Pooja Chopra, Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2009, is all set to leave for London on Friday in preparation for the Miss World pageant in South Africa.
“From London I will go to Abu Dhabi and from there, to the host country,” said Pooja Chopra, who is as excited as she is confident. “I am completely focussed on winning the crown, and for that, I have worked very hard with my trainers. And while I am nervous and anxious, I am also excited. I am aware that it is a huge responsibility. But I also know that this time will never come back in my life again. So I keep reminding myself to enjoy the experience,” says 23-year-old Pooja Chopra.
While India’s top trainers are confident she will bring back the crown, Pooja Chopra said, “I am leaving no stone unturned, I have even styled my own shoes, down to the colour, heel and look, and have selected my bags and accessories in such a manner that everything should be perfect and have an Indianness about it,”
Apart from that, she intends to promote India in every possible manner. “If anyone asks me whether India is a country of snake charmers or claims to know about India from Slumdog Millionaire, I will correct their facts and figures. I will stand by my nation and tell them that we have people like A R Rahman, Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who all are global icons,” said Pooja Chopra proudly.
The preparations are done, but how confident is Pooja Chopra about winning the Miss World crown? “I believe in destiny. I have done my best, and I will put my best foot forward. Plus, I believe a lot in prayers and blessings. A lot of people are praying for me, even people who don’t know me directly, as they want the crown to come back to India. So, with 1.2 billion people putting pressure on God, I think it should work,” said Pooja Chopra. “Also, my mom, who is my lucky charm, is going along with me, so I’m confident of winning.” And if she wins? “Oh, believe me, I’m not going to let it go to my head. Day and night I have been dreaming about that crown, how it would feel when I touch it, the colours, the sparkle of the diamond, the sapphire, everything. So the moment I get it, I’m not going to leave it, I’m going to parade all over with that crown sitting pretty on my head,” replied Pooja Chopra.
The people who prepared Pooja Chopra Marc Robinson - Contestant and Fashion director; Prashant Talwalkar - Fitness and Diet expert from Talwalkars; Shiamak Davar - Guru of Modern Contemporary Dance in Indian Dance Lessons; Sabira Merchant - Diction expert; Vinita Alvares Fernandes - Etiquette consultant; Dr Abhijit Desai - Makeover expert from Evolve; Dr Rekha Sheth - Nivea Visage Skin Care expert; Dr Dilip Deshpande - Smile and Dentalcare expert; Dr Apoorva and Sonal Shah - Haircare experts from Richfeel Trichology Centre; Jitu Savlani - Fashion photographer; Ashley Rebello - Wardrobe Styling expert; Ojas Rajani - Makeup expert; Najeeb Ur Rehman - Chief Colour and Styling consultant from Schwarzkopf Professional; Anjana Kuthiala for Art Appreciation; Swati Vatsa - Styling for photoshoot; Ritu Kumar - Indian and fusion wear and traditional outfits; Said Ritu Kumar,
“Pooja Chopra is going for the Miss World pageant and this one doesn’t have a national costume round. So, it will be her day-to-day appearances that will be important. She has taken a lot of sarees with and western outfits from the Ritu Kumar Label collection. We have urged her not to carry brands that will be easily available to other contestants there, so that her wardrobe is unique. So, her wardrobe would be a good combo of Indian and western, with a strong Indian influence.” Swapnil Shinde - Casual and formal wear dresses; Shantanu and Nikhil - Finale evening gown and cocktail wear; Ashley Rebello - Western wear (casual and formal). Other designers who helped Pooja Chopra with her wardrobe include Archana Kochchar, Varsha Bhavnani,
Mandira Wirk, Malini Ramani, Narendra Kumar Ahmed, Ranna Gill, Priyanka Rajiv, Nachiket Barwe, Renu Tandon, Rakesh Agarwal, Asif Merchant and Preeti Chandra. Tresmode - footwear partner, Tresmode is the footwear partner for Pooja Chopra. Kapil Mahtani from this brand said, “High Fashion has a short ephemeral and magical life. Its for people who are adventurous, take risks and play with convention to constantly evolve. Such is reflected in Pooja Chopra’s collection. It’s about being feminine yet adventurous and experimental to take on the world.” Chef Hemant Oberoi - Special etiquette session at the Chef’s Studio, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai; Novotel, Juhu, Mumbai; Ritika Ramtari, Istayak Ansari, Umesh Mohite, Kenny Motwani, Kamesh Goel, Hariman Lama, Usha Kakade, Sunny Chopra, Kay Vijay Ahuja, David and Deepa, Abdul Khan, Khalid Shaikh and Amit Dholakia.
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