Chum Darang is an Indian actress, model, social activist, and entrepreneur from Arunachal Pradesh who rose to mainstream prominence through her appearance on Bigg Boss 18. Known for her authentic personality, fierce opinions, and commitment to social causes, she has become a recognized face in both entertainment and activism spheres.
Her career trajectory reflects deliberate choices from beauty pageants to acting roles in critically acclaimed films like Badhaai Do and Gangubai Kathiawadi. This biography covers Chum Darang age, her multifaceted career, family background, recent relationship developments, and why she matters in contemporary Indian cinema.
Who is Chum Darang?
Chum Darang is more than just an actress—she represents Northeast India in mainstream entertainment spaces, a region historically underrepresented in Bollywood. Growing up in Pasighat, a small town in Arunachal Pradesh, she defied geographical limitations to build a national career.
Her work consistently challenges stereotypes. Whether playing a same-sex partner in Badhaai Do or a supporting character in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, she approaches each role with authenticity. Her Bigg Boss 18 participation introduced her to audiences unfamiliar with her previous work, becoming a turning point where her genuine nature and strong convictions gained wider appreciation beyond her established fanbase.
Chum Darang Age – How Old is She?
Chum Darang age is 34 years old as of 2026. She was born on October 16, 1991, in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, making her zodiac sign Scorpio.
Despite being in her mid-30s, her career continues to evolve with significant television and film opportunities emerging regularly, particularly following her high-profile Bigg Boss 18 appearance.
Chum Darang Biography / Wiki
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chum Darang |
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1991 |
| Age (2026) | 34 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, India |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Donyi-Polo (indigenous Arunachali faith) |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Social Activist, Entrepreneur |
| Height | 5’7″ (1.68 m) |
| Education | D’Ering Memorial Higher Secondary School; Jawaharlal Nehru College |
| Family | Parents: Tajeep Darang & Yamik Dulom Darang; Siblings: Tabit, Ninong (brothers), Mitu (sister) |
| Business | Cafe Chu (Pasighat) |
| Relationship Status | Dating Karan Veer Mehra (Bigg Boss 18 winner) |
| Net Worth | ₹10 Crore (estimated) |
Early Life and Background
Chum grew up in Pasighat, the capital of East Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Her childhood in this picturesque Himalayan town shaped her values and cultural identity. Her family—father Tajeep Darang, mother Yamik Dulom Darang, and three siblings—provided strong support despite the region’s limited entertainment industry infrastructure.
The Darang family follows Donyi-Polo, an indigenous Arunachali faith that emphasizes harmony with nature and community responsibility. This spiritual foundation likely influenced Chum’s later commitment to social activism and environmental consciousness.
Chum Darang Education
Chum completed her schooling at D’Ering Memorial Higher Secondary School in Pasighat. She then pursued higher education at Jawaharlal Nehru College, also in her hometown. Her educational journey reflects a practical approach—while she studied locally, her ambitions clearly extended beyond regional boundaries.
Chum Darang Career
Beauty Pageants: Foundation Building (2010–2017)
Her professional journey began at age 16 when she participated in her first beauty pageant. This early start shaped her confidence and public speaking abilities:
- Miss AAPSU 2010 — A major breakthrough that validated her potential
- Miss Himalaya 2015 (Second Runner-up) — Established her as a regional beauty pageant contender
- Miss Earth India 2016 — National-level exposure
- Miss Asia World 2017 — International competition; won Miss Internet sub-title
- Miss Tiara India International 2017 — Further prestige
- Miss Sports Gear & Miss Best National Costume — Additional titles
Beauty pageant participation provided networking opportunities, media training, and visibility that paved her path to acting.
Acting Debut: Paatal Lok (2022)
Her acting career launched through Paatal Lok, an Amazon Prime series produced by Excel Entertainment. Though a small role as an infomercial girl, it demonstrated her ability to translate pageant presence into screen performance and opened doors with major production houses.
Bollywood Milestone: Badhaai Do (2022)
Transitioning from web to cinema, she played Rimjhim Jongkey in Badhaai Do, a romantic-comedy-drama alongside Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar. Her portrayal of Suman’s girlfriend—a same-sex partner—received widespread praise for its sensitivity and authenticity.
The film won six Filmfare Awards, and critics particularly noted how she brought nuance to a character that could have been one-dimensional. This role established her as a serious actress capable of handling meaningful, socially relevant narratives.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali Connection: Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
Her presence in Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, the highest-grossing Indian film of 2022, came through an unconventional audition. In a podcast appearance (February 2025), she revealed her grandmother recorded her audition video while Chum cared for her during a Delhi visit. Bhansali’s office recognized her talent despite the humble recording quality.
Working with a perfectionist like Bhansali intimidated her, yet the experience elevated her professional credibility. The film earned ₹210 crore globally, and her participation, however brief, associated her with a blockbuster production directed by one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers.
Recent Projects and Expansion
She appeared in the web series Khauf (Prime Video, 2025) and participated in Bandish Bandits 2 (2025), demonstrating her willingness to work across platforms and genres.
Chum Darang Movies & Web Series
| Year | Title | Platform/Type | Character/Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Paatal Lok | Amazon Prime (Web Series) | Infomercial girl |
| 2022 | Badhaai Do | Bollywood Film | Rimjhim Jongkey |
| 2022 | Gangubai Kathiawadi | Bollywood Film (SLB) | Supporting role |
| 2025 | Khauf | Amazon Prime (Web Series) | Cast member |
| 2025 | Bandish Bandits 2 | OTT Platform | Supporting role |
Chum Darang Family
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Tajeep Darang — Businessman; supportive of her career |
| Mother | Yamik Dulom Darang — Homemaker; part of her emotional support system |
| Elder Sister | Mitu Darang — Prefers privacy; maintains low public profile |
| Younger Brother 1 | Tabit Darang — Occasionally mentioned in her interviews |
| Younger Brother 2 | Ninong Darang — Also lives in Arunachal Pradesh |
| Extended Family | Maintain close ties; Chum frequently returns to Pasighat |
Chum Darang Entrepreneur
Beyond acting, Chum is a business owner. She established Cafe Chu in Pasighat approximately three years before 2025. The café celebrates Northeastern culture and cuisine, serving as both a commercial venture and cultural ambassador.
Chum Darang Relationship Status
she is not married. However, her relationship status has been significantly documented recently.
Karan Veer Mehra Connection
It is worth noting that Chum and Karan Veer Mehra, the Bigg Boss 18 winner, publicly confirmed their romantic relationship on Valentine’s Day 2025, with their declaration verified by multiple credible sources including Free Press Journal and News18.
Their chemistry during Bigg Boss 18 sparked speculation, particularly when Karan openly admitted his feelings to Chum during the show. She initially hesitated, mentioning a previous 10-year relationship. However, after the show concluded (January 2025), they attended events together and eventually made their feelings public on February 14, 2025, through a romantic video where Karan confessed his love.
Wedding Rumors & Current Status
In November 2025, wedding rumors circulated when Karan Veer discussed marriage plans in an interview. However, Chum clarified these rumors directly. According to her November 18, 2025 statement, there are currently no wedding plans. She emphasized her focus on her career and a desire to take things slowly.
Her position reflects maturity—while she acknowledges her feelings for Karan, she refuses to rush marriage. This stance contrasts with industry pressures where relationships often become stories of imminent weddings.
Chum Darang Net Worth
Chum Darang net worth is estimated at ₹10 Crore (approximately $1.2 million USD) as of 2025. Her income streams include:
- Film and Television: ₹70,000–80,000 per TV episode; significant sums for film roles
- Brand Endorsements: ₹5 lakh per promotional campaign
- Cafe Chu Operations: Ongoing business revenue from her Pasighat venture
- Social Media & Appearances: Post-Bigg Boss popularity increased commercial opportunities
- Investments: Business interests beyond entertainment
FAQ About Chum Darang
She is best known for her role as Rimjhim in Badhaai Do, her appearance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi, and her participation in Bigg Boss 18 where she gained mainstream recognition.
No, she is not married as of 2026. However, she is in a dating relationship with Bigg Boss 18 winner Karan Veer Mehra since February 2025. She has clarified there are no current marriage plans.
She studied at D’Ering Memorial Higher Secondary School in Pasighat and then at Jawaharlal Nehru College in Arunachal Pradesh.
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