Sushmita Sen (born 19 November 1975) is an Indian actress and model. She won the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, after previously winning Femina Miss India at age 18. Since her pageant wins, she has worked as an actress.Sen 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 include Aankhen (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004), and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005). After a career downturn and hiatus, Sen starred in the drama series Aarya (2020–present), winning a Filmfare OTT Award, and portrayed transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in the miniseries Taali (2023).

Early life

Sen was born on born 19 November 1975, into a Bengali family in Hyderabad to Shubeer Sen, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander, and Subhra Sen, a jewellery designer and owner of a Dubai-based store. She has a younger brother named Rajeev Sen, who was married to television actress Charu Asopa. Sen attended Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute in New Delhi and St. Ann's High School in Secunderabad, but did not pursue any further higher education.

Pageantry

In 1994, as a teenager, Sen won the title Femina Miss India Universe, earning the right to compete at the Miss Universe 1994 contest.At the Miss Universe contest, 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. 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. 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.In January 2017, Sen appeared as one of the judges of Miss Universe 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Joining her as judges were Cynthia Bailey, Mickey Boardman, Francine LaFrak, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, and Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.

Miss Universe judge 2016

In January 2017, Sen appeared as one of the judges of Miss Universe 2016 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Joining her as judges were Cynthia Bailey, Mickey Boardman, Francine LaFrak, Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, and Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres.

Acting career

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. She then starred in the 1997 Tamil action film ''Ratchagan'', opposite Nagarjuna. It was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release. In 1998, she played a low-profile reporter opposite Sunny Deol in ''Zor'', a box office failure.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. 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. The same year, she recceived 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". Her last film of the year was ''Hindustan Ki Kasam'' opposite Ajay Devgn. The film was an average grosser, despite taking a bumper opening. 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. 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.In 2001, she first appeared opposite Govinda in the fantasy comedy ''Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta''. Her second film of the year, ''Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai'', was a disaster at the box office. 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." She next appeared in the action thriller ''Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge'' opposite Salman Khan. 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!" 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 film, the thriller ''Samay: When Time Strikes''. 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 film, the thriller ''Samay: When Time Strikes''. Taran Adarsh of ''Bollywood Hungama'' noted, "Sushmita Sen, cast in a challenging role, does full justice to her part."Sen had three films in 2004. She first appeared in ''Vaastu Shastra'', as a doctor opposite J. D. Chakravarthi. Sen 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 330,000,000 and was the second highest-grossing film of that year. 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." In her last film of the year, she appeared alongside Manisha Koirala in ''Paisa Vasool''.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. 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." 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. She then played a rockstar Kriya in the musical film ''Zindaggi Rocks'', opposite Shiney Ahuja. In 2007, she played a widow in the action drama film ''Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'', opposite Prashant Raj Sachdev. In 2007, she played a widow in the action drama film ''Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'', opposite Prashant Raj Sachdev. It is considered as one of the worst films ever made. In 2009, Sen first appeared in the critical failure drama film ''Karma Aur Holi'' opposite Randeep Hooda. She then appeared opposite Govinda in the comedy film ''Do Knot Disturb''. 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. 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. Sen then appeared in the action-comedy film ''No Problem'', the same year.Sen did not had any releases for five years. In 2015, she starred in a Bengali drama film titled ''Nirbaak'', marking her comeback opposite Anjan Dutt. In Sen's career, this was her first film in Bengali language. Shomini Sen of ''News18'' wrote, "Sushmita Sen is good but there is so much more that could be done to tap from her talent."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. 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. Sen then reprised her role in the second season of the series in 2022. 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."

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. She then starred in the 1997 Tamil action film ''Ratchagan'', opposite Nagarjuna. It was the most expensive Indian film at the time of its release. In 1998, she played a low-profile reporter opposite Sunny Deol in ''Zor'', a box office failure.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. 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. The same year, she recceived 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". Her last film of the year was ''Hindustan Ki Kasam'' opposite Ajay Devgn. The film was an average grosser, despite taking a bumper opening. 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. 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.

2000s

She received critical acclaim and box office success for the film ''Aankhen'', starring opposite Arjun Rampal. The film co-starred Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Aditya Pancholi and Paresh Rawal. The biggest success of her career came with the 2004 action film ''Main Hoon Na'', in which she played the role of a chemistry teacher who falls in love with Shah Rukh Khan's character. The film grossed a total of 330,000,000 and was the second highest-grossing film of that year. Later, Sushmita played a lawyer in ''Main Aisa Hi Hoon'' opposite Ajay Devgan. In 2005, she also starred in a remake of ''Cactus Flower'', called ''Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?''. Sen played the lead, opposite Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. She also played the leading role in ''Karma Aur Holi.''

Critical acclaim and further career (2001-2005)

In 2001, she first appeared opposite Govinda in the fantasy comedy ''Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta''. Her second film of the year, ''Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai'', was a disaster at the box office. 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." She next appeared in the action thriller ''Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge'' opposite Salman Khan. 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!" 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 film, the thriller ''Samay: When Time Strikes''. 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 film, the thriller ''Samay: When Time Strikes''. Taran Adarsh of ''Bollywood Hungama'' noted, "Sushmita Sen, cast in a challenging role, does full justice to her part."Sen had three films in 2004. She first appeared in ''Vaastu Shastra'', as a doctor opposite J. D. Chakravarthi. Sen 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 330,000,000 and was the second highest-grossing film of that year. 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." In her last film of the year, she appeared alongside Manisha Koirala in ''Paisa Vasool''.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. 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." 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.

2010s

In 2010, Sushmita played the role of a successful supermodel called Shimmer in ''Dulha Mil Gaya''; the film was a moderate success that year. She additionally appeared in the action-comedy film ''No Problem'' the same year. In 2015, she starred in a Bengali drama film titled ''Nirbaak''. In Sen's career, this was her first film in Bengali language.

Career fluctuations (2006-2011)

She then played a rockstar Kriya in the musical film ''Zindaggi Rocks'', opposite Shiney Ahuja. In 2007, she played a widow in the action drama film ''Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'', opposite Prashant Raj Sachdev. In 2007, she played a widow in the action drama film ''Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag'', opposite Prashant Raj Sachdev. It is considered as one of the worst films ever made. In 2009, Sen first appeared in the critical failure drama film ''Karma Aur Holi'' opposite Randeep Hooda. She then appeared opposite Govinda in the comedy film ''Do Knot Disturb''. 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. 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. Sen then appeared in the action-comedy film ''No Problem'', the same year.

2020s

In 2020 Sen appeared in Disney Hotstar's TV Series Aarya, where she won the 2021 Critic's Choice Award. She returned for the second season released in December 2021.

Hiatus and web expansion (2015-present)

Sen did not had any releases for five years. In 2015, she starred in a Bengali drama film titled ''Nirbaak'', marking her comeback opposite Anjan Dutt. In Sen's career, this was her first film in Bengali language. Shomini Sen of ''News18'' wrote, "Sushmita Sen is good but there is so much more that could be done to tap from her talent."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. 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. Sen then reprised her role in the second season of the series in 2022. 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."

Personal life

Sen has Addison's disease and requires lifelong steroid drugs to manage the illness. Sen was in a relationship with actor Randeep Hooda from 2004 to 2006. Sen was in a relationship with actor Randeep Hooda from 2004 to 2006. Sen then dated model Rohman Shawl from 2018 to 2021. In July 2022, it was reported that she is dating businessman and cricket administrator Lalit Modi.