a regular source of income. I am also planning to expand it to other cities across Goa and have a chain of gyms with my brand name. It is not related to modeling, but yes, it is related to health and fitness. I mentioned before, football is my passion and gym is my second home. I like to be fit and as of now I have taken it up as business, I am happy to see people getting conscious about their health and fitness nowadays.
Q. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT FASHION INDUSTRY IN GOA?
Fashion in Goa has a very minimal scope and people who are not ready to travel outside Goa, for them there is no scope at all. One can only have a successful modeling career if he/she is ready to explore opportunities across the borders.
Q. WHAT WILL YOU SUGGEST THE GOAN YOUTH AND ASPIRING MODELS?
Fulltime modeling career is a big challenge. I personally suggest modeling should be taken up as a hobby and not your daily bread and butter. I will always recommend the youth to be your own creator and be self sustained. I think the youth should focus more on academics and from an entrepreneur’s perspective one should focus on his growth and on a fixed income. Fashion industry is just about the glamour that you see and it is a short term career. So, think about a fixed income source.
Q. WHO INSPIRED YOU AND WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
I don’t believe in God fathers, I’ll rather say just be yourself and believe in yourself to reach up to your goals. It’s not about following anyone, but following your dreams. Don’t try to be like anyone but try to create your own space.
