India’s Miss TGPC · Season 14 · Finalist No. 02

Karuna Gulati

Commerce Graduate · Model · Actor · Chandigarh

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Meet Karuna Gulati, a 21-year-old commerce graduate, model, and actor from Chandigarh with deep roots in Punjab. She grew from a shy girl into a confident and resilient young woman who now feels most alive in front of the camera and on stage. Every challenge has shaped her ability to learn, adapt, and flourish with grace. Fondly called “Mannat” by her parents, Karuna carries their unwavering trust as her greatest strength. Her faith in God has been her anchor, guiding and strengthening her through every step of the way.

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If your journey in India’s Miss TGPC Season 14 was a movie, what would the title be?

I think the most apt movie title to describe my journey would be “Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gham.” The past 45 days have been a rollercoaster of emotions, learnings, to-do lists, and what not. Some days were sunny where I was ahead of schedule, while on others things didn’t go as planned and I would be completely exhausted and drained. But even the tough days proved to be a sweet pain.

What’s one thing people completely misunderstand about you at first impression?

I think it would be that people often assume I am very naïve and gullible — to the extent that they can take advantage of me and treat me however they want. But the truth is, I mostly observe everything around me silently, and I’m well aware of what is happening. People often take my sweetness as my weakness or stupidity.

Which round of the competition made you feel the most powerful?

I think the Talent Round. It was 5:30 am in the morning and one of my friends was helping me record. I enjoyed shooting and living that particular scene a lot. Acting to me has always been such a magical and thrilling experience. It is what I am, and it makes me feel aligned with myself and hence powerful.

“Acting is what I am — it makes me feel aligned with myself and hence powerful.”

What’s your “cannot survive without this” pageant essential?

A crepe bandage for my feet and some first aid bandages. Gotta recover after being in heels the entire day. Beauty is pain after all — it ain’t easy, but we beauty queens make it look easy and effortless.

If you could swap lives with any beauty queen for one day, who would it be and why?

Harnaaz Sandhu, especially the day she won the 3rd Miss Universe crown for India after 21 years. The press conference, the work, the celebrations that followed — that surreal feeling, I really want to experience it all. Plus, she’s into acting, so I resonate with her a lot more.

What has this season taught you about confidence?

One thing I have realised is that the key to everything in life mostly lies in your mindset. You can do anything, achieve everything, and even present yourself in a certain way if you have the mindset for it. And the harder I work, the more preparation I do with positivity, the more confident I feel.

One word that describes your current crownzone mindset?

“Going all out for it.” If it were easy, everybody would have had it — and because it’s not easy, that makes it worth having even more.

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⚡ Rapid Fire

• Heels or flats? Heels
• Ramp walk or photoshoot? Ramp walk
• Black gown or red gown? Black gown
• Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert
• Coffee or cold coffee? Cold coffee
• Favourite Instagram feature? The new instant feature
• Pre-stage panic? That I don’t trip on stage!
• Most used word? Bro
• Hidden talent? Mimicking cartoon characters
• Who makes you laugh most? Aarya