Vishal Pinjani is an Indian LGBTIQA activist, TEDx speaker, poet, and actor. In 2023, he was crowned as the ‘Mr Gay India’ pageant.
Wiki/Biography
Vishal Pinjani was born on Monday, 14 February 1983 (age 40 years; as of 2023) in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Aquarius.
A childhood picture of Vishal Pinjani (left)
He did his schooling at St. Xavier’s High School, Kolhapur. He later studied at Vivekanand College, Kolhapur.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His mother’s name is Rajni Pinjani.
Vishal Pinjani with his mother
He has a sister named Deepa Pinjani.
Wife
He is unmarried.
Relationships/Affairs
He is in a relationship with Faroon Sheikh.
Vishal Pinjani with Faroon Sheikh
Career
Vishal Pinjani established a bookstore named ‘Granth’ in Kolhapur, Maharashtra in November 1999. Many celebrities including Soha Ali Khan, Farah Khan, and Aditya Srivastava have visited his shop.
Vishal Pinjani with Soha Ali Khan at his bookshop
In November 2017, he founded a community-based organisation called Abhimaan, which supports the LGBTQIA+ community. In March 2020, he started working as an excellence coach. In 2021, he appeared in the Indian gay web series ‘The Visitors.’ The web series was streamed on the YouTube channel ‘Nakshatra Bagwe.’ He also acted in season 2 and season 3 of the web series.
Vishal Pinjani (left) in a still from the web series ‘The Visitor 3’
Vishal Pinjani participated in the ‘Mr Gay World India’ beauty pageant held in Pune on 5 October 2023, where he was crowned ‘Mr Gay India. He also won the title of Mr Gay Maharastra 2023.
Vishal Pinjani after winning the title of ‘Mr Gay India’
He represented India in the ‘Mr Gay World’ beauty pageant, held in Cape Town, South Africa on 27 October 2023.
Award
In February 2023, he was honoured with the Social Impact Award by Ignited Humanitarian Organisation for supporting the LGBTQIA community in Kolhapur.
Vishal Pinjani receiving the Social Impact Award
Car Collection
He owns a Kia car.
Vishal Pinjani with his car
Facts/Trivia
- He often participates in various poet’s meetings and literature festivals.
Vishal Pinjani during a literature festival
- In an interview, he revealed that he was bullied when he was twelve years old for being gay.
- He has delivered motivational speeches at various institutions.
- In 2012, he created a YouTube channel named ‘Vishal Pinjani,’ where he uploads motivational videos and vlogs. The first video he posted on the channel was ‘How to be happy.’
- He is often spotted consuming alcohol on various occasions.
Vishal Pinjani consuming alcohol
- He is a fitness enthusiast and often shares his workout videos on his social media handles.
Vishal Pinjani while working out in a gym