When we hear the term “Mr. India,” we instinctively picture a strikingly handsome man walking down a runway in high-fashion attire, and that is often where our imagination stops. This narrow image has long shaped how the title is perceived. By traditional standards, this stereotypical image of Mr. India is true to an extent. Over the years, India has witnessed the rise of several Mr. India titleholders from different parts of the country. Some managed to carve a lasting place in the people’s hearts and minds, while others quietly faded into obscurity, remembered only as fleeting moments in the beauty pageant history. Then came the year 2025, introducing a Mr. India titleholder unlike any before him. What set this winner apart was his unprecedented distinction: he was truly one of a kind. As of February 2026, no other man in India shares the title with him, nor does he have a predecessor. He became the first ever to hold the historic title of “Mr. India Universe.”
Bishan Madappa was crowned Mr. India Universe in 2025, and his victory stood out due to several historic distinctions. In 2024, Glamanand Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a leading beauty pageant organization and talent agency, acquired the franchise rights to select India’s representative(s) for the world’s largest international beauty pageant—Miss Universe. This acquisition led to the establishment of the Miss Universe India competition under the Glamanand Group. The following year, the organization expanded its vision by launching a similar platform for Indian men under the Miss Universe India Organization, naming it Mr. India Universe. Thus, the first-ever Mr. India Universe competition came into existence—nearly 72 years after the crowning of the first Miss India Universe.
What further sets Bishan apart is the fact that, while many titleholders begin their modelling careers after winning the Mr. India title, he is the only Mr. India in history to have already established a successful modelling career even before earning the title. He had walked the runway at almost all the major fashion events in India and had already worked with several high-profile brands; yet, despite coming with a great deal of experience in the same industry, he remained humble, polite, and always listened patiently to every instruction given to him.
In August 2025, Bishan was selected for the national finals of Mr. India Universe, and in October 2025, he travelled to Jaipur for the final event. But this decision wasn’t an easy one. He had to leave 2 major commercial assignments - a runway show and a brand shoot - to participate in the Mr. India competition due to clashing dates. He stood out from the rest from the very inception of the competition. With his grey-brown eyes and a very tall, radiant physique, he attracted the attention of every individual he passed by. However, keeping aside his handsome looks, it was his disciplined demeanour, intelligence, and sincerity that truly helped him enter people’s hearts. He possessed the knowledge of 7 different languages and could speak to all the candidates in the language they were most comfortable with, which is why he befriended almost every contestant in the competition. During the interview round, where Miss Universe India 2025 Manika Vishwakarma and the founder of the competition, Nikhil Anand, were seated as judges, Bishan answered every question with remarkable calmness, clarity, and intelligence, leaving a strong impression on both the jury. While many candidates got carried away in the hectic flow of the competition due to multiple shoots and pre-finale activities, Bishan still managed to follow a very strict routine. He would wake up at 6 in the morning, go to the gym and swimming every day, and go to sleep by 9:30 at night, unless any activity stretched for longer hours. Throughout the competition, he followed a strict diet plan to stay in shape and maintain his skin, and did not consume any products containing artificial sugar. Due to long hours of photoshoots and multiple outfit changes, anyone could feel tired or irritated. However, this young man always maintained a calm face with a subtle smile. Even amid the fast-paced schedule of the event, he always made sure he looked his best. Every time he stepped out of his room, he was appropriately dressed, with not even a single strand of hair out of place. His professionalism was admired by all the teams working with him during the competition, as well as by the hotel staff, whom he regularly greeted while passing through the hallways. By the time the final day of the event arrived, Bishan had already created a place for himself in everyone’s hearts.
It was October 13, 2025, when the grand finale of Mr. India Universe 2025 took place in Jaipur. The event witnessed a historic, never-seen-before moment when Bishan went on to win three major special awards—Best in Formal Wear, Best Runway Model, and Top Model. With every appearance he made on centre stage, the applause grew louder. The defining moment of the evening arrived when Lance Raymundo, the host of the event, announced Bishan’s name as the first-ever Mr. India Universe. His victory was warmly received by the audience and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Indian pageant industry. Following his victory, Bishan shared a special message with his supporters, appearing in the traditional attire of his community. This gesture reflected how deeply connected he remained to his roots, even while embracing modernity and achieving remarkable success on a national platform. While he had no predecessor to look up to, future candidates vying to succeed him will now have one.
Image source: Glamanand Group and Bishan Madappa
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