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Who is Aditi Govitrikar? Mrs World 2001 compares her win with Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta: 'They got flat and a car, but I…'
ET Online | January 24, 2026 1:38 PM CST

Synopsis

Aditi Govitrikar, the first Indian Mrs World in 2001, opened up about her historic win and the disparity in recognition compared to contemporaries Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta. While they received significant material rewards, she received only a bouquet, attributing the difference to publication affiliations rather than merit. Read on!

Aditi Govitrikar opens up about how different her Mrs World win is from Priyanka and Lara (Credit: Instagram)
Aditi Govitrikar may not be in the spotlight as often today, but her contribution to India’s pageant history remains significant. In 2001, she became the first Indian woman to win the Mrs World title, placing the country firmly on the global pageant map. Years later, Aditi has spoken about how the achievement, though historic, did not bring her the kind of recognition or rewards many would expect.

Aditi compares her win with Priyanka and Lara

In a recent interview with Hauterrfly, Aditi opened up about her journey and spoke openly about the contrast between her achievement and the recognition she received afterwards. While international pageant titles often come with prize money, endorsements and material benefits, Aditi revealed that her experience did not follow that pattern.

Speaking about that period, Aditi recalled that 2001 was a landmark year for Indian women at international pageants. It was the same time when Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra were also being celebrated for their global wins. “We had all won around the same time, and there was a party organised to celebrate the achievements,” she shared in the interview.



However, it was during this celebration that Aditi noticed a striking difference. She said that while Lara and Priyanka were rewarded with major perks such as a flat and a car, she was handed something far more symbolic.

In her words, she received “just a bouquet.” Aditi explained that the reason for the disparity had little to do with merit and more to do with affiliations.She pointed out that she was not associated with the same publication house that backed the other winners, which likely influenced the rewards they received.

Recalling the moment with humour, Aditi shared that Lara Dutta, who was standing beside her at the party, jokingly remarked about having a car and a house, while Aditi had a husband. Aditi said she laughed it off and responded positively, choosing to see the lighter side of the comment rather than dwell on the imbalance.

Despite the lack of tangible rewards, Aditi emphasised that the era itself was special. She said it was inspiring to witness several Indian women breaking barriers simultaneously and gaining international recognition. According to her, the collective success mattered, even if individual journeys unfolded differently.

All you need to know about Aditi Govitrikar

Beyond pageantry, Aditi Govitrikar’s life has been anything but conventional. She is not only an actor and former supermodel but also a trained physician and psychologist. Between 1997 and 2004, she held the unique distinction of being the only Indian supermodel with formal qualifications in both medicine and psychology.


Her popularity also extended into pop culture, with her appearance in the iconic music video Kabhi To Nazar Milao making her a household name. Today, Aditi’s thoughts are a reminder that success does not always translate into equal recognition. However, her Mrs World crown remains a historic achievement.


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