Manasa Varanasi, the poised and accomplished winner of VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020, has once again captured widespread attention in early 2026. At 28 years old (born March 21, 1997), this Hyderabad native—engineer-turned-beauty queen-turned-actress—is trending across social media, entertainment news, and Telugu cinema discussions primarily due to her lead role in the romantic drama Couple Friendly, which released theatrically on February 14, 2026 (Valentine's Day). Co-starring Santosh Sobhan and directed by debutant Ashwin Chandrasekhar under UV Creations, the film has been hailed as a "blockbuster love story of the season" by fans and critics alike, with Manasa's performance as Mithra earning particular praise for its emotional depth, natural screen presence, and strong dialogue delivery.
The movie's mature, heartfelt take on modern relationships—focusing on career struggles, live-in dynamics, emotional bonding, and romance in Chennai's vibrant backdrop—has resonated strongly, especially during the romantic Valentine's weekend. Public reviews highlight Manasa's surprise package status: she "dominates the show," shines in the second half, and brings confidence and relatability to her character. Social media is flooded with clips from promotional events, thank-you meets, and fan reels celebrating the film's success, with hashtags like #CoupleFriendly, #ManasaVaranasi, and #SantoshSobhan trending in Telugu circles. Her Instagram posts (e.g., romantic stills as Shiva and Mithra, outfit credits, and gratitude captions) have garnered massive engagement, amplifying the buzz.
Beyond the film, Manasa's journey from a computer science graduate to Miss India World, Miss World 2021 top-13 finalist, and now a promising Telugu actress makes her story inspiring. Below is a detailed profile of her background, pageant triumph, transition to cinema, family influences, and why Couple Friendly has put her back in the spotlight in 2026.
Early Life and Education: From Hyderabad to Global Stage
Manasa Varanasi was born on March 21, 1997, in Hyderabad, Telangana (then Andhra Pradesh), to Ravi Shankar (father) and Shailaja Varanasi (mother). She has a younger sister named Meghana Varanasi. Her family moved to Malaysia early in her life due to her father's job, where she attended the Global Indian International School (GIIS) until class 10. The multicultural exposure there shaped her confidence and adaptability.
Returning to Hyderabad, Manasa completed her higher education at Vasavi College of Engineering, graduating with a B.Tech in Computer Science in 2018. During college, she was active in extracurriculars—dancing, music (part of the band NINE DAYS), drama—and won Miss Fresher in her first year. Post-graduation, she worked as a Financial Information Exchange (FIX) Analyst at FactSet in Hyderabad, balancing a corporate tech career with emerging interests in modeling and pageantry.
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| Image Source: https://www.tupaki.com/photogallery/ |
Manasa credits her mother, grandmother, and younger sister as her three most influential figures—strong women who instilled resilience, grace, and ambition. Her family supported her pivot from engineering to glamour, encouraging her to pursue dreams beyond a desk job.
The Pageant Triumph: Femina Miss India World 2020 and Miss World 2021
Manasa's entry into pageantry began while working professionally. She won Miss Telangana 2019 and 2020 at the state level, qualifying for nationals. On February 10, 2021, in a historic first-ever digital Femina Miss India pageant (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), she was crowned VLCC Femina Miss India World 2020 by outgoing titleholder Suman Rao at Hyatt Regency, Mumbai. She also won the Miss Rampwalk sub-title and excelled in other segments.
This victory was monumental: Manasa became the first Miss India from Telangana in recent memory and represented India at Miss World 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Despite testing positive for COVID during the event, she advanced to the top 13—a strong showing on the global stage. Her poise, intelligence, and advocacy (focused on education and women's empowerment) impressed judges and audiences.
Post-pageant, Manasa transitioned to entertainment, leveraging her visibility for acting opportunities.
Acting Debut and Early Cinema Journey
Manasa made her Telugu film debut in 2024 with Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, opposite Ashok Galla. Directed by K. Gireesh Kumar, the mythological-action drama featured her as Satyabhama. Reviews noted her screen presence and looks, though she had room to grow in emotional depth. The film received mixed feedback overall, but Manasa's entry was seen as promising for a beauty queen crossing into cinema.
Trending in 2026: The Success of Couple Friendly
Couple Friendly (released February 14, 2026) is Manasa's second film and the one propelling her current trend. Directed by Ashwin Chandrasekhar, produced by UV Creations, and featuring Santosh Sobhan as lead, the romantic drama explores modern relationships—career pressures, live-in dynamics, emotional bonding, and romance in Chennai. Manasa plays Mithra, a strong, relatable character whose arc has been widely praised.
- Trailer & Promotions
The official trailer (released early February 2026) teased heartfelt romance and emotional depth, building anticipation for Valentine's Day. - Release & Reception
The film opened to decent appreciation, with public reviews calling it a "blockbuster love story" and "mature, heartfelt." Manasa's performance stands out—she dominates scenes, emoted well in the second half, and surprised audiences with confidence and dialogue diction. Critics note her natural fit as Mithra and strong screen presence. - Buzz & Events
Pre-release parties, thank-you meets, and fan reels (e.g., Truth or Dare games with Santosh Sobhan) went viral. Her Instagram posts—romantic stills as Shiva and Mithra, outfit credits, and gratitude—have massive likes and comments. Media calls her the "surprise package" and "Telugu girl shining big."
The film's timing (Valentine's release) and themes (couple dynamics, emotional maturity) align perfectly with seasonal romance, boosting her visibility.
Personal Life, Family, and Beyond the Spotlight
Manasa hails from a supportive middle-class family. Her parents (Ravi Shankar and Shailaja) and sister Meghana have been her pillars. She considers her grandmother, mother, and sister the most influential women in her life.
She stands at 5'9" and maintains a fit, graceful physique. No public details on marriage or relationships exist; she focuses on career and advocacy (education, women's empowerment).
Manasa enjoys dancing, singing, traveling, reading, skygazing, embroidery, and fitness. Her Instagram (@manasa5varanasi, 444K+ followers) shows creative, soulful content—nature reboots, fashion, and film promotions—managed by Anudeep Munna.
Why Manasa Varanasi Is Trending in 2026
Her current buzz stems from Couple Friendly's success—positive reviews, fan love, and Valentine's resonance—plus her inspiring journey from engineer to Miss India to actress. At 28, she's proving beauty queens can excel in cinema with substance.
Manasa's story motivates: education, poise, hard work, and family support lead to multifaceted success.
What is your favorite Manasa moment or role? Share in the comments below!
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