Originally published at https://pynr.in on May 24, 2025.
The Miss World glamour may have landed in Hyderabad, but it looks like both the local media and the city’s public were left out of the frame. Despite the state government’s involvement, organisers appear to have shut the doors on homegrown journalists while rolling out the red carpet for production-linked teams from Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru. Media personnel from Telangana who flashed official ID cards found themselves politely (and not-so-politely) dismissed. The local press corps, which expected at least some access given it’s a state-supported affair, is now whispering about being snubbed in their own backyard. And it’s not just the media feeling left out. The public enthusiasm for the event didn’t quite match the hype either. Shilpakala Vedika, expected to dazzle with a packed audience, was visibly underwhelming in attendance. The saving grace? A group of students from a nearby Gurukul, hurriedly arranged to fill up the empty rows and clap on cue. With camera crews buzzing, international contestants striking poses, and influencers gushing on Instagram — the irony is hard to miss. Hyderabad hosted Miss World, but neither its media nor its public got a front-row view.
Got questions or experiences to share? Comment below or connect with me on Instagram @samuelmjosh and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-joshua-maddela-ab210b1b9
