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Meet The 'World's Most Desirable Man'

Meet The 'World's Most Desirable Man'
Instagram/Rohit Khandelwal

While the political conventions in America have kept everyone distracted by chaos, a new type of leader hath quietly risen.

Meet Rohit Khandelwal, this year’s “World’s Most Desirable Man.”

Last week, the 26-year-old won the top title of Mr. World 2016, an international male beauty pageant held this year in the town of Southport in the United Kingdom.

Khandelwal’s sheer charm, talent and strength outshined the 45 other contestants from around the world. He became the first Indian in the 10-year history of the pageant to win the title, according to the Times of India.

Mr World 2016 is India 1st RU : Puerto Rico 2nd RU : Mexico #mrworld2016

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@mrworld2016) on

And we are all set for our first performance on the stage #mrworld2016

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on

To win the title of Mr. World, contestants participated in a 12-day competition which included five events that tested their physical capabilities, fashion sense, multimedia skills, and of course, talent.

Along with the top title and $50,000 cash prize, Khandelwal also won another coveted distinction: the official title of the “World’s Most Desirable Man.”

Khandelwal was a technical support assistant at Dell in Hyderabad, India. He then moved to Mumbai to study business and pursue acting and modeling, according to The Wall Street Journal. He’s now set his sights on Bollywood, according Gulf News.

The former Mr. India returned to his hometown Monday, where hundreds of fans turned out to congratulate and celebrate with him.

“I’m immensely proud and hope that I can be an inspiration to many male models in India,” Khandelwal said, according to the Times.

In addition to becoming a star, Khandelwal said he also one day aspires to get behind the camera as a filmmaker.

In the meantime, here are a few photos to commemorate his debut ― because the man sure knows how to work a camera.

"That voice in your heart , that hammering in your head , let it be heard its your #calling " With @sayansurroy

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on

#repost @rohit_khandelwal77 - All set to leave for playing Golf :) #mrindia #mrworld #mrworld2016

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@mrworld2016) on

Love for dogs 😍 This cutie on the streets of beautiful southport 🤗 With @amilomoxie

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on

Indian traditinal look How much I love this 😍 Shooting for RS BROTHERS In Hyderabad

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.