24 gorgeous fbb Femina Miss India 2014 finalists got together on the pristine beaches of Sri lanka for an unveiling photo shoot. In the 51st edition of this competition, models are willing to sweat it out and give each contestant a run for her money.Deebashree Mohanty lounged at the Bentota beach Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri lanka to witness the happenings
4:00 am: The make-up room is bustling with activity as models try on their Falguni and Shane Peacock outfit for the unveiling shot.
5: 30 am: 24 models are marched to the Bentota beach, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and made to take their positions atop a structure. They are asked to pose and give their bestest, most sexy expression. After all a shot can make or break their life!
7:00 am: The girls are asked to shift their position and take another pose. The production unit is not happy with the lighting. Meanwhile, the girls cringe as the sun shines harshly on their faces.
12: 30 pm: They are still shooting for that one perfect click!
Who said Miss India was only about a toned body and a sharp mindIJ According to the finalists this year, the pageant is more about a holistic personality and a whole lot of hardwork. For some, the intense training, grooming and photo sessions were nothing short of a potboiler reality show on TV where each one wants to be the winner!
“After putting in more than 10 hours in shoots on a hot and sultry day and a few hours in the make-up rooms trying on various different outfits, everyone obviously wants the crown. There’s nothing wrong with that. We just want the world to know that it is not easy to be a model and participate in a competition as huge as this. It requires a lot of perseverance,” 24 year-old Aradhana Nayar from Greater Noida says.
A journalist by profession, Nayar says she would like to pursue her career even after she wins the pageant because that is where she belongs.
Even Yoshiki Sindhar says she is not going to be content with any consolation prize. “I want to win. Bas. With the amount of hard work that I have put in, I would be very disappointed if I didn’t get close to my dream,” Sindhar who hails from ludhiana, says. An engineering student she is full of life and has a quirky sense of humour too.
“I have heard such crazy things about myself, but I have learnt to take things in my stride. Many people ask me whether I was born in Japan. I tell them yeah...,” Sindhar says as she preps herself for a brain game activity that is happening alongside the shoots.
While most of them want to realise their dream of walking away with the Miss India crown, Bangalorean Nikhila Nandgopal has bigger aspirations. “I see myself walking away with the Miss Universe title. That is my goal,” she says. Not many like her get a chance to make it big in the fashion world, but Nandgopal feels she has what it takes to make her a winner. “Indians have an edge over models from other continents. Apart from good looks and expressive eyes, we have a warm heart. Our softness is reflected in the face and that acts as a bonus,” Nandgopal tells you.
As the date for the pageant is approaching, these finalists are busy with last minute grooming tips. But they are also chillaxing in the midst of all the tension. “I don’t want to get nervous pangs now. So, I take time out for myself and rest by the beachside,” model Mansi Grewal says, adding that this indulgent break usually lasts for 5- 6 minutes!
Phew!