Meet India¡¯s First Teenage Model With Autism Who Believes Autism Is His Superpower
19-year-old Pranav Bakhshi was diagnosed with autism at a very early age. He has walked the ramp for well-known fashion labels such as Benetton US Polo Association and the likes. His role model in modelling is Spanish supermodel Jon Kortajarena.
New Delhi's 19-year-old, Pranav Bakhshi, is busy breaking stereotypes, one ramp walk a time.
Pranav's bio in his official Instagram account says that autism is his superpower and he also has a knack for photography and golf. He has walked the ramp for well-known fashion labels such as Benetton, US Polo Association and the likes.
He was diagnosed with autism at a very early age. He displayed typical symptoms of autism ¡ª speech regression, lack of eye contact, hyperactivity, not taking instructions and various sensory issues.
Pranav is now leading Delhi-based modelling agency called Ninjas Model Management. Before signing up with the modelling agency, Pranav and his mother sent numerous emails to several modelling agencies in the country, but nobody reverted.
His role model in modelling is Spanish supermodel Jon Kortajarena.
His mother says that Pranav had expressed a desire to model. Pranav is very well aware that he has autism and is fighting it on a day to day basic. But he is a strong man and I really want the other kids with autism to take inspiration from him and believe in themselves,¡± his mother told Hindustan Times.
Pranav has 40 per cent disability and also suffers from echolalia (a condition in which you repeat what others say).
He is also battling anxiety and extreme obsessions. But none of this is strong enough to stop him from achieving his dreams.
