Nandini Gupta Gears Up for Miss World, Draws Inspiration from Aishwarya Rai

As the 72nd Miss World pageant approaches in Hyderabad, Miss India 2023 Nandini Gupta is preparing to represent the country on the global stage. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, the Rajasthan-born beauty queen shared how Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s iconic journey has been a driving force behind her own path to the crown.

From the fields of Rajasthan to the global stage, Nandini Gupta’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from a farmer’s family, the Miss India 2023 titleholder is now set to represent the country at the 72nd Miss World pageant in Hyderabad. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Nandini shared that it was former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who inspired her to dream big. She also expressed her hope that the iconic beauty queen would be present on the day of the crowning.

Reflecting on her decision to enter the pageant world, Nandini Gupta shared that while her parents were supportive, the announcement certainly sparked “quite a dinner table conversation” when she first brought it up.

Recalling the moment that sparked her dream, Nandini said, “It was the day I watched Devdas. I was mesmerised by Aishwarya’s beauty and asked my mother who she was. When I learned she was a Miss World, a title I hadn’t heard of before, my mother explained that to earn it, one must first represent their state and then the country. That conversation lit a fire in me—I knew then that I wanted to be like her. Her journey truly inspired mine.”

Nandini shared that when she expressed her desire to move to Mumbai and chase her dreams, her father set a clear condition—she had to score at least 90 per cent in her academics. Looking back, she’s thankful for that challenge, as it pushed her to excel and ultimately earn a degree in business management alongside pursuing her passion.

Like many pageant winners, Nandini Gupta also dreams of a future in acting.

“It’s definitely something I want to explore. I’m excited about the idea of portraying different characters,” she said. “I haven’t dived into acting yet or figured out how the industry works, but I plan to take workshops and develop my craft. I’m just another hopeful, ready to work hard. I know it won’t be easy, but whether it’s Bollywood or the South film industry, I’d love the chance to prove myself. And if I ever get to play a character named Nandini—just like Aishwarya Rai did—it would be a full circle moment,” she added with a smile.

Nandini concluded by sharing her heartfelt wish: that Aishwarya Rai herself would be present at the Miss World crowning ceremony, scheduled for May 31 in Hyderabad.