Meet the 19-year-old model who has proved autism cannot hold him back
Pranav Bakshi embraced autism as his superpower at an early age, and found his calling in modelling.
According to WHO, one in every 160 children worldwide is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is a neurological condition where most children have a hard time speaking in the public or become extreme introverts or extroverts.
While a person with ASD might have a specific difficulty in certain areas, they also tend to get very interested in particular subjects. And displaying this ability to be an inspiration to many others like him is Pranav Bakshi from Delhi.
The 19-year-old recently made headlines by becoming India’s first model with autism. Pranav has walked the ramp for a few well-known fashion labels.
Pranav Bakshi has walked the ramp for some well-known fashion labels. (Image: Diss Dash)
Speaking to Efforts For Good on his modelling skills, his mother, Anupama Bakshi, said,
“It amazes me how effortlessly he catwalks on that ramp or poses for the photoshoots. With no prior experience, and while combating his health conditions, he has done so much. I am super proud of him. He says he wants to be a supermodel forever.”
Pranav’s Instagram bio reads: “Autism is my superpower”.
Pranav has 40 percent disability, and suffers from echolalia and anxiety, but nothing seems to stop him from achieving his goal, reports News 18.
Recently, Pranav posted a video of his first ramp walk at Bengaluru’s UB city mall. The caption read,
“Sorry if the video quality is not good. This was my first ramp walk in 2016 for ‘Walk with A Difference’ in Bengaluru. I got the title of Mr Charming. There were so many contestants I was competing with to walk the ramp. I danced for the first talent round to Watch Me by Silento because it was my favourite song at that time. My sister taught me some steps. I also loved visiting the UB City Mall, I think it’s awesome.”
But things weren’t always as smooth for Pranav. He was born a healthy baby and did not showcase any signs of autism until he was two years old. Pranav’s condition would suddenly become serious, and his health would deteriorate immediately. Anupama said,
“At those times, I would pray for him to just live. The fighter that he is, he overcame all of it and look at him today. Alongside modelling, he has an intense passion for dancing and incredible know-how of music. He also has a knack for photography, making sure to get the perfect angle, focus, and timing every time. We would often find him dancing his heart out in the middle of the night. I guess that’s how he can adapt so easily to the pulsating beats while walking on the ramp,” reports Efforts for Good.
Pranav found his calling for modelling at his therapy sessions. Anupama recalled that three years ago Pranav attended a theatre workshop as part of the creative therapy.
“There, the organisers introduced him to the concept of ramp walk and he fell head-over-heels in love with it,” she added.
Following this, Anupama started sending hundreds of emails to modelling agencies to represent Pranav as their model. Unfortunately, not many replied.
Speaking of his determination, Ninja Singh, a supermodel, and the founder of Pranav’s modelling agency, told Efforts For Good,
“When I met him, I found him fascinating. Even though he is new to modelling, he has already got an amazing exposure. He is very excited about all of this. Fashion is not about clothing or styling, it’s an art in which Pranav has every potential to be a perfect artiste.”
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