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.

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