Mumbai — Actress and former beauty queen Urvashi Rautela says sharing the Miss Universe India stage with Sushmita Sen was a deeply emotional and memorable moment for her, as she considers the former Miss Universe her mentor and “guru.”
Urvashi served as a judge at Miss Universe India for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s event became particularly special for her as Sushmita Sen, who has had a significant influence on her journey, was also part of the occasion.
Recalling her association with Sushmita, Urvashi said the former Miss Universe was among the first people to encourage her and give her the confidence to pursue her dreams.
“Sharing this moment with my first mentor, my guru, and our first-ever Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, makes it infinitely more special. She was the woman who gave me the wings to fly,” Urvashi said.
She also recalled a particularly cherished moment when Sushmita personally crowned her on her coronation night. According to Urvashi, the gesture was extraordinary because Sushmita rarely takes on such a role herself.
“When she personally crowned me on my coronation night, which is the rarest thing as she never does it, it became one of the most surreal and cherished moments of my life,” she added.
Urvashi said Sushmita’s faith in her has remained a source of inspiration over the years. She admitted that she still wonders what made Sushmita believe in her so strongly, but considers that support a blessing.
“I still wonder why she chose to believe in me, but perhaps some blessings are not meant to be explained, only cherished,” she said, expressing gratitude to God, her parents, family, fans and loved ones, while giving special credit to Sushmita.
For Urvashi, the occasion also represented how far her own journey has come. From being a beauty queen herself to returning year after year as a judge at one of the country’s prominent beauty pageants, she described the experience as something that went beyond a personal achievement.
The actress also grabbed attention with her striking tricolour gown at the event. She said her team had informed her that her fourth consecutive appearance as a judge at Miss Universe India had created a world record.
“Our team was told that my fourth consecutive appearance as a judge at Miss Universe India has created a world record and made history, and I am truly humbled and profoundly grateful,” she said.
Urvashi recalled an earlier moment at Cannes when an international journalist asked her what India meant to her. Her spontaneous response was, “I am India.”
Reflecting on that statement while judging Miss Universe India 2026 in a tricolour outfit, she said the words carried an even deeper meaning for her.
“Today, while judging Miss Universe India 2026 in a tricolour gown, those words feel even more profound. I am immensely proud to be Indian,” she said.
For Urvashi, the evening was therefore more than another appearance at a beauty pageant. It brought together her professional achievements, her pride in representing India and, most importantly, her long-standing bond with the woman she credits with giving her the confidence to dream bigger.
With inputs from IANS