EP 102: Miss India and Beyond: Hasleen Kaur, Forging a Path in Film, Fashion, and Advertising

Hasleen Kaur is an actor, former Miss India 2011, and a successful entrepreneur with a career spanning fashion, film, and advertising. She has been featured on major platforms like Netflix and Sony, walked for India’s top designers, and appeared on the covers of Femina, GQ, and Harper’s Bazaar Bride. As a model, she has represented global brands such as L’Oréal, Perfectil, and Vaseline.

Beyond the spotlight, Hasleen is deeply committed to social impact, working with NGOs to support women’s empowerment, vocational training, and environmental sustainability. She actively participated in a plantation drive with the Indian Army and worked with Navjyoti India Foundation, founded by Dr. Kiran Bedi, to uplift underprivileged communities.

As an entrepreneur and creative director in advertising, Hasleen has helped build campaigns for brands like Mercedes-Benz and Keventers, crafting narratives that blend creativity with purpose.

Key themes emerging out of our conversation:

• Not everyone has your best interest at heart.
• Stepping into the film industry without a safety net.
• Navigating setbacks in creative careers, Having plan B.
• Viewing the film industry as a profession, not just a passion.
• Family—the steady anchor through setbacks and adversity.
• True friendships from the most competitive environments.
• Restarting isn’t a setback—it’s a strategy to stay in the game.
• Breaking into acting after a long modeling career is challenging.
• Stay committed to your craft, and the right people will take notice.
• Enamored by the modeling world, endured every painstaking challenge.
• Being told "you can't" fuels an even stronger drive to prove otherwise.
• The pressure to outshine others in a high-stakes competition is overwhelming.
• Redefining industry norms requires challenging outdated societal codes.
• Women in the film industry are very guarded, they're still solo travelers.
• No one succeeds alone—having the right support makes all the difference.
• Acting is a continuous journey of observation, deep emotional connection, and refining the craft over time.
• Preparing for the acting world, embracing wins and setbacks with resilience and persistence.
• Having cheerleaders —someone who believes in us pushes us toward our true potential.
• The pageant world reveals the stark divide between privilege and the struggles of the girl child India.

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