Urvashi Rautela once again turned heads with a dramatic fashion statement, this time at the Miss Universe India 2026 grand finale in Jaipur. The actress and former Miss Universe India titleholder arrived at the prestigious event in a striking tri-colour-inspired gown, combining glamour with a distinctly patriotic touch.
But her appearance was about more than fashion. The evening also carried an emotional significance for Urvashi, who spoke about her connection with Sushmita Sen, the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title. Urvashi described Sushmita as her “first guru” and recalled the important role she played in her own pageant journey.
The Miss Universe India 2026 finale was held in Jaipur on August 23, with 52 finalists competing for the national crown. Kerala’s 19-year-old Kaziah Liz Mejo ultimately won the title and will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe competition in Puerto Rico in November.
Urvashi Rautela Stuns In A Tri-Colour Gown
Urvashi made a memorable entrance at the finale in a dramatic gown inspired by the colours of the Indian tricolour.
The figure-hugging, strapless design featured sweeping panels in saffron, white and deep green. The colours flowed across the silhouette before extending into a dramatic floor-length train, giving the look a distinctly regal and pageant-ready finish.
Rather than treating the colours as simple blocks, the design used them as part of the gown’s overall structure. The fitted silhouette highlighted Urvashi’s frame, while the flowing train added movement and drama.
The result was a look that combined red-carpet glamour with an unmistakable Indian identity.
‘I’m India’: Urvashi’s Patriotic Connection
The tri-colour outfit was particularly fitting for an event centred on selecting India’s representative for the international Miss Universe stage.
Urvashi has previously spoken about the pride she feels when representing India at global events. Her fashion choices have frequently incorporated elements intended to reflect her connection with the country.
Her appearance at the Jaipur finale followed the same spirit, with the saffron, white and green palette immediately creating a patriotic visual statement.
The look also arrived at a significant moment for the Miss Universe India organisation, with a new winner preparing to carry the Indian title onto the international stage.
Urvashi Rautela Was Part Of The Miss Universe India 2026 Jury
Urvashi was not simply a celebrity guest at the finale. She was part of the judging panel that selected the next Miss Universe India.
The jury included several prominent names associated with Indian pageantry, including Sushmita Sen, Celina Jaitly and Rhea Singha, alongside other members of the selection committee.
For Urvashi, the occasion therefore represented both a professional responsibility and a return to the pageant world that played an important role in her own journey.
She had previously won the Miss Universe India title and later represented India at the Miss Universe competition.
Sushmita Sen Is Urvashi Rautela’s ‘First Guru’
One of the most emotional moments surrounding Urvashi’s appearance was her tribute to Sushmita Sen.
Speaking at the Miss Universe India 2026 grand finale red carpet, Urvashi recalled that Sushmita had crowned her years earlier and described her as her first mentor.
“It’s very emotional,” Urvashi said while reflecting on her connection with Sushmita. She added that Sushmita was her “first guru” and expressed hope that her journey since then had made her proud.
The moment was particularly meaningful because Sushmita herself was present at the 2026 finale as part of the judging panel.
The two therefore found themselves together at an event that represented a full-circle moment for Urvashi.
From Being Crowned To Helping Choose The Next Winner
Urvashi’s role at this year’s competition carried an obvious sense of continuity.
Years ago, she stood on a pageant stage as a contestant hoping to win the crown. At the 2026 finale, she returned to the same world as a judge, helping evaluate a new generation of contestants.
Her journey from titleholder to jury member gives her a unique perspective on the pressures facing young contestants.
She understands the importance of confidence, presentation and stage presence, but also the emotional pressure that accompanies representing an entire country.
Urvashi’s Glamorous Styling Complements The Gown
Urvashi kept the accessories equally dramatic to match the scale of the gown.
She accessorised the look with oversized drop earrings, layered silver-toned bangles and statement rings. The jewellery added sparkle without taking away from the tri-colour design.
Her beauty look stayed firmly within pageant-glam territory.
Defined eyes, sculpted cheeks, a soft rosy complexion and a nude-pink lip created a polished finish. Her hair was pulled into a sleek high ponytail, allowing the neckline and structure of the gown to remain completely visible.
The styling ensured that the gown remained the centrepiece while still giving Urvashi the high-glamour presence expected at a major beauty pageant.
Why The Tri-Colour Look Stood Out
The biggest strength of Urvashi’s outfit was the way it balanced symbolism and glamour.
Tri-colour-inspired fashion can easily become overly literal, but the flowing panels allowed the Indian flag colours to become part of a sophisticated evening silhouette.
The saffron, white and green combination immediately caught attention, while the fitted construction and dramatic train kept the look firmly rooted in couture-inspired pageant fashion.
For an event dedicated to choosing India’s representative for Miss Universe, the visual connection was also especially appropriate.
Miss Universe India 2026 Crowns Kaziah Liz Mejo
While Urvashi’s appearance generated significant attention, the main highlight of the evening was the crowning of the new Miss Universe India.
Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala won the title after competing against 52 finalists at the Jaipur grand finale. The 19-year-old will now represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico in November.
Manika Vishwakarma, who held the Miss Universe India 2025 title, crowned her successor.
Kaziah’s victory also marked a major moment for Kerala, with the young contestant expressing her excitement about taking her state and India onto the global stage.
The other top placements included Vaishnavi Gannesh as first runner-up, Anushri Satavlekar as second runner-up, Tejaswini Shrivastava as third runner-up and Anubha Vashist Chaudhary as fourth runner-up.
Sushmita Sen And Urvashi Rautela Represent Different Generations Of Indian Pageantry
The presence of Sushmita Sen and Urvashi Rautela on the same judging panel added another layer of significance to the event.
Sushmita made history in 1994 when she became the first Indian to win the Miss Universe crown. Her victory helped establish a new benchmark for Indian representation at the international pageant.
Decades later, Urvashi represents another generation of Indian beauty queens who have moved between pageantry, fashion and entertainment.
Their presence at the 2026 finale created an interesting bridge between different eras of Indian pageantry.
For Urvashi in particular, sharing the stage with someone she considers her first guru made the occasion deeply personal.
Urvashi Rautela’s Pageant Journey Comes Full Circle
Urvashi’s appearance in Jaipur can be viewed as a full-circle moment.
She entered the pageant world as a contestant, experienced the pressure of competing for the national title and eventually transitioned into entertainment and international fashion appearances.
Now, she has returned to the Miss Universe India stage in a position of authority.
Her comments about Sushmita also demonstrate how strongly she continues to associate her pageant journey with mentorship.
Being crowned by someone she admired and later sitting alongside that same person as a judge is a significant progression in Urvashi’s own story.
A Fashion Moment With A Personal Meaning
The tri-colour gown may have been the most immediately visible aspect of Urvashi’s appearance, but her words about Sushmita gave the evening a more personal dimension.
The outfit represented India visually, while her comments reflected the personal journey that brought her from being a pageant contestant to becoming one of the people helping select India’s next representative.
That combination made her appearance more than just another celebrity fashion moment.
Urvashi’s fashion choices have frequently leaned towards dramatic silhouettes and high-impact glamour. Her 2026 Cannes appearances, for instance, also attracted attention for their elaborate couture styling.
At Miss Universe India 2026, however, she added something different to that familiar glamorous aesthetic: a strong sense of national pride.
Urvashi Rautela’s Tri-Colour Gown Becomes One Of The Night’s Talking Points
The Miss Universe India 2026 finale ultimately belonged to Kaziah Liz Mejo, but Urvashi Rautela ensured that she had her own memorable moment on the red carpet.
Her dramatic saffron, white and green gown delivered the kind of high-impact glamour associated with pageant fashion while keeping the focus firmly on India.
Her emotional tribute to Sushmita Sen made the appearance even more meaningful.
From being crowned in the past to returning as a judge today, Urvashi’s journey reflects how the Miss Universe India platform can become an important part of a contestant’s life long after the crown is handed over.
And as Kaziah Liz Mejo prepares to represent India in Puerto Rico, Urvashi’s message about mentorship, pride and carrying India onto the global stage feels particularly timely.
For Urvashi, the Jaipur finale was not simply another glamorous event. It was a reminder of where her own journey began—and of the mentor she still remembers as her “first guru.”
FAQ
Q1. What did Urvashi Rautela wear at Miss Universe India 2026?
Urvashi Rautela wore a dramatic tri-colour-inspired gown featuring saffron, white and deep green panels, along with a flowing floor-length train.
Q2. Why did Urvashi Rautela wear a tri-colour gown?
The gown was inspired by the colours of the Indian national flag and the Ashoka Chakra, giving her appearance a patriotic theme at the Miss Universe India 2026 finale.
Q3. What was Urvashi Rautela’s role at Miss Universe India 2026?
Urvashi Rautela served as one of the jury members at the Miss Universe India 2026 finale in Jaipur.
Q4. Who is Urvashi Rautela’s ‘first guru’?
Urvashi Rautela has described Sushmita Sen as her “first guru” and spoken about her emotional connection with the former Miss Universe.
Q5. Where was the Miss Universe India 2026 finale held?
The Miss Universe India 2026 finale was held in Jaipur.
