Basil Sylvester Pinto
They laughed at him in college, even his teachers did, for his uniquely, different dress sense. As a part-timer in sales at a store in a mall, Amar Ojha even put on shoes for students from his college. Despite his low profile job, he always held his head high for the belief he held in himself that culminated in his biggest achievement yet.
Much has now changed at least for the final year Mass Comm student of St Xavier’s, Mapusa’s on how his peers and teachers perceive him after winning a fashion-based reality show on national television recently.
Wearing your attitude on your sleeve is the approach in life that Goa’s very own Amar Ojha has ingrained himself with that has found him reaching for the stars. A fashion influencer, a dance crew member with Rude Goa, a creative YouTuber, the multi-faceted lad with an infectious charm and a dash of wit has done his State proud by winning the inaugural season of MTV Pantaloons Style Super Stars that concluded in Mumbai recently.
TG Life: What does this win mean to you?
Amar Ojha: The win is a very big accomplishment for me. After all my hard work, dedication and all my love to fashion it has taken me to a level where I represented my State and got the title home. I have always been interested in fashion and have a big dream to be a well-known fashion influencer. Goan influencers do not have that much support leaving the bloggers that are in Mumbai or Delhi that get sponsorship and support. This was a step that I took so that I could make a change in the influencers’ world. This win has a message that influencers, bloggers and artistes in Goa like in dance, music and art should have their content or work respected and get paid. This win is also very big not just for me, but especially for those that supported me. There have been times I had no money to buy clothes and I had to borrow from friends. My mom has always been a support, my brother, Pallav Ojha as well and a few friends.
TG: How did you get to know about the fashion-based reality show?
AO: I got to know about the competition when I was going through Instagram. I saw a promo video on MTV Pantaloons saying that ‘Your style can change your stars.’ It was showing that there were auditions in different states leaving Goa. It clearly said that you have to wear your outfits and it was not about modeling.
I am not a model, but an influencer. I’ve the guts to go and portray in front of the judges. So I took the step and I went to Pune. I did not have the money to travel and borrowed from friends. After my exams, I got to know that I was selected. They had selected 5 boys and 5 girls in Pune out of 150 participants from which two were called from Pune, another guy and I. Sadly, I did not even have the money to go back, and my friends helped me. It was a good experience going without anything and getting back something is like more than enough.
TG: What were the challenges that came with participating in the novel conceptualized show?
AO: Everything is a challenge. Facing camera for the first time with the director and producer sitting behind is a big task. The competition was tough. All the seven contestants in the final were fashion students, while I was a mass communications student which makes a big difference. But I gave my best. The rounds have been tough. They gave certain time, in which you had to shop, with a given budget and then rush.
There were customers in the store; you have to literally plead to them in a way like, ‘please, please, mujhe change karvane do.’ You had to try sizes, chose clothes in that particular time. It was very difficult and the store was big. You did not know what to do and were actually confused. Anyway, I managed to get all my outfits. I gave good rounds, leaving one round that I went down. I’m very proud that though it was literally difficult, I made it.
TG: If you could tell us more on the tasks assigned in the fashion-based reality show?
AO: There were different tasks given to us. My first task was a theme to display myself as a teacher which I chose a drama teacher. The second was of a gala dinner. In this, I displayed myself attired and ready to go for a gala dinner. In the third, which was themed on wildlife, I portrayed myself as a wildlife photographer. In the fourth and final task in the final, which was a fresher’s party, I gave my own look. Each task took a lot of effort and struggle to reach so far in life.
TG: What does fashion mean to you?
AO: Fashion is like my soul. When I see clothes, I just go mad. I do not have any specific choice. Whatever attracts my eye that is fashion to me. Whatever I create that is fashion. I do not copy anyone else. I just want to create my look. Even if my look goes wrong, I still believe I look good. Fashion to me is like everything. How dance is my life, fashion is more than just that.
TG: What is your style statement?
AO: My style statement is just that you have to style yourself with attitude and you have to have 100 per cent confidence in what you wear. There are times when people laugh at my clothes, especially in my college. I even have a blog, ‘Immortal Style’ “ Style with Attitude. You should represent your style. People will speak behind you. You don’t have to speak, but one day your style will speak for you
TG: What were the rewards and perks that came with the win and what lies ahead?
AO: This is just the start. I got gift vouchers worth Rs 30000 from Pantaloons and I’ve a six months contract with them. I would try for more reality shows like Roadies which I will try very soon. I will keep influencing people as I’ve been doing from Day 1 as I cannot forget my roots. I will keep entertaining people. I always wanted to give an example to people. So now when people look at me, they can say this guy is an example.
