Meet Samarth Rajendra Chaudhari, 26, born in Amravati, Maharashtra, and raised in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He is currently based in Mumbai. A Bachelor of Arts graduate specialising in History, Samarth is an actor and model fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and English. Standing 6’1” tall, he is trained in acting, dancing, singing, air pistol and rifle shooting, and mudgar practices. His accomplishments include winning the Mr. Aurangabad title in 2015, finishing as 1st Runner-Up at a prestigious modelling competition held in Mumbai in 2017, and working with Trimurti Films under the mentorship of filmmaker Rajiv Rai.
Samarth’s fascination with theatre and performing arts began at a young age and soon expanded into modelling and acting. Coming from a middle-class family, he took bold steps to pursue his passion—working in different fields, from gym training to art departments on sets, while striving to establish himself in the industry. His resilience carried him through challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 and a serious medical condition that temporarily silenced him. Now, after years of persistence and learning, Samarth returns to the pageant stage as a National Finalist of Mister India 2025. For him, this milestone is not just a competition but the continuation of a journey defined by risk, recovery, and relentless dedication to his craft.
Here's an exclusive interview with him.
Q. You are a national finalist for Mr. India Universe how do you feel about it?
Answer: It's an incredible honour to be a national finalist. This almost feels unreal. It has been my lifelong dream to represent India on a global stage, and after giving 10 years to the entertainment industry, this opportunity tells me that my hard work is finally paying off. I have this mixed feeling of pride, gratitude, and a new energy to pursue my dream. But it's not just about a title or my dream; this gives me an incredible platform to inspire and empower many and truly be a voice to make a positive impact, no matter how small. So, I'll advocate for social issues that need attention in today's world. In India, a country with diverse cultures and geographical wonders, we all know how we just love sports like cricket and Kabaddi and passionately support our teams from the states. I am no different. Today on this stage, I feel the same excitement being on the other side and representing my state, my city, and my culture. And I'm really looking forward to the experience I will have during the Mr. India Universe competition, where the best of all India will compete towards the same goal with the same purpose and enthusiasm. I believe we'll build a brotherly bond and have a healthy competition. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience where we will learn valuable lessons from each other. Regardless of the outcome of the competition, being a top national finalist of India is itself an incredible achievement, and I believe it will open a new, interesting, and exciting chapter in my life.
Q.What strategy or approach did you follow while preparing?
Answer: To prepare for this competition, I wanted to excel in every aspect of life. I adhered to a strict regimen, focusing on a disciplined diet, consistent workouts, a dedicated skincare routine, and a regular sleep schedule to ensure my physical appearance is at its peak. I even set up an affordable, multifunctional gym in my bedroom. I recognized that the Mr. India Universe competition required more than just a good physique. To be a well-rounded candidate, I dedicated time to continuous learning, staying informed about global events, and broadening my general knowledge. In our household, it's a usual practice to discuss science, current affairs, and historical facts over dinner. I practiced my ramp walk and poses extensively to ensure confidence and grace on stage. In addition to that, I regularly honed my acting skills to be more expressive and versatile, as I believe this is a crucial part of my overall persona. It's hard for some people to believe me when I tell them I have a workout for my face too, and let me tell you that one has to make weird faces while exercising. I focused on improving my public speaking skills to articulate my thoughts clearly and confidently during interviews and on-stage questions. I've also very closely studied almost all the videos I could find about previous pageants. I understood that mental stability is just as important as physical preparation. I often meditated in nature to maintain a calm and focused mind, which helped me handle the pressure of such a large-scale event. I used to take solo camping trips that would help me discover opportunities to develop myself that I otherwise couldn't. To de-stress and maintain a positive mindset, I engaged in my favourite activities, which included listening to old Bollywood classics, Ghazals, and Qawwali, and playing eSports. Or sometimes I would just go for quiet walks or read books while sitting under the stars; these getaways helped me stay relaxed and grounded throughout the preparation process.
Q.Who or what has been your greatest support system throughout your journey?
Answer: Moving back to my hometown from Mumbai was the best decision I could have made to prepare for this competition. Being surrounded by my greatest support system—my loving family and childhood friends—has allowed me to truly focus on becoming the best version of myself. My family has been incredible. My mother and sister-in-law prepared amazing diet meals for me, proving that a great physique is made in the kitchen. They also helped me gather and prepare my costumes, keeping my spirits high throughout the process. I believe no nutrition can outmatch a mother's care. My father and brother were invaluable in helping me sharpen my public speaking skills. They would listen to my preparations and share their experiences and insights. We spent hours discussing everything from science and historical facts to current affairs, which has kept me mentally sharp. My dog, Caesar, our youngest and cutest family member, has been my constant source of emotional support. Whenever I felt stressed or overwhelmed, a simple hug from him was enough to wash away all my worries. Taking him for walks and playing fetch is my daily dose of happiness. Finally, after a long day with a tight schedule, unwinding with my childhood friends has been a perfect way to recharge. Sharing ideas, thoughts, and having a good laugh with them always brings back my inner child, reminding me to enjoy the journey.
Q.What was the biggest challenge you faced during your journey and how did you overcome it?
Answer: At a very young age, I knew my heart belonged to the performing arts. I used to participate in theatre and Nukkad Natak (street plays), and everyone knew about my dream. Because of this, I faced countless criticism from many relatives, classmates, and even teachers. Everyone told me that coming from a small city, I couldn't achieve anything in the entertainment industry. But I never let their negative voices affect me, and I silenced them with my achievements. I started my journey from the ground level. When I came to Mumbai, I didn't know where to start looking for work. I started roaming the streets of Mumbai, visiting every casting office and production house. I stumbled upon an overwhelming number of fake casting offices and productions that would tell you that you got the job, and after giving you hope, they would ask for money. Sometimes, they would even call you for an audition just to make fun of you. But after a few years, I could tell who was genuine just by their address. When I won a renowned modelling competition in Mumbai in 2017, I started getting some genuine work. But at a critical stage of my career, I suffered a ligament injury in my knee, which took almost a year to recover from. Right after that, COVID struck, and all shoots and everything stopped. For a freelance artist, it was a really hard time. But instead of getting depressed, I slowly started to gain my knee strength back and focused on personal development. The lockdown was hard for everyone, and I can't imagine what some people went through. I was lucky to have my family's support, and thankfully, my family was safe during those hard times. After COVID, I started working as an intern on an art direction team to support myself in Mumbai. At one of these art direction projects, I got a lead that the legendary Trimurti Productions was back after almost two decades and was looking for new theatre actors. To my surprise and absolute joy, I was cast in one of the projects and did my first film project as an actor. That journey was truly a life-changing experience for me. The film was stuck in post-production for two years because of some issues. In the meantime, I did some cameo roles in a Marathi serial and continued to go for auditions as usual. While searching for work, I landed the lead role in a Marathi film opposite a great Marathi actor whom I had looked up to since childhood. It was like a dream come true. I was full of excitement and immediately started working on the script and characterization for the lead. I was playing a classical singer's role, and after about two months of preparation, the muhurat day (the first day of the shoot) was getting close. I had an itch in my throat, and my voice was becoming too husky, so I went to an ENT to get it checked. Just two days before the shoot, I was diagnosed with a vocal cord injury, and doctors were not sure whether it was a vocal cord cyst or cancer. So, I was suggested to remain completely silent for the next three months and take proper medication. The worst had happened. I lost my first movie break as a lead, and right around that time, the girl whom I thought I would marry broke up with me. I was shattered; it felt like I lost everything in one day. With my broken self, I came to my hometown. Everyone was asking me what happened since I had posted about my movie, and I couldn't talk, so I was showing written notes to my family and friends about what I had gone through. At first, I was too sad and couldn't express myself to anyone. But I thought to myself, I always wanted to attend a Vipassana centre (an ancient Indian technique of meditation), and this is the challenge life has given me: to remain completely silent for three months in the normal world. Let me tell you, for the first few days, every time someone was having a conversation at home or when I was with my friends, I wanted to join in. It was like an itch you couldn't scratch. I had so much to talk about, but after some time, I got used to it. In those three months, I read books and learned to enjoy every small thing in life. Those months taught me life's most valuable lesson: to remain calm and have patience in any kind of situation. Luckily, I don't know how—was it a placebo effect? Maybe I had recovered, though that injury changed my voice and made it a little husky. In a way, I was reborn. After everything that has happened throughout my life, every challenge that I have faced where I thought, "this is it," life had other plans. That journey has made me into who I am today, and I pledge to myself to never give up until I reach my goals.
Q.Please take us through your off-camera life what other things keep you occupied in your everyday life?
Answer: After being on this journey for the past 10 years, I have learned a very valuable lesson: everything takes time and will happen when it's supposed to. You can't rush anything. In the early days of my career, I used to be very impatient. When a casting director or director gave me positive feedback on my audition, I would think I would surely get the role this time. I used to make my life miserable waiting for that call, but I've learned that worry will only slow you down. Now I know the only things we can do are work on ourselves, learn something new every day, and be our best. To keep myself positive and calm, I find happiness in every small thing. When I'm not on set or on my day off, you'll find me singing old Bollywood classics, ghazals, and Qawwalis. I love to dance, especially to Shammi Kapoor's songs. Or you'll see me diving into a good book. I read mystery, suspense, horror, and books about acting and history. I've just started reading philosophical books, too. I love watching movies and web series, and my favourite thing to do is watch informative videos about ongoing innovations, new discoveries in science, astronomy, and history. I don't particularly love cooking, but I cook tasty food and believe everyone should know how to cook. I can challenge anyone to make a better roti than me, ha-ha. I'm a little OCD, so cleaning my place while listening to my favourite tunes is like meditation for me. I'm a big-time traveller. I love to go on treks with my family; we do nomadic camping, too. I think one day I'll quit everything and just go live in nature. I'm a big fan of outdoor sports and I never miss a chance to play outside. I'm also kind of a fitness freak, so doing traditional Mudgar practice and going to the gym is in my daily schedule. I come from a family that believes in DIY. We do all kinds of work at home, whether it be fixing electronics or plumbing. My brother and I love to build innovative furniture whenever we get time together. I was really fascinated by the show "Forged in Fire," which aired on History TV18, and I would love to learn how to forge a sword if I got the chance. My mother founded the Deepshikha Foundation, our family NGO, and we've been working for 15 years on environmental sustainability, women's empowerment, and providing education and essential needs to underprivileged children. Whenever I get free time, I join, and we work to make our society a better place. I will definitely use this incredible platform that I have as a national finalist of Mr. India Universe to continue our work on a national level.
Q.What are the qualities that you believe sets you apart from the other candidates who are competing for the title this year?
Answer: I believe what sets me apart from other candidates is the experience and knowledge I've gained on my journey. I studied in a vernacular school where children from every background came together and became brothers, sharing their thoughts and struggles. Because of this, I believe I can connect with anyone easily today. From a very young age, I was drawn to the performing arts. From the first play I performed, where I was a tree, to working with one of Bollywood's top directors, Rajiv Rai, this journey has taught me many things. It's not just about the artistic side; the struggles I've been through—the countless hours I spent traveling on Mumbai's local trains and roaming its streets—have shown me countless stories. I believe Mumbai is a city where you can meet people from all over the world and learn from them. My understanding of not just human history but also the idea of how the universe came to has always captivated my interest. History has been my favourite subject since childhood, and I still learn something new every day. I believe that as a human civilization, we can't build a better future without learning from our past. History gives us a better understanding of how human emotions have shaped events, how great civilizations built their empires, and what caused their destruction. This knowledge gives us a chance to not repeat those mistakes and build a better, more prosperous, and sustainable future. Since childhood, I have asked a lot of "why" questions about how everything came to be. I was always asking my teachers and family, and when they couldn't answer my strange questions, I tried to find the answers for myself. My interest in astronomy led me to learn a lot about the universe. I closely watched the launch of the much-awaited James Webb Telescope in 2021, which gave us a new understanding of the universe and is still presenting us with new mysteries to unravel. We are witnessing an incredible era of innovation, and every innovation has happened because someone had the courage to ask "why." I go the extra mile to exceed expectations and achieve perfection in every task I perform. When I was shooting for my upcoming movie in Rajasthan, I was portraying a prince. To dive deeper into my character, I used to visit nearby forts and historical sites and interact with locals to learn about their culture, which helped me a lot. I believe this journey has given me a multifaceted perspective on everything I do. In addition, my perseverance, dedication, and discipline are key parts of my personality. When I set a goal for myself, it doesn't matter how many challenges I must face; I won't give up until I achieve it. I'll also make sure my actions don't harm anyone, because kindness matters, and that's what makes us good human beings. I believe this sets me apart from the crowd and makes me a competitive person in this competition.
Q.What are your hobbies and area of interest?
Answer: I'm just a regular '90s kid who was fascinated by the incredible era we grew up in. I have many hobbies, including reading, singing, dancing, swimming, trekking, camping, DIY activities, gardening, and air pistol and rifle shooting. I love all kinds of outdoor sports. I used to sketch a lot as a child; it's a hobby that's been lost in time, but I'm trying hard to revive it.
When it comes to reading, I love to read about acting, history, scientific facts, and ongoing innovations. Additionally, I love reading murder mysteries, suspense, and horror to keep my mind amused. As an actor, when I read anything, I can see an entire film in my imagination, which keeps my mind on the edge of creativity. At some point in my career, I'd like to write and direct too. Singing and dancing have always been my favourite ways to relax. All my worries and stress get washed away when I do them. Because of my vocal cord injury, I can't sing as before, but I'm sure with time and proper exercise, it will get better. As for dancing, well, I have learned different styles, but the joy I get from dancing like Govinda is on another level. I'm a big-time outdoorsy person. I love going for treks, camping with my family, or just gardening in our big garden. In fact, I believe we humans are meant to be in nature—it's what gives us a healthy body and mind. But sadly, we've spent thousands of years perfecting the indoors. It's ironic, isn't it? As we work for environmental sustainability through our NGO, we run tree plantation programs. We don't just plant trees; we ensure we nurture them, too. I love playing all kinds of outdoor sports, especially cricket and football. Sadly, as I'm growing up, I have fewer friends who are willing to take part in actual sports. I do play eSports, too, but it's nothing compared to playing on the field. I love swimming so much that I'm surely going to get a scuba diving license soon. As I said in my earlier answer, I come from a family that believes in DIY, so most of our weekends are spent together, planning and making something from scratch. Buying cool stuff is okay, but making things from scratch with your own imagination is oddly satisfying. My main areas of interest are history and astronomy. History gives us wisdom like a parent, while astronomy gives us hope and curiosity to ask "why," like an ambitious little child. In summer and winter, when the sky is clear, we spend our nights observing the universe through our telescope. Seeing planets with your own eyes is a feeling I can't express, but one thing is for sure: it makes our minds boggle and ask lots of questions. I believe advancements in the field of astronomy are the way to the future for our human civilization.
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