‘Rs 15–20K per day for 12 hours, with no paid travel or stay’: Indian model calls out low wages and long working hours

Model Roshni Sharma’s viral post has sparked a wider conversation on the exploitation of models—unpaid travel, long hours, and meagre pay (Image: roshoflove/ instagram)

There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of the glamour world. While models walk the ramp displaying the finest designer creations, the truth of being paid low wages and enduring tedious working hours prevails. Model Roshni Sharma brought the issue to light in her new Instagram post.

In a new post, she wrote, “The rates for a fashion week, especially for a pool model, should be around 40k minimum per day and the stay and travel should be included—if you are someone with experience and have walked a lot, please don’t feel insecure and ask for a better budget if you think you deserve it.”

She further added, “If you’re with an agency, always ask your agent to pay you at higher rates than the previous season. Because what happens is, brands start seeing you as somebody who doesn’t grow and is okay with whatever is put on their plate.”

She also cited the problem of models settling for lower budgets in the hope of going viral or becoming famous. But she clarified that a reel is not going to put food on anyone’s plate. She added how many models are being paid merely “15-20k per day for walking 3-4 shows, being there for 12 hours, doing hair and makeup, and paying for their own travel and stay.” This is hurting the entire industry.

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A post shared by Roshni Sharma (@roshoflove)

“When you walk as a model, you are basically putting in efforts of being in measurements that are very difficult to maintain with the right kind of food and the right kind of wellness routine. The brand that you walk for is making a hundred times the amount you get paid when you walk for them. Please be smart before it’s too late,” she concluded.

Roshni’s post garnered support from many in the industry. Makeup artist Elton J. Fernandez replied in the comments, “I’ve expressed concern about casual exploitation across our industry time and again, not to stir trouble but to develop healthier, respectful equations and to raise the bar. Sadly, I’ve been labelled as being too hectic or an opinionated diva or mouthy or whatever else because I’m less compliant, been blackballed by various forces and agencies—that’s what happens when you question the status quo. People understand dignity and clarity only when their own kith & kin are directly affected, until then someone else’s experience is fair game. Grateful to the universe for people that speak truth to power.”

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Model Teajay Gil spoke to NDTV about the issue, sharing he has been called for 9:30 p.m. shows at 9 a.m. and paid as low as Rs 6,000 or nothing at all. He added it doesn’t include fittings, travel, or meals. Moreover, the show directors sometimes also boast about paying low wages to the model.

This isn’t just restricted to fashion shows but also brand campaigns and TV commercials, where ramp and print models are fast being replaced by influencers.

Teajay added, "I was offered Rs 35,000 for a 12-hour shoot for a global brand that was going to use my face across print, cinema, TV, and digital. I posted a screenshot, and they upped it to Rs 80,000. Still not enough. The brand budget was clearly way more. So, where's the money going?" He also revealed backstage photoshoots that require as much effort as a shoot but go unpaid.

With many in the industry calling out the undue exploitation, it remains to be seen if their voices are heard and how it’d eventually turn the course of the model industry.