Femina Miss India Preliminary Events 2003 Videos, Gallery and Color Commentary PLUS Pageant Predictions

Femina Miss India Preliminary Events 2003 Videos, Gallery and Color Commentary

[GALLERY] [COMMENTARY] [PREDICTIONS]

The Winners of the 2003 FMI Preliminary Events (Jan. 24th)

At the Bangalore Palace Grounds, the following winners were chosen:

Sunsilk Miss Natural Style and Sunsilk Miss 10: SHONAL
Sunsilk Miss Beautiful Hair: NALINI
Femina Miss Photogenic and Miss Beautiful Smile: SHARAYU
Femina Miss Talented: ANURITHI
Sunsilk Miss Beautiful Skin: NUPUR

FINAL Contestant Assessment

This assessment is based on the contestants' bio's, interviews, photos and performance in the Preliminary Events on week before.
It is important to note that a bad performance does not mean one can spring back in the finals, as always. Priyanka Chopra blended into the crowd in Hyderabad, but in Pune she shined and came close to Lara Dutta. Reshmi Ghosh last year made very poor choices in the preliminaries in terms of hair, clothing, style, etc. but in the final, she radiated with a sort of beauty and innocence which captured the Miss India/3 crown.

The preliminary events are a series of awards given out prior to the final in a different city or different cities (Depending on the year). The girls meet a preliminary panel, which analyzes the categories of hair, body, style, and so forth to give out awards at the show. There are many staples, but a few changes from year to year.

The girls start fresh on the morning of the pageant as they meet the finals judges in a private pre-judging session, only accompanied by some pageant staff to help in the process of scoring. The judges first see the girls onstage in swimsuit, then up-close to analyze beauty of face, and then in-person to chat. Those 3 categories are combined to make up the semi-finalist list. Scores are then averaged in throughout the night until the winners are chosen at the end of the show.

AMI - Her facial features are somewhat harsh, but she is in good shape. Her background is weak, therefore making her an overall average competitor in this pageant. Good shot of making the first cut (T13/15) but probably will go no further

ANJALI - A very soft, feminine face which is among the best combined with a great physique make Anjali and strong contender in this event. She has a playful, girl-like aura around her and I think this will leave a good impression in the pre-judging. Top 9 material

ANURITHI - Ms. Chikkerur has several assets on her side. First, she has pageant experience and an excellent background to prove herself. Second, she does have a polished attractiveness which will sustain her through the competition. Her physique needs more toning, but she is well-prepared enough and worthy enough to make a splash at the final. Worthy of a Top 9 position and may end up in the Top Five, but with one of the three lesser positions (Asia-Pacific, International or Earth)

DEEPICA - Deepica's original appeal was a somewhat sexy, Esha Deol-ish, Neha Dhupia-ish aura in her photos. However, on the tape that aura is gone. Deepica looks like a Hindi film actress from the 50's or 60's, and is by no means unattractive. Her physique also needs severe toning. I am sure she will make the first cut (T13/T15) but I am in doubt on whether her background will be good enough to leave her in the Top 9

DIANA - A deep disappointment; She was a favorite of mine, and now I do not even see her in the top 15/13 cut. Her physique is very unflattering, and her face is like Geethika's in 2002...very baby-like, fat face which does not appeal to me. Her bio is also very weak...unless a miracle occurs on the final night, I don't see it. A non-finalist in the pageant.

GOPIKA - An attractive contestant with enough facial beauty and a physique decent enough to make a good showing at the pageant, but a background which won't sustain much else. Will probably make the first cut (T13/15) and go further only with a lot of luck)

HARSIMRAT - I have been noticing this contestant a lot. Number one, she does have enough facial beauty to sustain herself through the competition. Second, she has a great physique. Third, she has an excellent background. All put together, she could end up a real under-dog in the competition. Great job, Simrat! At least in the Top 9 with strong possibility of taking a spot for Miss Asia-Pacific, Miss International or Miss Earth

HEMANGI - She has a more Indianized look, and does carry a good amount of facial beauty. She lacks a strong background, but with a good physique, she has a shot to make a good showing, just like Gopika. Will probably make the first cut (T13/15) and go further only with a lot of luck.

KAVERI - I used to think she was exotic in some way, but after seeing the preliminary, she is disappointing in both physical areas and does not bring much to the pageant. Non-finalist position

MAREESHA - With a decent background as a compere, a certain offbeat look and a great body, Mareesha may get lucky in the competition, but does not appear to be a very strong contender yet. Good shot at the first cut (T13/15) with chances to get lucky

NALINI - Possibly the most beautiful face in the competition. On top of that, she in decent shape, and has a very strong background and is definitely someone to watch out for in the competition. Definitely in the Top 3 of the pageant, to be standing at the end with a crown, possibly even Miss Universe or Miss World.

NIKITA - Nikita looked good in earlier photos, but was facially disappointing in the preliminary show. She is in decent shae, but it will probably be her strong background which will help her in the end. Not one of my favorite contestants this time. Most likely in the Top 13/15 and might end up in the Top 9 as well

NUPUR - This woman has some very exotic, Asiatic features. Her eyes are also the most haunting and beautiful in the entire pageant. The title of "Miss Beautiful Skin" was rightfully won by her, and she is one of the best bodies in competition. With an excellent background to put it all together, Nupur has some serious business to take care off. Unless her exotic features have a reverse effect on the judges as happened to Parmita the previous year, Nupur will make the Top 9 at least and has a very strong chance of being in the Magic 5, possibly even going to Miss Universe or Miss World.

PARMITA - Ms. Katkar was my favorite last year to take the Miss India-Universe crown...this year, however, things are different. Parmita's background is excellent and she is a real professional interviewer. However, what turned the judges off last year were her offbeat looks. She has possibly the best body in the competition, and a certain sex appeal and catwalk which put her ahead, but on the preliminary night was was a haggard disappointment. It is difficult to predict what this year has in store for her, but I do not think it is in her stars to represent India this year. I may be wrong, and I hope Parmita does look beautiful on the finals night. Parmita will definitely make the first cut and has a very good shot of making the Top 9

PARVATI - Simply not a good contestant. Her photos and onstage performance have been extremely weak. I might have to consider her as the least likely to make it into the semifinals, unless her interview is one of the ABSOLUTE BEST. Non-finalist material.

PAYAL - Earlier considered a favorite, but ended up a dud. She does have facial beauty, but not amazing enough to surpass having the worst physique out of 26 contestants. Follows alongside Purvi. Non-finalist position with a slight ossibility of making the first cut

POONAM - Like many contestants, she falls in the middle of this group. She is attractive enough to make a good showing, Alongside with a good personality and background, I don't think (and hope) that she isn't overlooked. Will make the first cut and has a fair short of going somewhat further

PURVA - Has disappointed totally. Has a pretty face and fair body, but not much else interests me. Luck is all that she might have. Non-finalist

PURVI - Of the three returning competitors, Purvi has made the least of an impact. Her look has changed for the worse, as the vamp appeal is gone and she looks like any college student you would meet in Mumbai. Her background could help in this situation. Non-finalist position with a slight possibility of making the first cut

SALONI - I don't particularly find her attractive, but she is getting a lot of attention. Her body is average, at best, but she has a good background. Presumedly in the Top 13/15 group, with decent chances of advancing, but I don't like her.

SHARAYU - Earlier, I did notice Sharayu as a possible surprise, and indeed, she did surprise everyone by picking up 2 major titles at the preliminary events. Bearing resemblance to MTV VJ Ruby Bhatia, it is her cute, sweet facial features which appeal the most. While I think she looks nice, I can't help but wonder what will happen to this short-cropped girl in the final. If she insists on not using any extensions, it does need to be re-styled from the 'little boy' hairdo she uses right now to something more vivacious and attention-grabbbing. Her background is also something very different from the contestants and I am sure her interviews will go very well, but will these judges like Sharayu, too? Sharayu seems like a solid spot in the Top 9, with a haunting possibility of ending up in the Magic 5

SHONAL - Throughout the competition weeks, 5'11" Shonal has managed to remain a strong contender in the competition. With a strong background to her credit, a goody body and beauty of face all together, it is tough to NOT see Shonal winning one of the three major titles. Even with bad luck, she will end up in a Runner-Up position. Shonal will wear one of the three major crowns most likely, and at the LEAST end up in the top five.

SHONALI - Ms. Nagrani reminded me of Celina Jaitley, Miss India-Universe 2001, during the preliminary show. She has a certain haunting beauty, and is quite popular with the Indian community. Her background is weak, but her beauty of face will be the deciding factor above all. Top 9 for sure with a strong chance of ending up in the winners' circle.

SHRUTI - Shruti 2003 is not quite a match to Shruti 2002. Non-Finalist position.

SUNAINA - Her background in political science and good looks have been a surprise. Will make the first cut and possibly become a surprise in the Top 9

SWETHA - From a contestant I hardly noticed to one of the top contenders in the pageant, Swetha showed her true colors. In Miss India Worldwide 1999, she represented the U.A.E. and I distinctly remember her as the "Tall, gorgeous girl with a resemblence to Sonali Bendre." In the preliminary, she showed herself as one of the most beautiful faces in contention this year. Swetha has a good chance to have one of the three major crowns, and will at the least end up in the top five unless her interview screws her up.

FINAL CONTESTANT PREDICTION (in order of preference 1-26)

MISS INDIA-UNIVERSE: NALINI
MISS INDIA-WORLD: SWETHA
MISS INDIA-ASIA PACIFIC: SHONALI
FIRST RUNNER-UP: SHONAL
SECOND RUNNER-UP: NUPUR

TOP NINE
6. ANURITHI
7. ANJALI
8. SHARAYU
9. HARSIMRAT

TOP 13/15
10. NIKITA
11. PARMITA
12. AMI
13. NIKITA
14. SALONI
15. HEMANGI

Others
16. GOPIKA
17. SUNAINA
18. DEEPICA
19. MAREESHA
20. PURVA
21. PURVI
22. PAYAL
23. DIANA
24. KAVERI
25. PARVATI
26. SHRUTI

Color Commentary

From the grounds of the Bangalore Palace, the Femina Miss India 2003 Preliminary Events took place. For television purposes, many portions were edited, but essentially 26 women competed for 7 prestigious titles.

The Sony TV event began with a musical video of the girls, which was followed by the grand introduction of hostess Malaika Arora (For the fourth year running) and Aman Varma (A famous television star). The stage was complete with mosaic mirror pillars and a giant screen in the form of a sun to serve as the backdrop for the event. It was truly a beautiful creation and went well with the show. One-by-one, each of the judges was introduced and took his/her walk onstage to the panel. They were: Actresses Pooja Bhatt, Namrata Shirodkar, Prema Gupta, and Neena Gupta; Models Sushma Reddy and Aditi Govitrikar; Director Mahesh Manjrekar; Ad guru Piyush Pande; and Gynaecologist Indira Hinduja. Only two male judges were placed in the panel to allow for more 'women power.'This was followed by the traditional musical compilation about the training sessions the girls underwent and all the areas of instruction.

The first fashion parade started with the contestants dressed in red to represent fire. Although the girls in the live event were able to speak about womanpower, in the show they merely paraded as a group.

Malaika and Aman

Ladies in Red

The talent segment was next...although 13 girls competed to be in the talent finals, only five were allowed to show their talents on the preliminary night. Seeing the quality of the finalist talent, it is a scary thought to think about the girls who did not make it. The segment began with ANJALI performing a belly dance to Middle Eastern tunes and "Mehbooba," including the use of a hula hoop! The performance was average, at best. This was followed by ANURITHI, who put on a creative humor act, imitating imaginary trainers from China, Australia, Spain and Lebanon. The imitations were funny, but quite politically incorrect. MAREESHA performed a dance to the Indian version of "Truth Hurts," a popular pop song today in India. However, her lack of actual movement in the dance made it unappealing. SWETHA sang her rendition of Celina Dion's "Cause I'm Your Lady," a song she previously sang at the Miss India Worldwide pageant in 1999 where she made the top five. The performance was not great, but not that bad either. Finally, SHONALI performed a fusion dance, referring to the combination of Eastern and Western elements. It was slightly fascinating, but not great in skill level. Anurithi was essentially the winner for her creativity.

Anurithi in her 'creative' talent

This was succeeded by Neeta Lulla's fashion show, where the girls, one-by-one, paraded in their Indian creations. This was the final segment of the night. Of course, various performer did come in-between pageant events, such as Sunidhi Chauhan and a London-based dance troupe, but let's not get into that.

Parmita in Neetu Lulla creation

Namrata Shirodkar and actress Pooja Bhatt came onstage to quickly crown the winners. For Miss Natural Style (A hair award) and Miss 10, it was SHONAL from Kalkota. At 5'11", she is the tallest contestant and does indeed have a stunning head of hair. For Miss Photogenic and Miss Beautiful Smile, it was SHARAYU from Pune, a huge surprise. She is an Environmental Studies student and athlete who bears resemblence to former Miss India-Canada and VJ Ruby Bhatia. It is difficult to understand how she was chosen as Miss Photogenic, even though she is very cute. Definitely, this was the big shocker of the evening, and it will be interesting to see if it passes onto the final. The Miss Photogenic title was held by winners such Aishwarya, Lara and Shruti, while Miss Beautiful Smile was held by titleholders such as Diana Haydenb, Gul Panag and Diya Mirza.

For Miss Talented, ANURITHI from Bangalore was the obvious choice for the title. It is the third year in a row that a 'different' talent won, as in 2001 Megha Kawale won by DJ'ing (She was a professional Disc Jockey) and last year Gauhar Khan won by dressing up as and modulating the voice of a very young girl, putting together a humorous show for the audience.

For Miss Beautiful Hair, NALINI from Mumbai took the honors. I don't know if I'd necessarily say that she has the most beautiful hair, but she is one of the top girls in the pageant. Finally, NUPUR from Delhi took the Miss Beautiful Skin title with her beautiful and radiant tan skin which reminded me of former Miss Universe Lara Dutta. It is interesting to note that Celina Jaitley and Neha Dhupia both picked up the Miss Beautiful Skin title prior to winning the Miss India-Universe title.

Popular awards such as Sony Viewer's Choice and Miss Indiatimes will be given out either the day before the pageant or during the actual final, unlike previous years.

Gallery of Contestants During The Preliminary Events

DEEPICA SHARMA	DIANA DELVADAVELA	GOPIKA VIRMANI	HARSIMRAT KAUR
HEMANGI PARTE	KAVERI JHA	SUNAINA TANDON	NIKITA ANAND
NUPUR MEHTA	PAYAL THAKKUR	POONAM PATIL	PURVI SHAH