Malaika Arora Khan

Mallaika is unabashedly dusky, well into her 30s (she will be 33 on October 25), a mother of one and still reigns as one of India's iconic s** symbols. MTV India broadcast her to drawing rooms across the country, and she quickly rose from VJ to star. She has since become involved in a number of memorable dance numbers, with Dil Se's Chaiyya Chaiyya perhaps the most famous and best received.

Nina Manuel

The quintessential sexy, sultry beauty, in just a few short years Nina's done it all. She's modelled for the fashion industry's bigwigs, anchored shows on prime-time television and hosted several star-studded events.

Up next for Nina is a rumoured foray into Bollywood as an item dancer, which, judging by her past successes, is sure to be a huge hit.

Sheetal Mallar

The lithe, dusky Sheetal has been blessed with universal good looks -- and has the endorsements to prove it. After winning the 1994 Femina Look of the Year award, she quickly became a hit with advertisers worldwide thanks to flawless skin and radiant hair.

As one of India's more vocal dark-skinned beauties, she's been known to speak out against Bollywood and the Indian advertising industry for its fair skin 'fetish'.

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Rajshree Thakur

Rajshree, best known for her role as Saloni in the television serial Saat Phere, won Best Fresh Face of the Year at the Indian Telly Awards in 2006. And what a face it is! Creamy smooth skin the shade of mocha, gorgeous, piercing eyes and shimmering black hair.

What's most ironic is that she was cast as the 'dark' Saloni, whose family is worried she will never get a marriage proposal. And despite the negative role, Rajshree has emerged as the show's star and an industry up and comer.