Harnaaz Sandhu is an Indian model, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder. She was born on March 3, 2000 (26 years old) in Gurdaspur, Punjab, India.
She first gained attention through modelling contests and beauty pageants before earning recognition across India.
Harnaaz is best known for winning the Miss Universe 2021 title in Eilat, Israel. Her victory made her the third Indian woman to win the crown, following Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta. It also brought the Miss Universe title back to India after 21 years. This remains one of the biggest achievements of her career.
Before winning Miss Universe, Harnaaz received the Femina Miss India Punjab 2019 and Miss Diva Universe 2021 titles. She later moved into acting and worked in Punjabi and Hindi films.
Quick Facts of Harnaaz Sandhu
| Full Name | Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu |
| Profession | Model, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Date of Birth | March 3, 2000 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Kohali village, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Gender | Female |
Harnaaz Sandhu Early Life and Education
Harnaaz Sandhu was born in Kohali village in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. She spent two years in England before her family moved to the Chandigarh region in 2008. She grew up in a family that supported her interests, which led her to enter beauty contests at the age of 17.
Education
Harnaaz studied at Shivalik Public School in Sector 41, Chandigarh, for six years. She received a CGPA of 8 in her Class 10 board examinations. She later attended the Post Graduate Government College for Girls in Sector 42, Chandigarh.
At college, she studied BA with Information Technology. In December 2021, she was in the final year of an MA in Public Administration. The Miss Universe organisation later stated that she completed her master’s studies in Public Administration.
| School | Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, Chandigarh |
| Alma Mater | Post Graduate Government College for Girls |
| Highest Qualification | MA in Public Administration |
Harnaaz Sandhu Personal Life
Harnaaz Sandhu is currently single, but in 2023 she was linked with Veer Pahariya after they attended an event together. However, the rumor was not confirmed.
Family
Harnaaz was born into a Sikh family in Punjab. Her family encouraged her modelling and pageant work.
Father
Her father, (Late) Pritampal Singh Sandhu, worked in the real estate business. He died after a cardiac arrest on June 30, 2023, at his home in Kharar, Punjab.
Mother
Her mother, Rabinder Kaur Sandhu, is a gynaecologist. Harnaaz accompanied her mother to health camps related to women’s health and menstrual hygiene when she was younger.
Siblings
Harnaaz has one older brother, Harnoor Sandhu. He works as a musician and video editor.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Linked-up boyfriend | Veer Pahariya |
| Parents | Father: (Late) Pritampal Singh Sandhu Mother: Rabinder Kaur Sandhu |
| Siblings | Brother: Harnoor Sandhu |
Harnaaz Sandhu Career
Harnaaz Sandhu started taking part in beauty contests when she was 26 years old. In 2017, she won the Miss Chandigarh title. She also became the first runner-up in the Times Fresh Face Contest that year.
In 2018, she won the Miss Max Emerging Star India title. In 2019, she was crowned Femina Miss India Punjab. She then represented Punjab at Femina Miss India 2019 and reached the top 12 contestants.
Miss Diva and Miss Universe: 2021 to 2023
In 2021, Harnaaz competed in Miss Diva and won the Miss Diva Universe 2021 title. The win gave her the chance to represent India at Miss Universe 2021.
She was crowned Miss Universe 2021 in Eilat, Israel, in December 2021. She became the third Indian woman to win the title after Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
During her term as Miss Universe, Harnaaz attended public events and supported causes related to menstrual health and women’s welfare. In January 2023, she crowned R’Bonney Gabriel as the next Miss Universe.
Television and Music Video Work: 2019 to 2022
In 2019, Harnaaz appeared in the Punjabi music video Tarhthalli by The Landers.
In 2021, she made a cameo appearance as Manika Suri in the Punjabi television series Udaariyaan. The series featured actors such as Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, Ankit Gupta, Isha Malviya, and Karan V. Grover.
In 2022, she appeared as a guest on television programmes, including India’s Got Talent. She also took part in pageant-related events and judging duties.
Punjabi Film Career: 2022 to 2023
Harnaaz made her Punjabi film debut with Bai Ji Kuttange in 2022. She played Harleen in the comedy film directed by Smeep Kang. Her co-stars included Dev Kharoud, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Upasana Singh, and Nanak Singh.
In 2023, she appeared in Yaaran Diyan Poun Baaran, directed by Upasana Singh. Her co-stars included Nanak Singh, Swati Sharma, Upasana Singh, Jaswinder Bhalla, Harby Sangha, and Gopi Bhalla.
Hindi Film Debut: 2025
Harnaaz entered Hindi cinema with Baaghi 4, released on 5 September 2025. The action thriller was directed by A. Harsha and marked her first major Hindi-language film.
She worked with Tiger Shroff, Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, Shreyas Talpade, and Arunoday Singh. Harnaaz played a female lead in the film, while Tiger Shroff returned as the main male character.
Harnaaz Sandhu Awards and Achievements
Here are the major wins of Harnaaz Sandhu:
Key Wins
- 2017, Miss Chandigarh: Won the regional beauty pageant title at the age of 17.
- 2018, Miss Max Emerging Star India: Won the national modelling and beauty contest title.
- 2019, Femina Miss India Punjab: Won the state title and represented Punjab at Femina Miss India 2019.
- 2021, LIVA Miss Diva Universe: Won the national pageant and earned the right to represent India at Miss Universe 2021.
- 2021, Miss Universe: Won the 70th Miss Universe competition in Eilat, Israel. She became the third Indian woman to receive the crown.
- 2022, Grazia Millennial Awards: Won the Global Millennial of the Year award.
Harnaaz Sandhu Controversies
- Contract Dispute with Upasana Singh: In August 2022, actor and producer Upasana Singh filed a civil case against Harnaaz Sandhu in the Chandigarh District Court. The dispute concerned the Punjabi film Bai Ji Kuttange. Upasana claimed that Harnaaz had signed an agreement to act in and promote the film. She accused Harnaaz of not providing dates for promotional events. Her production company asked the court for damages over the alleged breach of contract. These statements were allegations made in the civil case and were not proven facts. In March 2023, Harnaaz denied all the charges. Through her lawyer, she asked the court to dismiss the case. Her legal response stated that the suit had legal defects and that the claims against her were incorrect.
- Criticism About Her Weight: In 2022, Harnaaz received negative comments on social media after photographs showed that she had gained weight. Some users compared her appearance with how she looked during the Miss Universe competition. Harnaaz responded that people had earlier criticised her for being too thin and later for gaining weight. She also stated that she has celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that causes a reaction to gluten and can affect the body in different ways. The issue was linked to online body shaming rather than any misconduct by Harnaaz. She asked people to understand health conditions before commenting on someone’s appearance.
Harnaaz Sandhu Net Worth
Harnaaz Sandhu’s estimated net worth is around ₹15–20 crore ($1.55 million–$2.07 million).
| Net Worth (Approx.) | ₹15–20 crore ($1.55 million–$2.07 million) |
Harnaaz Sandhu Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Harnaaz Sandhu:
| Height | In centimetres: 175 cm In meters: 1.75 m In feet and inches: 5 feet 9 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 50 kg In lbs: 110 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 34-26-34 inches |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
Harnaaz Sandhu Social Media
 @harnaazsandhu_03 | |
| X |  @HarnaazKaur |
Interesting Facts About Harnaaz Sandhu
- Harnaaz’s family affectionately nicknamed her “Kaddu” (pumpkin) because she was a very chubby baby and toddler.
- She faced severe cyberbullying for weight gain post-Miss Universe, which she later revealed was caused by a medical diagnosis of Celiac disease.
- She transitioned from a chubby toddler to an incredibly thin pre-teen, resulting in severe school bullying that initially shattered her self-worth.
- Sandhu possesses a quirky talent for flawlessly mimicking a wide range of animal sounds, which she famously showcased on the Miss Universe stage.
- Before discovering pageantry, she initially wanted to grow up to be a judicial judge and later planned to study for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to become administration officer.
- Harnaaz describes herself as a passionate “closet singer” and spends her personal downtime playing chess, riding horses, and writing Punjabi poetry.
FAQs
How old is Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Sandhu is 26 years old. She was born on March 3, 2000, in Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India.
What does Harnaaz Sandhu do?
Harnaaz Sandhu is an Indian model, actress, and beauty pageant titleholder. She has worked in Punjabi and Hindi films.
When did Harnaaz Sandhu win Miss Universe?
Harnaaz Sandhu won Miss Universe 2021 in December 2021. She was 26 years old at the time and became the third Indian woman to receive the title.
What is the qualification of Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Sandhu studied Public Administration at the postgraduate level.
Who are the parents of Harnaaz Sandhu?
Harnaaz Sandhu’s parents are Pritampal Singh Sandhu and Rabinder Kaur Sandhu. Her father worked in real estate, while her mother is a gynaecologist.
Does Harnaaz Sandhu have any siblings?
Yes, Harnaaz Sandhu has an older brother named Harnoor Sandhu.
Which disease does Harnaaz Sandhu have?
Harnaaz Sandhu has celiac disease. It is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten in affected people.
