Miss Bollywood IPL finalist wants cooking lessons from Shah Rukh

JOHANNESBURG - Stunning South African model Gabriella Demetriades wants to learn from Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders boss Shah Rukh Khan how to cook a korma, though she will represent opposition team Deccan Chargers in the next round of the Miss Bollywood IPL at the Wanderers here Saturday.

And Chennai Super Kings finalist Dune Kossatz fancies Kings XI Punjab as the favourites, while her top cricketer is Graeme Smith of the Rajasthan Royals.

The two women are among the top three of 16 finalists from 48 contestants decided by Internet voters for a package of prizes that includes a Bollywood tour, including a possible movie role.

The winner will be decided at the Indian Premiere League II finals this weekend.

As a model, Demetriades, 22, who garnered nearly 14,000 votes to clinch the third position, has travelled to several international destinations, including India.

‘I’m fascinated with the country, there are extremes in terms of wealth and poverty, but the country is diverse, and has great shopping,’ she said.

When not working, Demetriades loves to cook and shop and would love to meet Shah Rukh Khan: ‘I want him to teach me how to make a really great lamb korma.’

Model and actress Kossatz of East London has been to Hollywood and now she hopes her good looks, talent and personality will take her to Bollywood. The 35-year-old won the top spot with 15,888 votes.

‘I’ve travelled to many countries because of my modelling work but not to India. It would be great to visit such a magnificent country,’ Kossatz said.

She added that she has done some acting while in the US and would relish the chance to feature in a Bollywood production, should she win the crown.

Johannesburg business marketing graduate Genna Cloud, 24, came second with 14,352 votes, beating many other models and actresses.

Although she admits she’s no cricket fanatic, Cloud has found the IPL Twenty20 format very appealing.

‘I’m very excited about my entry into the search for Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa,’ she gushed.

Cloud believes her vibrant personality and attitude are characteristics that make her stand out from the crowd. She represents the Kolkata Knight Riders in the competition.

South African Indian beauties seemed to be lagging behind in the Bollywood stakes when compared to their white fellow fans. Only six of the 16 finalists are of Indian origin, and only one, Somayya Khan, representing Mumbai Indians, made it to the top five.

The 16 finalists, two representatives for each of the eight teams in the IPL, will square up to find a single winner at the grand finale on Sunday.

The other finalists are:

Elbe van der Merwe - Rajasthan Royals

Carla Dennis - Kolkata Knight Riders

Uraysha Ramracheya - Deccan Chargers

Ina Ivanova Gueorguieva - Delhi Daredevils

Dunay Nortje - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sarah-Kate Seaward - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Himarsha Venkatsamy - Mumbai Indians

Tammy Soloman - Chennai Super Kings

Shazia Ebrahim - Kings XI Punjab

Candice du Plesssis - Deccan Chargers

Avashnee Vandiar - Royal Challengers Bangalore

Natasha Strydom - Royal Challengers Bangalore