‘I’M JUDGING MISS UNIVERSE’

She might have never been a beauty pageant winner herself, but Eesha Koppikhar certainly has no regrets. The Bollywood actress has been selected to be one of the judges of the biggest beauty pageant — Miss Universe 2008! And apparently, she’s the first Bollywood actress to judge this particular contest. Confirming the news from Hong Kong, where she was to board a flight to Vietnam where the contest is taking place, she said, “It all happened at the last minute. I’m so excited! I have an international agent who mailed my details and they thought I was qualified to judge the show. I’m sure I’m going to have a rocking time!” Eesha recalls her first reaction when she received a call from the organisers, “I thought that someone is playing a prank on me. I mean, I am the most bindaas girl in Bollywood, mujhe bhala koi kyon Miss Universe ke liye bulaiga!” she laughed. But when her Hollywood agent Simone Shefield called her and confirmed that the organisers were supposed to call her for the event, she realised that it wasn’t a prank. “I personally feel that Indian beauty can never be matched with any beauty of the world,” she said. As for what she would be wearing for the gala ceremony, Eesha couldn’t have had it better. Internationally acclaimed designer Roberto Cavalli has expressed his desire to design a special gown for her. “I got an SMS from Roberto saying that he wants me to do a trial fitting once I reach there so I will have to rush for it. He is very professional, so I have to show him that hum bhi kisi se kum nahin,” said the actress who is excited about the fact that she will be “pampered by one of the best designers of the world.” Besides Roberto, Manish Malhotra will be designing her evening gown for the final event. “Manish has always bailed me out in these kind of situations,” she said. Eesha will be sharing the stage with the likes of Donald Trump Jr, Louis Licari (hair colourist of stars) and international cover girl Nadine Velazquez. Mel B (of Spice Girl) and Jerry Springer will host the show. So what is her expectation from Miss India? “The best should win. I would love it if my country wins, but then whoever is taking part in this contest are winners in their own rights, so no one’s a loser,” she added.