The ‘Sen’sible Sush

Harsha Mary

The dusky Delhi beauty who entered the glam-world with her victory of the Miss Universe tiara in 1994, Sushmita Sen, role model for many and a diva in its true sense, celebrates her 33rd birthday on 19th November. Blowing kisses and sizzling the ramp in the dazzling black outfit she sauntered into the hearts of millions on that starry night 14 years ago. Controversies’ beloved child, Sushmita has learnt to fight through all odds. Determined and focused, Sush started her career from the scratch and is looked upon for her humanitarian deeds and love for mankind. Sushmita jumped from modeling to acting in a time-honored tradition- starting from the likes of Zeenat Amaan. One heartily recalls her exuberance on winning the Miss Universe title. Her charisma and her winsome smile bore testimony to her innate confidence and charm. The daughter of an Air Force officer, Sushmita Sen wanted to become an air hostess. But the slogging was just not meant for her and she decided to become a pilot. However destiny had thought something else as she proudly claims that she is an actress by accident and not by will! It was one of her friends that insisted her to do modeling and so began her great venture. After winning the Miss Universe title in 1994, the leggy lass soon made her debut in ‘Dastak’ in the role of a vulnerable girl being stalked by a psycho (Sharad Kapoor). The movie was a dud at the Box Office and was followed by another flop, ‘Zor’. Nevertheless, her charm worked wonders for her as she endorsed top brands like ‘Olay’, ‘Head & Shoulders’ etc. Determined and forceful, emotional and intuitive, powerful and passionate, exciting and extremely magnetic, Sushmita is an enigma in herself. She lives life on her own terms. She owes no explanations to anyone. Motherhood becomes kindly of her as her adopted daughter Renee Sen is the apple of her eyes. However hectic her schedule, she makes it a point to be with her daughter when required. She has crash landed into several miseries in life and has overcome all with a lasting smile in her face. Her graceful looks and delightful charm has grounded many a contenders- in and outside the film fraternity. And, Masha-allah those witty one-liners and her serene yet playful aura in a recent reality TV show, ‘Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena’, have left many awe-struck. So, heres wishing the lass a grand Happy birthday, from all her aficionados. Awards IIFA Awards (2000) Filmfare Awards (2000 and 2003) Star Screen Awards (2000, 2003 and 2004) Zee Cine Awards (2000, 2003 and 2005) National Award Rajiv Gandhi Award for her achievement in Bollywood (2006) Notable Works of Sushmita Sen Biwi No 1 Main Hoon Na Dastak Zor Sirf Tum Filhaal Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya Paisa Vasool Samay: When Time Strikes