For Vida Samadzai (centre, in the picture), posing in a bikini was an act of courage. The former Miss Afghanistan (2003), who became the first Afghan woman to participate in an international beauty pageant since 1974, created a controversy in her native country when she appeared in a red bikini in the 2003 edition of Miss Earth pageant.

Even as traditionalists objected to her appearance, Vida was given a special 'Beauty for a Cause' award at the pageant.

Currently in Mumbai to try her luck in Bollywood, the former beauty queen talks about the whole bikini experience and, while at it, rates our Bollywood bikini-clad ladies.

"I remember, when I walked the ramp in that red swimsuit, I just confidently walked and strongly sent my message to the people around the world. The message simply tried to bring attention to Afghan or women's suppression around the world," Vida said.

"That said, I wore the swimsuit because it was one of the conditions of the beauty pageant. I didn't wear it to show off my body or for any personal reasons.

"Lately, it is a trend in Mumbai to wear a bikini whether for shootings or swimming. It is not very new in Bollywood to flaunt the body by wearing a bikini. It is actually a bonus to be able to wear a bikini and show off your body."

Vida rates Bollywood's bikini babes.

There have been many actresses from the 1970s and 1980s who started the trend of wearing a bikini in Bollywood. "There was the bombshell Zeenat Aman whose sexy, steamy and voluptuous body can never be forgotten. And then, there is Sharmila Tagore's classy and amazing beauty," Vida says.

Praveen Babi, in my eyes, symbolised beauty and sexiness. She was a true Asian beauty. Now we see new versions of her bathing suit styles.

It's not only cinema that's coming of age in India. The actors too are getting more conscientious, hotter, prettier and sexier everyday.

There's Riya Sen, who looks very pretty though her height is a bit of an issue. She needs to also tone her hips and stomach.

From my experience of walking the ramp in New York and Los Angeles, I have a different view when it comes to bikini bodies. I am thinking of a minimum height of 5 feet 9 inches, slim but curvy -- basically a well-proportional body.

Selecting the right type of fabric, colour, style and accessories also helps.

I think Sameera Reddy is one actress, who has both inner and outer beauty. She is very sexy and simply sizzles in a bikini.

Kareena Kapoor, though not one of my favourites, has definitely changed her looks. She looks more stunning now.

A combination of exercise, diet and love has brought a glow to her face. She has got a bigger jaw line, so again the whole thing has to be proportional in order to get a perfect 10.

Priyanka Chopra carries off a bikini very well from what I have seen during the swimsuit round of the Miss World beauty pageant. But her gorgeous face is not proportional to her slim body.

Esha Deol has worked on her body and she carries it well too. I would have loved to see her mom, Hema Malini, in a bikini as well.

I don't know why Mallika Sherawat is considered a sex symbol. Just because a person shows some skin doesn't mean that person could be called India's sexiest.

I have seen prettier and sexier women in this industry. While she can carry off a bikini beautifully, she should still keep working on that stomach.

Celina Jaitley is another actress, whose height is to her disadvantage. She should also work on her stomach.


Bipasha Basu looks simply amazing in a bikini. She beats all the other stars in this department. She looked unbelievable in Dhoom 2.

I just wish the colour of her bikini was a solid one like blue, green, brown, red, black or white as these colours would've added to her beauty.

She also has that certain attitude, which adds to the whole package.