Being natural top most pre-requisite to make your mark as actor : Indrani Halder at pageant

 "I understand confidence is important. It is the key. But being natural is more important. You can't afford to be mechanical to make your mark in the industry (entertainment/showbiz)," Indrani, who also acted in Hindi TV series, said during the final of Sharad Sundari 2016, the beauty pageant to pick up top three young beauties in Bengal. She was one of the jury members at the glitzy show in a five star hotel in the city recently.

"If you see my case, I was accepted by the audience for my girl-next-door attitude and looks and I had never tried to fake what I am not in my career. So I am here," Indrani, having recently created ripples with her come-back serial 'Goenda Ginni', recalls.

She said, "We need new faces on TV and some of the contestants can surely fit the bill with more grooming and exposure."

From Buddhadeb's Lal Darja, to Rituparno's Dahan, from first time film maker Atanu Ghosh's Angshumaner Chhobi to Anjan Das' Jara Bristite Bhijechhilo and Faltu, Indrani had been part of many important projects in over two decades.

Tollywood diva Rituparna Sengupta was the show-stopper on ramp along with young actor Suchandra Vaanya representing two contrasting generations of the industry.

"On every moment there can be a new discovery for you. Explore your potential. Be proud to be a woman and cherish your femininity," Rituparna, the ''Paromitar Ekdin' actor told the girls affectionately fixing the crown on the head of one.

'Benche Thakar Gaan' director Sudeshna Roy said, "Confidence is important and I can see how today's girls are becoming far more confident than in past "

"Also I agree to the contention that pretty faces don't always turn into successful models but platforms like a beauty pageant helps a girl, from diverse background, to gather confidences," Sudeshna, whose film was screened on the inaugural day of Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), said.

Sharad Sundari 2016 crown went to doe-eyed Ahiri Biswas, having prowess in classical music and dance, while two other beauties Jazz Sarkar and Debjani Ganguly were adjudged as the first and second runners up consecutively.

"The hunt for the most beautiful girl frequenting Kolkata Puja pandals came to end and we found the best among the best," one of the main initiators of the show Rupak Saha said.

The three were chosen from 25 shortlisted ones.

Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS