Actress on SMS GupShup
By Ria Sharma

Mumbai-based SMS GupShup describes itself as a social messaging service to share and connect with friends and fans.  It has over 25 million users and billions of messages have been sent connecting them. SMS GupShup clients include Nokia, ICICI and Reliance. You sign up to a SMS GupShup community and receive regular updates on your mobile phone about what is happening in the collective.

SMS GupShup, like most Indian businesses, has realized that any association with cricket and Bollywood can only be a win win situation.  They tied up NDTV whose reality show ‘Rakhi ka Swayamvar’ was one of the most popular programs on Indian television.  Bollywood actress Rakhi Sawant chose a Canadian Indian as her groom on this reality show, but within weeks was telling the Indian press that perhaps they were not suited for each other. The SMS GupShup Rakhi Sawant community was another way for her fans to connect with the Bollywood sex symbol.

Currently, SMS GupShup, is running a competition where Indian men can win a date with South Indian actress Sanjana.  According to the site there are only 2 rules - 1) You must be between 18-30 yrs of age, 2) You must be single. And your resume and photo should survive the first cut.

Sanjana has asked her thousands of admirers 3 questions so far to determine who wins an evening with her

Question 1 of the contest - Send me the top 3 reasons why you would want to spend a magical evening with me. Impress me with your creativity & sensitivity.

Question 2 of the contest - Tell me what is special about you? Looks, talent, brains or something more? Send me 3 reasons why I should select you as my date!

Question 3 of the contest - How creative are you? Write an original shayari or poem for me and show me your romantic side.

Answers to question 3 are interesting to say the least.  One ‘fan’ wrote in “My friendship is a beautiful rose in your garden.  Don’t dry it.  Please water it daily with your sweet SMS”. It is a win win situation for the actress in raising her profile and the phone companies as the SMSes ring up the rupees.