Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Sushmita Sen’s Manipur Designer Reunion Draws Online Debate
Sushmita Sen met fashion designer Robert Naorem after a beauty contest.
They hugged and talked warmly about each other and Manipur.
Robert gave Sushmita traditional Manipuri gifts.
Sushmita said seeing him made her feel at home.
Robert later shared the video online and praised her kindness.
The contest was won by 19-year-old law student Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala.
Some people online thought Sushmita did not pay enough attention to Kaziah.
Another video showed Sushmita spending time with the emotional first runner-up.
The two videos led to a debate on social media about what happened.
A backstage video showed Sushmita Sen warmly reuniting with Manipur-based designer Robert Naorem after the Miss Universe India 2026 finale.
Sen hugged Naorem, asked about his well-being and Manipur, and thanked him for traditional Manipuri gifts.
Naorem called Sen the “real definition of Miss Universe” and praised her humility, purity and love.
Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old law student from Kerala, won the Miss Universe India 2026 title in Jaipur on August 23.
Some social media users accused Sen of ignoring Mejo after interpreting another video as showing her favoring the first runner-up.
- Who
- Sushmita Sen, designer Robert Naorem, winner Kaziah Liz Mejo, and the Miss Universe India 2026 jury.
- What
- A video of Sen’s emotional reunion with Naorem went viral amid criticism over her interaction with the pageant winner.
- When
- The finale took place on August 23, and Naorem shared the reunion video on August 24.
- Where
- The finale and reunion took place in Jaipur; Naorem is based in Manipur and Mejo is from Kerala.
- Why
- The reunion attracted attention because social media users were debating whether Sen appeared to ignore or favor contestants after the finale.
Online Critics
Supporters and Context
Sen’s interaction with the winner
Online Critics
Some social media users interpreted a video as showing Sen favoring the emotional first runner-up and ignoring Kaziah Liz Mejo.
Supporters and Context
The available report also shows Sen warmly engaging with Naorem backstage, while the criticism is based on how users interpreted the separate video.
Meaning of the viral moment
Online Critics
Critics focused on whether Sen gave the newly crowned winner sufficient attention after the finale.
Supporters and Context
Supporters highlighted Sen’s longstanding personal connection with Naorem and her concern for him and Manipur during their reunion.
- Pageant
- Miss Universe India 2026
- Winner
- Kaziah Liz Mejo, a 19-year-old law student from Kerala
- Finale date
- August 23
- Location
- Jaipur
- Designer
- Robert Naorem, a Manipur-based fashion designer and entrepreneur
- Video date
- August 24
- Sen’s jury colleagues
- Urvashi Rautela and other jury members