Background and career
Sushmita Sen (Bengali pronunciation: [ʃuʃmita ʃen]; born 19 November 1975) is an Indian actress and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned Miss Universe 1994, becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title. Sen has since predominantly worked in Hindi films, and is a recipient of a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare OTT Award.
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 were 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 (2020–2024), winning a Filmfare OTT Award, and portrayed transgender activist Shreegauri Sawant in the miniseries Taali (2023).
