Ramp model Simona Roy to represent India at Ms Bikini Online 2014

Well-known ramp model and actress Simona Roy will represent India at the international glamour pageant Ms Bikini Online 2014 to be held in Seychelles in May this year.  Each country is eligible to send in 3 participants taking the total number of participating contestants to over 500 at the first round.

A press report by news and content agency Newz66.com quoted Simona Roy as saying, “I have been selected by an international committee to represent India at the Ms Bikini Online 2014 glamour and fashion pageant. I had mailed my photographs in the first week of January to the international agency handling the pageant and had forgotten about it. I was not expecting a reply, when out of the blue, I got an email on 24^th February confirming my nomination for the prestigious pageant. At first I was a bit skeptical. But then the agency followed up their mail with other giving complete details of the main pageant to be held in Seychelles during May. It is an honour to be part of this prestigious event and I will give it my best.”

Simona Roy who originally hails from Kolkatta has walked the ramp for several fashion designers and has featured on magazine covers like Enlighten and Femina besides many others. She is also doing a couple of films in the south in Tamil and Telugu.

Ms Bikini Online is an international pageant co-ordinated by 7 Star Inc and held annually each year. The winners are decided by the number of votes and ‘LIKES’ they get on the internet. A gala fashion event is held to announce and crown the winners who take home about 100,000 USD totally in prizes and gifts. Though the pageant was criticized by a few international models who claimed that the international online voting system was susceptible to flaws and could be hijacked by professional social marketing experts, the organizers claim that they have several technical checks to ensure that fake votes or ‘LIKES’ are not generated by paid web experts.

Bollywood stars to shine at Umair Zafar's Summer Collection 2014 launch at Lucknow

At least 4-5 Bollywood actors including Rituparna Sengupta and Purab Kohli will add to the glam component and help designer Umair Zafar promote the art of Lucknowi Chikankari  to a discerning and elite audience at the M B Club at Lucknow on 1st March 2014.

Speaking to content agency Newz66.com, Umair Zafar says, "Almost everyone even remotely connected with garments, apparel and fashion has heard of chikankari. But how many people know that there are over 40 types of hand stitches involved in chikankari embroidery work. How many people know that one embroider working almost 18 hours a day takes over a week and more to complete a single garment. We want to showcase and present the efforts involved in preparing such a collection."

These outfits - which have provided employment to almost 250 embroiders in Mumbai and Lucknow, will be on display at a glitzy fashion event in Lucknow - the home of chikankari at the launch of Umair Zafar’s Summer Collection 2014. And thanks to Umair Zafar the dying art of traditional Chikankari will be showcased to an international audience with at least 3 international TV channels covering the fashion event live.

Chikankari is delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. These days chikan embroidery is also done with coloured and silk threads in different colours to sync with recent fashion trends and keep chikankari trendy with changing fashion and fabric. 

Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today and the variety is known as Lucknawi chikan. The stich-work includes the following types of stitches - Tepchi, Bakhiya, Hool, Zanzeera, Rahet, Banarsi, Khatau,   Phanda, Murri, Jali, Turpai, Darzdari, Pechani, Bijli, Ghaspatti, Makra, Kauri, Hathkadi,   Banjkali, Sazi, Karan, Kapkapi, Madrazi, Bulbul-chasm, Taj Mahal, Janjeera, Kangan, Dhania-patti, Rozan, Meharki, Chanapatti, Baalda, Jora, Keel kangan, Bulbul, Sidhaul, Ghas-ki-patti and a few others.

Mumbai-based fashion designer Umair Zafar who originally hails from Lucknow and has been promoting Lucknowi Art and Craft will bring Lucknow Chikankari to an international audience in association with Sigma Rock Infra the patrons of Project Chikankari.

Designer Umair Zafar has done an in-depth research and study on Lucknowi Chikankari and its various forms of stitches. In order to promote the art, he will be showcasing a premium range of chikankari work with an amalgamation of different fabrics, mix and match with various other embroideries and fabrics like muslin, brocade and silk along with Swarovski crystals. The collection will be in different colors, ranges and sizes to suit all body types, which is rarely found in traditional chikankari work.

Photos: Newz66.com

Umair Zafar's Summer Collection 2014 includes over 40 types of Chikankari embroidery

Almost everyone even remotely connected with garments, apparel and fashion has heard of chikankari. But how many people know that there are over 40 types of hand stitches involved in chikankari embroidery work. 

How many people know that one embroider working almost 18 hours a day takes over a week and more to complete a single garment. These outfits - which have provided employment to almost 250 embroiders in Mumbai and Lucknow, will be on display at a glitzy fashion event in Lucknow - the home of chikankari on 1^st March at the launch of Umair Zafar’s Summer Collection 2014. And thanks to Umair Zafar the dying art of traditional Chikankari will be showcased to an international audience with at least 3 international TV channels covering the fashion event live.

Chikankari is delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. These days chikan embroidery is also done with coloured and silk threads in different colours to sync with recent fashion trends and keep chikankari trendy with changing fashion and fabric. 

Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today and the variety is known as Lucknawi chikan. The stich-work includes the following types of stitches - Tepchi, Bakhiya, Hool, Zanzeera, Rahet, Banarsi, Khatau,   Phanda, Murri, Jali, Turpai, Darzdari, Pechani, Bijli, Ghaspatti, Makra, Kauri, Hathkadi,   Banjkali, Sazi, Karan, Kapkapi, Madrazi, Bulbul-chasm, Taj Mahal, Janjeera, Kangan, Dhania-patti, Rozan, Meharki, Chanapatti, Baalda, Jora, Keel kangan, Bulbul, Sidhaul, Ghas-ki-patti and a few others.

Mumbai-based fashion designer Umair Zafar who originally hails from Lucknow and has been promoting Lucknowi Art and Craft will bring Lucknow Chikankari to an international audience in association with Sigma Rock Infra the patrons of Project Chikankari.

Designer Umair Zafar has done an in-depth research and study on Lucknowi Chikankari and its various forms of stitches. In order to promote the art, he will be showcasing a premium range of chikankari work with an amalgamation of different fabrics, mix and match with various other embroideries and fabrics like muslin, brocade and silk along with Swarovski crystals. The collection will be in different colors, ranges and sizes to suit all body types, which is rarely found in traditional chikankari work. 

India's first Bollywood 4D film featuring actress Arshi Khan to be made at a modest budget of Rs 120 cr

Afghanistan-born, Bhopal-educated model and actress Arshi Khan will be seen in India's first mainline Bollywood 4D historical action film tentatively titled "The Last Emperor".

The film "The Last Emperor" has a budget of Rs 120 crore for its making and will be shot pre-dominantly in Maharashtra, but will also have schedules in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of South India. The film will go on floors in mid-March and will take approximately 6 to 8 months to complete, say sources.

The film is produced by a Pune-based production house Ganesh Saraswati Films and will be directed by a well-known director from the south V Ganesh Kumar. Ganesh Saraswati Films is a tie-up between V Ganesh Kumar and Anand Saraswati Films of Pune owned partly by an NCP politician from the city. 

The film also has a mention of the Nizam of Hyderabad and a huge set is being planned on the outskirts of Hyderabad to replicate and old 17th century fort. 

FOR HOT IMAGES OF ACTRESS ARSHI KHAN CLICK HERE

The well-endowed and voluptuous Arshi Khan who has now made Mumbai her home says, "It's a pleasure to be part of this project. The film covers a historical era and will portray the historical chronology of events in the late 16 and early 17th century in Maharashtra and south India. Maharashtra was ruled by the Mughals till the early 17th century after which the Marathas were the predominant power in the region. The film will portray the rule of the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar, Adilshah of Bijapur and the Qutubshah of Golkonda as well as the emergence of the Maratha kingdom in the mid 17th century as seen by British soldier. It also covers the death of the last Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 after an exhausting 27 years of futile war against the emerging Maratha power."

Arshi Khan was born in Afghanistan but came in India when she was just 4years old as her parents migrated back in India to Bhopal, she finished her school and college in Bhopal itself, and was attracted towards theater since her early childhood.  Acting brought her to Mumbai where she bagged many assignments in a short span of six months. She was introduced to the famous stage personality Janab Ehsaan Chishti, a famous director in theater in Bhopal. Says Arshi,  "Ehsaan ji thought that I have a attractive face and figure and if I try I can possibly make it as an actor."  He used to instigate me, and it was at Ehsaan ji’s provocation that I started acting in various dramas in Bhopal city.  I started get offers for modeling, and that’s how got assignments for modeling for “Madame”, “Diesel Genes”, “Pepe Jeans”, “Agarwal  Jewelers” and many more." She simultaneously got a break in a Tamil Film “Malli Mishtu” where she played the lead role opposite Tamil Star Naresh.

What is a 4D Film? 4D films combine a 3D film with additional physical effects that occur in a specially designed and constructed theater in synchronization with the film. 4D films are not actually four-dimensional in the geometric sense of the word. Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4D films are most often presented in custom-built specialty theaters at special venues such as theme parks and amusement parks or malls. However, some movie theaters have the ability to present 4D versions of wide-release 3D films. The films Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), and Avatar (2009) are among the films that have received a 4D treatment in certain theaters. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, wind, strobe lights, and vibration. Seats in 4D venues may vibrate or move a few inches during the presentations. Other common chair effects include air jets, water sprays, and leg and back ticklers. Hall effects may include smoke, rain, lightning, air bubbles, and special smells or aromas.