Sushmita Sen was born in Hyderabad on November 19, 1975, to an Air Force Wing Commander and his wife, a jewellery designer. She grew up in New Delhi, where she studied English while planning a career in journalism.
Fate clearly had other plans though. She entered the Miss India competition in 1994 -- at the age of 18 -- and won, beating favourite Aishwarya Rai. Better still, she went on to represent India at the Miss Universe Pageant, and was the first Indian to be crowded Miss Universe!
Naturally, Bollywood was the only way to go. Sushmita made her debut in 1996's Dastak, which tanked. She moved to the South next, where her Tamil release Ratchagan clicked.
When she returned to Hindi cinema with Biwi No.1 in 1999, it got her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Hits like Sirf Tum, Aankhen and Main Hoon Na eventually proved she was not just a pretty face.
Sush is currently at work on her debut as director, with a film based on the Rani of Jhansi. Whether or not it clicks, we're sure we haven't seen the last of Miss Sen on the big screen.
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