Upstaged and Underpaid

Roshni Sharma’s viral video didn’t surprise fellow models — it confirmed what they live with every season: stagnant fees, no support for travel or stay, and late payments. “Rs 10,000-20,000 for 10–12 hour shifts, sometimes without accommodation or transport,” she said. “It barely covers survival.”

At the same events, a celebrity showstopper can earn between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 20 lakh for a single walk, with whispers of even higher payouts for the likes of stars like Janhvi Kapoor, Kiara Advani... The math is stark: One star’s fee equals the combined day rates of an entire lineup. Designers see it as an investment in instant reach. For models, it’s another lost chance.

A front row that looks like Bollywood

Recent Lakmé Fashion Week x FDCI lineups could pass for a film awards night: Janhvi, Kiara, Karisma Kapoor, Tamannaah Bhatia. The crowd cheers, hashtags trend, headlines write themselves — but models exit with no mileage, thinner pay packets and fewer opportunities.

Voices from the floor — and online

Filipino-Goan model Shimei Nathan says: “Anyone with a phone and followers calls themselves a model. Brands exploit this, asking professionals like us to work for free in exchange for ‘exposure.’ But exposure doesn’t pay bills.”

On Reddit, one user wrote: “Bollywood stars ruined the Indian modelling industry… current models are just in the background.” Another added: “Many aren’t paid at all. They’re told it will give them ‘exposure.’”

What fairness could look like

Beauty expert Elton J. Fernandez calls it a widening “dignity gap,” where experienced models are treated like “coat hangers” while actors walk the ramp with fanfare. A fairer system could mean:

Minimum day rates, scaled by experience, with penalties for late payment.

Travel, stay, fittings, and meals covered — not assumed.

Clear terms on usage rights for runway photos and videos.

A recognised body to negotiate contracts and resolve disputes.

Transparent casting with less celebrity bias.

Rate-sharing among peers to resist underpayment.

Written clarity on how runway content is used.

Dreams despite the system

The pipeline hasn’t dried up. Maleesha Kharwa, raised in a Mumbai slum, turned social media into a global modelling career. Nancy Tyagi stitched her own gowns for Cannes and broke through on sheer grit. Yukti Thareja moved into films and OTT; Bhumika Arora found steadier recognition abroad. All proof that visibility beyond the runway matters more than the profession itself.

Roshni took to Instagram to point out that “for a pool model at fashion week, the base rate should be at least Rs 40,000 a day, with stay and travel covered,” adding that it’s important for young talent to recognise their worth.

According to her survival guide: “If you’re experienced and have walked a lot, don’t feel insecure — ask for a better budget if you think you deserve it.”

“Always ask your agent to push for higher rates than the previous season. Otherwise, brands start seeing you as someone who doesn’t grow.”

“That reel is not going to put food on your plate — neither on anybody’s plate.”

“The brands you walk for are making a hundred times the amount you get paid.”

Where the money goes

Stars command a whopping price to walk the ramp as showstopper for a designer. Rumour is Janhvi’s team charges over `35 lakh plus, and add-ons for a few-minutes ramp walk. Ananya, Kiara and others charge more or else around the same.

Influencers charge Rs 1 lakh + for Insta posts, that publicises the show.

Fashion shows now have Anaita Shroff, celebrity stylist, and the likes as special invitees, and they command a price too that’s in lakhs.

While all these people are lakhs of rupees, the backbone of any fashion show the the many models who walk the ramp, and they are paid a pittance!