Some people wait for opportunity; others create their own path to success. Nikhil Anand belongs unmistakably to the latter. From his roots in Bihar to the lecture halls of an engineering college in Delhi and finally to the glittering global pageant stages, he has rewritten his story again and again - and in doing so, he changed the face of pageantry in India.
Born in Darbhanga, Nikhil’s early years were humble yet full of quietly burning dreams. He grew up in a setting far away from the lights and cameras, but even as a young boy he was drawn to the idea of performance, confidence and stage presence. When he moved to New Delhi in the early 2010s to study engineering, he carried more than just textbooks: he carried an ambition to shift the gears of his life.
During the third year of his engineering degree, he started working a model and participated in two regional pageants – Mr. North India and Mr. Delhi NCR. This marked his first steps in the glitzy world of beauty pageants. From a candidate’s perspective, he understood that Indian beauty pageant industry was lacking many things as per the international standards and it needed to evolve with time. In 2013, while still pursuing his engineering degree, Nikhil established Glamanand Entertainment Pvt Ltd (commonly known as the Glamanand Group) with a single yet audacious purpose: to re-imagine what an Indian beauty pageant could be. He identified early on that pageants weren’t simply about crowns and sashes, but about creating platforms - where talent, conviction and change could shine. And it marked the creation of the largest beauty pageant empire in India.
The following years, he acquired many major international beauty pageant franchises like Miss International and Miss Earth and created one of the major national beauty pageants in India named Glamanand Supermodel India. In February 2024, Nikhil achieved yet another milestone when he was announced as the National Director for Miss Universe India - giving him the rights to send India’s representative to one of the most watched international pageants in the world. This was not only a personal landmark but a milestone for India’s pageantry industry, signifying that Indian-led leadership and ambition could command global platforms.
What makes Nikhil’s story stand out isn’t merely the number of titles or events under his possession, but the scale, ambition and intentional disruption of the norms. He is the only Indian to own a major international beauty pageant - Miss Teen International - and oversees what is widely reported as the largest portfolio of national and international pageants in India. He is the owner of the maximum number of beauty pageant in the world. The list includes Miss Universe India, Glamanand Supermodel India, Miss Teen India, Miss Teen Diva, Mr. India Universe, Mrs. India, Miss Teen International, Miss Teen Universe, Miss Teen Earth, Miss Multinational, Mr. Universe.
But Nikhil’s journey isn’t just about pageants. He also founded the luxury footwear, accessory and clothing brand Pristine Luxury and launched the lifestyle magazine titled Pristine, reinforcing his position not only as a pageant-magnate but as a lifestyle & fashion entrepreneur.
Under his leadership, Glamanand articulated a mission: “To organise national as well as international events which enable the participants to follow the path leading to their dreams.” He believed that behind every crown is a story of courage, discipline and transformation. He frequently spoke of how he wanted his platforms to uplift voices, amplify talent and create change rather than merely award beauty. Under his leadership, Glamanand Group became the biggest and most prestigious beauty pageant organization in India, often attaining spotlight for the colossal stage production of their events.
Today, as we celebrate his birthday on 18 November, we pause not just to mark another year, but to reflect on the path of a man who chose to challenge convention, create opportunities and nurture talent. From the engineering lecture halls to the runway and global stage—Nikhil’s journey reminds us that where you start doesn’t define how far you can go.
Here’s wishing, Nikhil Anand, a very Happy Birthday!!!
Image source: Glamanand Group.
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