The creator economy in India has evolved rapidly over the past decade, but long before short-form content and influencer agencies became mainstream, many creators were already taking risks to pursue digital careers.
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Originally interviewed by Bikram Kr Singh for Bgsraw Magazine in 2019. Republished by Zappwala Creator Archive in 2026.
Among them was Gunnjan Aras, a dynamic personality from Juhu, Mumbai, who broke boundaries across mainstream modeling, digital acting, and beauty influencing long before the modern creator boom took off.
When Bgsraw Magazine interviewed her in 2019, Gunnjan was already carving out a unique space. Having pivoted from a conventional academic path in Chartered Accountancy to winning Miss Indore, she openly shared the realities of building an audience as a bold bikini model, securing major international brand campaigns like France-based Etam, and facing societal pushback in a culture that often judges unconventional creative paths.
Her story remains deeply inspiring even today because it highlights the resilience needed to turn a personal passion into a thriving independent brand while completely ignoring external criticism.
As part of Zappwala's Creator Archive initiative, we are preserving this conversation to document the ground-breakers who shaped the early days of India's digital creator landscape.
About Gunnjan Aras
Gunnjan Aras is a multi-talented actor, high-fashion bikini model, and lifestyle influencer known for her highly engaging digital media presence. Beyond her visual styling portfolios, she is a classically trained singer, a certified Kathak dancer, and an entrepreneur who successfully launched her own custom clothing and lingerie line.
What Makes Her Story Unique?
Unlike many creators who take traditional routes into media, Gunnjan was deep into serious academic prep for a corporate finance career before her life flipped completely. Her transition from a CA student to a national pageant winner and international model highlights how digital platforms allow individuals to completely redefine their professional destinies.
Looking Back at 2019: The Complete Q&A
Q. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a model?
Because I think I and the camera are made for each other. I love to be in front of a camera, so I think this is the best way to be there with a camera, so I chose to be a model.
Q. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a model? And what hardship do you face in this field?
As every model wants to get fame as an international model, my greatest accomplishment was when I first had my international shoot for Etam bikini brand—it's a France-based brand. I faced a lot of problems before stabilizing myself as a bikini or bold model because our society doesn't easily support it early on. People will try to give you bad names; no one supports you at first. Everyone used to say this industry is rough and dirty, don't spoil your name and image. People tried to demoralize me but I never lost hope and kept moving. I only had my dreams in my mind and I was completely determined towards them. Thanks to God and my parents who always supported me in my journey.
Q. Let us know your goal & future plan?
I want to set a benchmark in the modeling industry. And even now, I'm turning towards acting; I recently did a web series with Ankit Tiwari's production house, so my future plans are to establish myself strongly as an actor. Apart from this, I'm coming up with my own lingerie brand.
Q. Tell us what you're working on now.
I have 2 international shoots coming up—I can't disclose the brand names yet—and I am doing one web series slated for Amazon Prime.
Q. Do your family support you in your decisions?
Yes, a lot. Even when I first had my bikini shoot, I was just 17 years old and my father accompanied me on my shoot as I was too young to go alone. So my parents are like my backbone in setting up my career.
Q. What did you think to become in your childhood?
I'm a massive dog lover, so I originally wanted to be a veterinary doctor.
Q. Apart from modeling, tell us something else or any incident you like to share.
Apart from modeling, I am a trained classical singer and a trained Kathak dancer. I also love sketching and used to do state-level debating.
Q. How will you recommend Bgs Raw as you have been active on social media for long?
I will let people know about Bgs Raw via my Instagram audience.
Q. When was your first collaboration with a brand? How did you get your first sponsor as a model?
My first collaboration was in 2014 with SYNCOM beauty products. Because of my photogenic face and unique style of carrying myself, brands wanted to collaborate with me. This is how I got my first project: they saw me for the first time on my college campus and they immediately said yes, she's the perfect face for our beauty products.
Q. Who is your favorite model?
Kim Kardashian is my favorite model because, despite being petite, she achieved immense success as a global model. The way she carries herself with elegance and grace attracts me a lot.
Q. We notice that you're Miss Indore of 2012, so tell us something about it.
This was the most unexpected thing that happened in my life, and it actually changed the whole of me. Before winning Miss Indore, I was a very sincere student actively pursuing CA, but afterward, I completely turned into a model.
Q. You are a dog lover, so how do you care for them?
I love dogs a lot. I have 5 dogs at my place; they are like babies to me and I care for them heavily. It's quite tough when I'm on a long shoot schedule, but I always try to take my baby along with me so that I can closely take care of him.
Q. Your dress & style seems to be very hot, so do you hire any designer or do you do it yourself?
Thanks for the compliment! Being a fashion freak from childhood, I always try to experiment with my own clothes. I don't hire a designer; I love to make my own personal style statement.
Q. Can you give any ideas to encourage upcoming aspirants about modeling?
Modeling is all about raw passion and absolute confidence. So be completely confident and flaunt yourself proudly.
Q. Any message you want to convey to our audience and your fans?
Be strong, be passionate, and never ever lose your focus until you achieve your ultimate goals. The world will criticize you for your weird dreams, but you keep on trying and one day this exact world will appreciate you.
Q. How can people reach you?
You can follow me on Instagram or FB, contact me on my official mail ID at gunnjanaras@gmail.com, or visit my official website at gunnjan.com.
Editor's Note
This interview was originally conducted by Bikram Kr Singh and published by Bgsraw Magazine in 2019.
Following the closure of Bgsraw Magazine in 2023, selected high-profile creator features are being preserved through Zappwala's Creator Archive initiative to celebrate the journeys of stars who contributed to the evolution of India's digital landscape.
Interview Conducted By: Bikram Kr Singh
Original Publication: 2019
Republished By: Zappwala Creator Archive (2026)
FAQ's of Gunnjan Aras:
Who is Gunnjan Aras?
Gunnjan Aras is an Indian actress, high-fashion model, brand influencer, and entrepreneur. She is widely recognized for her role in popular digital web series like Gandii Baat as well as her prominent work across South Indian film industries.
What is the age of Gunnjan Aras?
Gunnjan Aras was born on February 10, 1993. As of 2026, her current age is 33 years old.
Where is Gunnjan Aras from?
Gunnjan was born and raised in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where she began her journey in the creative fields. She currently lives and works in Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
What are Gunnjan Aras's creative qualifications?
Beyond modeling and acting, Gunnjan is a formally trained classical singer, a trained Kathak dancer, and a skilled sketch artist. She also competed at the state level in debate tournaments during her student days.
Did Gunnjan Aras study anything else before modeling?
Yes, before entering the fashion industry, Gunnjan was an academically focused student actively pursuing a professional qualification in Chartered Accountancy (CA) before winning the Miss Indore title in 2012.
When was Gunnjan Aras interviewed by Bgsraw Magazine?
Gunnjan Aras was interviewed by Bikram Kr Singh for Bgsraw Magazine in 2019. The complete conversation has been updated and preserved under Zappwala's Creator Archive project in 2026.
Did her family support her career choice?
Yes. Gunnjan has explicitly noted that her parents served as her backbone. When she took her first professional bikini photoshoot at the age of 17, her father accompanied her directly to the sets for encouragement and safety.
Why is this article featured on Zappwala?
Following the official closure of Bgsraw Magazine in 2023, high-impact legacy interviews are preserved through Zappwala's Creator Archive initiative to highlight early digital trailblazers who shaped India's creator market.
