Name:Diya Mirza
Age:18
Claim to Fame:
A heavenly beauty from Hyderabad, who won the prestigious Miss Asia Pacific title at the beauty pageant held on 2 December, 2000, in Manila.
Diya's victory has created history. She is the second Indian contestant to be crowned Miss Asia Pacific and the first in 29 years. Her winning has scored a hat trick for India, as she is the third Indian contestant to be crowned at the international beauty pageants held this year. Earlier this year, Lara Dutta bagged the Miss Universe title in Cyprus, and Priyanka Chopra was declared Miss World in London.
AT 18, a quiet, introverted girl entered the Femina Miss India contest to have some fun. She walked away with three titles — Miss Beautiful Smile, The Sony Viewers’ Choice Award and Femina Miss India-Asia Pacific. Not that Diya was complaining..
Life has changed since she won the Miss Asia Pacific crown. She has had to make choices over what most 18-year-olds take for granted — parents, education and paying bills. As a career move, the Hyderabad girl shifted to Mumbai, away from home and family. Compromises have been difficult, but necessary. Like with her education, for one. She opted to do her First Year Bachelor of Arts via correspondence, but as the Miss Asia Pacific competition in Manila drew closer, juggling work and studies became close to impossible, especially with all the modelling assignments, travelling and training. Diya says, “I’m getting first-hand knowledge about the world and about people from my travels. Of course, when I come back, I’ll resume my formal studies. But I don’t have any regrets right now.” She adds, “My carefree days are over. I’ve become more responsible and very busy.” Especially with all the training she has had to undergo. Sabira Merchant worked with her on her diction and etiquette, physical training was with Talwalkars, diet with Anjali Mukherjee, skin care with Dr Jamuna Pai, hair and make-up with Bharat and Doris Godambe, and clothes from Ritu Kumar and Hemant Trevedi.
Diya is all prepared to hitch her wagon to a star. She is a young woman who is caring, sensitive, beautiful and loving. She is also independent, and armed with a mind of her own.
After Zeenat Aman, Juhi Chawla, Sonu Walia, Namrata Shirodkar, Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Yukta Mookhey, the winner of the Miss Asia Pacific title, Diya Mirza, has followed her senior’s footsteps and joined films.
Diya at the Lauch of her debut film OM JAI JAGDISH
Diya, who resembles Aishwarya Rai to a great extent, has been signed opposite Abhishek Bachchan in OM JAI JAGDISH, being directed by Anupam Kher for producer Vashu Bhagnani. Meanwhile, there is talk that the reigning Miss World, Priyanka Chopra, has given her nod to a leading producer for his next film. Who’s this maker, did you ask? Let us give you a clue. The maker is known for his heroine-oriented love stories.
