Mandana Karimi

Manizhe Karimi (better known by her stage name Mandana Karimi), is an Iranian actress and model based in India. After working on several successful modelling projects around the world, she appeared as a lead actress in the Bollywood film, Bhaag Johnny. She was also the 2nd runner up in the popular reality TV show, Bigg Boss 9.

Early life

Karimi was born in Tehran, Iran, into an Islamic family of mixed ethnicity. Her father, Reza Karimi, is an Indian and her mother, Saba Karimi, is an Iranian. She was raised in Tehran. She said in an interview, "I was born in a conservative Muslim family and while growing up, I was very shy and quiet. I studied art. I used to spend most of my time in my room playing around with papers, cameras and colours." About her Indian connection she commented, "I had come to India many times, visiting my family or for holidays. Also, when I started modelling, I got offers from India but was never interested." Being a Middle Eastern, she has reportedly seen a lot of conflict and emotional upheavals while growing up.

Mandane of Media

Mandana of Media (b. ca. 584 BCE) was a princess of Media and, later, the Queen consort of Cambyses I of Anshan and mother of Cyrus the Great, ruler of Persia's Achaemenid Empire.

Etmology

The name “Mandana” means: “Eternal.” in Old Persian

Mandane in Herodotus' histories

According to Herodotus, Mandane was the daughter of Astyages, King of Media and son of Cyaxares the Great.

Shortly after her birth, Herodotus reports that Astyages had a strange dream where his daughter urinated so much that Asia would flood. He consulted the magians who interpreted the dream as a warning that Mandane's son would overthrow his rule. To forestall that outcome, Astyages betrothed Mandane to the vassal Achaemenid prince, Cambyses I of Anshan, "a man of good family and quiet habits", whom Astyages considered no threat to the Median throne. Astyages had a second dream when Mandane became pregnant where a vine grew from her womb and overtook the world. Terrified, he sent his most loyal court retainer, Harpagus, to kill the child. However, Harpagus was loath to spill royal blood and hid the child, Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great), with a shepherd named Mitradates. Years later, Cyrus would defy his grandfather Astyages, leading to war between them; a war that Cyrus would have lost, but for Harpagus' defection at the battle of Pasargadae, leading to the overthrow of Astyages, as the dream had forecast.

Gauhar Khan

Gauhar Khan (also known as Gauahar Khan) is an Indian model and actress. After pursuing modeling, she made her acting debut in 2009 with Yash Raj Films' Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Khan also starred in films such as the action thriller Game (2011), and the revenge drama Ishaqzaade (2012). She has featured in songs including "Naa Pere Kanchan Mala" (Shankar Dada M.B.B.S., 2004), "Nasha Nasha" (Aan: Men at Work, 2004), "Parda Parda" (Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, 2010) and "Jhalla Walla" and "Chokra Jawaan" (Ishaqzaade, 2012). She was the Winner of Bigg Boss 7 , a reality show on Colors Tv.

She has a starring role in the Bollywood musical, Zangoora.

Modelling and television career

Khan has modeled for Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, Payal Jain and Neeta Lulla. She has also acted in numerous television ads Ford Ikon, Bajaj Auto, Opel Car and Tanishq jewellery. In 2002, at the age of 18, she participated in Femina Miss India contest where came fourth and won the Miss Talented title. Later that year, she represented India in the Miss International contest. She also appeared in a couple music videos of which Hawa Mein Udati Jaaye by Bombay Vikings became hugely popular. She has anchored the film gossip show Page 3 on Zoom Television. In 2009, she participated in the celebrity dance show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 3) where she became the 1st runner up of the show.

Bigg Boss

Bigg Boss is a television reality show broadcast on Colors channel in India. It follows the Big Brother format, which was first developed by Endemol in the Netherlands. Within a span of 10 years of telecast, Bigg Boss has rolled out 9 Seasons and one spin-off version thus establishing itself as one of the most popular Reality TV Series in India.

Concept

Bigg Boss is a reality show based on the original Dutch Big Brother format developed by John de Mol. A number of contestants (known as "housemates") live in a purpose-built house and are isolated from the rest of the world. Each week, housemates nominate two of their peers for eviction, and the housemates who receives the most nominations would face a public vote. Of these, one would eventually leave, having been "evicted" from the House. However, there were exceptions to this process as dictated by Bigg Boss. In the final week, there were three housemates remaining, and the public voted for who they wanted to win. The housemates in the Indian version are primarily celebrities with the exception of one who is a non-celebrity selected via auditions. Housemates are overseen by a mysterious person known as 'Bigg Boss', whose only presence in the house is through his voice.

Bigg Boss 9

Bigg Boss 9, also known as Bigg Boss: Double Trouble, (stylized as Bigg Boss: Nau), is the ninth season of the Indian reality TV series Bigg Boss that premiered on 11 October 2015 on Colors TV. Salman Khan returned to host the ninth season.Mandana Karimi,Rishabh Sinha,Rochelle Rao and Prince Narula were finalists.On 23 January 2016 Prince Narula was declared the Winner of this season in the Grand Finale. Rishabh Sinha was runner-up. Mandana Karimi was 2nd runner-up. Rochelle Rao remained 4th.

Production and promotion

The house sections are grandly decorated, and the exterior is crafted to recreate the Garden of Eden. The first promotional video for the season was released on 6 September 2015.

Contestants