East EuropE spEcial

This is the story of Farzan Athari, an international model who rose to fame in a very short period, worked in over 20 countries with

over 100 brands. He was also the first to sign an International modeling contract in his native country, Iran. The international model with a Persian background has enjoyed a life full of colours, lived in the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai, a city full of opportunities and taken his modeling career to another level by starting his own Media and Production house called Attitude, with two other partners. Athari has always been ambitious as a person and thrived in entrepreneurial environment, hence starting his own company was a natural progression after his extensive experience in the industry. “No matter in what field of work you are, you should always set higher goals for yourself and see how you can expand in your field and take your experience and work to the next level,” he says.

Unfortunately in May 2013, the highly positive and ambitious international model’s downfall started when he was caught in Dubai, with 21 gm of cocaine outside his home in the Burj Khalifa tower. He was sentenced to life in prison, which under UAE law amounts to 25 years but the sentence was later reduced to 10 years after he set up a petition online, which attracted more than 65,000 signatures to promote his plea, as Athari still holds a very strong fan following around the world.

Athari did not lose hope and went on to record a song from prison called Save My Life, addressed to the ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai, for a pardon. A move that even many of his close friends thought wasn’t wise enough, but he still went ahead and the tribute song succeeded and the Sheikh ordered a special pardon for Farzan Athari. He was released from the central Jail in Dubai in December 2015 after three hard

Silver liningPeoPle

A tale of optimism, determination and pulling oneself out of the worst to emerge as the best!

www.tlfmagazine.com26 TLF Magazine March-april 2016

NEVER give up, stay positive and fight till your last breath. A lot of people in jail spent their time complaining and yes I can understand why they would, its a horrible situation to be in.

However complaining doesn't help you, it just frustrates you. I tried to use my misfortune

as a time of self reflection. To think about the decisions I have made in the past and where I want to be in the future. I set

goals for myself, wrote song lyrics, read inspiring books and tried to keep myself as busy as possible. I was thinking well,

I'm here now, at least lets use thetime in the best and most productive way I can. This is what

got me through…..

By Shivani Joon

years, of having faith and keeping his focus on his release and his future.The talented model plans to explore and develop his passion for music through the song lyrics that he wrote while in prison, he has already started working in the studio and reading various scripts from movie offers that he has been getting. Athari says, “I am in the process of writing my book and I am in talks with several organisations for motivational speaking seminars. I also plan to do some modeling, as it has given me so many opportunities and I will always embrace that.” Athari has worked in India also and holds the experience close to his heart. He feels it is a country filled with creative and hard working people who are down to earth, “There is a positive energy in the air, people appreciate whatever they have, even if some don’t have a lot you will still see the smile on their face, which I find beautiful,” he says. Athari plans to come back to India if the right project or opportunity comes along, as the Indian fashion industry is big and there is a lot of work for all the people in the industry. When asked about the spicy food in india and his favourite destination, he quickly mentioned about not enjoying the food so much but loving Mumbai for its energy and people. Like most, Athari is also interested in

Bollywood and looks forward to experiencing it in not to distant future.

We talked a little more about the modeling industry with him and much as people may envy the models for the kind of life they lead, we can’t ignore the various other facets that show the dark side of the fashion industry, body shaming being one of the many. As we know in the past, the successful International

27 TLF Magazine March-april 2016

www.tlfmagazine.com28 TLF Magazine March-april 2016

Culinary Journeys

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“No matter in what field of work you are, you should always set higher goals for yourself and see

how you can expand in your field and take your experience and work to

the next level”.

lot of attention for different reasons, everyone wants to be your friend and everybody is nice to you. But I have realised that many of my so called friends had superficial intentions and their motives were not pure. I guess you live and learn and it is all an essential part of growing and learning the difficult lessons of life which in the end make you stronger.”

NEVER give up, stay positive and fight till your last breath. A lot of people in jail spent their time complaining and yes I can understand why they would, its a horrible situation to be in. However complaining doesn't help you, it just frustrates you. I tried to use my misfortune as a time of self reflection. To think about the decisions I have made in the past and where I want to be in the future. I set goals for myself, wrote song lyrics, read inspiring books and tried to keep myself as busy as possible. I was thinking well, I'm

model Gigi Hadid also found herself the target of body shaming on social media, about which Athari wisely said, “I honestly believe that beauty comes in many shapes and sizes. Models do experience pressure to be extremely thin and this is unfortunate because it's not healthy or realistic. Gigi Hadid is a beautiful girl and the fact that someone like her was being body shamed shows how ridiculous the standards are.”

When asked If he were to go back to the year 2013, what would he do differently to change the three hard years he had to live later, what’s that one thing that helped him survive it and what would he suggest his fans around the world, if they were ever caught in a situation

here now, at least lets use the time in the best and most productive way I can. This is what got me through,” he explains.

These are the words of someone who has been through a very tough time, but could only see the silver lining. And that is what made him get past it. You can find him on Instagram @OfficialFarzanAthari, www.FarzanAthari.com

like his? Athari effortlessly answered, “I would definitely be more careful about my surroundings and the people I let into my life. When you are doing well in life and you get a

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