Mun Dhariwal Interview

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1. What inspired you to become a model?
I never planned to model, I always wanted to but didn’t think be good enough. Someone asked me to do a catwalk show for them and my career took off from there. I then looked at other big Asian models and I was inspired by big Bollywood stars such as Hrithik Kurochan, and wanted to have the popularity as he has today. So I would have to say Bollywood is my inspiration!

2. You have your qualifications in Research and Design Engineering. Which are 2 completely different fields of work. How did you decide from that to modelling?
Well my passion has always been design. I achieved a first class honours in Product Design and Engineering and then progressed my qualifications by doing a masters degree in Research engineering. At the time of studying I was competing as a Boxer. I never though I be modelling one day, especially to the scale I am doing today. My modelling first began out really small with a few small shows here and there and the odd photo shoot. It then became more successful. I still work as a designer but I am taking a step back from my designing background and trying to excel in the modelling and commercial media world. One day I may go back into my design again, but right now I love the world of modelling.

3. Has it been a struggle for you in this line of work?
In one word…YES! When I first began I had nearly every person telling me I can NEVER model and do well. I even had some established models telling me to not even try as I will be disappointed in not getting any projects or shoots.

But I really wanted it. At the time I was about 15 stone of muscle and bulk. I had to diet and train harder to lean up and have more of a defined look. I train now sometimes twice a day and do a 5 to 6 day work out routine and have a day off. I even changed my diet to fill my dream. I now weigh around 13 and half stone. I get allot more work now, but still get a lot of people telling me to not bother as it wont last. Until that day comes on I am going to keep trying to better myself.

A good friend of mine said to me one day: “Reach for the sky, if you don’t get there at least you will be remembered as a star” this is what I am trying to do and has become the motto for my life….”keep trying”

4. What do you do to keep your self in good shape?
I have always been in good shape. My training started when I was as young as 16 years old. By the time I was 18 my parents knew my passion. They hired a personal trainer to take me a step further. My trainer helped me with my dieting and also taught me so much about training and the focus behind it all. I now just maintain everything he taught me and push myself a bit more every day to look and work out into my “ideal” shape.
I now train on weights, cardio and still keep up my training as a boxer. But the main thing that keeps me in shape is my diet. I try to eat as well as I can. I don’t drink alcohol or smoke…so that also really helps.

5. What advice would you give to Asian males who want to become a model?
I always say follow your dreams. Anyone can do it; it’s always hard to do anything which is worth having in life. Sometimes there are tears on the way and also really high times. Never give up as eventually you will be rewarded

6. From your experience what have been the positive and the negative points in your line of work?
Well the positive thing has been the actual jobs themselves. Seeing yourself promoting someone’s product or the nice compliments you receive from the public. And seeing you do well slowly but surely.

The negative thing will def have to be the haters you get on the way. Some but not all models can be very nasty and make rumours about other models that are doing well in the field. So then can be a lot of negative things said about you which aren’t true. But I always look at it as if they talk about me, I must be someone special for them to go out of there way to say stuff!

7. Is there anything after modelling you would like to do?
YES. I would like to go eventually into the TV scene. Hope to present and act in films. I no it’s a big step, but I will only know once I tried.

8. Did you family support you from day one?
No. Lol! At first they thought I’m wasting my time and day dreaming! Lol! I needed to prove myself to them until they take me serious. I did this by showing them how serious and persistent I was in this. Now they are understanding and let me get on with it. I don’t think they ever 100% support me until I really make it big, but it’s a start that they accept me for giving it a go.

9. Do you prefer the catwalk or the photo shoots?
I love both. It’s hard to decide. Catwalk shows are awesome as it’s live…and there is so much to remember as the scenes go, and I also get to interact with other models.

With photo shoots it’s also as great. Everyone concentrates solely on you as a model. Its long hours as some shoots can last up to 5-6 hours including make ups getting the lighting right and setting up the stage etc… but its always great to see the end result.

10. Was this your dream job
In a nut shell YES! Lol! I always wanted to be famous, successful and rich. I’m still working on all three….but at least I enjoy what I do.

11. Others stereotype most models especially male models for many reasons. How do you deal with it?
You can never stop people judging others. It happens to everyone in life, not just models. But I deal with it by not taking note of it. In the modelling game you have to be so head strong as you have to deal with citisms every day. People will put you down on how you look, dress and even talk. As long as you no who you really are…it doesn’t matter what others may think.

12. Ever been attracted to other models?
YES! Lol…I’m not mentioning any names though! Lol – I look but don’t touch, a bit of eye candy is always good in any field you do! Ha ha ha!

Quick questions –

1. I'd like to teach the world to...
accept people for what they are.

2. What's the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?
I don’t get scared very easily, so nothing yet! Lol

3. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?
I seen a lot of bad movies…. So I can’t name a single one!

4. What's the best movie you've ever seen?
I love 300 and the Hindi film Dhoom 2 and Om shanty Om!

5. What are three words that sum you up?
Motivated, Hyper-active and loving.

6. Single or taken?
Taken.

7. What makes you blush?
Nothing! I do get shy very easily.

8. I'd be the happiest person in the whole world if...
I full filled my life time dream. Being: successful, famous and rich!

9. I'd like to hang out with...
my friends

10. What motivates you? Myself!
I am my own worst enemy. I always see faults in myself and always looking to improve myself.

11. Romantic moment?
Hmmmmm……………. Hmmmmmmmmmmm…… not sure…. Lol… I'm not y romantic! Ha-ha!

12. Your last GF was….
6 yrs ago….and she still is the lady of my life…. Rachna.

13. Who do you look up to?
My mum. She is my everything. She has done so much in her life and I look up to her.

14. How old were you when you had your first date?
I think I must have been about 18! Lol! Late starter! Ha-ha!

15. What one possession would you save in a fire?
Hmmm….. My pc! lol

16. Fav food?
NANDOS! For sure!

17. Fav Drink?
Lemonade and Red Bull

18. I usually go to bed around...
11 pm

19. Health tips?
No carbs after 6pm

20. Fav singer?
I don’t have one

21. Places you have travelled to?
India, Portugal, Greece, France…. That’s about it.

22. Shy or confidant?
Very confident!

23. I'd describe my sense of humour as...
CRAZY

24. Childhood moments were…
great fun and happy.

25. Ever done charity work?
YES.