RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT BUZZ
Her journey into modelling began not with a desire for fame, but with curiosity and the support of friends. “Every girl wants to feel seen and beautiful, right?” says Sadhvi Sail, who recently won the Femina Miss India World 2026 held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Sail completed her education at Amrita Vidyalayam, Karwar, followed by the IB Diploma at Indus International School, Bengaluru. She later moved to Canada on a scholarship to study Economics and International Relations. “Those five years abroad were an awakening. They shaped how I communicate, how I carry myself, and gave me the confidence I have today,” she says.
She began her journey behind the camera as a photographer, before realising she loved being in front of it too. At first, lacking confidence, she leaned on her friends, who even accompanied her to auditions. Her first break came through a modelling hunt organised by fashion stylist and choreographer Prasad Bidapa. “Being selected by him was the first real validation I received. It made me believe in myself,” she shares.
While her first attempt in the pageant world for Miss Diva didn’t take her far, it taught her what the pageant world really demanded. “I had no formal training so I realised I wasn’t ready. I had to work on fitness, stage presence, and everything else,” she recalls.
Her participation in the Face of Chennai became the turning point in building her confidence. By the time she auditioned for Femina Miss India, she had transformed her approach. “I was 24, turning 25. It felt like my last chance, so I went all in. I committed fully to training, nutrition, and fitness,” she says.
Preparation, she explains, was about refinement rather than reinvention. “I had to unlearn certain habits and refine how I present myself,” she says. “Representing a state is also about understanding its culture.” She focused on improving her walk, learning traditions and engaging the audience, while staying true to who she is.
Looking back, Sail remembers the moment she first allowed herself to believe she could win. “On April 6, before Bhubaneswar, I filmed a video telling myself, ‘I might actually win’. I didn’t want to confuse hope with reality but I think sincerity and authenticity in how I presented myself made the difference,” she says, adding that she believes the Q&A round played a crucial role in setting her apart. “Being in the top eight was already a big achievement. I stayed present, answered honestly and that authenticity made a
difference,” she says.
One of the toughest aspects of the competition, she further adds, was maintaining clarity and confidence without constant reassurance. “You don’t always get validation in that environment. You have to trust yourself.” Every day brought moments of doubt, she says, but she learned to stay present and keep moving forward.
Winning the crown, she says, is surreal but humbling. “It’s a celebration but also a responsibility. People from across India have reached out to wish me well. I feel grateful, and I want to do justice to this opportunity.”
With Miss World ahead, Sail has already begun intensive preparation. Her routine includes etiquette training, personal branding, skincare, stage presence, and communication. She is also working on deepening her understanding of India’s diverse cultures to represent the country authentically.
Even in an industry centred on image, she is clear about her priorities. She says, “The way I tell my stories is something I will never compromise on. Every story is unique and I want to honour that fully.”
Away from the spotlight, she turns to sketching as a creative outlet. “It clears my mind and gives me clarity. I’m a creative person, and I need that form of expression,” she says.
Her grounding, she says, comes from her family. Her grandmother raised four daughters through tailoring, while her grandfather worked as a constable. “They made sure education came first,” she says. She also finds inspiration in everyday life in Goa. “I think of fishermen heading out every morning without knowing what they’ll get. That consistency, despite uncertainty, stays with you,” she says.
Looking ahead, Sail is open to exploring different opportunities. “I want to see where this journey takes me,” she says. Acting is not an immediate priority, though she is open to the right project if it arises. “If I do a film, I’d want it to be something substantial,” she says, adding that if she weren’t modelling, she would likely work in architecture or interior design.
