Today we’d like to introduce you to Akshata Prabhu

Hi Akshata, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

Born in the city of dreams, Mumbai in India, raised by two dynamic individuals, Mr. Abhay & Mrs. Amrita Prabhu, I was always taught to aim high and reach the stars.
Since childhood, I always loved the Fashion & Glamour Industry but it was considered sort of a taboo to consider it as a Profession. The society where being a Doctor or an Engineer were the only two professions that exist; it was hard to break the mould and be different.
I convinced my father (with my mother’s support) to let me try my hand at Modelling which turned out as a pretty successful stint (almost a decade). Thereafter, my family also wanted me to pursue a serious and a bankable career due to my academic inclination & scholarly scores. I went on to graduate as a Dental Surgeon (5 years) further specializing as a Pediatric Dentist (3 years) and years of setting up a Professional Clinical Practice giving up Modelling forever. I was known as Dr. Akshata Prabhu- Pediatric Dental Surgeon to the world by now.
But as they say, your first love never dies & the camera was undoubtedly my first love.
With a two year old daughter in my arms and 45 pounds of post pregnancy weight gain, I decided to hustle and live my dream of being in front of the camera once again. I had decided to bring that Professional Model inside me to life (comeback) this time it had to be with double the hardwork & gumption.
With the support of my family, I enrolled in the National Pageant and won Mrs India Runner-up Title in 2019 and was thereby chosen to represent India on the International Platform in USA. On 9th August 2021, I became the first Indian to win the International Crown & Title of Ms. International World
After winning that crown, I realized that Pageantry had made me a Role Model now ; not just a Model. That’s what made me fall in love with the Pageant Industry. With the help & support of my husband, Dr. Swaroop Puranik (Governor Awardee, Ironman & International Athlete), I launched The International Glamour Project – a platform that provides Training & Opportunities to women of 3 age groups – Teen, Miss & Mrs to represent their country in International Pageants & International Fashion Weeks with an ideology of inclusivity accepting all body types irrespective of age,height, weight, complexion.
Today, as we speak, we have successfully accomplished 3 Seasons of The International Glamour Project – Miss Teen India | Miss India | Mrs India with 30+ International representations across the globe

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

My personal journey was full of ups and downs. The societal mindsets did prevent me from breaking the glass ceiling but when I did, I developed this new found confidence that I could do anything and achieve the unthinkable.
Jumping into Entrepreneurship was my husband’s decision (earlier we were both job holders) but I have to tell you it was the most courageous decision and I have to thank my husband for pushing me.

Starting your own business, building your own brand isn’t easy. We invested all our savings to establish this brand and the entrepreneurial journey we have had, has been a roller coaster ride especially because we launched the platform just 6 months before Covid-19 hit the world.

But trust me, the comeback has been so rewarding. The fact that we could pull through and are still sailing without a single external investor makes us swell with pride. Proud to diversify our company now into a Production House that caters to Actors & Models providing them professional opportunities and training for various mainstream Film, Television & OTT projects.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

The way I have built The International Glamour Project is a tad bit different from others. Because I’ve been from the Professional Industry of Fashion & Modelling, I understand the professional know-hows and requisites of the Industry allowing me to create a clear road map for my mentees to build their own identity and launch them in the mainstream to become public figures.
There are many success stories of our mentees winning International Titles in Pageants, walking International Fashion Weeks like New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week & Paris Fashion Week and being taken aboard for Brand Endorsements as well as Acting Projects.
We stand for imparting skill sets and empowering women and girls making them financially independent also helping them build their own identity.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?

Success for me is the journey that I’m continually living through because that’s how I am evolving and growing. It’s not about the destination. It’s about the process that leads me to the destination. Today, I am enjoying this interview as much and this is a part of success for me as I narrate my story, so that it can inspire someone who reads it. The personal growth is something that I am very proud of. To be a wife to such a loving husband and a business partner who contributes to the growth of the company, to be an encouraging mother to my little girl who is training to be a Professional Swimming Champion, all of this is equally important for me apart from being a Beauty Queen, Doctor, Model, Actor & an Entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theinternationalglamourproject.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tigpofficial?igsh=MXdvYTd0cHc3a2JuaA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheInternationalGlamourProject
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tigpofficial?si=drL6UsVkajF7gjOI

Image Credits

Courtesy: TIGP Productions Pvt Ltd