Interview: Hyderabad’s Meenaz Banu talks about competing quietly, winning big at Mrs World International

Hyderabad: When Meenaz Banu quietly submitted her application for Mrs World International 2025, she didn’t tell a soul. There was no agenda, no strategy, no announcement on social media. It was just a moment, one that took place in the stillness of her childhood bedroom in Hyderabad, where she had once stayed up late watching fashion shows in secret.

That moment would eventually lead her to the national stage, where she was crowned Third Runner-Up and awarded the title of Mrs Glamorous Look.

A journey of rediscovery

But Banu’s journey is less about crowns and more about rediscovery.

A corporate professional based in Mumbai, she speaks to NewsMeter with quiet clarity about growing up in modest circumstances, juggling multiple identities, and rethinking what it means to take up space as a woman, especially after marriage. In this conversation, she looks back on where she started, what shaped her, and what’s ahead.

Here are excerpts from the interview

NM: What was your early life in Hyderabad like?

Meenaz: It was simple and grounding. We didn’t have much, financially, but I never felt deprived. My parents worked hard, my father outside, my mother at home, and they always put me and my brother first. I think watching that kind of resilience made me want to do something meaningful with my life. I also explored a lot of things growing up: dance, poetry and teaching, and those experiences still shape me.

NM: What do you carry with you from your hometown?

Meenaz: The old Hyderabad was more close-knit, smaller and warmer. You’d run into people you knew everywhere. It gave me a strong sense of community, of staying rooted. Even as the city evolves into a tech and services hub, that feeling of connectedness is something I still hold on to.

NM: Tell us how your move to Mumbai came about. Was pageantry ever part of the plan?

Meenaz: I came to Mumbai for a short-term work assignment, and within 45 days, I knew I didn’t want to leave. The pace, the independence, the character of the city, it suited me. As for pageantry, no, it was never planned. But as a child, I used to sneak out to watch fashion shows late at night. Something about that must have stayed with me, quietly.

NM: What made you decide to apply for Mrs World International?

Meenaz: It was an impulsive decision. I was in Hyderabad, back in the room I grew up in, and I came across the form online. I filled it without thinking too much. I didn’t even tell anyone. It just felt like the right time, like something in me knew I had to try.

NM: What was the most challenging part of the pageant experience?

Meenaz: The training. We barely slept, and every day was packed with learning and evaluations. It was exhausting, but also purposeful. It forced us to stretch ourselves, mentally, physically and emotionally.

NM: And the most rewarding?

Meenaz: Walking onto the stage during the finale. I remember making eye contact with each judge, deliberately, fully present. It felt surreal. That moment made everything worth it.

NM: The pageant celebrates transformation. How did that play out for you?

Meenaz: It helped me reconnect with parts of myself I hadn’t given space to in years. The focus wasn’t on changing who you are, but on letting who you are come through more fully. That felt very real to me.

NM: You were among women from very diverse backgrounds. What did that kind of company feel like?

Meenaz: It was one of the best parts. We were 150 women, doctors, artists, homemakers and entrepreneurs, and there was this unspoken sense of solidarity. We were technically in competition, but what came through was support. It was rare and refreshing.

NM: What does the word ‘glamour’ mean to you now?

Meenaz: It used to mean appearance, how you looked, what you wore. But I’ve come to see glamour as inner confidence. It’s about being visible without apology. Not for attention, but as a form of self-respect.

NM: You’ve spoken about how marriage can feel limiting. What message do you hope your win sends?

Meenaz: I delayed marriage because I worried about losing my sense of self. But I’ve learned that you don’t have to choose between identity and relationships. You can still take up space, pursue your goals, and be fully yourself.

NM: You balance a full-time corporate role with this new title. How do you manage it?

Meenaz: I don’t separate the two. I try to be the same person in both spaces. Grace is something I try to carry everywhere, whether things are going well or not. It helps me stay centred.

NM: How did your family and colleagues react to your win?

Meenaz: I was worried about being stereotyped, but the response was overwhelming in the best way. My husband clapped the loudest when I was crowned. My family was thrilled. That kind of support stays with you.

NM: Has this experience opened new opportunities?

Meenaz: Yes, both personally and professionally. I’m working on a few projects that include shoots and possibly acting, but I’m also learning to pause and acknowledge what I’ve already achieved. That’s something I didn’t do enough of before.

NM: Are there any causes you want to focus on?

Meenaz: Yes, domestic violence is something I care deeply about. I’ve seen how quietly and deeply it can affect lives. With this platform, I’d like to contribute to meaningful support systems for women.

NM: What would you say to women who hesitate to step into something new?

Meenaz: It’s okay to feel unsure. Feel it, but don’t freeze there. Move anyway, slowly, steadily. The courage builds. And one day, you’ll look around and realise you’ve stepped into something extraordinary.

NM: One last one, if you could sum up this experience in one word?

Meenaz: Exhilarating. Not just because it was high-energy, but because it pushed me to grow, to reflect, and to show up fully. I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Mrs. World International, especially Barkha Nangia Ma’am, for creating such a phenomenal platform for women. It’s a space where your true self is not just accepted but celebrated. The effort and love they put into curating this once-in-a-lifetime experience is beyond words. No number of “thank yous” will ever feel enough. I’m truly grateful, and forever indebted.