Who is Manushi Chhillar?
Manushi Chhillar is an Indian actress, model, and Miss World 2017 winner who continues to stay in the spotlight as one of Bollywood’s most promising young talents. In 2025, she has been trending for her upcoming international film collaborations, fitness campaigns, and her rising influence as a global youth icon. Known for her disciplined lifestyle, medical background, and articulate public persona, Manushi has successfully transitioned from pageants to cinema. A lesser-known fact is that she once aspired to become a cardiac surgeon before entering the world of modelling and entertainment.
She is known for her graceful presence and her commitment to social work through ‘Project Shakti,’ promoting menstrual hygiene awareness. An interesting fact is that she is a highly trained classical dancer in the Kuchipudi style.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manushi Chhillar |
| Nickname | Manu |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Former Miss World |
| Known For | Winning Miss World 2017, debuting in Samrat Prithviraj |
| Age | 28 years (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | 14 May 1997 |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Years Active | 2017–present |
| Hometown | Rohtak, Haryana, India |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Educational Qualification | MBBS (pursuing; on academic break), schooling at St. Thomas’ School, New Delhi |
| Hobbies | Painting, dancing, reading, fitness, travelling |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
Early Life and Education
Manushi Chhillar was born on May 14, 1997, in Rohtak, Haryana, into a family deeply rooted in the medical profession. Her ancestral home is in the Bamnoli village of the Jhajjar district.
Manushi Chhillar was born in Rohtak, Haryana, into a highly educated family. Her father, a scientist at DRDO, and her mother, a professor, inspired her academic excellence from an early age. She grew up in a disciplined environment where both academics and cultural activities were encouraged.
Manushi studied at St. Thomas’ School, New Delhi, where she was an all-rounder and excelled in dance, theatre, and science.
Topping the All India CBSE examination in the English subject in Class 12. She successfully cleared the All India Pre Medical Test (now NEET) on her first attempt.
She later enrolled in MBBS at Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College, aiming to become a cardiac surgeon. Her life changed when she participated in Femina Miss India 2017, which eventually led her to the Miss World stage and shifted her career path towards modelling and acting.
Physical Appearance
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Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
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Weight: Around 55–58 kg (approx., not officially confirmed)
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Eye Colour: Brown
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Hair Colour: Black
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Tattoos: No publicly known tattoos
Career Journey
Manushi Chhillar’s career is defined by an extraordinary shift from a medical student to a global beauty icon and now a mainstream Bollywood actress.
- First Break & Pageantry: Her career began with pageantry while she was still a medical student. She won the title of Femina Miss India Haryana in April 2017, followed by Femina Miss India 2017. Her monumental victory came in November 2017 when she was crowned Miss World 2017, bringing the title back to India after a 17-year gap (since Priyanka Chopra in 2000).
- Social Work: Her most recognized work during her reign was Project Shakti, a non-profit campaign focused on raising awareness about menstrual hygiene. This project won her the coveted Beauty with a Purpose competition at Miss World, making her the fourth Indian to win the award.
- Bollywood Debut: She transitioned into acting with her debut in the historical drama Samrat Prithviraj (2022) opposite Akshay Kumar.
- Recent Projects (2024–2025): She has consistently expanded her filmography, featuring in projects like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) and the Telugu/Hindi bilingual Operation Valentine (2024).
- Current Projects (2025): Her most significant recent works include the theatrical release Maalik (July 2025) and the digital release of the spy thriller Tehran (August 2025), where she starred opposite Rajkummar Rao and John Abraham, respectively.
- Awards: She was nominated for the Best Female Debut at the 68th Filmfare Awards for Samrat Prithviraj. She has also won several Fresh Face and Stylish Emerging Talent awards from associations like CNN-IBN and Pinkvilla.
Relationships
Manushi Chhillar has been rumored to be in a relationship with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, but reports indicate they broke up around 2023. More recently, she has been linked to actor Veer Pahariya. Despite strong rumors and public appearances, Chhillar has dismissed the idea of a romantic relationship with Pahariya, stating he is a good friend who accompanied her to a wedding when she didn’t know anyone. She also maintains that much of what is written about her personal life is inaccurate due to her desire for privacy.
- Veer Pahariya: Rumors and social media speculation suggested a relationship after they were seen together at various events. However, Chhillar has publicly stated that they are just friends.
- Nikhil Kamath: She was rumored to have dated the Zerodha co-founder from 2021 to 2023, with sightings at events like the FIFA World Cup. Reports of their breakup surfaced in 2023, partly due to him being linked to actress Rhea Chakraborty.
Family Background
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Dr. Mitra Basu Chhillar (DRDO scientist) |
| Mother | Dr. Neelam Chhillar (Associate Professor & Head of Department) |
| Brother(s) | None |
| Sister(s) | Dewangana Chhillar |
Viral Moments
Manushi has largely maintained a controversy-free public image, but two notable moments have trended in 2025:
- “Kufar” Choreography Debate (Late 2025): She trended online following the release of the music video “Kufar” by Diljit Dosanjh, in which she starred. The choreography drew polarized reactions, with some fans criticizing it as underwhelming compared to the artist’s usual standards. Manushi subtly addressed the criticism in interviews, advising people not to take social media comments too seriously.
- The Mother’s Salary Comment: During her Miss World run, her answer in the final round about mothers deserving the “highest salary in the world” not in cash, but in respect and love, went viral globally and remains one of her most-remembered moments.
- Faced mild criticism during her debut for being “too reserved” on-screen, which she addressed positively by focusing on skill-building and training for future roles.
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹20 Crores (around $3 million USD) as of 2025.
- Main Sources of Income:
- Film Acting: Charges around ₹1 Crore per film, depending on the role and production house.
- Brand Endorsements: She is the face of several major international and Indian brands across jewelry, fashion, and beauty sectors, forming a substantial part of her income.
- Modeling/Appearances: Fees from fashion shows, magazine covers, and public speaking engagements.
- Social Work: Involvement in various government and non-profit campaigns, such as the Anaemia Free Haryana initiative.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Username / Handle | Followers |
|---|---|---|
| @manushi_chhillar | 6.5 Million+ | |
| Twitter/X | @ManushiChhillar | 380.6K+ |
| Manushi Chhillar | 2.6 Million+ |
Lesser Known Facts About Manushi Chhillar
- Hidden Talent: Manushi is a highly accomplished classical dancer, specifically trained in the traditional Indian dance form of Kuchipudi under celebrated gurus Raja and Radha Reddy.
- The Unintended Actress: She initially had no professional interest in acting and considered her creative pursuits, like painting and dancing, only hobbies. She was fully committed to medicine until her Miss World journey paved the way for Bollywood.
- Academic Excellence: Before her pageantry career took off, she was an All-India topper in the English subject for her Class 12 CBSE board exams.
- A Family of Doctors: She is the first person in her immediate family to step into the world of glamour and entertainment; both her parents and her sister are doctors.
- Digital Detox: She has shared that she often deletes social media applications from her phone while she is actively filming a project to maintain mental clarity and focus on her character.
- Role Model: Her favorite actress and a major inspiration is fellow former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra.
- Food Preference: She is known to be a big fan of simple, home-cooked food (ghar ka khana), often discussing her love for Indian cuisine in interviews.
Latest Updates
As of November 2025, Manushi Chhillar is primarily based in Mumbai, India, balancing her acting career with various brand commitments.
- Recent Film Releases: Her major releases in 2025 were the action thriller Maalik (July 2025) and the spy film Tehran (August 2025). Her performances in these films continue to solidify her position as a versatile actress in the industry.
- Upcoming Announcements: She is expected to make an announcement regarding her next big-budget project in early 2026, following the successful release cycles of her 2025 films.
- Public Speaking: She made a high-profile appearance at the Republic Youth Summit in February 2025, where she spoke candidly about handling social media pressure and criticism.
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