Have beauty pageants become passe? With only one international win in 12 years, India’s dry run continues with insiders saying that models and other aspirants to the glitz and glamour world are bypassing the pageant path to head straight for Bollywood.
It was the opposite direction around within the decades gone past with women like Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta winning their international crowns after which going to the movie world.
On Saturday, Miss India World Vanya Mishra made it to the highest seven on the 62nd edition of the Miss World contest in Ordos, China, however the crown went to China’s Xia Yu. Had she clinched it, she would have gotten the primary big win in 12 years.
The last Miss Universe title came home in 2000 with Lara Dutta winning the crown; the last Miss World also came the similar year with Priyanka Chopra bagging the title.
So why this drought, even if the money and perks remain just about the same?
According to model Shamita Singha, who represented India in the course of the Miss Earth 2001 pageant, the issue starts on the root level.
“The girls participating in such pageants don’t match expectations. We can’t blame the judges panel. We aren't getting good entries. Most ladies need to make a career in Bollywood and with such a lot of modelling agencies these days, it's easier for them. So that they avoid taking the longer beauty pageant route,” Singha told IANS.
Amongst the models who've taken the direct road to Bollywood are Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, who catapulted to special time stardom, in addition to those like Sayali Bhagat, Geeta Basra, Mugdha Godse and Jiah Khan.
India first made its mark within the international beauty pageant scenario long ago in 1966 with Reita Faria winning the Miss World title. In 1994, Aishwarya brought back the crown, while Sushmita became the primary Indian to be crowned Miss Universe the similar year.
Describing Bollywood as a big roadblock, Shonal Rawat, Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2003, said: “Bollywood may well be the rationale that ladies aren't thinking about coming into such pageants. I FEEL the young generation simply gets attracted by short-term fame they receive during their initial days and this somehow stops them from different career options.”
She also feels that ladies lack the proper attitude.
“Miss India requires the culmination of various such things as poise, confidence, looks and intelligence. It's concerning the whole packaging had to win the crown.”
Neha Dhupia, now an actress, started as a model, won the Femina Miss India 2002 crown after which made inroads into showbiz.
In her opinion, the luck factor is equally important.
“I don’t think anyone is lacking at any level. It's concerning the one that shines that day. Everyone’s beautiful as you might be competing with the 80 most pretty women on the planet. No person is lacking anywhere. The explanation why everyone’s there may be that they're winners in themselves,” she said.
Over the years, the fashion for beauty pageants and viewer interest has also dipped.
“Earlier, people was fascinated with watching Miss India contests on TV or in person. But that may be dying. We have to get public interest back. This may help us in winning,” said Shweta Vijay, Femina Miss India Earth 2003.
Till 2009, the Femina Miss India title winner used to take part within the Miss Universe pageant. From 2010 onwards, Sushmita’s organisation I'M She chooses the country’s official entry for Miss Universe and Miss Asia Pacific.
Sushmita’s candidate Himangini Singh Yadu won the Miss Asia Pacific 2012. She was the primary Indian to win the crown in 12 years – the last time was the victory of Dia Mirza, who's now a known Bollyood actress and movie producer. – IANS
