Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest

Gladrags Manhunt Contest

History

The Gladrags Contest is an annual modeling event established in the early 1990s by Maureen Wadia, wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia, who owns Bombay Dyeing, one of India’s oldest textile companies. Initially started to support Bombay Dyeing’s promotional efforts, Maureen Wadia created the Gladrags magazine, which functioned both as a fashion publication and a men’s magazine, featuring swimsuit images of models. The contest later expanded to include Mrs. India and Little Miss and Master contests.

The contest provided Bombay Dyeing with a source of models for its products, including bath and bed linens, while winners gained visibility that could launch careers in modeling or film. Unlike other beauty pageants, Gladrags contest was notable for its focus on the swimsuit round, with winners often featured on the magazine cover.

The first Gladrags Manhunt Contest India was held in 1994. Rajat Bedi of Punjab was the first winner. He represented India at Manhunt International 1994 held in Greece and was fourth runner up.

At the 2017 contest was held at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai In the Little Miss & Master India Pageant, Mishika Sonkar and Shaurya Saraswat won the juniors’ division, and Tithi Surti and Nikhil Chhabria won in the seniors’ category. Arni Sapkal won the Mrs. India Mumbai title, and Hina Azad and Bobby Vij were named winners of the Megamodel Manhunt Mumbai pageant.

International achievements

In 2001, Rajeev Singh of Rajasthan became the first Asian and Indian to win the Manhunt International contest. He also won two sub-awards at the contest including Sharmoon Best Dressed Gentleman Award and Best in National Costume.

India has produced many runners-up at the pageant, most notably Dino Morea, Zulfi Syed and John Abraham, all of whom have since established themselves in the Bollywood industry. The contest has also given India some of the finest models ever seen by Indian fashion industry like supermodel Muzamil Ibrahim, actor and model Sidharth Shukla, model Farhad Shahnawaz, actor and model Abhimanyu Jain, 4th runner up Manhunt International 2006 and Arry Dabas, semifinalist in 2012. Other notable winners include Romeo Gates, Ahran Chaudhary and Ravi Awana.

In 2005, Sidharth Shukla, runner-up of Gladrags Manhunt 2004, represented India at the Best Model Of The World contest held in Turkey and became the first Indian to win the title. Later Shukla became a model in India and starred in Bollywood films.

Winners of Gladrags Manhunt India

Representatives to Manhunt International

• The winner of the Gladrags Manhunt represents India at Manhunt International, but if for any reason the winner is unable to compete then a runner up is sent to the pageant.

Representatives to Best Model of the World

• The winner of the Gladrags Manhunt represents India at the Best Model of the World contest, but if for any reason the winner is unable to compete then a runner up is sent to the pageant.

Photographs of some notable winners of Gladrags Manhunt Contest

File:DinoMorea.jpg|Dino Morea, Gladrags Manhunt India 1995 and Manhunt International 1995 - 1st Runner Up File:Zulfi Syed at the opening of Fluke store.jpg|Zulfi Syed, Gladrags Mahnunt India 1996-97 and Manhunt International 1997 - 4th Runner Up File:JohnAbraham.jpg|John Abraham, Gladrags Manhunt India 1999 and Manhunt International 1999 - 1st Runner Up

File:Sidharth Shukla (cropped).jpg|Sidharth Shukla, Best Model of the World 2005 and Gladrags Best Model 2004 runner-up

Gladrags Mega model Contest

History

The first Mega model contest was held in 1994, and girls all across the country competed for the coveted title. Shweta Menon of Kerala was declared the winner.

Lara Dutta later established herself as a leading Bollywood actress.

Winners

Representatives to Miss Intercontinental

• The winner of Gladrags Mega model represented India at Miss Intercontinental from 1997 to 2003.
• Earlier Femina Teen Princess held the franchise of Miss Intercontinental pageant in India.
• From 2011, Indian Princess holds the franchise of Miss Intercontinental in India.

Representatives to [[Miss Tourism International]]

• The winner of the Gladrags Mega model contest represented India at Miss Tourism International contest, but if for any reason the winner was unable to compete then a runner up was sent to the pageant.
• Earlier Femina Miss India held the franchise of Miss Tourism International pageant in India.
• From 2011 Indian Princess holds the franchise of Miss Tourism International in India.

Representatives to Miss Tourism Queen International

Representatives to Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International

Representatives to Best Model of the World

• The winner of the Gladrags Mega model contest represented India at Best Model of the World contest, but if for any reason the winner was unable to compete then a runner up was sent to the pageant.

References

References

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