From a medical student in Rohtak, Haryana, to a global titleholder, her path was anything but expected. Born on May 14, 1997, she entered the Miss World 2017 pageant with a purpose that went far beyond the runway.
Her victory in Sanya, China, ended a 17-year wait for India. She became the sixth Indian woman to wear the crown. The win was sealed by her answer about mothers deserving the highest salary, a moment that resonated worldwide.
She carried the title with a project focused on menstrual hygiene awareness, challenging deep-seated taboos. This commitment to a cause defined her reign.
After her year as Miss World, she stepped onto a new stage: Bollywood. Her film career began with a historical drama and has since expanded into various genres, working alongside major stars.
The journey from a small city to the world spotlight continues. It’s a story of ambition, breaking molds, and a crown that opened doors to an unpredictable future in film.
Early Beginnings and Personal Background
Her story starts not on a stage, but in a home where science and service were the family language. Both parents were accomplished doctors, creating an environment built on discipline and intellectual curiosity.
Haryana Roots and Family Influence
Rooted in Rohtak with ancestral ties to Bamnoli village, her Haryanvi Jat heritage was a core part of her identity. Her father, Dr. Mitra Basu Chhillar, served at the DRDO before pioneering regenerative medicine. Her mother, Dr. Neelam Chhillar, leads neurochemistry research in New Delhi.
This household valued profound impact over prestige. It shaped a perspective where helping people was the ultimate goal.
Academic Excellence and Early Ambitions
At St. Thomas’ School in Delhi, Manushi Chhillar excelled. She topped the entire country in CBSE English for class 12, achieving a remarkable 96 percent overall.
Clearing the highly competitive NEET exam on her first attempt, she enrolled in Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College to pursue her MBBS degree. She was firmly on the path her family knew well.
Yet her life extended beyond textbooks. She trained rigorously in Kuchipudi dance under gurus Raja and Radha Reddy. She also attended the National School of Drama.
This blend of science and art gave her a unique balance. The people around her saw a driven individual building a foundation strong enough for any path, long before a crown was part of the plan.
Path to Crown: Femina Miss India and Global Pageantry
What began as a campus competition would soon rewrite India’s pageant history books. The journey from medical student to titleholder unfolded with precision and purpose.
Breakthrough at Femina Miss India 2017
Her pageant career started with Campus Princess 2016. She became a finalist representing AIIMS. This led to winning Femina Miss India Haryana in April 2017.
At the national competition, she earned Miss Photogenic. Her answers stood out for their depth. When asked about surrogacy, she advocated for regulation over bans.
In the final round, she spoke about gaining vision beyond passion. This maturity impressed judges. She won Femina Miss India World 2017 on June 25, 2017.
Triumph at Miss World 2017
At the global competition, she excelled in multiple categories. She finaled in Top Model, People’s Choice, and Multimedia. She also won her Head-to-Head Challenge.
Her Beauty with a Purpose project, Project Shakti, focused on menstrual hygiene. She visited 20 villages and helped over 5,000 women. This medical background informed her approach.
Defining Moments on the Stage
The final question asked which profession deserves the highest salary. Her answer honoring mothers became legendary. It combined personal conviction with universal appeal.
On November 18, 2017, she was crowned Miss World 2017. This ended India’s 17-year wait for the title. The moment cemented her place in pageant history.
| Competition | Achievements | Significant Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Femina Miss India 2017 | Miss Photogenic, National Winner | Surrogacy regulation stance, Vision statement |
| Miss World 2017 | Top Model finalist, Beauty with a Purpose co-winner | Motherhood salary answer, Project Shakti impact |
| Overall Pageant Journey | Sixth Indian Miss World, Ended 17-year drought | Medical background informing social initiatives |
Manushi Chhillar: Ascending as a Global Icon
Returning home as Miss World 2017 meant stepping into a role that blended celebrity with civic responsibility. The crown became a tool for advocacy.
Beauty with a Purpose and Social Impact
Her homecoming on November 26, 2017, drew massive crowds. People saw her victory as India reclaiming global recognition. She immediately channeled this energy into meaningful work.
The former Miss World became brand ambassador for Anaemia Free Haryana. This connected her medical background with public health needs. Her Beauty with a Purpose campaign, Project Shakti, secured ₹18 crore in government funding.
This funding ensured free sanitary napkins for girls in government schools across Haryana. It represented policy change, not just awareness.
She spoke at the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. The platform allowed her to discuss social innovation alongside world leaders. She also appeared on television shows to normalize menstrual hygiene conversations.
Her first international trip took her to London for a royal ceremony. She met Princess Michael of Kent alongside Miss World leadership. Back home, she visited Bennett University for student interactions.
She also learnt to balance formal events with genuine connection. Playing sports with students showed her commitment to staying grounded. People witnessed a titleholder who understood that impact outlasts ceremony.
The world watched as she transformed a beauty title into a vehicle for social change. Her reign demonstrated how purpose could drive meaningful action beyond the pageant stage.
Transition to Acting: Film Ventures and Industry Challenges
The Yash Raj Films contract signaled a major industry endorsement, but cinematic success remained elusive. Moving from pageants to film sets demanded a different skill set entirely.
Debut in Historical Drama
Her first film role came in the 2022 historical epic Samrat Prithviraj. She played Princess Sanyogita opposite Akshay Kumar.
The former Miss World described the part as a huge responsibility. She portrayed a powerful woman who stood up for her beliefs.
Unfortunately, the film failed at the box office. Critics gave her performance negative reviews.
Evaluating Critical Reception and Career Growth
Subsequent releases continued the pattern. The Great Indian Family (2023) saw her called “strictly ornamental” by Rediff.com.
In 2024, she appeared in Operation Valentine and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Both films were commercial failures.
Her 2025 release Maalik earned faint praise for playing a predictable part well. Fans hope her upcoming project Tehran might finally showcase her potential.
The path from crown to credible film career proves difficult for many titleholders. She continues working, aware that lasting screen success requires more than initial fame.
Philanthropy and Social Initiatives
Her reign was defined by action, launching a 42-day international tour focused on tangible social change. This global effort demonstrated a deep commitment to the core beauty with a purpose ideal of the miss world platform.
Project Shakti and Menstrual Hygiene Awareness
In February 2018, she led the first global Feminine Hygiene Awareness campaign in Hyderabad. She collaborated with the miss world 2017 continental winners and the Government of Telangana.
The tour continued to Kolkata. There, the team visited the “New Light” NGO. They also learnt to manufacture low-cost, biodegradable sanitary pads with the Jute Industries Research Association.
A pivotal moment occurred in South Africa on Nelson Mandela’s 100th birth anniversary. She inaugurated the first sanitary pad manufacturing unit in his birthplace, Mvezo, alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Supporting Health, Education, and Gender Equality
Her advocacy expanded beyond menstrual health. In Brazil, she initiated a leprosy awareness program and met with children with Down syndrome. The Parliament of Brazil honored her for this humanitarian work.
She later expanded Project Shakti to include HIV/AIDS awareness for rural women. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she partnered with UNICEF and urged governments to include sanitary pads in ration kits for migrant workers.
In 2021, Manushi Chhillar affiliated with UN Women for the ‘Orange the World’ initiative against gender-based violence. She also joined Adidas’s Make A Move campaign, encouraging women to overcome social barriers. For the former Miss World, this purpose was the true legacy of her world 2017 title.
Brand Endorsements and Media Influence
Global corporations quickly recognized the commercial value of a titleholder who combined beauty with purpose. The former Miss World winner built a portfolio spanning luxury goods, fitness, and beauty.
Collaborations with Global Brands
Manushi Chhillar’s brand appeal attracted major partnerships. She became the face of Adidas and Pantene in India, leveraging her fitness credibility.
Luxury brands like Dior, Jimmy Choo, and Samsonite featured her in campaigns. In 2023, The Estée Lauder Companies appointed her as brand ambassador.
The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council named her global ambassador. This role promoted India’s diamond creations internationally.
| Brand | Category | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Adidas | Sportswear | Official India ambassador |
| Estée Lauder | Beauty | Major international coup |
| GJEPC | Jewellery | Global promotion role |
| Malabar Gold | Luxury Retail | Early major partnership |
Digital Presence and Fan Engagement Strategies
Her social media channels maintain strong engagement with fans. She shares behind-the-scenes content from shoots and events.
Media appearances keep her visible to audiences who followed her Miss World journey. This balance between aspiration and accessibility defines her digital strategy.
The former miss titleholder uses platforms to discuss women’s empowerment. Her online presence complements brand partnerships effectively.
Reflective Insights and Future Horizons
When she placed the crown on Vanessa Ponce’s head in December 2018, a chapter closed but a new journey began. The transition from reigning queen to former titleholder presents challenges that few anticipate. Expectations remain high while the world moves quickly to the next winner.
Her film career continues with Tehran opposite John Abraham, a project that could provide the reset she needs. The former Miss World 2017 maintains relevance through brand partnerships and social initiatives like Project Shakti. She refuses to abandon the causes that defined her reign.
The foundation she built—medical knowledge, global advocacy, and media experience—offers multiple paths forward. Her story remains unwritten, shaped by choices that honor both purpose and pragmatism. The Miss World 2017 victory opened doors, but staying requires constant reinvention.
