Interview | ‘With the crown comes a great responsibility’

How does it feel to win the crown that India last bagged over two decades ago?

It is a great thing that the crown is back in India after 21 years. But it was not through just my effort. The efforts of so many people went into this long overdue win.

I think I am very fortunate, because, before leaving for the contest, I had said, ‘Main Harnaaz hun, Desh ka naaz hun, and I will bring the crown back to the country.’ I am now waiting to celebrate it properly with the rest of India. I also want to talk about a lot of issues and I am quite determined to do that.

Winning the title does not mean that I am the most beautiful girl in the Universe. If you watched the video, you would have noticed that I touched the crown to my head respectfully before putting it on. It was a natural reaction for me. That was my way of paying respect to the crown that I had won. With the crown comes a great responsibility and I have to go and do all of that.

At what point did you want to be a beauty queen?

As a child, I didn’t know what it meant to be a beauty queen. As I grew up, I saw people like Sushmita Sen, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta and realised that they had won because their intentions to win the crown on the international stage were very clear and pure. I also realized that I wanted to model and act, and the process began.

I first got the urge to be a beauty queen when I was 17 and I have never looked back since then. I want to tell young women around the world that if you wish to achieve something, no one can ever stop you. People will try and pull you down, but as long as you exercise control over yourself, no one can stop you.

Is the next step Bollywood, like Aishwarya, Sushmita, Priyanka and Lara?

To be honest, it is too soon to decide how my future will look. I am looking forward to being an actor because a lot of people are inspired by actors. Acting has always been my passion.  

Favourite actor?

Shah Rukh Khan

Favourite actress?

Deepika Padukone. It is the Om Shanti Om duo. It is not just about their onscreen personality but offscreen as well. Both of them are so down-to-earth and they have an aura about them.

Favourite filmmaker?

I love the films that Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes. He pays a lot of attention to detail and his films look like art. He takes time to make a film, but it is worth it. I have watched every film that he has made and they are all my favourites.

A film that inspired you?

My favourite film is Mary Kom. I believe in women empowerment and I know what kind of stereotypes we need to break. I liked Dangal too. But the Dil hai ziddi song from Mary Kom reflects my life.

You sing as well.

Yes, I am fond of singing, but I am not a professional singer. I write shayaris and love gardening as well. My grandfather was a farmer and mom was fond of gardening and I like being with nature. Mimicry was my hidden talent but now everyone knows about it.