Fair One Miss Kolkata 2010 winner Nusrat Jahan flanked by first runner-up Eram Karim (left) and second runner-up Rohini Mukherjee

You’ve seen him as Abhay in the popular Ekta Kapoor soap Kkusum. Friday evening saw Annuj J. Saxena in a different avatar, that of managing director of Elder Healthcare, cheering on 13 young beauties at the finale of Fair One Miss Kolkata 2010 in association with t2.

Groomed by Prasad Bidapa, the girls took the makeshift ramp at Ivory Banquets in Sector V’s RDB Boulevard in traditional Bengali red-bordered sari and puff-sleeved blouse, with big red bindis and fresh flowers as accessories. The second sequence featured an about-turn in terms of looks, with the girls changing into halter blouses and glittery saris. Their final appearance was in floor-kissing evening gowns.

Rituparna Sengupta congratulates Nusrat with a hug as Babul Supriyo and Annuj Saxena look on. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Judging the aspiring pageant pretties were designer Sharbari Datta, beauty pro June Tomkyns, psychiatrist Rima Mukherjee, model and actress Shreya Pande, photographer Kaustav Saikia and singer Babul Supriyo. The evening hosted by Aman Verma also featured a brief performance by Babul, singing tracks including the hit Ferari mon from Antaheen, and a dance piece by Padatik.

While Rohini Mukherjee was named second runner-up and Eram Karim first runner-up, Nusrat Jahan was crowned queen of the evening. “It feels great! I still cannot believe that I have won it. Prasad (Bidapa) was fantastic. He taught us like his own kids. The competition was very tough. I guess what made the difference was the question-and-answer round and the way I carried myself,” smiled Nusrat.

Annuj felt the Calcutta girls were both bold and pretty. “All three will get a walk-in at Miss India Platinum. The Fair One pageant that I started this year not only gives my brand visibility, it also helps me scout for fresh faces for Maverick Productions, my production house,” he said.

Chief guest Rituparna Sengupta sat next to Annuj through the evening and kept on cheering the girls, especially during the Q&A round. The actress took the stage when the winners were declared.