Manasa Varanasi

21 Mar, 1997 |

Actress

Biography

Manasa Varanasi is an Indian model, beauty queen, and emerging actress from Hyderabad, Telangana, India. She rose to national prominence after being crowned Femina Miss India World 2020, one of the most prestigious beauty titles in the country, which gave her the opportunity to represent India at the Miss World 2021 pageant and reach the Top 13. Manasa was born and brought up in a middle-class family in Hyderabad to parents Anumani Varanasi and Shailaja Varanasi, and she has a younger sister named Meghana Varanasi. Though she grew up primarily in India, she spent part of her early schooling at the Global Indian International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, due to her family’s relocation. Education & Early Career After returning to India, Manasa completed her higher education in Hyderabad and pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Computer Science and Engineering from Vasavi College of Engineering. During her college years, she was active in extracurricular activities, including dance, music, and drama, and she was a member of her college music band NINE DAYS. She also won the title of Miss Fresher in her first year of college, hinting early on at her affinity for performing and stage presence. After graduating in 2018, Manasa worked professionally as a Financial Information Exchange (FIX) Analyst at FactSet in Hyderabad, balancing a technical corporate career alongside her growing interests in modeling and public appearances. Modeling & Pageant Career Manasa’s foray into modeling and pageantry began while she was still working in the corporate world. She first competed at the state level, winning Miss Telangana 2019 and later being crowned Miss Telangana 2020, which qualified her for the national stage. On 10 February 2021, Manasa achieved a major milestone by winning the Femina Miss India World 2020 title at a grand finale held in Mumbai. The crown was presented to her by the outgoing titleholder and Miss World Asia 2019, Suman Rao, in a finale judged by Bollywood personalities and fashion icons. During the pageant, she also won the Miss Rampwalk sub-title and placed in several other sub-contests, showing her overall versatility and stage confidence. Her Miss India victory brought her national recognition and paved the way for her to represent India at the Miss World 2021 competition in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she advanced to the Top 13, a significant achievement on the global stage. Film & Acting Career Following her success in pageantry, Manasa transitioned toward the entertainment industry. She made her debut in films with the Telugu movie Devaki Nandana Vasudeva (2024), in which she played the role of Satyabhama. This marked her first major acting project and showcased her screen presence beyond modeling and pageant platforms. She is also slated to appear in the upcoming film Couple Friendly (2026), expanding her filmography and strengthening her career in mainstream cinema. Public Image, Influences & Personal Interests Manasa draws inspiration from Bollywood actress and Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra Jonas, admiring her for breaking barriers across acting, entrepreneurship, and social work. Beyond her professional life, Manasa enjoys hobbies such as dancing, singing, traveling, reading, skygazing, embroidery, and fitness activities. She also engaged in NGO work during her youth, serving with clubs like the Rotary International Interact Club and Make A Difference, reflecting her broader interests in community service and advocacy. Known for her calm and introspective personality, she also shares glimpses of her personal interests and lifestyle on social media, engaging with fans globally as she builds her acting career.