Rashi Akanksha | 10th September 2025
When Puneet Kathuria steps onto a runway, the room shifts. The audience waits for that signature walk that has already redefined what it means to be a model in Delhi University’s vibrant fashion circuit. With over 26 titles under his belt—including a record-breaking streak as Best Male Model—Puneet is not just a face in the crowd, but a force who has turned resilience into artistry, and individuality into inspiration.
But who is Puneet beyond the glitter and lights? In his own words, he is “ Someone who does not like to label himself, and believes in love beyond gender, as an emotion! a very spiritual person who loves to sing, cook, paint, and upcycle clothes.” He smiles when he describes cooking for his father and waiting for his reactions, or when talking about designing new outfits out of old fabrics. Fashion may have become his calling, but creativity in its many forms has always been his home.
At just 22 years old, Puneet Kathuria is already reshaping the landscape of Indian fashion and pageantry. A graduate of Hindu College, University of Delhi, he is the Founder and Head Coach of Vinora Models, one of India’s rising grooming institutes. In only a short span, Puneet has trained more than 2000 models and pageant aspirants across the country, creating a powerhouse of talent that continues to shine on state, national, and international stages.
The list of his students’ achievements is staggering. Mehak Dhingra was crowned Miss Charm India and will soon represent India on the global stage, bagging multiple sub-titles along the way. Radhika Singhal, another of his mentees, won Miss Universe Uttarakhand 2025 and placed in the Top 20 of Miss Universe India. Names like Ravi Tanya, Yashika Goyal, and a host of Miss Grand India finalists—all trained under Puneet—are now carrying forward his legacy of precision, discipline, and unapologetic individuality. One of his students, Monika, even reached the Top 8 at Miss Supranational organized by The Times Group.
As a mentor, Puneet is equally relentless and nurturing, ensuring his students not only perfect their walk but also build the confidence to own any stage they step onto. Having judged over 50 fashion shows in the past year, and featured in publications like Hindustan Times and Times of India, Puneet’s credibility as one of India’s most sought-after runway and pageant coaches is undeniable.
But Puneet’s journey was never one paved with ease. Growing up, school was a place where he often faced bullying for his feminine walk and mannerisms. Slurs and taunts became an everyday reality. Yet, in the midst of this hostility, there was a silver lining: the kindness of his teachers. It was the love from his mentors that gave him the strength to hold on.
At first, modelling wasn’t even on his radar. He was a trained singer and dancer, more drawn to cultural activities than the catwalk. His true academic dream was psychology—born from a desire to understand himself better and heal from the homophobia he faced. It was at Hindu College, however, that his life changed. On a whim, he auditioned for the college’s Fashion Society, Nakshatra. To his surprise, he won the title of Best Walk in his very first attempt. What began as an experiment soon became a passion. With each stage appearance, he discovered that his difference—once mocked—was now celebrated.
Ask Puneet the secret behind his rapid success—26 titles in 1.5 years, an all-time Delhi University record—and he will tell you it’s about embracing, not hiding, who you are. “My difference helped me get this far. Why would I change that?” he says firmly. His walk, often described as equal parts powerful and graceful, became his signature. Designers and judges couldn’t ignore it. Beyond the stage, his relentless work ethic—training tirelessly, mentoring others, and pushing boundaries—cemented his place as one of the most awarded and respected names in DU’s fashion history.
At the heart of Puneet’s story is his father. A single parent who had once dreamed of being a model himself, Puneet’s father became his biggest cheerleader. When Puneet began experimenting with crop tops, skirts, nail paint, and piercings, his father never questioned him. Instead, he embraced it fully—even piercing his own ear so that none of Puneet’s earrings would go to waste, even applying nail paint to show solidarity. Their bond became a shield against a world that often tried to ridicule. On Diwali, his father encouraged him to wear a ghagra skirt, twirling him in the park. It was his way of saying: You don’t need to hide who you are in front of anyone—not even God.
Within Hindu College and the wider Delhi University circuit, Puneet found a space that, while not perfect, was far more accepting than his school years. Societies like Nakshatra and platforms like DU’s Pride Parade made him feel seen. His closest circle of friends—including a trans woman who began her transition while working with him—offered him a chosen family where support flowed both ways. “We call each other whenever we face homophobia. We always show up for one another,” he says.
While Puneet acknowledges that he hasn’t faced the same level of discrimination as many others in the LGBTQ community, he has witnessed trans models being sidelined and designers choosing “straight-passing” men over queer ones. He himself has been rejected from auditions for refusing to take off his nail paint or alter his walk. “But why should I? I got here because of my walk. That’s what makes me different.”
Through Vinora Models, he now trains young people, many from small towns who arrive carrying not only dreams but also fears. He teaches them that the runway is not just about aesthetics but about self-acceptance. For those who enter his classroom doubting themselves, he reminds them that confidence is their greatest crown. And for those still figuring out who they are, he creates a space where they can explore freely, without the fear of being silenced.
In every sense, Puneet’s story is more than a personal success. It is a narrative of how representation matters, how visibility can shift perceptions, and how media, when it chooses to highlight these journeys, becomes a powerful tool for social change. By celebrating Puneet, the spotlight extends to a larger conversation about the LGBTQ youth in Delhi who still face discrimination, bullying, and rejection, but who also deserve stories of resilience and triumph to look up to. His journey tells them: you are not alone, your difference is your strength, and your walk—whether on the ramp or in life—has the power to shift the room
Rashi Akanksha is a media researcher and writer focusing on gender, sexuality, and social justice in India. Her work examines the gap between legal rights and lived realities, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
