Bollywood princess Alia Bhatt has been crowned the sexiest Asian woman on the planet for 2019 in the 16th edition of a globally renowned list published annually by the UK-based Eastern Eye newspaper.
The 26-year-old actress beat off competition from around the world and took the title from 2018 winner Deepika Padukone, who came in second, but was named sexiest Asian woman of the decade.
Topping the popular list for the first time rounded off a dream year for Alia that included acting awards, bagging big projects and starring in India’s official 2020 Oscar entry Gully Boy.
“Thank you to everyone who has voted! I'm flattered. I've always believed that true beauty goes beyond what is seen and that is what really counts. We'll grow older, our appearances will change, but a good heart will always keep you beautiful and that is really what we should focus on,” said Alia Bhatt.
The longest running list of its kind based on millions of votes, media coverage, impact and heat generated across various social media platforms once again trended on social media globally. The list also includes three editor’s choices of women who made a massive positive impact in 2019.
Eastern Eye’s award-winning entertainment editor Asjad Nazir, who founded the list and puts it together annually, said: “There is no one on a bigger role than unstoppable star Alia Bhatt and nothing will prevent her from dominating the next decade of commercial Hindi cinema as the queen of Bollywood. More than a movie star she is a powerful symbol of girl power, who is a representation of the empowered modern day woman.”
Highest placed TV star Hina Khan is ranked third in the 2019 list. Fourth placed Mahira Khan held onto her title of the sexiest Pakistani woman on the planet for a fifth year in a row and was also named sexiest Pakistani of the decade.
“I am so grateful to all my fans who continue to vote for me every year. This one is for a decade of love, ups and downs, support and magic. I have never considered myself sexy, but I believe when you do you - that’s sexy. And I hope I can continue to do just that,” said Mahira Khan.
The rest of the top 10 sexiest Asian women of 2019 were Surbhi Chandna (5), Katrina Kaif (6), Shivangi Joshi (7), Nia Sharma (8), Mehwish Hayat (9) and Priyanka Chopra (10).
The youngest in the list is 21-year-old Bollywood newcomer Ananya Panday (36) and the eldest is 46-year-old Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (39). The highest-placed newcomer is YouTube superstar turned TV host Lilly Singh (14).
Others in the 2019 list include Helly Shah (11), Jennifer Winget (12), Erica Fernandes (13), Sonam Kapoor (17), Jameela Jamil (20), Anushka Shetty (22), Dipika Kakar (25), Harshita Gaur (28), Dia Mirza (30), Sargun Mehta (33), Hina Altaf (35), Kiara Advani (42), Kriti Sanon (46) and Maya Ali (50).
“One thing that connects all the women featured on the list is that they have all become symbols of girl power and are empowering women and girls globally,” said Asjad Nazir.
Current Bollywood Deepika Padukone has been named sexiest of the decade ahead of Priyanka Chopra in second, Mahira Khan (3) and Katrina Kaif (4).
Fifth placed Drashti Dhami bagged sexiest TV star of the decade title and said: “I’m severely overwhelmed at being awarded sexiest TV star of the decade. While I’m surprised at receiving this, I’m also grateful to my fans whose unrelenting support has always been there, the TV channels and producers who have offered me great parts to enact. I’m also thankful to all the designers and my physical trainer. They have all helped me with the relentless goal of being consistent over a decade.”
Rest of the sexiest woman of the decade were Freida Pinto (6), Alia Bhatt (7), Anushka Shetty (8), Nia Sharma (9) and Sonam Kapoor (10).
The complete list is of 50 sexiest Asian women of 2019 and the decade is published in Eastern Eye newspaper on December 13, 2019.
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