With two Punjabi films to her credit, it was only a matter of time before new Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu set her sights on Bollywood. It's almost a rite of passage for beauty queens in India with Sandhu's two predecessors, Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 1994, and Lara Dutta Bhupathi, Miss Universe 2000, having both made the leap into the Hindi film industry.
"Given a chance, I would love to be a part of it, because that has been my dream. I am an actor by profession, I've done theatre from the last five years," Sandhu, 21, told The Times of India.
"I have a vision of influencing people and breaking stereotypes of what women are and what they can be, and that can happen through acting. Because in today's times, people get so intimidated, so influenced by movies. That's the way I can influence people and inspire them by following my passion, just doing the best for the society."
Sandhu, a model, beat 79 other contestants to clinch the Miss Universe 2021 crown at a glittering ceremony in Eilat, Israel, becoming the third Indian woman to win the title.
Asked which actor she'd like to make her Bollywood debut with, Sandhu chose superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
"I share a lot of respect and love for Shah Rukh Khan. The amount of hard work he has done and is still doing, it's never enough I think. But he has always stayed grounded, he has always managed the success," she told the publication.
"And the way he has been talking in every interview, that really inspired me, that it's just about your attitude that takes you places. He is a wonderful artist and a wonderful human being."
For a director to work with she picked Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his extravagant films including Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018), which both rank among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
"I am excited to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali," Sandhu said. "I love the way he works, I love the quality, the art, the feeling and the depth of each and every detail that's in his movies and his work."
For now, Sandhu will move to New York City, the headquarters of the Miss Universe Organisation, where for a year she will take part in various social projects until she crowns her successor in 2022.
Scroll through the gallery below for pictures from the Miss Universe 2021 pageant:
-
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, left, is crowned Miss Universe 2021 by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza from Mexico during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel. Contestants from 80 countries and territories competed in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu reacts as the Miss Universe crown is placed on her head by the outgoing Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico, at the Red Sea resort of Eilat in Israel. Reuters -
Contestants congratulate Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu. Reuters -
Miss Universe contestants congratulate Harnaaz Sandhu as she is crowned Miss Universe during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu walks on the stage among celebrations after being crowned Miss Universe 2021. EPA -
Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu from India speaks to reporters after winning the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss Universe second runner-up Lalela Mswane from South Africa reacts during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
The final three Miss Universe contestants, left to right, Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane; Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu; and Miss Paraguay, Nadia Ferreira, pose on stage during the pageant. AFP -
US singer JoJo performs on stage during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu during the swimsuit round of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane poses in the evening gown competition during the pageant. AFP -
US television host Steve Harvey asks Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu the final question during the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AFP -
Miss Universe 2021 contestants pose during the pageant. Reuters -
Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza appears during the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo -
Outgoing Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico poses during the event. Reuters -
Miss France Clemence Botino poses during the swimsuit round at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Colon poses during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos poses during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss USA Elle Smith poses during the Miss Universe pageant. Reuters -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu and at the pageant. AFP -
Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira poses during the final round of the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo -
Miss Universe semifinalists pose on stage during the swimsuit competition of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel's southern Red Sea coastal city of Eilat. AFP -
US television host Steve Harvey hosts the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Judges Adriana Lima, left, and Lori Harvey at the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo
