Meet Devesh Sharma, 24, standing 5’10’ tall, from Kolkata, West Bengal. Belonging to a Marwari family, Devesh is a graduate in B.Com (Hons) and currently works as a fitness trainer and model. A former hockey player, he is skilled in dance and calisthenics and is fluent in English, Hindi and Bengali. His journey has been shaped by personal challenges, including a career-halting ACL injury, which taught him resilience and patience.
Breaking away from traditional family expectations, Devesh became the first in his home to pursue a career in modelling, fitness and even make a television appearance as an outsider purely on his own merit. Inspired and supported by his elder brother, Devesh now aims to inspire others by proving that with self-belief and consistency, no dream is too far. He believes that greatness begins the day you stop waiting for approval and start moving with purpose.
Here’s an exclusive interview with him.
Q You are a national finalist of the Mr. India Universe. How do you feel about it?
Answer: I feel very fortunate and proud to be a national finalist of Mr. India Universe. This is not just a title, but a recognition of my dreams, my hard work, and my struggle. Now that I have reached this stage, one thing comes straight from the heart, dreams do come true, you just need faith and hard work.
Q. What strategy or approach did you follow while preparing for the national finale?
Answer: My approach or strategy, I would say that when I gave the auditions, there was only one thing on my mind that I’m not here just to win, but to serve a purpose. So, the key was to stay as true to myself as possible and to express exactly how I feel. By being genuine and honest, I wanted to connect with people on a deeper level so they could truly understand my purpose.
Q. Who or what has been your greatest support system throughout your journey?
Answer: In my journey, my biggest support system has been my elder brother. He is not just a brother, but also my mentor, guide, and biggest cheerleader. He has always pushed me to become the best version of myself, never let me give up, and encouraged me at every step. Without his guidance and emotional support, I probably wouldn’t have reached where I am today.
Q What was the biggest challenge you faced during your journey and how did you overcome it?
Answer: If I talk about the biggest challenge, it was that I was an outsider here, I didn’t know anyone and I didn’t know how to take the first step or find work. For me, that was a very difficult phase. I spent months without any work. But then I joined the fitness industry, where I started posting my videos. People saw them, appreciated my efforts, and that’s how I got opportunities and work.
Q. Please take us through your off camera life. What other things keep you occupied in your everyday life?
Answer: Off camera, my life is quite simple and grounded. I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Fitness is my passion, so my day starts with my gym session. I also love trying new things, and recently I started calisthenics, which has been really fun. Apart from that, I enjoy cooking, so whenever I have a cheat day, I like to make something special at home.
Q. What are the qualities that you believe set you apart from the other candidates who are competing for the title this year?
Answer: I’m quite new to this industry, and what I’ve observed and understood so far is that most people tend to follow a set path. But since I’m new here, I believe I can hold on to my own thoughts and beliefs strongly without getting influenced easily. I also believe that one should express what they truly feel, and that’s something I’m naturally good at. I can connect with people easily, understand them, and adapt to any environment and I think that’s a quality essential for long-term survival in this field.
Q. What are your hobbies and areas of interests?
Answer: I’m really passionate about fitness not just as a routine, but as a lifestyle. I enjoy exploring different forms of training like calisthenics, strength training, and even outdoor sports like football , hockey , basketball. Recently, I’ve also started enjoying cooking, I love trying out new dishes and experimenting in the kitchen. And ever since my childhood, I’ve had a strong love for dancing. I may not be a trained dancer, but if someone teaches me, I can actually pick up and nail the dance routine pretty well.
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