The Kingfisher Calendar was an annual calendar featuring models in swimsuits published by the Indian conglomerate United Breweries Group for 19 years from 2003 to 2021. [1] Described by Rediff as "arguably the most prestigious [modelling assignment] in India", it was credited with advancing the careers of models and actresses like Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Yana Gupta, Sonali Raut, Ujjwala Raut, Nargis Fakhri, Bruna Abdullah, Deepti Gujral, Lisa Haydon, Aishwarya Sushmita and Angela Jonsson. [2] Photographer Atul Kasbekar has been associated with the calendar since its inception in 2003 till its final issue in 2021. Kasbekar along with Vijay Mallya are credited with the idea of creating the annual Kingfisher Calendar. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The Kingfisher Calendar Model Hunt, now known as Kingfisher Supermodels [20] is an annual competition to select a model for the annual calendar. Started in 2010, the competition has been televised by NDTV Good Times. [21] The format includes competing 10 women in a reality show across 13 episodes. [22]
There is a 2015 Hindi film called Calendar Girls based on the Kingfisher Calendar phenomenon.
Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951. Since his death in 2000, Morley's widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth, it is one of the Big Four beauty pageants.
Sushmita Sen is an Indian actress. She won the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, after previously winning Femina Miss India at age 18. Since her pageant wins, she has worked as an actress.
Ujjwala Raut is an Indian model.
Gautam Rajadhyaksha was one of India's leading fashion photographers, and was based in Mumbai, India. He was one of India's best known celebrity portraitists, having photographed almost all the icons of the Indian film industry.
Preeti Desai is a British actress, model, and former Miss Great Britain. She made history by becoming the first woman of Indian descent to win the title in 2006.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is an Indian actress who is primarily known for her work in Hindi and Tamil films. Rai won the Miss World 1994 pageant and later established herself as one of the most-popular and influential celebrities in India. She has received numerous accolades for her acting, including two Filmfare Awards. In 2004, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2009, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri and in 2012, the Government of France awarded her with the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In the 2000s and 2010s, media often called her "the most beautiful woman in the world".
Anjali Lavania is an Indian model, a holistic life coach and a film actress. She made her acting debut in the 2011 Telugu film Panjaa, starring Pawan Kalyan.
Shaurya Chauhan is an Indian model, actress and TV host. She was one of the Kingfisher Calendar Girls for 2006. She appeared as an antagonist to Hrithik Roshan's character in Krrish 3.
Atul Kasbekar is an Indian fashion photographer, recognised for his Kingfisher Calendar shoots. He owns Bling! Entertainment Solutions and Corporate Image, and is a Bollywood film producer through partnership in Ellipsis Entertainment.
Angela Jonsson is an Icelandic model and actress of half-Indian origin who shot to fame after she won the Kingfisher Calendar Model Hunt in 2011.
Sidhartha Vijay Mallya is an American actor and model. He registered with the Screen Actors Guild as Sid Mallya, saying he chose the stage name to try to avoid being typecast in stereotypical roles. He appeared in a sex comedy film entitled Brahman Naman. He has also hosted an online video show, appeared as a guest judge and host on the Kingfisher Calendar Girl selection show, and worked as a model.
Nathalia Pinheiro Felipe Martins, known professionally as Nathalia Kaur, is a Brazilian model and actress who works in Indian cinema.
Himarsha Venkatsamy is a South African model and actress, known for winning the Kingfisher Calendar Hunt in 2010, defeating Anjali Lavania and Nidhi Sunil in the final round.
Tina Desai is an Indian actress and model who works in both Indian and international projects. She debuted with the 2011 thriller Yeh Faasley, before making her foreign debut in 2012 in the comedy-drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. She is also known for her main role in the Netflix series Sense8.
Zoya Afroz is an Indian actress, model and a beauty pageant titleholder. Afroz won the title of Miss India International 2021 competing at the Glamanand Supermodel India contest and will represent India at the Miss International 2022 beauty pageant in Japan. Afroz was previously crowned as the second runner-up at Femina Miss India 2013.
The following is a list of India's official representatives and their placements at the Big Four beauty pageants, considered the most important in the world. The country has won a total of ten victories with eighty-one placements in all four pageants:
Sonali Raut is an Indian actress and model who appears in Hindi films. She has been a Kingfisher Calendar Girl in 2010, Raut was just 19 years old college student when she featured in the Kingfisher Calendar. Raut made her acting debut with romantic-thriller film The Xpose in 2014 opposite Himesh Reshammiya and Yo Yo Honey Singh in a lead role. She was a contestant in the reality television show Bigg Boss 8.
Linthoingambi Laishram(born 19 December 1985), better known as Lin Laishram, is an Indian model, actress and businesswoman. She is founder and managing director of Shamoo Sana, an Eco friendly jewellery brand. Laishram made a cameo appearance in masala film Om Shanti Om in 2007.