Sushmita Sen is a former Indian beauty queen, actress, and philanthropist. She was born on November 19, 1975, in Hyderabad, India. Sen is best known for being the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title in 1994.
Early Life and Career
Sen was born into a Bengali family in Hyderabad. Her father, Shubeer Sen, is a retired Indian Air Force Wing Commander, and her mother, Subhra Sen, is a jewelry designer and former Miss India contestant. Sen grew up in various parts of India due to her father’s transferable job in the Air Force.
Sen completed her schooling from Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute and St. Ann’s High School in Secunderabad. She went on to study English Honours at the University of Delhi but left the course midway to pursue a career in modeling.
In 1994, Sen participated in the Miss India beauty pageant, where she won the title and went on to represent India in the Miss Universe contest held in Manila, Philippines. Sen emerged as the winner of the pageant, becoming the first Indian woman to do so.
Acting Career
After winning the Miss Universe title, Sen made her acting debut in the Bollywood film, Dastak, in 1996. However, it was her performance in the film, Biwi No.1, in 1999, that earned her critical acclaim and established her as a leading actress in Bollywood.
Sen went on to star in several successful Bollywood films, including Sirf Tum, Aankhen, Main Hoon Na, and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. She also appeared in several regional language films, including Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali.
Sen’s acting career slowed down in the early 2000s, and she took a break from films to focus on her personal life. She made a comeback to Bollywood in 2010 with the film, Dulha Mil Gaya, but it was not successful at the box office.
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Apart from her acting career, Sen is also known for her philanthropic work. She has been associated with several charitable organizations and has worked towards promoting education and health in India.
In 2000, Sen adopted a baby girl named Renee, becoming the first single woman in India to do so. In 2010, she adopted another baby girl named Alisah. Sen has been an advocate for adoption and has spoken publicly about her decision to adopt.
Sen has also been open about her personal life and has been involved in several high-profile relationships. She was in a long-term relationship with Bollywood actor, Vikram Bhatt, in the 1990s, and later dated businessman, Sanjay Narang. She was also rumored to be in a relationship with the actor, Randeep Hooda.
In 2018, Sen confirmed that she was in a relationship with Rohman Shawl, a model and fitness enthusiast. The couple has been open about their relationship and often shares pictures and videos on social media.
Conclusion
Sushmita Sen is a talented actress and philanthropist who has made significant contributions to the Indian film industry and society as a whole. Her journey from being a beauty queen to an actress and adoptive mother has been inspiring and has set an example for many young women in India. Despite facing several challenges in her personal and professional life, Sen has always managed to bounce back and emerge stronger. Her fans continue to look up to her as a role model and an icon of strength and resilience.