It is the same story with most models, and it is not different in Sujo Mathew’s case either. You might have missed his tiny role as a cop under actor Vivekh in Yennai Arindhaal, for the latter’s aura would have overpowered this newbie. But aspiring to be a top star one day is Sujo who is already taking baby steps — he will play one of the leads in the Tamil film Oru Kuppai Kadhai scheduled as a 2016 Pongal release while working on an untitled Telugu project as well. “Even those who are not big fans of television get a smattering of these model and VJ hunts, and even as a college student studying nautical science, I was wondering why not give modelling a chance. It was quite unexpected and unplanned,” he says of his career that began in Kochi in 2010.
Shifting to Bengaluru in 2011 worked well for Sujo for he won the Best Physique Award at the Mega Model Hunt, thanks to “my height and wheatishly handsome looks,” grins the 6’2-footer.
Moving to Mumbai a year later made the canvas even bigger. “My biggest turnaround was when I began working for Wendell Rodricks, who is a mentor of sorts to me,” says the 26-year-old. Soon he was a regular at the Lakmé Fashion Week, Wills Fashion Week and Blenders Pride Fashion Tour, while he considers debuting for Dubai Fashion Forward in 2013 as the biggest break in his career. Rohit Bal, JJ Valaya, Varun Bahl, and Abraham and Thakore are some of the designers that Sujo has walked the ramp for.
He has also considering entering the Malayalam film industry, but says the offers are lacklustre because of his “unconventional looks by Kerala standards.” “I am hoping something good will come my way,” he adds.
Having worked with a leading clothing line for a year, Sujo was also seen in a few commercials. “I am mostly into runway and fashion shows,” he says. Fitness for Sujo, who sports a six-pack, is an occupational hazard. “I work out at the gym three times a day, follow a balanced diet taking less carbs and it’s a strict no-no to junk food, sweets and oily foods.” He also has a tip or two for amateurs. “Modelling sounds fancy; but it is a lot of hard work. Anyone can become a model but to become a good one, you have to be an absolute professional and need a bit of luck as well.”
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
