Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu won the Miss Universe title in 2021, becoming the third Indian to claim the crown, 21 years after Lara Dutta’s win in 2000. Born on 3 March 2000 in the village of Kohali, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, Harnaaz grew up in a Punjabi Jat Sikh family. Her father is a realtor and her mother a gynaecologist. She spent part of her childhood in England before settling in Chandigarh, where she attended Shivalik Public School and Post Graduate Government College for Girls. She was pursuing a master’s degree in public administration before her rise to international fame.
Harnaaz’s pageantry career began young, winning titles like Miss Chandigarh 2017 and Miss Max Emerging Star India 2018, before being crowned Femina Miss India Punjab in 2019. She then won the Miss Diva Universe title in 2021, which qualified her to represent India at the Miss Universe pageant held in Eilat, Israel, where she was crowned Miss Universe on 13 December 2021. Her victory was celebrated widely as a moment of pride for India.
Her acting career started with roles in Punjabi films such as ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’ and ‘Yaara Diyan Poo Baran’. Harnaaz shared a close relationship with Upasana Singh, the producer and star of ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’, who also mentored her through early acting lessons. However, after Harnaaz’s Miss Universe win, tensions emerged between them. Upasana Singh accused Harnaaz of ignoring calls and failing to promote the film as per their contract, leading to delays and financial losses for the production. Harnaaz denied these allegations, calling them attempts to defame her.
Harnaaz’s entry into Bollywood has been delayed compared to other former beauty queens. Her much-anticipated debut is now slated to be in the film ‘Baaghi 4’, opposite Tiger Shroff. The film is part of a popular action franchise directed by A Harsha and is due for release in 2025. While there has been some criticism about the film’s trailer and Tiger Shroff’s recent box-office performances, the film marks a significant opportunity for Harnaaz to establish herself in the Hindi film industry.
Bollywood’s most famous publicist Dale Bhagwagar has remarked, “Breaking into the Hindi film industry can be a challenging journey, even for global icons. The key to success lies not just in talent and looks but also in dedication, choice of roles and professional discipline.”
During her time away from the spotlight, Harnaaz faced online criticism for fluctuations in her weight. She revealed that she suffers from celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting gluten digestion that caused her weight changes. After managing the condition, she returned to a healthier state, but the public scrutiny she endured underscored the challenges faced by new entrants in the entertainment industry.
Harnaaz’s journey from international beauty queen to aspiring Bollywood actress illustrates the demanding path to film stardom. Her story reflects the importance of professionalism, strategic career management and resilience amid setbacks. As ‘Baaghi 4’ prepares for its release, audiences and critics alike will watch closely to see whether she can translate her pageant success into a flourishing film career.