Thakur Anoop Singh who used to play mythological character 'Dhritarashtra' in Mahabharata, earned the status of Mr. World when he struck gold in a world bodybuilding meet in Bangkok on Saturday reported NDTV.

Anoop Singh's has a pilot's license but he left his profession in 2008 when global recession had left airline industry reeling. After that he tried his luck in bodybuilding competitions and bagged the role of Dhritarashtra in Mahabharata.

He worked on his body and finished third at the Mr Asia event recently. In Bangkok, last week, he was up against bodybuilders from 47 nations. Anoop struck gold in the "fitness physique" category of the seventh WBPF World Bodybuilding and Physique Championships. India won 11 medals in Thailand.

"Hope my win helps Indians believe in the value of fitness. We can really make India proud," Anoop said on his arrival in India.