Articles

1. MISS BOLLYWOOD UK CELEBRATING AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF BEAUTY WITH ELEGANCE

FINALS TAKING PLACE SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2009 - Celebrating & Empowering the Modern Woman

Birmingham has been chosen as the platform to host the first ever Miss Bollywood UK Awards. The contest will be held on the evening of Saturday 29th August 2009 at the prestigious International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham. This promises to be a very high profile event with many A-list artists and VIP's attending.

Miss Bollywood UK will be recognised as the premier talent, style and fashion event for women of all back grounds; as such Miss Bollywood UK will be a vehicle for contestant’s personal development within the Film, Fashion and Beauty industry also in return giving something to the much needed and unfortunate individuals of this world. Miss Bollywood UK will be a high profiled event having a massive impact to the City of Birmingham.

This will not just be another beauty contest but an evening of glamour which will host a range of performances on stage along with an amazing catwalk by the final 15 contestants. Miss Bollywood UK will receive extensively media attention all over the world as View Asia (Sony TV) will be broadcasting the event internationally as well as attracting the attention from the USA as the winner will also be competing for the Miss Universe 2010 title. The evening will run from 18.00 to around 22.45 followed by an after show party at Blue Mango for all event partners, sponsors, stars, judges and VIP guests.

Miss Bollywood UK has seen 900 of applications from across the country coming from diverse backgrounds ageing from 18 to 27 year old and being a major success with support and backing from various institutes and organisations along with backing from leading film producers and directors in the Indian Film Industry.

Semi finals took place on Saturday 11th July at the Radisson SAS where 50 shortlisted contestants were interviewed and entered for screen tests, where the following 15 successful contestants were selected for the finals:

2. Bollywood Crown - The beauty pageant that will open the door to Bollywood for one lucky winner

Later this month fifteen British beauties will do battle to be crowned Miss Bollywood UK.

The first event of its kind, the winner will be whisked off to India to live the life of a Bollywood celebrity. A one year modelling contract, promotional events and the promise of appearing in a Bollywood film alongside one of the industry’s leading men is, for some, a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The man who promises to make the dream a reality is Zia Choudhury, the brains behind Miss Bollywood UK.

The Leicester-based model and actor came up with the idea back in the summer of 2006. Three years later and he is finalising the star-studded event which will be held in Birmingham at the end of August.

“It’s so exciting to know that the event is just around the corner”, admits Zia. “I know how much work, commitment and dedication has gone into planning Miss Bollywood UK so it’s exhilarating to know we’re nearly there.”

Such was the demand to be crowned Miss Bollywood UK, it took months for Zia and his team to whittle down hundreds of applications to the final fifteen.

So what’s the appeal for the lucky final group? In one word – Bollywood.

The Indian film industry eclipses Hollywood in the number of feature length films produced and released each year.

While not all become instant hits, the glamour and glitz that comes with Bollywood is hard to resist.

“The appeal in Bollywood is the song and dance, the glamour, the people; it is after all the largest film industry in the world,” says Zia.

“Suddenly we’ve got this cross over between Hollywood and Bollywood which adds to the authenticity of the Indian film industry. It’s an exciting time to be part of Bollywood.”

One British woman who is proving the step from beauty queen to Bollywood princess is possible is Lisa Lazarus.

The Welsh beauty, who scooped the Miss Universe UK title last year, has suddenly found herself on screen with Salman Khan in the soon-to-be-released period drama Veer.

The man who helped secure that role was Zia who acts as Lisa’s Bollywood manager.

His own involvement in the industry dates back to 2001 when he appeared as an extra in the star-studded film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Soon after, he landed himself a number of roles in subsequent Bollywood films.

Zia admits he’ll use his own experience of the industry to get the winner prepped ahead of her Bollywood encounter.

“The winner will get all the help and support I can offer to make sure they get every chance to make a name for themselves in Bollywood. It will be an exciting experience for them and one that they will not forget.”

With the final touches and last minute celebrities being lined up for next month’s show, Zia admits he already has his sights set on next years event and the possibility of taking the format abroad.

But before Zia has the chance to dream his dream, fifteen girls from England sit at home dreaming of when they’ll get the chance to become the UK’s latest Bollywood star. Roll on August 29th.

3. Reena Patel is Miss Bollywood UK

A British beauty of Indian origin will be whisked off for a Bollywood role after being crowned the first ever Miss Bollywood UK at a gala event in Birmingham.

Reena Patel, from London, beat off 14 rivals - whittled down from a long list of 900 - at the star-studded event Saturday night to win the title which comes with the offer of a Bollywood role and a year's modelling contract.

The runner up was Simran Chadha from Manchester and the third place was taken by Stacey Fox of Essex in an ethnically diverse contest held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

The judges included Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, said Miss Bollywood UK CEO Zia Choudhury, a Leicester-based model and actor.

Patel, 23, now waits to be flown off to India to live the life of a Bollywood celebrity and will be automatically entered into the finals of Miss Universe Great Britain which will give her an opportunity to compete for the title of Miss Universe.

"The appeal in Bollywood is the song and dance, the glamour, the people - it is after all the largest film industry in the world," Choudhury said.

"Suddenly we've got this cross-over between Hollywood and Bollywood which adds to the authenticity of the Indian film industry. It's an exciting time to be part of Bollywood."

The contest was open to women from all ethnicities as organisers wanted it to be as diverse as possible.

Patel follows the success of Liza Lazarus, a Welsh beauty who scooped the Miss Universe UK title last year, and then found herself starring with Salman Khan in the period drama "Veer".

4. Reena Patel bags Miss Bollywood UK

Reena Patel, a London-based beauty of Indian origin, has scooped the title in the first ever Miss Bollywood UK event in Birmingham and will soon leave for Mumbai for a role in a Bollywood movie.

Another Indian beauty Simran Chadha from Manchester was the runner-up while the third place was taken by Stacey Fox of Essex.

The 23-year-old Patel was chosen out of 900 ladies, initially aspiring for the title.

The winners, chosen from the final 14 contestants, were judged by Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, among others.

"The appeal in Bollywood is the song and dance, the glamour, the people - it is after all the largest film industry in the world," CEO of Miss Bollywood UK Zia Chaudhary said.

"Suddenly we've got this cross-over between Hollywood and Bollywood which adds to the authenticity of the Indian film industry. It's an exciting time to be part of Bollywood," she added.

5. Reena Patel Wins Miss Bollywood UK 2009 Contest

A British of Indian Origin Reena Patel was crowned Miss Bollywood UK 2009.

Reena Patel, overtook 14 other participants – whittled down from a long list of 900 – at the star-studded event Saturday night to win the title which comes with the offer of a Bollywood role and a year’s modelling contract.

The runner up was Simran Chadha from Manchester and the third place was taken by Stacey Fox of Essex in an ethnically diverse contest held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

The judges were Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala, Miss Bollywood UK CEO Zia Choudhury, a Leicester-based model and actor.

“The appeal in Bollywood is the song and dance, the glamour, the people – it is after all the largest film industry in the world,” Choudhury said.

“Suddenly we’ve got this cross-over between Hollywood and Bollywood which adds to the authenticity of the Indian film industry. It’s an exciting time to be part of Bollywood.”

6. A night of glamour with the stars!

Children and Young People with disabilities attended a night with the stars at Miss Bollywood UK. Supported by UK Premier Consulting and Miss Bollywood UK our families attended the Grand Final on Saturday 29th August where the top prize was a part in a Bollywood movie and a modelling contract.

Chief Executive Parpinder K Dhatt said:

“I would like to thank UK Premier Consulting and Miss Bollywood UK for giving our families the opportunity to attend this event. Families had a fantastic time and enjoyed an evening of glitz, glamour and entertainment. Several of our young people had the opportunity to meet the Bollywood actress Manisha Koirala and got her autograph which was a real treat.

The catwalk was stunning and vibrant and everyone at SAFSS would like to congratulate the new Miss Bollywood UK, Reena Patel.”

SAFSS Volunteer and Board Member Sanjiv Verma who attended with his wife and carer said ” It was a nice evening and I met Michelle Collins and had my photo taken with her.”

The event hosted by Raj and Pablo, was judged by panel that included former Eastenders star Michelle Collins, Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Joseph Marcell, actress Manisha Koirala, international fashion designer Rohit Verma and Miss Universe UK 2008 Lisa Lazarus. Performances from Taz (Stereo Nation), comedian Mani Liaquat and Bollywood dance artist Hakilee made the evening a night to remember.