The luscious model and finalist of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Gauhar Khan gets candid about men, marriage and more.

Do guys have preconceived notions about a model?

Only uneducated people think of models in a bad light. I don’t want to give any kind of importance to people who think so small. The models that I know are definitely not easily available. They will never give anybody undue importance. In fact, models are very tough to even approach.

Being in a glamorous profession, you are at the receiving end of a lot of male attention.

If a man pays me a nice compliment, I am fine. If it’s a corny comment, I just ignore it.

Do you feel that men have begun to accept women on their own terms?

Yeah, yeah. 80 per cent of the men I know allow their wives to work, no matter what profession they are in. Fifty per cent of models are married and their husbands are letting them continue. My father never stopped my mother from working but my mother chose to be a homemaker since she had five kids. My brother doesn’t stop my bhabhi from working. Men in my family don’t have preset notions about a woman’s place being at home. Men have learnt to be more trusting, more open-minded.

Were the men in your family cool with your decision to become a model?

Very cool. My father always knew that mom has brought us up in such a way that we know our values, principles and nothing in the world can ever change that.

When did you become aware of the male gaze?

When I came to Mumbai, in college, I was a shy girl, who would never look up while walking. When you enter the fashion industry you do tend to get a lot of male attention. I have always run away from it … I like it and enjoy it within a limit.

Are looks the first thing a man notices in a woman?

Definitely! Anybody who denies that is lying. For me, looks are not top priority. I give importance to the way a guy presents himself, talks and dresses up. A guy can have a great amount of sex appeal but there is no point in going ahead with a conversation if he opens his mouth and is not that impressive.

Will you be comfortable with the tag of a sex symbol?

I am known as a very ‘proper’ girl in the modelling field. I don’t think I am sexy. When I get the tag, I will think about how I feel.

What has been the boldest pass made at you?

Not many people make a pass at me. People are intimidated by me. I look very scary to them! I don’t encourage close proximity. The only comment I remember is an autorickshaw guy telling me, ‘Aap humko bahut achche lagte hain’. I ran from that place.

What kind of bond do you share with your dad?

My father is more like a friend. He is very cool. He has travelled the world and seen the best and the worst. I always count on his experience. I can talk to him about anything.

Who is the strongest male influence in your life?

My brother. He has been my friend, my foe, my psychiatrist. We are each other’s emotional support. He was an extremely protective brother when I was in my teens. At that time, I would hate him. But as we grew up we became friends. I am like his mother.

Are you single?

Yes. I am not in that zone right now. I am concentrating on my work.

Do you perceive a relationship as a hurdle in your career?

No, but I want to find the right kind of guy.

What is that one thing your past relationship has taught you?

The one thing that makes the world go around is love. That is something that people forget. If you are not sure about how the other person feels about you, I think you shouldn’t go ahead and commit to the person. Or else you will end up breaking your heart.

According to the new law, a live-in girlfriend will get the rights of a wife. Do you support that?

It’s very stupid. I don’t think it’s right because people will lose respect for the concept of marriage.

Do you believe in the institution of marriage?

Absolutely. I am a big fan of family and kids. I would want to marry someday.

Who is the hottest guy in Bollywood?

John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan. In the modelling world, there are good looking men but no one has blown my mind away.