Malaika Arora
Malaika Arora

It's a homecoming of sorts for Malaika Arora, who had started her television career as a VJ with MTV. Almost two decades later, she will be seen as a judge on the channel's fashion reality show, India's Next Top Model as it enters its third season. An apt choice, one would say, considering Arora is a former model and one of the most fashionable ladies in showbiz.

"A supermodel, for me, would be someone who effortlessly pulls off the latest trends — be it the squiggle eyebrows or sky-high heels with utmost grace," she says. However, Arora has a sharp eye for talent, if her last few stints as judge on several dance reality shows are anything to go by.

Arora is glad to judge the fashion-based show at a time when body positivity is encouraged and plus-size models are sashaying down the ramps in New York. The dancer-producer insists that the hunt will go beyond good looks.

"We are not looking for a pretty face, but a face that embodies the essence of human expression. I will be judging the girls on several parameters, most importantly, the ease with which they carry themselves. They should also take up any challenge thrown at them without any hesitation."

She will be judging the show along with Dabboo Ratnani. Anusha Dandekar and Neeraj Gaba will be resuming their roles of the host and mentor respectively.