I don’t like complications: Iraj

Dressed in a casual jeans and T-shirt (you cannot imagine Iraj in anything but that) she ushers you in her private domain, her room. The simlpe yet, clean quarters reflect her personality in very subdued undertones. She is a most easy person to get along with and so different from what you see out there on the catwalk. Iraj has the quality to outshine all others and there is no trick to that. Either you got it or you ain’t got it!

It has been a decade now since the lass made her debut. And a lass is exactly what Iraj was when she had her stint with the screen the very first time. It was in a commercial that we saw the duckling who has blossomed into a swan. However, one wonders how come the daughter of Zeenat Yasmeen never ventured into acting as seems to have been the trend since times immemorial. “Do I have to?” she inquires defiantly. It is the intense pride - and self-esteem rather than conceit - that Iraj wants to create her own individuality and not shine in her mother’s reflected glory. But that certainly does not mean that the gal is envious of her mother. On the contrary she maintains that her mom is a very good actress and also her very close friend. “I find that as I am growing older I feel more and more close to my mother.” Is this an uncomfortable phenomenon for the glamour girl? “Not in the least. Infact I really revel in this feeling of emotional closeness that I now enjoy with my mother.” Seems as if a better understanding has evolved between the mother and daughter.

Iraj resolutely maintains that if it was not for her parents she would never have ventured in this field of fashion. “They have always been very supportive of me. In fact, you can safely say that my dad inducted me in the glamour world via Arshad Tareen’s Men’s Magazine that I first modeled for,” she says gently, reminiscing of times bygone. “It is Arshad and my dad who made me.” It was her very first shoot that got Iraj noticed. The funniest part however, is that at the time because of her daring shoot and dusky complexion the image that people generally conjured of Iraj was of a denizen from the neighbouring country. Even now while talking about it Iraj smiles at the assumption. But by then she was in the orbit of success as one offer followed another. But the lassy was in no hurry as she took her time in deciding what her next step should be.

“I had been pursuing a career in commerce because I wanted to be a career woman. But I soon realised that, that was not the real me.” The real genius - an artist - was well concealed within her secretive person, which she realised in good time. “What I really had my heart set on was fine arts.” So she made an immediate leap after her B.Com and landed at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture. Who could have imagined that the super, sultry model studying at Indus at one time had been most indecisive about her choice of a career?

“At the initial stages I was still very young and wanted to jump into anything that came my way. Especially at that age it’s so thrilling to see your image splashed all over magazines. Who wouldn’t want beautiful photoraphs in magazines? At that time it became a mental as well as a physical challenge and I had to prove that I could be on both the sides,” says she emphatically. It was her desire to disprove the belief of models being dumb blondes. Beauty and brains a much sought after combination can go together proved Iraj.

Since then there has been no looking back for this beaut. Her career has been on an upswing taking her to heights of success. She has participated in more than a hundred fashion shows and is an integral part of the fashion scene. Iraj is the first choice for any designer. “I actually took off with just press modeling which led on to ramp modeling. I still remember my first show was with Shameel and Frieha Altaf was the choreographer. I have learnt a lot since then,” and the once raw dame has today attained sassy perfection. “Even now when I am out on the ramp I am this bubbly girl out here with liberty to do as I please, because that is the place where nobody has any say over you. You are your own master and all your expressions and movements are your own,” says Iraj intensely. “It’s the liberty and the unpredictability factor that really appeals to me.”

So much indulgence in ramp modeling has not kept her away from the screen. She has, time and again made an appearance in quality commercials. Sometimes it’s a refrigerator that she cutely presents to you. Or it’s a detergent powder that has removed an impossible stain. Or else she can also be seen luring men into buying a shaving cream besides marketing many other products.

Iraj is now amongst the senior models and is looked upto by the novices in the fashion industry. It is surprising to see that the one person these new models are comfy with is Iraj. She is always there to help and advice the younger ones. As to what her opinion is of these rookies the old hand says, “I am amazed at the friendly and sweet attitude of the new girls. When I started out I got unpleasant vibes from my peers, but now it is different. It makes me feel great that the new lot respects me a lot. I don’t like complications. I believe life itself is very simple. We complicate it ourselves.” Of the new entrants it is Nadia Hussain that Iraj feels has great potential. And for all the models these are the words of wisdom, on modeling from Iraj. “It is a package that makes one a successful model and not just a pretty face. You should first know yourself. Lots around here fake their identity. The key to making it big is to be comfortable with yourself. Then anything is possible.”

When inquired where does she think the fashion industry is drifting, Iraj nonchalantly remarks, “I’m not bothered how or where it is drifting because that is not my job. I’m just a piece of puzzle and am not here to tell others how to put all the pieces right. I am content with my lot,” says she at length coming as a pleasant surprise for nobody seem to be content with their lot these days. However, on ageneral level she says that there has been an evolution in the fashion industry with the upsurge of new designers. “Youth brings about a change.” Though not always for the best, but that is nature.

If not a model Iraj envisages herself as a boring woman, leading a stagnant life carrying the burden of a nine to five job. “That is why I had opted for B. Com so that I could become a businesswoman,” and make a hefty earning that goes without saying. But what better way then to be doing something you love and making bundles in just one sweep. Girly you surely got lucky!

Though Iraj professes to be leading a content life, with everything going her way, one wonders where exactly marriage fits in? “I really have no plans for jumping into that pan as yet. Though my mom is after my life to do so. I think it is a lot of responsibility. Moreover, it depends on the person I meet,” and she pauses at that. What about the person, we query. Is there a major list that he will be judged by? “It’s not a list I’m carrying neither am I looking around for Mr. Right. There is no right guy. You just have to be compatible. If I can tolerate him that would be sufficient.” So all you tolerables out there lighten up for there is still hope for you if you are an Iraj fan.

So that is Iraj in a nutshell, If we are to believe all that she claims. But do you know there is a superb quality about scorpios. They can be very secretive and make you believe what they want you to, while the truth remains buried deep within them. So we leave you on a guessing note to fathom how much truth there is to all that this enigma Iraj says.