It would seem that a silent scuffle is underway behind the scenes in our modelling industry.
While the established catwalk queens who've been dominating the scene for years try to hold onto their crowns, a bevy of fresh beauties is threatening them by nabbing all the plum assignments around.
And some of them have managed to firmly establish themselves within a few months of surfacing, while veterans remain in the shadows, known more by face and less by name.
Here we bring you some of the models who are on a meteoric rise to the top -- take our poll and let us know who's the hottest of them all!
Angela Jonsson
She's made a huge splash and the fact that she admitted to briefly dating Ranbir Kapoor had little to do with it. Angela won the Hunt for the Kingfisher Calendar Girl 2011, bared her fabulous bod in a bikini and the rest is history -- the half-Icelandic, half-Indian stunner's in any fashion show that matters, bagging assignments galore and is slated to appear in movies soon. And oh, yeah, she's only 21!
Gia Johnson-Singh
Close on Angela's heels we have another Kingfisher bombshell, 26-year-old British-Punjabi Gia. After her 2010 stint in the calendar, Gia was named 'Best Hot Stepper on the Ramp' at the Vogue Beauty Awards that same year and is busy with big-brand campaigns ever since.
Hasleen Kaur
The statuesque Hasleen, 22, represented India at the Miss Earth 2011 pageant. She may have lost, but she's certainly made a name for herself in the fashion industry back home, becoming a ramp regular and having appeared in several advertisements for the likes of Reebok, Airtel and more.
Ashika Pratt
Vogue Magazine touted her 'India's next supermodel' last year and they may not be far wrong -- born in New Zealand but with Indian lineage, 21-year-old Kingfisher (2010) cutie Ashika is making waves with her sizzling looks.
Poonam Pandey
We aren't expecting to see Poonam, 20, fronting a high-fashion editorial anytime soon, but she does have the looks to back up her PR-generating statements and has met with a lot of success, showstopping at fashion shows and being associated with the Kingfisher Calendar.
Preeti Dhata
The Delhi-based looker, 26, has striking features that set her apart from the rest. Preeti has carved a niche for herself in the industry -- every designer from Anita Dongre to V J Balhara wants her modelling their designs and she's on the cover page of prestigious publications to boot.
Maia Haydon
Her sister Lisa is one of the country's most well-known models, so it's hardly surprising that her equally lovely sister Maia is following in her footsteps. After debuting in the Kingfisher Calendar this year, this young upcoming hottie also delivered a sizzling item number for latest B-Town release Agent Vinod.
Jyothsna Chakravarthy
Lissome Jyothsna from Bangalore has been modelling for only about three years, but she's already got the spotlight focused on her. With stunning magazine covers to her credit, she's working with high-end designers and even appeared at a Chanel showing in Paris last year.
Diva Dhawan
Born and brought up in New York, Diva was on the ramp by age 14 and hasn't looked back since. The 22-year-old is exploring both sides of fashion, though, in front of the camera and behind the scenes -- she's also studying fashion merchandising.
Krithika Babu
Femina Miss India 2010 contestant Krithika, also 22, didn't meet with much success at the pageant, but she is a fashion week regular and quite recognised on the style circuit. With her innocent face and bikini bod, it's easy to see why she's going places!
Kanishtha Dhankhar
The same goes for this former beauty queen -- Kanishtha, 23, was Femina Miss India 2011 and her tall, slim frame has seen her become a fashion show favourite. Surprisingly, however, she's one of a handful of Indian models who doesn't want to become an actress!
Tara Kurian
And finally we come to Tara, 23, who started modelling as a teenager. She participated in modelling agency Ford's 'Supermodel of the World' title last year and now this year, participating in showings for bigwigs like Tarun Tahiliani and Rohit Bal is all in a day's work for her.
