|
MISS SHOWBIZ INDIA
USA PAGEANT 2009 CROWNS WINNER
West Hollywood, CA, Aug. 29, 2009
Yalda Sadiq/Gary Singh
On Saturday, August 29th, the very trendy House of Blues on the
iconic sunset strip hosted the glittering 14th annual Miss Showbiz
India USA Beauty Pageant 2009-2010.
The dazzling event began with a red carpet which brought stars
Bollywood and Hollywood together with notable personalities like
Bollywood actress Tanuja, (“Haathi Mere Saathi,” “Chhabili,”
“Saathiya”), actress Tanishaa Mukerji, (“Neal
N’ Nikki,” “Sarkar,” “Sarkar Raj”),
actor Gulshan Grover, (“Jism,” “Shoot on Sight,”
“Dus”) and actress and former Ms. India Pooja Batra,
(“Virasat,”).
There were 9 prominent Judges participating in the show, all excellent
in their own respective fields. Judge No. 1, actor Gulshan Grover
was a judge in Femina Miss India for 4 years in a row. He was part
of the judging panel when Diana Hayden, Yukta Mukhi and later years
Priyanka Chopra featured as contestants. Judge No. 2 Jamila Shenghur
is one of ten beautiful daughters born into an Afghan family. She
pursued a modeling and acting career at age 16 where she appeared
in several TV sitcoms for the next seven years. Judge No. 3 Ken
Naz is the CEO of Eros International North America, which is the
largest Bollywood Distribution Company Worldwide. Judge No. 4 Gingger
Shankar is the artist and co-composer behind the poignant score
of Mel Gibson’s 2005 box office hit “The Passion of
the Christ.” Judge No. 5 Govind Menon is a filmmaker/producer
and his latest film “Hiss” with Split Image Pictures/Venus
Films is starring Irrfan Khan of Slumdog Millionaire fame and Bollywood
bombshell Mallika Sherawat. Judge No. 6 Pooja Batra was a former
Miss India and Bollywood actress. Most recently, Pooja has turned
entrepreneur with her company, Glow Bell Inc., which has helped
acquire Sylvestor Stallone and Denise Richards in the recent movie
“Kambakkht Ishq.” Judge No. 7 Blake Levin is an accomplished
television writer, producer and director whose credits include “Shaq
Vs,” “Big Brother,” and “I survived a Japanese
Game Show.” Judge No. 8 Katherine Iniba is the host and co-producer
of “Halo Halo,” one of the few shows in California catering
to the Filipino American community. And Judge No. 9 is Beeta Grover
who is the president of the 24 year old LA based Scala Eveningwear
Inc.
The event then moved from the red carpet to the exotic auditorium
of the House of Blues where the 15 semifinalists along with the
reigning Ms. Showbiz India, Sharanya Mukherjee lit up the stage
performing the opening dance to the foot tapping ‘Desi Girl’
choreographed by Nakul Dev Mahajan of NDM Dance Company. The night
continued on with hostess Reshma Dordi, Executive Producer of Showbiz
India TV Network and Former Miss LA India and her co-host, actress
Tanishaa Mukerji. The audiences were entertained throughout with
the different segments including Evening Gown, Sari, Talent and
2 fashion show segments presented by Highglow Jewelers highlighting
their jewelry.
Before the show neared the announcement of the top 5 finalists,
the winners of Miss Photogenic, Best Eyes, Smile and Hair were announced
and sashed. And the winner for Miss Photogenic was Lakhbir Dhiman,
Best Eyes and Smile went to Natasha Patel, and Best Hair to Rupali
Jain. There was also one very special award which was Miss Star
India. The winner of this was chosen by an online voting system
where viewers were able to vote for their favorite girl, who was
Rupali Jain.
Then finally came the big moment, the announcement of the top 5
finalists. One by one, the girls were brought forth and they included
contestants, Premal Trivedi, Priyanka Venkatesh, Sapna Lohiya, Natasha
Patel and Natasha Kanury. Then began the Question and Answer round
where each girl was asked a question by one of the judges picked
out at random. Premal Trivedi was given the first question by Gulshan
Grover followed by Priyanka Venkatesh who picked Judge Ken Naz.
Next was Sapna Lohiya who answered Judge Pooja Batra’s question.
Natasha Patel chose Katherine Iniba and finally Natasha Kanury who
replied to Govind Menon.
At this time, Reshma Dordi thanked her sponsors, Atirma Collections,
ADI, Highglow Jewelers, Maazda Travels, Saafron Spot, Malibu Family
Wines, Tangy Tomato, Star India Plus, Sitar Indian Cuisine, Scala,
India Sweets and Spices, Dr. Parimal Kansagra, and LA Mumbai Sister
City for always supporting her and being behind the pageant. Chief
Guest Tanuja presented them each with plaques.
Then came the big and final moment. The scores were tallied and
the audience was ready as Tanuja sashed each girl and crowned the
winner. The second runner up for Miss Showbiz India 2009-2010 was
Priyanka Venkatesh and the first runner up was Natasha Patel. With
a drum-roll, Reshma Dordi and Tanishaa announced the winner of the
pageant, 17 yr. old Natasha Kanury. As she took her victory walk
and was congratulated by each girl, the 2009-2010 Miss Showbiz India
USA Beauty Pageant came to a glittering end.
|