Life Style News

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Three years after her historic win as Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar candidly describes her journey into Indian cinema as “organic and expected,” yet not without significant personal and professional adjustments . In a detailed interview with the Indian Express, the former medical aspirant and pageant star shared her evolving relationship with fame, her craft, and her identity beyond the crown.

Chhillar credits her year-long stint with the Miss World Organisation as the true catalyst for her acting path, saying, “After winning, I worked with the Miss World Organisation for a year — and I believe that’s when my acting journey began...”. Despite external expectations of a smooth transition into films, she admits that internally, stepping into the acting world was far from intuitive. Having grown up in a household of doctors, she initially trained for medical entrance exams and never envisioned herself in front of the camera .

Her debut in Samrat Prithviraj (2022) marked a complete shift in skillsets—from embodying her own identity on the pageant stage to becoming someone else on film. Chhillar described learning to act as akin to "learning a new language," adjusting to a public life constantly under scrutiny and to an entirely different professional environment. She revealed that living under media scrutiny while maintaining self-worth remains one of her biggest challenges.

Chhillar finds solace and passion in the expressive aspects of her role—fashion, styling, and self-care have become creative outlets. She recalled childhood memories of playing with clothes and now relishes using them to express character and mood . A disciplined approach to wellness has helped sustain her on busy shoots: she credits a balanced routine involving nutrition, strength training, Pilates, and sleep as essential to maintaining her glow and resilience . Simplicity defines her beauty regimen—oil once weekly and active ingredients only when necessary, alongside consistent sun protection and a straightforward skin care approach .

Chhillar emphasizes strong familial support. Though her parents are doctors, they adapted their lives to back her artistic ambitions. Her father crafted tailored workout and dietary plans, while her mother—and, later, her parents—relocated to Mumbai to support her budding film career .

She’s excited for Maalik, which releases on July 11, and anticipates opportunities to explore more diverse and challenging roles .She also shared her lesser-known talent: painting, hinting at creative dimensions that lie beyond her public image .

Chhillar’s candid reflections reveal a journey that—while aligned with external expectations—has demanded deep self-discovery, resilience, and reinvention. Her message to future Miss World winners is poignant: cherish the experience and responsibility, but stay true to oneself and focus on the legacy one wants to build .

Manushi Chhillar's story is one of evolution—from medical student to beauty queen to actor—embodying growth propelled by unexpected opportunities. It's a testament to her adaptability, grounded self-awareness, and commitment to redefine herself while honoring her roots.