He may be the nephew of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L.K. Advani, but Rahul Jagtiani's dreams are more the stuff of runway success than electoral ecstasy.

After he won the runners-up crown at the Gladrags Manhunt last year, 25-year-old Jagtiani has modelled international brands like Daks and Provogue and for Indian designers like Rocky S.

"I was always keen on modelling," tells Jagtiani, whose father is the younger brother of Kamla Advani, the wife of L.K. Advani.

"And the Gladrags Manhunt was a big break. It really gave me a platform and meet the right people."

A graduate of Sydenham College in Mumbai who later studied in Virginia, Jagtiani returned to India to pursue his first love - modelling. Then came the Seagrams Blenders Pride fashion tour, which took him across the country sporting the work of some of the top designers.

"This tour also really helped. There were times that I was just flying in and out of cities for shoots and shows. It was stressful, but it really gave me an insight into how the industry works," said Jagtiani.

It also brought modelling contracts with big Indian brands like Tata Indigo Marina and Pantaloon. He has also just shot for a documentary-style ad film for the Richard Gere Foundation on AIDS, which also features Amitabh Bachchan.

"This was truly an experience of a lifetime. It was a cause which I hold very close to my heart," said Jagtiani. "Apart from working for such an important institution, I was also moved by the enormity of the problem.

"India has a huge problem with AIDS and across the world hundreds are dying every day. Whatever we can achieve to fight this disease seems less. There is so much to do."

The aspiring model wants to do more work for social causes but is staying far away from politics for now.

"I really know very little to participate in politics. It needs far greater maturity to be able to solve people's problems.

"At the moment, I just want to concentrate on my career as a model, make something of my life."

That's also why he is keeping out of Bollywood. "I've got a few offers for serials and movies but I don't really know how to act. Maybe some time later but as of now, acting can wait."