Dhananjay Chauhan (19 Years) won Mr. Dehradun Title in 2021. He bagged the title by defeating many young boys. Dhananjay hails from Dehradun & cleared the NEET exam recently. He is going to take admission for MBBS in one of the best medical colleges of Uttarakhand. Recently we interviewed him.
What was the first thought that came to your mind when they announced your name as the winner?
The very initial moments after my name had just been announced were of total nostalgia reminding me of all of the competitions I had won. It was instantly followed by that adrenaline rush leaving me with loads of enthusiasm and the fact that it was a reality now, sent a chill through my spine. I could feel every emotion in one single go! But the satisfaction of winning my first ever pageant overshadowed all the other ones. Those few seconds between my name being called out loud and clear to me actually holding the trophy made me realize how much can change in just one moment.
What was the reaction of your friends and family?
Trust me, my family was may more thrilled than I could have imagined. Wishes started pouring in from every other corner…Even the ones I barely had any contact with showed up in my DMs just to congratulate me and it was overwhelming. My loved ones believed in me even on the days when I had self-doubts, and honestly, this is what one eventually needs right. My mum said that the smile she saw on my face after being declared as the winner was the most priceless thing she had witnessed and this was totally cherry on the top.
How did you celebrate your win?
It was nothing extravagant. Covid-19 is the best at ruining plans anyways. But I along with a few friends managed to get an escape. We went on a trip and that trip gave me all the time I needed for the reality to sink in. On the very next day, my close friends surprised me, showed up at my house, and partied till we were exhausted. It was much needed for all the happiness to flow around.
How was your experience during Mr. Dehradun?
I used to spend my days feeling confident but the nights left me nervous. It was an emotional rollercoaster as it was my first time and I was completely new to the fashion industry. It was like a stepping stone for me to get to my goals and it had to be done right anyhow. All the participants would sit together and have a chat. We honestly became friends during this time and it kind of released a lot of stress. All in all, it was an amazing experience
How was your bonding with other people in Himalayan Buzz?
It’s pretty cool. All of us get along really well. We catch up quite a lot and plan regular get-togethers. The best part is everyone supports each other, be it some new face or a senior in the industry. We respect each other’s work and capabilities. It’s like a family. The mentors and management are really friendly and supportive as well.
Who will you say is your idol or mentor?
Right from Mr. Dehradun to Mr. North India to my regular photoshoots, Gaurveshwar Sir has been the best mentor one could have asked for. He’s not the all-sweet kind. He’s the reality check we all need in life. He’s there whenever I need him and scolds me like I’m one of his own when I mess up. I know he has my back and I really want to make him proud of the student he has mentored.
Who was your biggest competition in Mr. Dehradun 2021?
Every participant had some of the other winning quality but the biggest competition I felt from me was Lakshay. He had a lot of experience and he was really confident too.
What do you think were the judges looking at while deciding the winners?
As far as my perception goes, they judge the complete aura of the participant, the way they carry themselves, their confidence, the way they speak, the way they express themselves not only vocally, but also by their walk. A lot can be said about a man by the way he communicates. This totally must have been one of the deciding factors. Also since it’s a beauty pageant, the looks and the way he has maintained himself matter a lot too