misterology
He has been awarded with the title of “Best National Director of the Year” not just once but twice and he is the only Indian to receive this award. He is the man behind bringing prestigious international modelling competitions like Supermodel International and Mister Model International Pageant to India. He is regarded as one of the most successful pageant organizers in the world. He started his journey in the year 2004 by organizing a regional modelling competition in Northern part of India that has now become the biggest annual modelling competition for men in India and is known by the by the name, the Rubaru Mr India contest. He is Sandeep Kumar, the founder and president of the Rubaru Group, the parent organization of Rubaru Mr India and Rubaru Miss India Elite pageants.
Within a short span of three (3) years (from 2014 – 2016), Rubaru Mister India contest has produced 1 international winner, 6 international runners-up and 3 international finalists and various special award winners. Apart from being the president of Rubaru Mister India, Sandeep Kumar also happens to be the mentor and groomer of the Rubaru Mister India titleholders.
He is addressed by several names like “the man who took Indian pageantry to a different level”, “the game changer of male pageantry in India” and “the king of male pageantry in India”.
In this exclusive interview Sandeep Kumar talked about his journey as the president of Rubaru Group and his future goals. Let’s have a look!
Q1. You have been named “The Best National Director” not just once but twice (at Supermodel International 2014 and Mister Model International Pageant 2014). How do you feel about that? Were you expecting something like this to happen?
Sandeep: It does feel great when you get the opportunity to do something for your motherland. Getting noticed for that contribution comes much after that. Yes, I do feel blessed that I got this wonderful opportunity to make my country proud. It was unexpected as that was the very first time Rubaru Group formed an association with these two prestigious international competitions (Supermodel International and Mister Model International Pageant). It was really a fabulous feeling, receiving that prestigious award at both the stages. I would like to thank Mr Luis Trujillo (the owner of Mister Model International Pageant) and Mr Pradit Pradinunt (the owner of Supermodel International Competition) for considering my work and honouring me with these prestigious awards at their respective pageants. I would also like to thank each and every person who supported the Rubaru Group. It is because of your love and support that our winners get more confident and give their best at the international arena. Keep loving and supporting us and we’ll try our best to bring more pride and honour to India.
Q2. Tell us more about the inception of Rubaru Group.
Sandeep: Rubaru Group was established in the year 2004. We began with organizing regional modelling events, Mr and Miss Bahadurgarh, then we went on to organize Mr and Miss Haryana, it later became Mr and Miss North India and ultimately Rubaru Mr India and Rubaru Miss India Elite pageants came into existence. When we look back, we really feel amazed about the journey that we have covered. From organizing a regional contest to hosting prestigious international competitions (Supermodel International and Mister Model International) in India, the journey has been like a roller-coaster ride. The entire Rubaru team has worked with full dedication in every phase of this journey and it is because of all of our efforts that we have reached up to this level.
Q3. Rubaru Mr India has now become India’s biggest and foremost male pageant with so many international competitions associated with it. How do you manage to deal with these international franchises and preparing the winners for their respective international contests?
Sandeep: It is a combined effort if I would say. Here at Rubaru Group, we are all like a family. We learn from each other and support each other in every possible way. The winners are so cooperative, hardworking and dedicated. I feel so blessed and proud when I see them working with utmost dedication to transform into someone who can represent India at the international stage in the best way. At Rubaru, we stay connected to each other no matter what and support each other no matter what and things get easier. That’s how it works.
(L-R) Brian from Sri Lanka, Jung-Hoon from Korea, Sandeep from India (ME), Frederick from Hong Kong, Alan Sim from Singapore (Owner of Mister International organisation), Raenrra from Venezuela, Lyron from the Netherlands; and Adam from China.
Q4. Recently, you brought two of the most well-established and prominent international modelling competitions to India, Mister Model International Pageant (in 2016) and Supermodel International (in 2016 and 2017) and all these three events were great successes. How did you prepare for these two?
Sandeep: It was a very big deal for us to host these three prestigious international events in India. Everything was carried out in a very planned and holistic manner. From organizing the show, to welcoming the delegates and guests to India, to managing the tours, we made sure everything was perfect and everyone should enjoy to the fullest and take back the great memories from India. I would like to say that the Rubaru team has worked very hard in making these three events successful. It was a combined effort as I mentioned earlier, the team that I have is just spectacular. Rubaru team rocks!
Q5. Tell us about the causes that are associated with the Rubaru pageants (Mister India and Miss India Elite).
Sandeep: The main cause that the two pageants focus on is “women empowerment”. The cause associated with Rubaru Miss India Elite is “Stop female Foeticide” and the cause associated with Rubaru Mr India contest is “Stop violence against women”. These two are very sensitive issues nowadays. We are just doing our part to provide a better life to people who have been through hard times and make their lives better in any possible way we can.
Q6. In just a short span of three years (2014 – 2016), Rubaru Mister India contest has produced 1 international winner, 6 international runners-up, 3 international finalists and special award winners. How do you feel about Mr India winners doing so great at the international arena?
Sandeep: It is such a great feeling when I see the Indian representatives perform well at the international stage, not just the winners from the Rubaru Group but any Indian representative who goes on to compete internationally. As it takes months of preparation and hard work in representing your nation at an international platform. Last three years have really been so great for the Rubaru Mr India organization. I am so proud of all the Rubaru Mr India titleholders.
Q7. The 2017 Rubaru Mr India batch has already been chosen and the expectations are really high times. So, how are the preparations going on?
Sandeep: Preparations are going on in full swing. All the winners are trying their best and preparing as hard as they can. They have been working on each and every area in which they are lacking. They are helping each other in recognising their flaws and trying to overcome that. When I see them working so well as a team and trying so hard, it really makes me feel so blessed and happy.
Q8. What qualities do you think are required to be a Rubaru Mr India?
Sandeep: One must be more than just a good-looking face, if I would have to say in one sentence. He must be hard working and dedicate to what he does. I am not just talking about the preparations for the international finale but he must be committed to the work he does. He should be a patient and disciplined individual. He should be able to understand that wearing that sash that has “India” written on it and representing the nation at the international arena is a matter of those several hopes that look up to him and believe in him that he would do full justice to the title and responsibility that has been given to him. The winners we have had till now possessed these qualities and we would continue to have the winners who possess these qualities.
Q9. Recently, you were invited by Mr Vishwa Parera to judge the Ceylon Majestic Pageants (Mr and Miss Sri Lanka). How was your experience there, in Sri Lanka?
Sandeep: It was a very unique and amazing experience. It was my very first visit to Sri Lanka. I would like to thank Mr Vishwa Parera for inviting me to judge his pageant. I received a very warm welcome when I landed in Sri Lanka. The hospitality was just fabulous. The candidates competing at the competition were all very hard working and talented. It was indeed a spectacular experience for me
Q10. Any message for the readers.
Sandeep: First of all, I would like to thank the readers for taking out some time and reading the interview. It does feel great when you see people admire your work and support you. My message would be keep loving and supporting us. If you have any advice regarding the format of the competitions that we run or anything that you think could be better to implement in the Rubaru pageants then do let us know. We would love to have your suggestions after all it’s your consistent support and cheer up, that boots the confidence of the Indian representatives and make them give their best. Thank you all.
