When people asked me what I would do after my stint as Dr. Tarika in CID ended, I never imagined I'd say "start an ed-tech company." Yet here I am, writing this from my office at FutureTayari, where we're revolutionizing how India approaches soft skills training. The journey from a Miss India finalist in 2002 to founding an education technology venture has been nothing short of transformative.

Growing up, I was always told I had to choose between beauty and brains, as if possessing both was somehow impossible. The modeling industry reinforced this stereotype—you were either the pretty face or the smart one, never both. But my experience has taught me that this is a false dichotomy that limits not just women, but society as a whole.

The Glamour Years: More Than Meets the Eye

My journey began when I was crowned Miss India finalist, which opened doors to modeling and eventually led to my breakthrough role as Dr. Tarika in the legendary TV series CID. For years, I portrayed a forensic expert—a character that required me to blend intelligence with screen presence. Ironically, playing Dr. Tarika taught me that true charisma comes from competence, not just appearance.

During my acting years, I was constantly underestimated in business meetings and professional settings. People would assume that because I was an actress, I couldn't possibly understand complex business concepts or have entrepreneurial aspirations. This dismissive attitude only fueled my determination to prove that beauty and brains aren't mutually exclusive—they're complementary strengths.

The Pivot: From Screen to Classroom

The decision to pursue my Cornell University MBA wasn't just about personal growth; it was about systematically building the business acumen I needed to create meaningful change. At Cornell, I was surrounded by brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds, and for the first time, I felt like my entertainment industry experience was valued rather than dismissed.

My classmates were fascinated by the soft skills I had developed—emotional intelligence, public speaking, crisis management under pressure—skills that I had taken for granted but realized were desperately needed in the corporate world. This revelation became the foundation for FutureTayari.

Building FutureTayari: Where Beauty Meets Purpose

When I founded FutureTayari, my vision was clear: bridge the soft skills gap that I had witnessed firsthand in both the entertainment and corporate sectors. We're not just another training company; we're reimagining how India prepares its workforce for a future where emotional intelligence matters as much as technical expertise.

The selection by Maharashtra government initiatives wasn't just recognition of our work—it validated my belief that authentic leadership comes from combining diverse experiences with focused expertise. My journey from pageant stages to corporate boardrooms gives me unique insights into the confidence barriers that hold people back, regardless of their industry.

Redefining 'Beauty with Brains'

Today, when I speak at conferences or mentor young entrepreneurs, I emphasize that 'beauty with brains' isn't about physical appearance at all—it's about the beauty of purposeful thinking, elegant problem-solving, and the charisma that comes from genuine competence.

The women entrepreneurs leading India's unicorns—from Falguni Nayar of Nykaa to Upasana Taku of MobiKwik—are perfect examples of this redefinition. They've built billion-dollar companies not by choosing between different aspects of themselves, but by leveraging all their strengths.

The Road Ahead

My journey from Miss India finalist to tech entrepreneur isn't unique because I made this transition—it's significant because it challenges the limiting beliefs we hold about women's capabilities. Every day at FutureTayari, I work with professionals who are discovering that their diverse backgrounds aren't obstacles to overcome, but advantages to leverage.

The future belongs to leaders who understand that true beauty lies in empowering others, and real intelligence manifests in creating solutions that matter. As I continue building FutureTayari, I'm not just running a business—I'm proving that when we stop putting people in boxes, extraordinary things become possible.

The little girl who once thought she had to choose between being pretty or being smart is now building a company that helps others realize they never have to make that choice either.