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India’s fashion runways might screen glitz and glamour, but behind the scenes, professional models are speaking out about a very different reality, from underpayment to mistreatment to a lack of respect. These long-standing issues are now being brought to light by those within the industry.
Roshni Sharma, a professional model, shed light on the harsh financial challenges many models continue to face. “Rates are going crazily low because there are so many models trying to get work and they are just budging the rates down,” Sharma says in the video. Sharma further shared the breakdown of challenges a model goes through for agreeing to walk low-budget shows. Models are paying for their travel and accommodation, she said.
“If you’re with an agency, always ask your agent to pay you at higher rates than the previous season. Because what happens is Brand starts seeing you as somebody who doesn’t grow and is okay with whatever is put on their plate. The biggest fashion weeks like India, Couture Week or Lakme Fashion Week are the highest media-performing shows. Sometimes people budge down because of the fact that the Booker tell them that they have the chance to go viral or have great potential to get famous. That reel is not going to put food on your plate neither on anybody’s plate,” Sharma wrote in the caption.Watch here:The video quickly gained traction, sparking a conversation on struggles in the fashion fraternity. “Models taking up campaign shoots and big Tvc’s for 30-40k and shows for 5-10k have ruined the market,” a user wrote. “Good point, Roshni. Rates have hit rock bottom, largely because agencies are offering models to these fashion weeks simply for mileage. Add to that the internal undercutting cartel, and it’s become a deeply unhealthy ecosystem,” another user commented.
“Unionising is the only way forward but honestly, most folks in the industry are incredibly desperate to save face and be polite as opposed to stand for fair pays and rights,” a third user reacted.
n a compelling video that’s taking India’s fashion circles by storm, model Roshni Sharma pulls back the curtain on a harsh truth: the glamor of the runway often masks deep-seated financial exploitation.
The Viral Moment
In her now-viral Instagram video, Sharma explains that modeling rates have “gone crazily low”—a drop she attributes to an oversupply of eager talent willing to undercut one another for exposure. Models are now expected to pay their own travel and accommodation, yet be content with meager compensation—or none at all The Indian ExpressNewsBytes.
She calls on peers to push back:
“If you’re with an agency, always ask your agent to pay you at higher rates than the previous season… That reel is not going to put food on your plate” The Indian Express.
What’s Driving the Price Collapse?
Several systemic pressures are fueling this crisis:
Oversaturated Talent Pool
Sharma notes that the abundance of aspiring models has driven agencies and brands to offer ever-dropping rates. Many young professionals—desperate to break into the scene—accept exposure or social media virality in lieu of fair pay The Indian Express.Mileage Over Money
High-profile events like Fashion Week are leveraged more for publicity than fair pay. Models often don’t claim adequate compensation, banking on “going viral” rather than financial reward—the industry unwittingly reinforces itself into a cycle that devalues labor The Indian ExpressNewsBytes.Calls for Unionization
One commenter highlighted the need for collective action:“Unionising is the only way forward…”
Yet, many industry professionals suppress their grievances in favor of maintaining politeness and avoiding conflict The Indian ExpressNewsBytes.
Broader Context in India’s Fashion Landscape
Roshni Sharma’s critique is part of a much broader pattern:
Persistent Underpayment
A decade ago, models like Nethra Raghuraman and Alesia Raut spoke of glamorous façades masking poor compensation and high pressure, with many earning modest pay despite grueling conditions The Indian ExpressBusiness Standard.Unfair Workloads
Some models recount lugging heavy garments and enduring long, ill-compensated workdays—imagine donning a 20 kg lehenga for 15 hours but being paid only for 4—in the fashion world, the physical cost often far outweighs the financial reward mint.Structural Inequities
Models in India lack formal representation, archives, or collective bargaining—despite attempts at union formation in past decades, the industry remains fragmented, leaving professionals vulnerable mintloudvoice.in.
Why It Matters
1. Livelihood at Risk
Relying on exposure instead of fair pay isn’t sustainable. Models aren’t content—they can’t survive on virality when day-to-day costs loom large.
2. Creative Ecosystem Undermined
When labor is devalued, the entire creative process suffers. Models, stylists, and artists are less empowered to push boundaries when financial precarity reigns.
3. Structural Reform Needed
As Sharma and others point out, the solution lies beyond lip service. Models need transparency, standardized rates, and collective bargaining—only then can the ecosystem shift toward equitable and respectful collaboration.
In Summary
Roshni Sharma’s viral message—“Rates are going crazily low”—captures more than a social media moment. It exposes a deeper reality: an industry that often prioritizes image over income. As the conversation spreads, the hope remains that exposure isn’t a currency—and that professionals regain agency, respect, and fair compensation in equal measure.
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