Indian models in demand

Indian models will now set aflame the covers of Mills and Boon novels as the popular romantic fiction books will, for the very first time, feature Indian models.Mills and Boon has chosen six Indian models to feature on three of its books to be released soon in India.Photographer Paramjeet Chawla shot the six models for the covers of the three novels in Delhi recently.Rohit and Saumya shot for Mumbai-based author Aastha Atray’s book, His Monsoon Bride which will be launched sometime this December.Avee Saroya and Ayush Manucha from Delhi and Sahil Dhamija from Mumbai are the other lucky winners who were chosen through a nationwide model hunt initiated by Mills and Boon through their Friends for Life campaign in association with Talent Promoterz.These models will now feature on the covers of soon to be launched Mills and Boon books also written by Indian authors His Monsoon Bride will be Aastha’s first book to be published, who herself was chosen from a nationwide hunt organised by Mills and Boons.Aastha’s novel outlines vivid descriptions of the characters in her Mills and Boons book His Monsoon Bride.Her protagonist, Amrita, a rich heiress who never fit-in with the elite society, finds happiness working in a public interest magazine and helping out people.The soft spoken yet independent girl is a natural Indian curvaceous beauty who strongly defies the thin body criteria of the elite.Amrita’s life goes on uneventful till she meets Mehtab, a handsome millionaire with a ruthless and stern exterior.In time, she realises that in reality Mehtab is really a kind and generous man whose biggest dream is to have a family. The love that follows between the two is tumultuous and decisive at the same time.Says Aastha, “I am really excited for my first Mills and Boon book. Writing itself has been rewarding for me and even more rewarding is the chance to work with the Mills and Boon creative teams. It’s also a wonderful feeling to see my characters come alive by these young models.They portray the story’s protagonists so realistically.” The model hunt for Mills and Boon’s covers was run online through its official website, and received tremendous response with over 1,500 entries. The contest had no age bar or beauty restrictions. The hunt was part of Mills and Boons second season of Friends for Life. Says Manish Singh, Country Manager, Harlequin India Pvt.Ltd, “We at Mills and Boon always endeavour to connect with our audiences and readers. Having Indian models on our books that is also authored by an Indian writer is a unique initiative to be implemented in India. In many ways, this also represents the global appeal Indians today enjoy at the world stage.”