Sushmita Sen
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Sushmita Sen (Template:IPA; born 19 November 1975) is an Indian actress and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1994,<ref name="IndianExpress"/><ref name="Indiatoday"/> becoming the first Indian woman to win the title. Sen has since predominantly worked in Hindi films, and is a recipient of a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare OTT Award.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite web</ref>
Sushmita made her acting debut playing a fictionalised version of herself in the thriller Dastak (1996). She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the girlfriend of a married man in the comedy film Biwi No.1 (1999), and was also nominated in the category for her roles in the dramas Sirf Tum (1999) and Filhaal... (2002). Her other commercially successful films were Aankhen (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004), and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005).<ref name="boxoffice">Template:Cite web</ref> After a career downturn and hiatus, Sen starred in the drama series Aarya (2020–2024), winning a Filmfare OTT Award, and portrayed transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in the miniseries Taali (2023).
Early life
Sen was born on 19 November 1975,<ref name="IndianExpress">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Indiatoday">Template:Cite news</ref> into a Bengali Baidya family in Hyderabad<ref name=children>Template:Cite news</ref> to Shubeer Sen, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander, and Subhra Sen, a jewellery designer and owner of a Dubai-based store.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She has a younger brother named Rajeev Sen, who was married to television actress Charu Asopa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sen attended Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute in New Delhi,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and St. Ann's High School in Secunderabad. She enrolled in a bachelor's degree in Political Science in the 2007–08 academic session at School of Open Learning, Delhi University but withdrew her admission later.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She did not pursue any further higher education.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Pageantry
In 1994, at the age of 18 Sen entered and won the title Femina Miss India, earning the right to compete at the Miss Universe 1994 contest.<ref name=missuniverse>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the Miss Universe contest held in Pasay, Philippines, Sen ranked third overall in the preliminaries, behind Miss Colombia Carolina Gómez and Miss Venezuela Minorka Mercado. Sen went on to place second, fifth and third in the subsequent rounds and finally won the title and crown of Miss Universe 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After the Times Group relinquished the rights to choose the Indian representative to Miss Universe, Sen's project, I Am She – Miss Universe India, took over, running it for three years (2010–2012). This was followed by Femina taking over.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Miss Universe judge 2016
In January 2016, Sen appeared as one of the judges of Miss Universe 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Joining her as judges were Cynthia Bailey, Mickey Boardman, Francine LaFrak, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, and Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.<ref name="Heavy">Template:Cite news</ref>
Acting career
Debut and breakthrough (1996–2000)
After her reign as Miss Universe, Sen ventured into the Hindi film industry. Her first film was in 1996, the thriller Dastak, in which she played the victim of a stalker, played by Sharad Kapoor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1998, she played a low-profile reporter opposite Sunny Deol in Zor, a box office failure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1999, Sen earned wider recognition with her portrayal of Rupali Walia in David Dhawan's comedy film Biwi No.1, alongside Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. It received positive reviews from critics and emerged as the second highest-grossing movie of 1999.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Syed Firdaus Ashraf of Rediff.com noted, "Sen has tried hard to make a mark in a different role, but her role itself isn't worth remembering." She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The same year, she received a second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Aarti in the romantic drama Sirf Tum. For this performance, Sharmila Taliculam of Rediff.com termed her the, "star of the film".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her last film of the year was Hindustan Ki Kasam opposite Ajay Devgn. The film was an average grosser, despite taking a bumper opening.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Her only film in 2000, Aaghaaz saw her playing a police officer, opposite Suniel Shetty. Anjali Abrol of Planet Bollywood stated that Sen did "decently well" in her role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Career progression (2001–2005)
In 2001, she first appeared opposite Govinda in the fantasy comedy Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Her second film of the year, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, was a disaster at the box office.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sen received critical acclaim for her roles in 2002. Her first film of the year Aankhen saw her play a teacher, opposite Arjun Rampal and Akshay Kumar, was a critical success and the second-highest-grossing film of 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Priya Ganapati of Rediff.com noted, "Sushmita Sen's role of Neha deserves an extra round of applause. Neha doesn't need a man to exist. She is intelligent and capable, even during the climax."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She next appeared in the action thriller Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge opposite Salman Khan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In her final film of the year, Sen portrayed a surrogate mother in the romantic film Filhaal..., opposite Palash Sen. Radhika Rajamani of Idlebrain opined, "The sterling performance (best up to date) of Sushmita Sen endears." BBC noted, "Sushmita Sen, is the sparkling character of the film. She adds the lighter moments with sheer panache. In my books, she is a real gem!"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her performance in the film earned her a third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Sen played a widowed cop in her only film of 2003, the acclaimed thriller film, Samay: When Time Strikes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Sushmita Sen, cast in a challenging role, does full justice to her part."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sen had three films in 2004. She first appeared in Vaastu Shastra, as a doctor opposite J. D. Chakravarthi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Her career's biggest success came with the action masala film Main Hoon Na, in which she played the role of a chemistry teacher opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film grossed a total of Template:INR 330,000,000 and was the second highest-grossing film of that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Sushmita Sen looks like a million bucks and her on-screen chemistry with SRK is fantastic. Her role doesn't really demand histrionics, but she carries it off stylishly."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In her last film of the year, she appeared alongside Manisha Koirala in Paisa Vasool.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sen received further success with her two films of 2005. She first portrayed a dutiful nurse in her third film with Salman Khan, the romantic comedy Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?. It emerged as the fifth-highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com stated, "Sen as Naina looks hot, talks sense and acts super. Her intelligence doesn't interfere with the absurdity of her surroundings. It only makes it more convincing."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later the year, she portrayed a lawyer in Main Aisa Hi Hoon opposite Ajay Devgan. BBC said that Sen "shines" in her performances as innocent client and well-meaning lawyer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Career fluctuations (2006–2011)
Sen had two releases in 2006. She first played a prostitute with a child in Chingaari opposite Anuj Sawhney. Priyanka Jain of Rediff.com noted, "Sushmita puts in a mind-blowing performance. It's her film through and through. She is the only possible reason to watch this film."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She then played a rockstar Kriya in the musical film Zindaggi Rocks, opposite Shiney Ahuja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2007, she played a widow in the action drama film Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, opposite Prashant Raj Sachdev.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is considered as one of the worst films ever made.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, Sen first appeared in the critical failure drama film Karma Aur Holi opposite Randeep Hooda.<ref>Rajeev Masand. Karma Aur Holi - An Unholy Mess. IBN Live.</ref> She then appeared opposite Govinda in the comedy film Do Knot Disturb.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Sen had two releases in 2010. She first appeared as a successful supermodel in the romantic comedy Dulha Mil Gaya, opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Fardeen Khan. The film was a moderate success that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sen then appeared in the action-comedy film No Problem, the same year.<ref name="problem">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hiatus and expansion (2015–present)
Sen did not have any releases for five years. In 2015, she starred in a Bengali drama film titled Nirbaak, marking her comeback opposite Anjan Dutt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Sen's career, this was her first film in Bengali language.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Shomini Sen of News18 wrote, "Sushmita Sen is good but there is so much more that could be done to tap from her talent."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Post a hiatus of five years, Sen made her web debut in 2020 with Disney+ Hotstar's crime thriller Aarya. She played a mafia queen opposite Chandrachur Singh.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Udita Jhunjhunwala of Firstpost noted, "Sen holds the series together. As the unsuspecting inheritor of a shady consignment, she literally and figuratively towers over everyone else. This meaty role allows her space to express herself." Sen received the award for Best Actress – Female, at the 2020 Filmfare OTT Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sen then reprised her role in the second season of the series in 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV noted, "Sushmita Sen carries on from where she left off in Season 1. With nary a false step, she delivers another exceptional performance packed with power."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
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Sen is the mother of two adopted daughters. At the age of 24 years old she adopted her first daughter Renee Sen in 2000 while her second daughter Alisah joined the family in 2010.<ref name="children" /><ref name="5 February 2011 DC Correspondent">Template:Cite news</ref>
Health
Sen was diagnosed in 2014 with Addison's disease and was told she would require lifelong steroid drugs to manage the illness.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After being rushed to hospital in 2019, doctors confirmed Sen no longer had to take steroids. "I healed in time, my adrenal glands woke up, no more steroids, no withdrawals and no auto-immune condition as of 2019," Sen stated.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Relationships
Sushmita Sen was in a relationship with actor Randeep Hooda from 2004 to 2006.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sen then dated model Rohman Shawl from 2018 to 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2022, it was reported that she is dating businessman and cricket administrator Lalit Modi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2025, Lalit Modi confirms breakup with Sushmita Sen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the media
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Sen is considered as one of the most popular actresses of 2000's in Hindi cinema.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Rediff.comTemplate:'s "Best Bollywood Actresses", Sen was placed 5th in 2004, 6th in 2005, 10th in 2006 and 3rd in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Filmfare placed her 6th in their "Top Ten Actresses" list.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Rediff.com further placed her 8th in its "Bollywood's Most Beautiful Actresses" list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the Times Most Desirable Women list, Sen was placed 6th in 2009, 25th in 2010 and 27th in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Cited in the media as a sex symbol, Sen was placed in FeminaTemplate:'s "50 Most Beautiful Women" list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Times of India placed her at 11th position in its "50 Beautiful Faces" list.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, she was named Rediff.comTemplate:'s "Top OTT Actresses".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Awards and nominations
References
External links
Template:S-start Template:S-ach Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft Template:S-bef Template:S-ttl Template:S-aft Template:S-end
- Pages with broken file links
- 1975 births
- 20th-century Indian actresses
- 21st-century Indian actresses
- Actresses from Hyderabad, India
- Actresses from New Delhi
- Actresses in Bengali cinema
- Actresses in Hindi cinema
- Actresses in Tamil cinema
- Bengali actresses
- Femina Miss India winners
- Indian beauty pageant winners
- Indian film actresses
- 21st-century Bengali people
- Living people
- Miss Universe 1994 contestants
- Miss Universe winners
- Mithibai College alumni
- Female models from Hyderabad, India
- Female models from Delhi
- Filmfare Awards winners
- Screen Awards winners
- International Indian Film Academy Awards winners
- Zee Cine Awards winners