The Indian fashion, grooming, and digital advertising market has shifted dramatically. In 2026, an Indian Male Model does not need to rely only on runway shows or print magazines, there are over 25 different income streams thanks to eCommerce, fitness, grooming brands, OTT ads, regional cinema, YouTube creators, and the massive influencer ecosystem.
According to KPMG India’s Media Report 2025, India’s digital advertising market is projected to cross ₹70,000+ crore in 2026, with over 32% of budgets going to creator-led and micro-talent campaigns. Also, India’s creators currently influence over $350 billion in consumer spending annually, a figure expected to surpass $1 trillion by 2030.
This means brands now actively hire fresh faces, especially male models with clean looks, personality, and adaptability.
This blog breaks down 10 proven, practical ways, and expert tips to help an Indian Male Model make money in 2026, including how platforms like Dazzlerr can accelerate your visibility.
How can I make money as an Indian Male Model?
An Indian Male Model can make money in 2026 through multiple paid opportunities such as eCommerce catalog shoots, grooming and skincare campaigns, fitness and athleisure brands, OTT and digital ads, commercial print work, content collaborations, and talent platforms like Dazzlerr. Below are 10 real, proven ways Indian male models earn consistently today:
1. Earn from eCommerce & Catalog Shoots (The Steadiest Income Stream)
Every fashion, footwear, grooming, and lifestyle brand uploads hundreds of SKUs monthly. They need lean, sharp-looking Indian Male Models for:
- Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart listings
- Lifestyle catalogues
- Lookbooks
- Marketplace brand photos
Income Range (India, 2026):
₹8,000 – ₹25,000 per day for beginners
₹30,000 – ₹60,000+ per day for established male models
Real Example:
Brands like Myntra, Bewakoof, Snitch, Rare Rabbit, The Souled Store frequently rotate fresh faces every quarter.
Pro Tip:
Catalog modeling values consistency more than “uniqueness.” Maintain:
- Consistent haircut
- Trimmed beard
- Basic fitness
- Clean skin
2. Grooming & Skincare Brand Close-Up Shoots (High Demand in 2026)
India’s men’s grooming market crossed ₹18,000 crore in 2024. Brands like Bombay Shaving Company, Ustraa, Beardo, Man Matters hire Indian Male Models for:
- Beard shots
- Razor demos
- Skincare routines
- Hair product videos
- Before/after campaigns
Income Range:
₹15,000 – ₹75,000 per shoot
“The BarberShop with Shantanu” is the video podcast launched by Shantanu Deshpande:
https://youtu.be/woAkAFA3cs4
Pro Tip:
Keep jawline definition, beard lines, eyebrows, and skin texture ready at all times.
3. Fitness Modeling – Gyms, Supplements, Athleisure Brands
Fitness is the fastest-growing vertical for an Indian Male Model because brands today want:
- Lean aesthetic (not bodybuilder bulky)
- Functional fitness
- Relatable physique
Brands like HRX, Cult, MuscleBlaze, Fast&Up, Decathlon hire male models for:
- Gym campaigns
- Supplement shoots
- Athleisure promos
- YouTube fitness ads
Earnings:
₹10,000 – ₹1,00,000 per project
Pro Tip:
Maintain:
- 10–14% body fat
- Lean arms and waist
- Flexible posing
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4. OTT & Digital Ad Campaigns (Massive Boom since 2024)
Brands cast fresh Indian Male Models for 6–20 second OTT ads on:
- Hotstar
- JioCinema
- YouTube
- Instagram Reels
Casting directors prefer talent that feels natural, not overly trained.
Income Range:
₹20,000 – ₹2,00,000 per ad depending on usage rights
Real Example:
The Rapido, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and PhonePe campaigns frequently feature new male faces.
Pro Tip:
Record a 30-second self-introduction video with:
- Name
- Age
- Height
- Profiles
- Natural Smile
Casting teams shortlist instantly from self-tests.
5. Fashion Runway Shows & Editorial Shoots
Though runway is competitive, it pays well during:
- Fashion Weeks (FDCI, LFW)
- Designer showcases
- Magazine spreads
Earnings:
Runway: ₹10,000 – ₹40,000 per show
Editorials (magazines): ₹4,000 – ₹20,000 (more prestige than money)
Real Examples:
Designers like Suket Dhir, Shantanu & Nikhil, Abhishek Paatni often scout fresh male models.
Pro Tip:
Keep updated digitals in:
- White tee
- Blue/black jeans
- Clean haircut
Editors love versatility.
6. Become a Digital Creator + Model (The Hybrid Model Approach)
The fastest-growing income stream for an Indian Male Model in 2026 is content creation.
Brands love talent who can:
- Model
- Make Reels
- Showcase Grooming Routines
- Post Daily
Credit: https://www.youtube.com/@FlyingBeast320
Potential Earnings:
₹5,000 – ₹2,00,000 per brand collaboration (micro to macro creators)
Example:
Creators like Tejeshwar Sandhoo, Siddharth Batra, Niharika NM have turned content + modeling into full careers.
Pro Tip:
Create these pillars:
- Grooming videos
- Outfit videos
- Personality reels
- Fitness routines
The more content you produce, the more brands notice you.
7. Regional Cinema, TVCs & Short Films
Indian Male Models often shift into:
- South Indian films
- Punjabi music videos
- Marathi ads
- OTT short films
Earnings:
₹10,000 – ₹1,50,000 per project
Pro Tip:
Casting directors love expressive faces. Practice:
- Micro-Expressions
- Eye Work
- Natural Emotion
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8. Commercial Print Ads (Banks, Hospitals, Real Estate, Education)
These projects need trustworthy, relatable faces.
Common categories:
- Family ads
- Dad/brother roles
- Corporate model roles
Earnings:
₹8,000 – ₹80,000 depending on usage
Pro Tip:
Have both serious and smiling portraits in your book.
9. Stock Photography & Video Modeling (Passive Income)
Agencies like:
- Getty Images
- Shutterstock
- iStock
- Wirestock
License your photos and clips repeatedly.
Income:
₹500 – ₹30,000 per month (passive) More if you grow your catalog.
Pro Tip:
Shoot:
- Office Looks
- Fitness Routines
- Lifestyle Sets
- Grooming Activities
These sell very well.
10. Build a Strong Portfolio & Publish It on Dazzlerr for Paid Work
No matter how talented you are, you must be discoverable.
Why Choose Dazzlerr?
Dazzlerr is India’s fastest-growing talent discovery platform where:
- Casting Directors Post Jobs
- Brands Look For Fresh Faces
- Photographers Search For Models
- Agencies Scout New Talent
What You Can Do on Dazzlerr:
- Upload your modeling portfolio
- Add your measurement details
- Get discovered by agencies
- Apply to modeling jobs instantly
- Build your online presence without social media dependency
Real Benefit:
Thousands of Indian Male Models have booked:
- Catalogue Shoots
- Grooming Campaigns
- Regional Print Ads
- Digital Ads
Simply by having a complete Dazzlerr profile:
How Much Can an Indian Male Model Make in 2026?
| Category | Beginner Earnings | Established Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce/Catalog | ₹8k–25k/day | ₹30k–60k/day |
| OTT Ads | ₹20k–₹1.5L | ₹1.5L–₹4L |
| Grooming Brands | ₹10k–₹75k | ₹75k–₹2L |
| Fitness Modeling | ₹10k–₹80k | ₹80k–₹2.5L |
| Fashion Runway | ₹10k–₹40k/show | ₹40k–₹1L |
| Content Collabs | ₹5k–₹50k | ₹50k–₹2L |
With diversified income streams, a full-time Indian Male Model can realistically earn:
₹8 lakh – ₹35 lakh per year in India
₹50 lakh+ with international/creator expansion
Extra Tips to Grow as an Indian Male Model in 2026
- Maintain a clean portfolio
- Update digitals every 3 months
- Attend open castings
- Keep a self-tape setup ready
- Track your statistics
- Build long-term relationships with photographers
Take the First Step Today with Dazzlerr!
Once you’re ready to earn as an Indian Male Model, you need male modeling jobs.
Create your profile on Dazzlerr, India’s leading platform for models and register today to get discovered by casting directors, photographers, and real brands actively hiring fresh male talent.
Your next paid shoot could come from one application.
FAQs
1. How much do male models earn in India?
An Indian Male Model can earn anywhere from ₹8,000–₹25,000 per day as a beginner and ₹30,000–₹2,00,000+ per project as an experienced model, depending on work type like catalog shoots, grooming ads, OTT commercials, or brand collaborations.
2. Can you make money as a male model in India?
Yes, an Indian Male Model can make consistent money in 2026 through eCommerce shoots, grooming brands, fitness campaigns, OTT ads, content creation, and platforms like Dazzlerr that connect models directly with casting professionals.
3. How to start as a male model in India?
To start as an Indian Male Model, build a basic portfolio, maintain good grooming and fitness, get professional digitals done, and publish your profile on trusted platforms like Dazzlerr to apply for real, paid modeling jobs.
4. Is 21 too old to start modeling in India?
No, 21 is not too old. Many Indian Male Models start between 21–30 years and succeed in catalog, grooming, fitness, and commercial modeling where age flexibility is high.
5. Is there a demand for male models in India?
Yes, demand for an Indian Male Model is at an all-time high due to the rise of digital ads, OTT platforms, eCommerce brands, grooming companies, and regional campaigns that constantly require fresh male faces.
6. How to get hired as a male model in India?
An Indian Male Model gets hired by maintaining updated digitals, applying consistently to castings, submitting self-test videos, networking with photographers, and staying active on discovery platforms like Dazzlerr.
7. Who is India’s highest paid male model?
While exact figures vary, top Indian Male Models like Milind Soman, Rohit Khandelwal, and celebrity cross-over models earn through runway shows, endorsements, and brand campaigns, making them among the highest paid in the industry.
8. Is male modeling worth it in India?
Yes, male modeling is worth it for an Indian Male Model who treats it professionally, builds multiple income streams, maintains discipline, and leverages digital platforms for continuous visibility and bookings.
9. Do male models need height to succeed in India?
While runway modeling prefers height, an Indian Male Model can succeed without extreme height in catalog shoots, grooming ads, fitness modeling, OTT commercials, and digital campaigns.
10. Can Indian male models earn monthly income?
Yes, an Indian Male Model can earn monthly income by combining catalog shoots, grooming campaigns, content collaborations, and stock photography for steady and recurring earnings.
11. Do Indian male models need acting experience?
Not necessarily. An Indian Male Model mainly needs natural expressions and camera comfort. Basic acting skills help in OTT ads and short films but are not mandatory for most modeling jobs.
12. Which platform is best for Indian male models to get work?
Dazzlerr is one of the best platforms for an Indian Male Model to get discovered, apply for paid jobs, connect with casting directors, and build a professional modeling career without agency dependency.
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