Mumbai, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actress and former beauty queen Urvashi Rautela shared an emotional tribute to Sushmita Sen after joining the former Miss Universe on the judging panel of Miss Universe India 2026.
Urvashi served as a judge at the national pageant for the fourth consecutive time. She described the occasion as particularly meaningful because she was able to share the stage with Sushmita, whom she considers her first mentor and guru.
“Sharing this moment with my first mentor, my guru, and our first-ever Miss Universe, Sushmita Sen, makes it infinitely more special,” Urvashi said.
Recalling her coronation, she said Sushmita had played an important role in giving her confidence and encouragement.
“She was the woman who gave me the wings to fly; when she personally crowned me on my coronation night, which is the rarest thing as she never does it, it became one of the most surreal and cherished moments of my life,” she added.
Urvashi said Sushmita’s faith in her has remained deeply meaningful over the years.
“I still wonder why she chose to believe in me, but perhaps some blessings are not meant to be explained, only cherished,” she said, expressing gratitude to God, her parents, family, fans and loved ones, along with Sushmita.
“I owe a gratitude that words can barely contain. Some dreams are achieved, others transcend imagination. This feels like the latter,” she added.
Urvashi also drew attention at the event with her tricolour gown, which she described as a reflection of her pride in being Indian.
She said her team had informed her that her fourth consecutive appearance as a judge at Miss Universe India had created a world record and made history, adding that she felt “truly humbled and profoundly grateful”.
Recalling an earlier interaction at Cannes, Urvashi said an international journalist had asked her what India meant to her, to which she had instinctively replied, “I am India.”
“Today, while judging Miss Universe India 2026 in a tricolour gown, those words feel even more profound. I am immensely proud to be Indian,” she said.
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