Meet Milappreet Singh Chahal. He was born in Faridkot, Punjab and later moved to England. Standing 6’2” tall, he is an actor and content creator based in Birmingham. He holds two diplomas, one in Performing Arts and another in Psychology. At 18 years of age, he is the youngest candidate this year, competing for the title of Mr. India Universe. Milap is a polyglot and knows 4 languages including Punjabi, Hindi, English and French. Life took a sharp turn when he relocated abroad. To support himself and his family, he took up multiple jobs, often working long hours and back-to-back shifts.
Those years tested his endurance, both physically and mentally. He went through phases of stress, weight loss and even silent battles with depression and anxiety. Yet, these challenges became the foundation of his resilience and determination. Through every struggle, one passion remained constant—his love for performing. Modelling, acting, and creative expression kept his inner drive alive and eventually he got a role in his first feature film. His background in psychology also gave him a deeper understanding of people, which he often channels into his performances. Today, Milap is carving his path in the world of acting and content creation, bringing with him the discipline of hard work and the vision of someone who has endured and overcome.
Here’s an exclusive interview with him.
Q1: You are a national finalist of the Mr. India Universe. How do you feel about it?
Answer: I feel very excited, proud, and aware of the huge responsibility that comes with being a national finalist of Mr. India Universe. This moment is a dream come true for me, and it motivates me to give my best in every step ahead. I see this as not just a personal achievement, but also as an opportunity to represent my values, inspire others, and carry myself with dignity and confidence throughout this journey.
Q2: What strategy or approach did you follow while preparing for the national finale?
Answer: Coming from a small town, my approach to preparing for the national finale has been focused on self-improvement and consistent personal growth. I treated every day as an opportunity to learn something new about myself and the world around me. I worked on developing my personality, communication skills, grooming, and stage presence, because I believe a Mr. India finalist should be confident, well-rounded, and able to inspire others. Along with skills, I focused on building patience, resilience, and a positive mindset to stay composed under pressure. I also made sure to stay aware of social issues and current affairs, because I feel a titleholder should be responsible and ready to use this platform for meaningful impact. This journey has taught me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of staying grounded, and it has prepared me to give my very best on the national stage.
Q3: Who or what has been your greatest support system throughout your journey?
Answer: My greatest support system throughout this journey has been my family. Their constant encouragement, guidance, and belief in me have kept me motivated during challenging times. They celebrated my small victories and helped me stay focused whenever I faced doubts or setbacks. Gave me honest feedback, and helped me grow not just as a contestant, but as a person. This journey has shown me that while hard work and dedication are essential, having a strong support system makes every challenge easier to overcome and every achievement more meaningful.
Q4: What was the biggest challenge you faced during your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Answer: One of the biggest challenges I faced during this journey was managing self-doubt while also carrying the responsibilities of my family. There were times I felt low and even went through phases of depression, because I had to balance my passion with the pressure of earning money and working long hours to support my family. It was not easy to stay motivated when I was mentally and physically exhausted. I overcame this by reminding myself of my purpose and focusing on small steps of self-improvement every day. Discipline, consistency, and the constant support of my family helped me push through those tough times. Instead of letting the pressure break me, I used it as fuel to grow stronger.
This journey has taught me that no matter how heavy the responsibilities or challenges may feel, with determination and the right mindset, you can rise above them and turn your struggles into strength.
Q5: Please take us through your off-camera life. What other things keep you occupied in your everyday life?
Answer: My life off camera is very simple and focused on responsibilities. Most of my free time goes into working overtime so I can support my family and manage my goals. It keeps me busy, but it has also taught me the value of discipline, time management, and hard work. Apart from work, I spend time with my family whenever possible, because they are my biggest strength. I also make space for fitness, reading, modeling, acting, photography, and personal growth, as these things help me stay balanced and positive. Even though my everyday life is not glamorous, it keeps me grounded, motivated, and constantly pushing myself to achieve more.
Q6: What are the qualities that you believe set you apart from the other candidates who are competing for the title this year?
Answer: Every contestant brings something unique, but what sets me apart is my ability to stay grounded under pressure. I don’t just want to win a title—I want to use this platform to inspire others to believe in their inner strength and to rewrite their own stories. I also value sincerity and genuine connections. I try to understand people, listen to their stories, and support others whenever I can. I believe this combination of inner strength, humility, and empathy makes me stand out—not just as a contestant, but as someone who wants to make a meaningful impact. I don’t usually like to speak about my own qualities. In my opinion, actions speak louder than words, so I prefer to let people experience who I am and see for themselves what I truly stand for.
Q7: What are your hobbies and areas of interest?
Answer: I like to stay active and engaged in things that help me grow as a person. My hobbies include spending quality time with my family, photography—especially capturing the beauty of nature—listening to old music, going to the gym, modeling, and acting. I also enjoy buying gifts for my family just to see their happy smiles, which always motivates me. My areas of interest include fashion and clothing design, exploring creative ideas for outfits, reading and learning about new topics, and observing people’s stories to understand different perspectives. These hobbies and interests help me stay balanced, disciplined, and motivated, while continuously growing both personally and professionally.
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