Before becoming a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, Miss World 2017 and Bollywood actress Manushi Chhillar aspired to become a doctor. She recently recalled the challenging period when the medical entrance examination paper leak controversy affected her studies and mental well-being, saying she had to set aside many personal interests to pursue her goal of entering the medical profession.
Although Manushi Chhillar is now recognised in the glamour and entertainment industry, her initial career goal was to work in the medical field. Coming from a family of doctors, she wanted to pursue medical education and join the healthcare profession. However, developments surrounding the 2015 medical entrance examination created challenges for her plans.
Manushi said the decision to conduct the examination again completely changed her daily routine. During that period, she limited nearly all of her hobbies and social activities. She said she was a trained Kuchipudi dancer and also enjoyed painting. Spending time with friends and travelling to new places were among her favourite activities, but she stepped away from them to prioritise examination preparation.
According to her, for nearly a year, her life revolved around studying, coaching classes and preparation for the medical entrance examination. From morning until night, her focus remained on a single objective—qualifying in the medical entrance examination.
Manushi said her experience extended beyond her personal struggle. She noted that millions of students preparing for medical and other competitive examinations face similar pressure and challenges. During her preparation, she met students whose families had faced financial difficulties to arrange coaching, while many had moved from small towns to larger cities and were studying with limited resources.
She said many of these students had no alternative plan, with their future depending entirely on the outcome of a single examination. According to her, these experiences helped her understand that the pressure of competitive examinations affects students not only academically but also socially and economically.
The actress said it was natural to experience mental fatigue after prolonged preparation. She added that maintaining motivation becomes difficult when students have to continue preparing for additional months after already investing considerable effort.
She described her parents' support as the greatest source of strength during that period. According to Manushi, her parents advised her to spend at least one hour every day on physical activity. Whether playing basketball, going to the gym or exercising in another way, she said that one hour helped her remain mentally balanced and positive. She believes mental health and physical fitness are equally important for students preparing for competitive examinations.
Manushi said that after entering medical college, she realised the real challenge had only begun. She said clearing the entrance examination was only the first step, while medical education itself was far more demanding.
She recalled that senior students often joked that there were very few happy days in medical college because of the continuous academic pressure. Later, she realised it was not merely exhaustion but also mental burnout caused by pursuing the same goal for a prolonged period. According to her, just when she believed she had reached her destination, she realised another major journey lay ahead.
Over time, Manushi Chhillar changed the direction of her career and entered the world of beauty pageants. After winning the Miss World title in 2017, she gained international recognition and later entered the Indian film industry.
She made her Bollywood debut with the 2022 film Samrat Prithviraj. She subsequently appeared in The Great Indian Family, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Operation Valentine.
Manushi said that preparing for the medical entrance examination and the challenges associated with it taught her discipline, patience and the ability to perform under pressure. According to her, these qualities later became the foundation of her personal and professional journey.
