Hyderabad: Bollywood actor Manushi Chhillar opened up about her emotional journey after she had to retake her medical entrance examination following a paper leak in 2015.
Speaking on actor Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Manushi said she had to set aside everything she loved, including Kuchipudi and painting, to focus entirely on cracking the medical entrance exam.
“I had parents who had gone through the same journey years ago, so I was mentally prepared for the process. But it was still incredibly difficult because I had to sacrifice everything that brought me joy. I was a Kuchipudi dancer, I loved painting, and I had to put all of that aside for a year to focus entirely on my entrance exam,” she said.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of being asked to prepare longer after months of hard work, she added, “When you’re told that after months of preparation you have to continue for another 45 days, you wonder how much more you have left to give. But I also recognise that I had immense privilege and support. One thing my parents insisted on was an hour of exercise every day, no matter what. Whether it was basketball or going to the gym, it gave me an outlet, helped me stay connected to people outside the exam bubble, and protected my mental health. Many of my peers didn’t have that luxury.”
Manushi Chhillar was crowned Miss World 2017, becoming the sixth Indian to win the prestigious title. She made her Bollywood debut in 2022 with Samrat Prithviraj, starring opposite Akshay Kumar.