Vasuki Sunkavalli | |
|---|---|
 Vasuki Sunkavalli in 2011 | |
| Born | Hyderabad, India |
| Occupation | Lawyer/ Entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Atul Punj (2018-present) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe India 2011 |
| Citizenship | Indian |
Vasuki Sunkavalli (born 17 August 1984) is an Indian model, lawyer, entrepreneur, actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was theI Am She – Miss Universe India 2011.[1] She has representedIndia at theMiss Universe 2011 pageant held inSão Paulo, Brazil on 12 September 2011,[2] but failed to place in the semifinals due to non participation in preliminary rounds.[3] Sunkavalli was crowned I Am She – Miss Universe India on 15 July 2011 inMumbai, India.[4]
In 2002, Sunkavalli enrolled at theSymbiosis International University in Pune, India for herBachelors inLaw degree. While in India, Sunkavalli did a series of internships at local law firms and at India's National Human Rights Committee.
In 2007, she moved toNew Delhi to pursue a Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights fromGlobal Institute of Intellectual Property. It was during this time that Sunkavalli was approached by members of the Indian fashion industry and she also started her modeling career.
In 2009, Sunkavalli enrolled atNew York University School of Law as a recipient of the prestigious Dean's Scholarship to study International Law and Human Rights and graduated with an LLM degree.[5] Upon graduating from NYU, she interned at theHuman Rights Watch in NYC and went on to work as the Third Committee's Research Assistant at the United Nations’ Permanent Mission of India.
In 2007, Sunkavalli made her entry into Indian fashion when she walked the ramp at WillsIndia Fashion Week. For the next two years, she had a prolific career as a model. She participated in various shows for many of India's top designers and modeled for brands based in Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, and Kolkata. She was also part of the ad campaigns of Nike, Kit Kat, andWorld Gold Council.
On 15 July 2011, Sunkavalli was crowned I Am She – Miss Universe India 2011 in Mumbai. The pageant consisted of 20 contestants from various parts of India. Sunkavalli also represented India at theMiss Universe 2011 pageant inSão Paulo, Brazil.
On 12 September 2011, 88 women from countries across the globe participated with Sunkavalli, who represented India at the Miss Universe 2011, held in São Paulo, Brazil. She went unplaced. She also failed to compete in National Costume Round as her dress was stuck at the Brazil customs for two weeks.
Sunkavalli was selected as one of the few Miss Universe 2011 contestants along with Haiti, Ireland, Jamaica to visit Haiti Island as a good will ambassador to raise charitable funds.
Sunkavalli has also starred in several movies and shows, includingA Billion Colour Story andThinkistan.
| Year | Film | Language | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | A Billion Colour Story | English Hindi | Parvati Aziz | Debut | |
| 2018-2019 | Smoke | Hindi | |||
| 2019 | Flip | Hindi | |||
| Thinkistan | Hindi | Sneha | |||
| 2022 | Runway 34 | Hindi | Ishita Bajaj | Credited as Vasunki Punj | |
| Dhokha: Round D Corner | Hindi | Dr. Vidya Awasthi | Credited as Vasunki Punj | ||
| Crash Course | Hindi | Vidya Nair | |||
| 2023 | The Tenant | English Hindi | Natasha | Credited as Vasuki Sunkavalli |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | I AM She 2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Ushoshi Sengupta | Miss Universe India 2011 | Succeeded by Shilpa Singh |