MUMBAI: The first-ever beauty pageant for transgenders – 'Vcare Indian Super Queen' – formally commenced from Monday – and the contestants would be judged on the basic of their creativity, special skill sets and confidence. The grand finale would be held on February 21.

The judges of the grand finale would be Bollywood actor Salman Khan, socialite Parmeshwar Godrej, actress Zeenat Aman and fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani. The announcement was made by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi in presence of Bollywood actress Celina Jaitley and Seema Biswas.

Tripathi's Twelve Noon Entertainment has tied up with Vcare, a diversified business conglomerate to organise the contest. “The contest would bring the community of transgender to unite and give a positive vibe about what and what they are. It is not about who is the best and most aesthetically beautiful, its about who is willing to proudly display their character, take pride in who they are and to prove they are just as human as all of us,” Tripathi said.

Added Tripathi: “All transgenders want to blend in with society and be seen nothing less than a female, but whatever they do, no matter how much they alter ourselves, they will always be who they are and should celebrate and be thankful to have the opportunity to live life, possess the natural gift to gift love and be loved.”

The contest would see audition in 10 cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Ahmadabad, Jaipur and Kolkata. The contestants chosen would then compete in semi-finals. The 12 semi-finalists would undergo rigorous grooming and training sessions before the finals. The winner would walk away with a prize of Rs 12 lakh, while the first and second runners up would get Rs 8 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively.

Celina Jaitley said: “India proves itself yet again to be the world's largest democracy. It is a pleasure to live in a country where human rights and equality amongst all is appreciated. Its time for the much oppressed kinnar community to come up on the state and show the world that beauty exists in all human beings. Gender has nothing to do with it.”