BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
Photos by Sumant Event Photography
Atlanta, GA, September 13, 2024: Phase Events in Alpharetta shimmered with glitz and glamour as gorgeous models sashayed down the ramp to compete for the crown at the DreamGirl India USA Pageant 2024. Hosted by The DreamGirl Entertainment under the direction of Kamlesh Chugh on August 31, 2024, the event was headlined by Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel, adding a touch of star power to the spectacular evening.
The event started with an Indian cultural-dress segment, where contestants graced the stage in stunning traditional attire, with choreography by the talented Bollywood actor Aryan Vaid. This was followed by a western-dress segment, where contestants walked the runway in elegant evening gowns, dazzling the crowd with their grace and charm, again guided by Vaid’s expertise. The competition then moved to the Q&A segment, where participants showcased their poise and intellect, answering questions from the judges, giving the audience deeper insight into their personalities.
“The DreamGirl pageant is about so much more than just the title or the $10,000 scholarship. It’s a space where participants grow, gain confidence, and learn skills that benefit them in all aspects of life. From walking the runway to answering challenging questions, or simply believing in themselves, the pageant helps build empowerment,” Chugh said. “Many participants come from challenging backgrounds, and this platform gives them a chance to step out of their comfort zones and shine. Win or lose, the experience boosts their morale, self-esteem, and gives them a sense of community and sisterhood that lasts long after the competition.”
The competition featured three main categories: DreamGirl Teen INDIA USA, DreamGirl Miss INDIA USA, and DreamGirl Mrs INDIA USA.
In the teen category, Ishaana Arora claimed the crown, with Anaya Malhotra as 1st Runner-Up and Shreya Hedge as 2nd Runner-Up. Arisha Captain took home the crown in the Miss category, with Shriya Kilambi as 1st Runner-Up and Rajeshwari Rajput as 2nd Runner-Up. Dr. Thirumalini Dasari won the Mrs category, followed by Varsha Jadhav as 1st Runner-Up, and Dr. Deepti Vats as 2nd Runner-Up.
Teen winner Ishaana Arora was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from Innova Solutions, and all winners received stunning diamond rings from Moh Jewellers. Additionally, five Inspirational Queens—Gayatri Dhar, Divya Srivastava, Muskaan Kaur Randhawa, Nargis Lakhani, and Bini Jha—graced the stage, sharing their wisdom and inspiring the audience with their presence.
The event also featured an adorable children’s segment, with Bianca Anderson, Anvi Shaker, and Naiyan Anderson winning hearts as they confidently walked the ramp.
Ameesha Patel expressed her admiration for the positive energy and purpose behind the pageant. She praised how the platform supports young women in achieving their goals, particularly through the $10,000 scholarship, which can have a major impact on their education. Patel expressed pride in being part of something that celebrates beauty while empowering women in meaningful ways.
Adding another feather to its cap, this year’s DreamGirl Pageant was featured on Instant Bollywood, a leading platform with a reach of 29 million followers.
This year the pageant reached new levels of glitz and glamour due to the artistic design of the program by Kamlesh Chugh and Creative Director Sonjukta Halder.
“Organizing the DreamGirl pageant every year is a passion project for me,” said Chugh. “Watching the transformation from the moment participants enter the competition to when they step on stage fills me with immense pride. The experience boosts their self-confidence and helps them build lasting connections. My biggest motivation is to inspire women to pursue their dreams while giving them tools like public speaking, poise, and confidence. It’s more than a pageant—it’s a journey of personal growth and empowerment.”
One of the highlights of the evening was a breathtaking fashion show choreographed by the brilliant Savita Bajaj, which added an extra layer of glamour and excitement, leaving the audience in awe.
Behind the scenes, the masterminds who made the event a success were Kamlesh Chugh, Sonjukta Halder, Rajeeva and Rashmi Singh, Sunanda Dhar, Tanvi Gangraker, Hetal Mehta, Seema Saxena, and Garima Saini. “I would like to thank all these women, along with our sponsors, volunteers, and photographers. Thanks to Ricky Walia and Dhaval Patel too,” Chugh said.
