Sandeep Kumar, President of Rubaru, the organisers of Audi Goa Mr India 2018 contest has been a source behind such a successful event. As the contest enters 15thyear, we caught up with him for a quick interview.
- What is the aim behind holding such an event where talent from across India is given platform?
Well, Indian modelling industry is one of the most well-established modelling industries in the world. It has given the world some of the finest models and fashion icons. It gives individuals a platform where they can discover more about themselves and helps them expand their horizons, show the world their talent and fulfil their dreams. If we talk about the pageantry, for some it helps as a stepping stone to the pageant world and for some it is a whole new world that they get to know after they enter the pageant world. So, it is like a 2 way approach. Here our goal is to provide these aspiring individuals with a credible platform where they can discover more about themselves and get closer to fulfilling their dreams.
- What are the qualities that you are looking out amongst the contestants?
Determination, dedication, discipline and confidence coupled with a likable attitude. All these attributes when combined together forms a personality that is perfect to represent our nation at the international arena. One should be confident about what he / she is and knows how to treat every individual with equal respect. A person who embodies all these qualities would be a perfect representative of our country not just in the pageant world but at any international platform.
- What is the role that Rubaru is playing behind such event?
Our role here is searching for the potential candidates who could serve as a role model for others. Apart from that we make sure to polish these talented candidates to be the best version of them, somebody who can set benchmarks for other people. It is not necessary someone needs to be the most good-looking or most attractive person, a good personality and attitude also plays a great role. A person having good looks without a good attitude and personality is like a flower without fragrance.
- How did you thought of taking franchise for such an internationally famed event?
It all happened in the year 2004 when we launched the Rubaru Group as an NGO and talent promoting group in Haryana. We started our journey by organizing regional modelling competition and later moved to the state level events and then we took another step ahead and made it a North Indian event and then ultimately the national event was created. During this beautiful journey, I was joined by Pankaj Kharbanda, who is currently serving as the vice-president of the Rubaru Group. He played a crucial role in taking the Rubaru Group to a whole new level. He stood with me during the thick and thin and still he is doing an excellent work. After successfully organizing national levels pageants (Rubaru Mr India, Rubaru Miss India Elite and Rubaru Mr & Miss Junior India), we hosted some of the most prestigious international modelling competitions in India. We are the only Indian organization who hosted international modelling competitions in India four (4) times in a row. We brought Supermodel International contest to India in 2016 and again in 2017, later we brought Mister Model International Pageant to India in the year 2016 and also hosted the Face of Beauty International in India in 2017. It was the very first time these competitions happened in India. And now we are all set to launch our very own international pageants, Mister Model Worldwide and Miss Supermodel Worldwide this year.
- What role do you play personally?
As the founder and president of the Rubaru Group, I make sure everything is done in a proper and holistic manner. From the auditions to the final, I make sure everything is carried out in a proper way. I also attend most of the state level auditions and make sure the most deserving candidates get shortlisted. Apart from that during the pageant, I make sure every candidate gets equal opportunities to showcase his / her calibre and they receive proper and quality training from our experts. My partner Pankaj also makes sure that things work in a way they are supposed to be carried and at the grand finale we make sure that the best candidates get selected to represent our nation internationally. Also, after their selection we make sure that he / she gets everything he / she needs to represent India in best possible way and bring more pride and more joy to our motherland, India
- What is your finding in the event?
By encouraging them to come forward and show the world what they can do. We look for talents that can be nurtured and transformed in such a way that they feel proud about them along with the nation and their well-wishers feeling proud about them.
- What qualities do you look out for in the contestants?
One needs to be humble, confident, well-spoken and knows how to carry himself / herself. Who should feel confident about what he / she is and is also ready to take up challenges. Someone who takes every challenge as a new opportunity and every failure as a new lesson of life.
- What is your advice for them?
It seems like a fascinating world however in order to be a part of this wonderful world of glitz and glamour, one needs to be much more than a good-looking face. In order to sustain and be successful, one needs to be dedicated to his work and must respect others opinion as well. In the industry, it is obvious that you may face criticism at some point or the other however the way you handle that criticism with a very calm and dignified approach matters much more than that. Over-night success does bring a lot of fame and recognition and also get you various admirers however the way you handle your success and fame is much more important than achieving it in first place.
- What happens once contestant wins the event?
Once the winners get chosen we make sure they receive proper grooming and training sessions from the experts so that they can represent India at the international platform in the best possible way. We make sure they get everything they want to transform them and be a better version of them. Apart from representing India at the international stage, our winners attended various social and fashion events during their reign and they also work for various causes that we support.
- What was the most challenging thing?
The most challenging part about the Rubaru Mr India is scouting for the potential candidates from the rural sector of our country. As there are various potential contenders in various villages or remote areas who can do wonders if given a chance. So, the toughest part to reaching to these hidden talents and then encouraging them to come forward and try.
- What is your advice for them?
Respect every individual, be humble, be optimistic and be confident.
