Some stories are written long before a man even realises he is living them. For Bishan Madappa, fulfilling a great destiny was not a sudden arrival - it was a silent companion walking beside him from the beginning. Anyone who has seen the determination of this Kodava boy growing up in the mists of Coorg would say the same - This boy was destined for something bigger in life. Bishan was born into the proud Kodava family, where valor, tradition and a fierce sense of cultural identity are passed down through generations. It felt almost preordained that he would one day carve his name into history – and on October 13, 2025, he did just that by becoming the first-ever Mr. India Universe, a moment that would never get repeated in future.
While growing up, he showed sparks at a very early age. During his school years, he shone brightly not just in academics but on the sports field as well. He was elected sports captain in both 9th and 10th grade, not because he campaigned for it — but because the students simply knew he was great at every sport he played. Sports and athletics became his first calling. After schooling, he was selected to train under DYES (Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports), Government of India. He left his home and moved into the DYES Hostel. His dream was to represent India in sports. But a serious knee injury threatened to derail him. After surgery, he made a courageous comeback and played at the 9th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship in 2019. Each achievement felt like another sign from destiny, guiding him.
While he dreamt of representing India in sports, his father also had a dream, the dream of seeing him in a military uniform, like many Kodavas before him. Bishan tried to make that dream real and attempted to join the Indian Defence Services. He appeared for the selection process but could not qualify the main round, thus, putting an end to his journey there. It might came across as a heartbreak for him however, life does not stop. Just like every ending has a new beginning, Bishan completed his college education and tried to start a new life in Bengaluru as a corporate employee.
While he worked in Bengaluru, destiny was already playing its cards and planning his life’s next chapter. One afternoon, while he was walking outside his workplace during lunch break, someone saw him and asked if he had ever considered a career in modelling. One comment. One moment. One doorway. He took the chance and landed his first project, thus commencing a new journey as a professional model.
In 2023, he won a prestigious modelling competition and eventually became a well-known face in modelling industry. From walking down the fashion runways to campaign shoots, Bishan became a full-time professional model, leaving behind his corporate job. He witnessed transitions is every stage of his life and each transition brought new challenges and achievements with it.
Then came 2025 — the year everything aligned. It was the month of June when he was selected as a national finalist of the first ever Mr. India Universe competition. For the first time in the history of India, the Mr. India Universe competition was being organized by the Miss Universe India organization as its male counterpart event. Upon receiving the news of his selection as a finalist, Bishan was initially hesitant if he should go this year or perhaps return the following year with better preparations. He was almost on the verge of withdrawing from the competition when his family convinced him to go. That was the moment when everything changed.
On October 5, 2025, he travelled to Jaipur for the first ever Mr. India Universe competition. Although he came with an extensive experience in the fashion industry and a very strong portfolio as a professional model, he never let his success get to his head. He was always humble and conducted himself with immense professionalism with everyone during the competition. His likeable personality and calm demeanour was admired by everyone, even his fellow candidates who also considered him a worthy pick for the winner’s title.
It was the evening of October 13, 2025, when, in Jaipur, history was created when Bishan Madappa was named the first winner of the Mr. India Universe competition. Alongside winning the title, he also won 3 special awards (Best in formal wear, Best Runway Model and Top Model). His victory was very well-received by everyone and made him a very loved face of the Kodava community as the same community gave India its first Mr. India Universe titleholder.
Coming from the small town of Virajpet in Coorg to becoming a highly admired history maker, Bishan Madappa’s story is not just about success. It is about destiny fulfilled with determination. And destiny, it seems, always knew exactly where he was meant to stand.
Image source: Glamanand Group.
Photography by VJ Suraj.
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