Mumbai, Apr 13 (ANI): Grand finale of Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt Contest 2008 was held here on Saturday.

Payal Tarafdar from Assam walked away with Gladrags Mega Model Contest 2008 crown while Karan Rao from Bangalore was crowned the winner of Gladrags Manhunt Contest 2008.

Payal Tarafdar, was excited after winning the crown and said, "I never thought of winning this pageant but I'm really excited and I'm feeling good as I'm from Assam and nobody has made it till here."

Speaking to media about the criteria for the selection was Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhury who stressed on the need of a healthy body.

The panel of judges had a tough time choosing the winner's from 21 boys and 24 girls all of whom put up a stellar show during the contest.

Gladrags Mega Model Contest is for the females while Gladrags Manhunt Contest is for the males of the country.

"First its very hard to get this kind of body, of course they are younger and I'm sure they didn't have much trouble but you do need to have a lot of confidence and this is a great platform if you have that, yes, to show it off," said Mahima.

Model turned actor Arjun Rampal whose last flick 'Om Shanti Om' was a huge success at the box office felt that this contest was a great platform for the budding talent.

"I think guys here are a far more confident, they get a lot more exposure, they get a lot more platforms and Gladrags has been a great platform for a lot of people. I mean John Abraham, Dino Morea all of them have come from here and have been extremely successful," said Rampal.

The event saw the presence of the crime de la crime of Mumbai thronging the venue to get a glimpse of country's only unisex pageant.

The pageant has launched many faces like Aishwarya Rai, Lara Dutta, Lisa Ray, John Abraham and Dino Morea to name a few who have carved a niche for themselves not only in Bollywood but also across the globe. (ANI)