Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs and Additional Pics from Charan Suvarna
Mangaluru, Mar 29: Aafreen Rachel Vaz, a medical student from Mangaluru, has been crowned the first runner-up at the FBB Femina Miss India 2015. The star-studded grand finale was held on Saturday March 28 in Mumbai.
While Gurgaon girl Aditi Arya was crowned Missi India World 2015, Vartika Singh was crowned the second runner-up.
During the semi-final round, Aafreen impressed judges when she said 'Be your own best friend' to a question on her favourite motivational quote. In the final, when the top five were asked the common question 'At what age do most people become old and what is the secret to staying young?' Aafreen's reply was, 'Transition from young to old is subjective...when you start behaving old you feel old and if you smile then you stay young.'
She was crowned by Miss India International 2014 Jhataleka Malhotra.
The other two among the top five finalists were Tanya Hope and Deeksha Kaushal.
This year, 21 contestants from across the country participated in the beauty pageant.
The coronation night saw contestants walking the ramp for the final time. Out of the 21 contestants, only five made it to the final question and answer round. As a result of securing the top three spots, Aditi will represent India at Miss World 2015,Aafreen will participate at Miss International 2015, while Vartika will take part at the Miss Grand International beauty pageants.
Bollywood actors Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Shahid Kapoor performed at the grand finale. Along with them, Shalmali Kholgade of 'Balam pichkari' fame and Meet Bros Anjjan also performed live.
"Welcome Back" team, including Anil Kapoor, John Abraham and producer Firoz A Nadiadwala, were on the judging panel for the finale. The film's director, Anees Bazmee also attended the coronation night along with stars Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal and Shruti Haasan.
The beauty pageant, which will be telecast on April 5, also saw the attendance of actresses Shilpa Shetty, Manisha Koirala, Neha Dhupia, Sonali Bendre, dancer Shiamak Davar and designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.
The show was hosted by Manish Paul. He was joined by Neha Dhupia for a segment.
The humour element to the show was added by characters from the popular 'Comedy Nights With Kapil', Palak and Dadi, who draped actor John Abraham in a blue sari and termed it 'wardrobe malfunction'. In true sportive spirit John did a catwalk in the sari.
Aafreen was born in Mumbai and later migrated to New Zealand. She was a contestant in New Zealand's next Top Model contest. She is studying medicine in AJ Institute of Sciences in Mangaluru and started her modelling career with Fashion ABCD in the city. She is the brand ambassador of Fashion ABCD. She took part in the prestigious Campus Princess 2015 pageant and was crowned as the Campus Princess of India-2015. This is how she got direct entry into Miss India 2015.