Manasa Varanasi is an Indian actress born March 21, 1997. Crowned Femina Miss India 2020, she now stars in Telugu films. Read her inspiring journey.
Manasa Varanasi has carved a unique path from engineering graduate to beauty queen to actress. Born on March 21, 1997, in Hyderabad, Telangana, she is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty pageant titleholder. Her journey from corporate professional to Femina Miss India World 2020 winner showcases remarkable determination. The 28-year-old made history representing India at Miss World 2021, reaching the top 13 finalists. She has transitioned into Telugu cinema with her debut Devaki Nandana Vasudeva in 2024. Her latest film Couple Friendly continues establishing her acting credentials.
Quick Facts About Manasa Varanasi
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Manasa Varanasi |
| Date of Birth | March 21, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Hyderabad, Telangana, India |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Former Beauty Queen |
| Education | B.Tech in Computer Science |
| Famous For | Femina Miss India World 2020 |
| Debut Film | Devaki Nandana Vasudeva (2024) |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| Instagram Followers | 438K+ |
Early Life and Family Background
Manasa Varanasi was born in Hyderabad to Ravi Shankar and Shailaja Varanasi. Her father’s job took the family to Malaysia when she was young, where she spent formative years between two countries. This multicultural upbringing shaped her worldview significantly. Growing up, Manasa was naturally shy and found expression through Bharatnatyam and Carnatic music. Her family includes her mother, grandmother, and younger sister Meghana, whom she considers her greatest influences. Despite initial family reservations about pageantry, their eventual support proved instrumental to her success.
Educational Journey and Corporate Career
Manasa completed 10th grade at Global Indian International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. After returning to India, she pursued B.Tech in Computer Science from Vasavi College of Engineering, Hyderabad. During college, she won Miss Fresher in her first year and became a key member of the music band Nine Days, where friends called her the “Adele of the band.” From 2015 to 2018, she served as Center Head for Make A Difference NGO, working with shelter home children. After graduation, Manasa joined FactSet as a Financial Information Exchange analyst in June 2018. However, her creative aspirations eventually led her toward pageantry and entertainment.
Journey to Miss India Crown
Inspired by Priyanka Chopra winning Miss World 2000, Manasa entered Femina Miss Telangana 2019 while working her corporate job. She self-trained in public speaking and runway techniques, securing a top-three finish that qualified her for nationals. The Femina Miss India 2020 competition, postponed due to COVID-19, was held on February 10, 2021, at Mumbai’s Hyatt Regency. The jury included Neha Dhupia, Chitrangada Singh, Pulkit Samrat, and designers Falguni Shane Peacock. During the final Q&A, Manasa impressed judges discussing spirituality versus religion as a personal inner journey. Suman Ratan Singh Rao crowned her Femina Miss India World 2020. She also won the Miss Rampwalk award, recognizing her elegance.
Representing India at Miss World 2021
Manasa represented India at the 70th Miss World pageant on March 16, 2022, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For her “Beauty with a Purpose” project, she advocated for strengthening child protection laws through the “We Can” campaign against child sexual abuse, partnering with Telangana’s 1098 childcare helpline. She advanced to the top 13 finalists in the highly competitive global pageant. Poland’s Karolina Bielawska won the crown, but Manasa’s performance earned widespread appreciation. Her designer gown by Falguni Shane Peacock and overall presentation reflected Indian culture beautifully.
Transition to Telugu Cinema
Manasa made her acting debut with the 2024 Telugu film Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, portraying Satyabhama. Her performance showcased natural elegance and expressive abilities that impressed viewers. Her latest film Couple Friendly released in February 2026 opposite Santosh Sobhan. This romantic musical follows a Chennai interior designer whose bike pooling leads to unexpected romance. The film has received positive audience and critical response, with praise for Manasa’s graceful screen presence and chemistry with her co-star. She has expressed satisfaction pursuing creative work over corporate life, bringing her engineering background’s methodical approach to acting. Her transition from beauty queen to actress appears seamless and promising.
Diverse Skills and Talents
Beyond beauty and intelligence, Manasa trained in Bharatnatyam for eight years and Carnatic music for four years. During COVID-19 lockdown, she discovered embroidery skills, sharing intricate work on social media. She has trained in Indian sign language, advocating for deaf community inclusivity through viral Instagram videos. She practices yoga regularly for mental health and wellbeing. Her unique hobby of skygazing through tree branches reflects her appreciation for nature’s tranquility.
Personal Life and Interests
As of 2026, Manasa is unmarried, though rumors have linked her to Nikhil Mandalika. She maintains privacy about relationships, focusing on career and advocacy. Her family remains her strongest support system. She loves “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and enjoys films like Dead Poets Society, Interstellar, and Andhadhun. Her music taste ranges from Herizen’s “Social Jungle” to Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” She’s a dog lover who frequently shares pet pictures on Instagram. Manasa enjoys traveling and adventure, having trekked Mullayanagiri Peak, Karnataka’s highest point. Her diverse interests include dancing, singing, and experiencing different cultures and cuisines.
Social Media and Advocacy
With over 438,000 Instagram followers (@manasa5varanasi), Manasa balances professional updates with authentic personal moments. She describes herself as “Creatively aroused,” reflecting her artistic nature. Her platform raises awareness about child protection and inclusivity. Posts about sign language and child welfare spark important conversations. She uses influence responsibly, blending traditional and modern aesthetics that make her a style icon for young women.
In Summary
Manasa Varanasi’s journey from computer science engineer to corporate analyst to beauty queen to actress is unconventional yet inspiring. At 28, she has achieved remarkable success across multiple domains while maintaining commitment to social causes. Her advocacy for child protection through the “We Can” campaign and championing deaf community inclusivity demonstrates that influence comes with responsibility. Whether representing Indian culture globally or pursuing Telugu cinema, she leads with authenticity and purpose. As her acting career develops with upcoming projects, Manasa embodies the modern Indian woman who defies traditional boundaries. Her combination of beauty, intelligence, talent, and social consciousness makes her a complete role model for aspiring young women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Manasa Varanasi?
Manasa Varanasi is an Indian actress, model, and former beauty queen born on March 21, 1997, in Hyderabad, Telangana. She was crowned Femina Miss India World 2020 and represented India at Miss World 2021. She has transitioned into acting with films like Devaki Nandana Vasudeva and Couple Friendly.
Q2: What is Manasa Varanasi’s age?
Manasa Varanasi is 28 years old as of 2026. She was born on March 21, 1997, making her zodiac sign Aries. She celebrated her most recent birthday in March 2025.
Q3: What is Manasa Varanasi’s educational background?
Manasa completed her 10th grade at Global Indian International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She then returned to India and earned a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from Vasavi College of Engineering in Hyderabad. Before pageantry, she worked as a Financial Information Exchange analyst at FactSet.
Q4: Which movies has Manasa Varanasi acted in?
Manasa made her acting debut with Devaki Nandana Vasudeva in 2024, playing the role of Satyabhama. Her latest film is Couple Friendly (2026), a romantic musical drama opposite Santosh Sobhan. She is reportedly working on additional Telugu film projects.
Q5: Did Manasa Varanasi win Miss World?
No, Manasa Varanasi did not win Miss World but reached the top 13 finalists at Miss World 2021 held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Poland’s Karolina Bielawska won the crown. However, Manasa won Femina Miss India World 2020 and represented India with distinction at the global pageant.
Q6: Is Manasa Varanasi married?
No, Manasa Varanasi is currently unmarried. There have been rumors linking her to Nikhil Mandalika, but she has not publicly confirmed any relationship. She maintains privacy about her personal life and focuses on her career and social advocacy work.
Q7: What social causes does Manasa Varanasi support?
Manasa is passionate about child protection and launched the “We Can” campaign against child sexual abuse. She advocates for strengthening child protection laws in India through her “Beauty with a Purpose” project. She also promotes inclusivity for the deaf community and has trained in Indian sign language.
