Winner Ankita Saha, flanked by first runner-up Aastha Tibrewal and second runner-up Sourali Ghosh, at the finale of Max Sananda Tilottama 2015 powered by Colgate Visible white at The Lalit Great Eastern on October 15. At the 17th edition of the beauty pageant, the three edged past seven others over several rounds that included two Q&A sessions to claim the Saakshi crowns.

Ankita faced a tough one from Raj Chakraborty in the penultimate round. “If you are made the chief minister for 24 days, what would you do?” the KatMundu director asked. Ankita’s candid reply — “First, I would enjoy the perks that come with the job...!” — got her a loud applause. Who is the most influential person in Aastha’s life asked Candice Pinto? The 19-year-old chose her mom. “I am here just because of her!” 

Bratati Bandyopadhyay’s poser for Sourali: “Do we live for ourselves or for others?” “We humans always think about ourselves first, but then if we stop obsessing about ourselves and think about others, the joy is unparalleled. I don’t think we’d get that if we are self-centred,” said Sourali. All three had just a minute to pen down the answer to a common question that would decide the winner. “What according to you is the concept of a modern woman?” Ankita’s winning reply? “A modern woman is one who is calm, composed and carries herself right and balances her personal and professional lives with respect and courage”. 

I was actually really happy. I have never had a batch that was so, so raw. This was my challenge. So for me it was great that they remembered everything. The whole show coming together also means they were performing together. Everyone makes little mistakes. We do too. For me the transformation the girls went through, and looking so good and remembering everything, was incredible 
— Nayanika Chatterjee, Tilottama mentor