Sargam Koushal brought back the Mrs World crown to India after 21 years and hopes to use her win as a "catalyst" to inspire women and children to follow their dreams.
The Jammu-born model was announced the winner of the beauty pageant at a ceremony held in Las Vegas on December 17. She is the first Indian to win the title after model actor Aditi Govitrikar (2001).
Koushal succeeded US's Shaylyn Ford, who was crowned Mrs World 2021.
“I'm grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be a medium and a catalyst of change. It is a way of empowering other women and kids around. This fame comes with a lot of responsibility,” Koushal told PTI in an interview here. The Mumbai-based model, who dons multiple hats of being a painter, a content writer and a teacher, said her father motivated her to start modelling.
“From the very beginning, my father never looked down upon modelling or pageantry. He thought it was beautiful... Whenever he used to see Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or any other beauty queen, he would say 'I want my daughter to do something of that sort'."
Even though her father believed that Koushal would have a bright future in modelling, she wasn't confident about it. Things took a turn for the better post her marriage in 2018 to an Indian Navy officer. She discovered she had a knack for public speaking after hosting a social gathering for the service personnel and their families.
“With dad's persistence and my determination, it all just happened,” Koushal said, adding that she soon enrolled for the beauty pageant. She also hopes people from her native Jammu look at her win as a shining example of the region's potential. "I hope with this people of Jammu start realising that the youth have a lot of potential and can do much better if given the right platform,” she added.
Koushal said she will soon visit Jammu to meet her parents, extended family and friends. Going forward, she would continue to pursue modelling. “I enjoy being in front of the camera... I don't know about acting, but I would like to pursue modelling,” she said.
(PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.