Miss Indias glam up American pageant

They were all over the place, dazzling saris and ethnic jewellery in place. Former pageant winners Pooja Batra, Diana Hayden and Celina Jaitley rubbed shoulders with biggies from Hollywood at The 12th Annual Miss Showbiz India pageant held recently at the historic Alex Theatre.

Former Miss India and actress, Pooja Batra was on the panel of judges, which included names such as Randall Wallace (Oscar-winning writer of "Braveheart" and "Pearl Harbor"), Shani Rigsbee (background score for "Crash", "House of Sand" and "Fog"), Dawn Thomas (development executive at Will Smith's Overbrook entertainment) and Nicholas Guilak (a regular on the hit show "24"). Former Miss World Diana Hayden hosted the show along with the pageant's executive producer and former Miss LA India, Reshma Dordi.

Anita Vasan of California was crowned the winner of the coveted title this year, attended by Parminder Nagra ("Bend It like Beckam"), Naureen Dewolf ("Ocean's 13") and Luenell ("Borat").

The star-studded Miss Showbiz India beauty pageant has become a premier Indian event in North America. Beginning with a red carpet welcome, the function ended Hollywood style with a wrap party at Beverly Hills.

Catch the bevy of beauties on Zee Café on Saturday, August 25, at 10.30 pm.

-(SAMPURN)