| Mann, who emerged victorious from an original list
of 100 hopefuls, was one of six finalists who were taken to India
to audition before a panel of judges and a live audience. Those six
were whittled down to four for Tuesday's final programme that was
watched by 1.8 million viewers.
The final show saw the finalists take part in a stunt lesson with
expert Mahendra Verma and receive fashion advice from Bollywood
stylist Manish Maholtra.
A viewer from London's Birmingham told indiantelevision.com: "Mann
was always an audience favourite because nobody expected someone
so unconventional to get through even the first round. But she was
the best actress by a long way and I think it is great that the
judges at all stages were able to recognise that and look past her
physical appearance."
Mann left her home 17 years ago aiming to pursue a singing or dancing
career. But she ended up doing numerous odd jobs including that
of a bar-maid. After her mother's death, a dejected Mann started
drinking and smoking too much as a result of which her weight ballooned.
The event, which was telecast as a four-part one-hour series at
9 pm prime time, has proved a resounding success for Channel 4.
The event's embrace of a woman, jokingly described by some "as
so large she has no sideways" will no doubt turn attention
away from the charges of racism levelled last week by a failed contestant.
South African born Rivona Essop, 23, had claimed in an interview
to a newspaper back in her homeland that judges had told her she
was "too dark" to make it to Bollywood.
As politically correct results go, this one will leave nothing
for even the most desperate carper to crib about. So how about a
toast to the (dare we say it?) fat lady who showed everyone she
could sing, and how.
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