Anchal Kumar became a pivotal personality in India’s fashion world at the end of the 1990s and challenged the world with her elegance and charm. Let’s follow her footsteps from the streets of Chandigarh to the global catwalks, and then to the Bollywood film industry; she is a model of toughness and changeability. This exhaustive word biography explores her life, work, and private achievements, based on authentic public documents.
Who is Anchal Kumar?
Anchal Kumar is an Indian actress, supermodel, influencer, and beauty queen who first became known after winning the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest. She was Miss Intercontinental 1999, which made her a pioneer of the fashion world. Besides being on the catwalk, she has also done some acting in Bollywood movies like Fashion and Bluffmaster! and at the same time, she has been very active as a lifestyle influencer.
Her move from modeling to being a partner in her husband’s business shows her diverse talents. Anchal is a perfect combination of elegance and strength, and she is quite often sharing tips on luxury, fashion and self-improvement. Her fans, in turn, look up to her as a stereotype-breaker in the very competitive fashion world.
Anchal Kumar Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anchal Kumar |
| Date of Birth (DOB) | October 24, 1979 |
| Age | 46 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Chandigarh, Punjab, India |
| Birth Sign (Zodiac) | Scorpio |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Famous For | Winning Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest (1999); Bollywood roles in Fashion (2008) and Bluffmaster! (2005); Wife of entrepreneur Anupam Mittal |
| Profession | Supermodel, Actress, Influencer, Beauty Pageant Titleholder |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Education | St. Stephen’s School, Chandigarh; Mithibai College, Mumbai |
| Major Awards | Gladrags Manhunt & Megamodel Winner (1999); Miss Intercontinental 1999 Semi-Finalist; Best Female Model (2007) |
| Spouse/Husband | Anupam Mittal (married 2013) |
| Children | 2 (details private) |
| @anchalkumar24 | |
| Debut Film | Bluffmaster! (2005) |
| TV Appearance | Bigg Boss 4 (2010) |
Early Years in Chandigarh
Anchal Kumar was born on October 24, 1979, in Chandigarh, Punjab, which is a city celebrated for its planned architecture and lively culture. She was raised in a typical middle-class Punjabi family and went through a close-knit upbringing that placed importance on discipline and education. Her two elder sisters were a strong influence, who not only encouraged her to pursue her dreams but also supported her emotionally during her early years.
At St. Stephen’s School, Anchal was a top student, obtaining a remarkable 91% in her board exams, which was a clear indication of her sharp intellect. The mixture of modernity and tradition represented by Chandigarh influenced her perception of the world, giving her a down-to-earth view surrounded by the glamour of dreams. At the age of 16, scouts from Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL came across her during a talent hunt all over India and this sparked the modeling career of Anchal. This unexpected revelation put the end to her innocent teenage years and started a fashion relentless pursuit.
Moving to Mumbai was a difficult experience for her, as she had to manage college at Mithibai College along with attending auditions and shooting. While studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree, she was able to fully engage herself in the city’s movement, sharing an apartment with her sisters and using them as her mentors. These initial hardships developed her perseverance and showed her how to cope with studies, café jobs, and aspirations of being a model on the runway without losing one’s focus.
Anchal Physical Attributes and Signature Style
With a statue of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and a slender body of 55-60 kg, Anchal was the classic beauty for high-fashion modeling. Her stunning bone structure, attractive eyes, and long dark hair were recognized as her unique features, getting her to the covers and being the face of luxury brands without any difficulty. Besides, her daily undertaking like yoga, which she is a passionate advocate for, has helped her to boast an athletic build, thus mirroring a disciplined living.
In her journey from wearing only ethnic to elegant global chic, she has been frequently combining saris with modern cuts. This attribute of hers worked positively for the brands that aimed to be viewed as ‘real’. Even at the age of 46, her ageless beauty still serves as a source of inspiration, reminding us that grace is not an attribute only to be associated with young people in the industry.
Rise to Modeling Stardom
Anchal’s career took a major turn when she was only 17 years old. She started off as the face of some television commercials, but then came the year 1999 which changed her life completely. She won the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest—the first in the women’s section overpowering the likes of John Abraham in the men’s category—which brought her the spotlight of the whole country. The contest which took place in Punjab also gave Anchal the title of Model of the Year and a chance to represent India at Miss Intercontinental in Germany where she made it to the semifinals.
Anchal post-Gladrags period created a big turnaround in endorsements: Sunsilk, Rexona, Bombay Dyeing, and Diet Coke, of which the last one paid her a whopping Rs 1.25 lakh for just one advertisement. She was the face of Indian fashion, along with the topmost designers and the fashion circuit was not only limited to India but also gaining the international exposure. By 2000 Anchal was the ramp queen and gradually the industry was transferring from ramp-centered to commercial modeling.
The year 2007 saw the Atlantic City, New Jersey based Bollywood Fashion & Music Awards giving her the honor of Best Female Model of the Year which confirmed her standing in the top league. The praise of these awards made her pick and choose the projects she wants thus she did not only last but also curated a career of her own amidst an industry flooded with temporary fame.
Ventures into Acting and Television
Acting was not her first choice, but Anchal made a spectacular début in 2005 with Bluffmaster!, a hilarious robbery movie with Abhishek Bachchan, and she was already giving it a touch of glamour with her small role. After that, she worked with Madhur Bhandarkar in Fashion (2008), where she played a runway model in a story that critiqued and exposed the dark side of the industry—a role very similar to her real-life situations. Moreover, she acted in Ladki Lal Duppate Wali (1999), proving her versatility in areas other than catwalk.
Television offered her the opportunity to participate in the reality show Bigg Boss 4 in 2010, which was hosted by Salman Khan. She came in as a wild card and spent 40 days in the house, making friends and enemies while avoiding being the next one to go out, and eventually taking the 11th place. Her presence was polarizing but it did open up the doors for her to be seen more, showing the audience a side of her that is more open and strong.
Today, Anchal is an influencer who creates content about luxury, travel, and wellness. She posts it on her Instagram account (@anchalkumar24), and her active online presence has attracted thousands of followers. Through her partnerships with brands and her nostalgic approach, she effortlessly combines nostalgia with modern-day digital savvy.
Anchal Kumar Personal Life and Love Story
Anchal’s relationship with Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and the CEO of People Group, was shown in Mumbai’s upper-class society during the early 2000s. They met through common friends, and the combination of her artistic talent and his technological dreaming led to a very strong connection between them. They nurtured their bond by traveling and talking on the phone at night; it finally led to a wedding in 2013 in Jaipur, her favorite city, and the couple got married there.
The four-day extravaganza was a mix of Victorian dining, mehendi, pool parties, sangeet, and traditional customs, all done with a touch of intimacy. Anupam, who was born in 1971 and is now a judge on Shark Tank India, provided a solid rock in the marriage; their partnership is seen as the union of Glamour and Business. The couple has two children, but they prefer to keep their family life private, away from the prying eyes of the public.
Anchal’s religion, Hinduism, influences her daily life, which is clearly demonstrated by her though posts about festivals and pictures from temple visits. Her family still holds her close, and her sisters’ impact on her is still deep. This spiritual and family core is what mainly gives her high-profile life its balancing power.
Husband Anupam Mittal (CEO of People Group and owns Shaadi.com)
Anupam Mittal, Anchal’s spouse, is the chairperson of People Group and owns Shaadi.com and part of the equity of Info Edge. He is a judge of Shark Tank India and his wealth is estimated at over one billion dollars. At the age of 52, he started his tech career with the original venture.
Anupam’s influence extends to Anchal’s business and they are seen together at the functions. She is empowered by his support. Their collaboration is based on mutual respect and aspirations.
Achievements and Lasting Impact
Anchal’s trophy cabinet flaunts Gladrags 1999, Miss Intercontinental semi-finalist acknowledgment, and the modeling award of 2007. Although her filmography is choice, it still had an effect on the modeling roles in films. Her net worth, which is between $10 and $20 million, is sustained by the endorsements, real estate, and the business partnerships with Anupam.
She broke the small-town girl stereotype by becoming the queen of Bombay, and thus empowered the women of the fashion industry. Her yoga practice advocates for the holistic health of the body and mind, which is one of the reasons for her strong influence beyond the beauty aspect. In 2026, Anchal is a living example of the “newspaper” of the supermodel to the influencer matriarch.
Challenges and Resilience
The sector subjected Anchal to its rough and tumble—extreme rivalry, role assignments, and constant checking. Bigg Boss spread the public opinion but she was not affected. Motherhood together with her public image asked for a total remake, a clever move from the catwalks to the social media.
Her tale is the brightest example of persistence; at the very beginning, refusals were her stepping stones. By being true to herself she not only avoided traps that her colleagues fell into but also secured her legacy as sustainable.
Legacy in Fashion and Beyond
Anchal Kumar’s mark on the Indian modeling scene still persists, thanks to her Gladrags victory and other brand legacies. The movie Fashion has already sealed her era, but the constant digital pivots make her always in vogue. As Anupam Mittal’s better half, she quietly magnifies the narrative of People Group, coalescing the personal and the professional effortlessly.
She is mentoring young talents informally and advocating for inclusivity at the same time. Besides being a glamorous queen, she is also a lesson to the dreamers that ambition can present itself in any way no matter where one comes from. Anchal keeps on flourishing, a living proof of grace that lasts, in January 2026.
Anchal Kumar Net Worth
Anchal Kumar’s net worth estimates range from $10-20 million USD as of 2026, derived from modeling, acting, endorsements, and investments. Joint assets with Anupam elevate family wealth significantly. Brand deals sustain her income streams.
Real estate and business ventures contribute notably. Her financial independence reflects smart career choices. This affluence funds her luxurious lifestyle
Conclusion
Anchal Kumar’s trip from Chandigarh airport to the influencer icon has been nothing short of a remarkable story of resilience and re-invention. The modeling and film industries along with her family life have been the areas of her great impact. While she walks through 2026, her stillness and adaptability character traits keep on being her legacy.
FAQs
Who is Anchal Kumar?
Anchal Kumar is an Indian supermodel, actress, beauty pageant titleholder, and influencer best known for winning the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 1999.
How old is Anchal Kumar and when is her birthday?
Born on October 24, 1979, in Chandigarh, India, Anchal Kumar is 46 years old as of 2026. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio.
Who is Anchal Kumar’s husband?
Anchal Kumar married Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com and Shark Tank India judge, in 2013 during an intimate ceremony in Jaipur.
Does Anchal Kumar have children?
Yes, she and Anupam Mittal have two children, though they keep family details private.