Every second Bollywood heroine is dusky. There is something about the dusky complexion that makes these charming Bollywood babes mysterious and hot. There was an era when dark-complexioned actresses like Smita Patil were relegated to arty, parallel cinema. Now dusky is definitely in with a bevy of dusky looking heroines such as Bipasha Basu, Kajol, Priyanka Chopra, Sameera Reddy, Lara Dutta, Mallaika Arora Khan, Sonali Kulkarni, Raima Sen, Konkona Sen, Tanushree Dutta, Koena Mitra, Nandita Das, Geeta Basra, Deepika Padukone and all that jazz. These actresses look divinely sexy and beautiful at the same time with their clay complexion inducing the fertile imagination of every man.

One cannot comment on the color of the skin because every color has its own sensuality and specialty. But to an extent, dusky complexion has its own strengths, giving a mysterious and sensuous aura to the personality. There is something tangy and saucy about a dusky complexion. It makes a woman look real, achievable and sensuous without looking unattainable and plastic. Whether it's Bipasha Basu or Lara Dutta, a dusky looking actress looks earthly and identifiable rather than ethereal or angelic.

Are dusky looking heroines of Bollywood sexier than fair looking? Obviously yes, because we know that dusky Bipasha Basu has been crowned the sexiest woman of Asia for 2005 and 2007, and Priyanka Chopra received the title for 2006. This speaks volumes about how these women are comfortable with their skin. For once, we can be assured and pray that these divas do not endorse fairness cream ads!

Didn't you get curious to know about some new dusky entrants of Bollywood? Here they go…

Deepika Padukone

Born on 5 January 1986, Deepika Padukone is one of the most recognized faces among the Indian super models. This dusky beauty has appeared in commercials like Liril, Close-up, Limca, etc. and has taken the glamour world by storm with her angelic visage, unguarded manner, naturally athletic body and disarming dimpled smile.

Deepika started walking the ramp at the age of 17. But today she is better known as a successful actress on the silver screen having scored a big film with none other than King Khan, namely 'Om Shanti Om'. Within a short span of time, Deepika has managed to achieve a lot and with things going her way she sure is Bollywood's rising star.

Sameera Reddy

Sameera Reddy is a beautiful, talented and aspiring Bollywood actress. Born on 14 December 1982, the tall and dusky Sameera is known to be a fitness freak, working out hours in the gym and following a strict diet regime. However, this model-turned actress made her acting debut in 2002 with film 'Maine Dil Tujhko Diya', but she got noticed in the film 'Musafir' (2004), for which she received rave reviews.

Geeta Basra

Geeta Basra, the 28-year-old, looks really beautiful. The duskiness of her skin adds a seductive glow to her fabulous figure. This new entrant of Bollywood is originally hails from London, but now resides in Mumbai. She was born to emigrant Punjabi parents in London. Geeta does not mind exposing or doing a make-out scene, but it should be a part of the story. Sexy Geeta Basra is quite comfortable with kissing scenes. She made debut in 2006 with 'Dil Diya Hai'. Geeta is notoriously known for her intimate scene with Emraan Hashmi in her second movie 'The Train'.

Koena Mitra

Koena Mitra, born on 7 January 1985, is a beautiful dusky Bollywood actress. She is one girl who has made it big without a godfather in the industry. Koena Mitra was a model before becoming an actress. Hot and sexy, this Bengali bombshell forayed into Bollywood with a scorching item number in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Road' (2002) and debuted as a heroine in the film 'Musafir' (2004).

Tanushree Dutta

Tanushree Dutta is the new bongshell on the block, ever since she sizzled is her debut film 'Chocolate' in 2006. After that, this dusky diva went on to star in 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne', '36 China Town', and 'Risk'. She has done a dancer number in 'Bhagam Bhaag', and also acted in a Telugu movie 'Veerabhadra'. Although most of her films have not done too well, she is confident with her upcoming ventures.