The glamorous industry of movies owes a lot to the beauty pageants. A talent house that has produced some of the greatest stars Bollywood has ever witnessed. The Beauty pageants are undoubtedly one of the biggest and best grooming centres. In Bollywood there are many actresses who are the former beauty queens. It is said that winning a beauty title is the ticket to Bollywood.
Well it is somewhere true as many actresses entered in Bollywood after winning the beauty titles. From Aishwarya Rai to Priyanka Chopra, some of the beautiful actresses have said Hi to Bollywood after grabbing Miss India, Miss World, Miss Universe and many other titles. Another thing that these beauty pageant winners turned actresses have proved is that model too can act and win applause for their talent!
Starting from the Bold and beautiful Zeenat Aman to precious beauties like Aishwarya or Priyanka, the list is ferociously long. So, let’s check the most beautiful Indian women who have made their life BIG, and started here.
Nutan (1952)
To define her beauty will be in just be as worthless as using your might to move a wall. Yesteryear actress, Nutan won the Miss India title in 1952 and rose to wonderous fame with films like Seema, Bandini and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki.
Zeenat Aman (1970)
Zeenat Aman, one of the popular Indian actresses from Bombay, was the first Indian lady to win the Miss Asia Pacific title in 1970. She then grooved to the tunes of ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ for Dev Anand’s film, Hare Krishna Hare Ram and went on to win the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Her unconventionally sexy disposition unsettled many but she did earn a significant place for herself in the world of films. She along with Parveen Babi, was responsible for making western look for Indian dresses. And the rest is simply follows.
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Meenakshi Seshadri (1991)
She is one of the Bollywood’s beauty pageant holders who won the Miss India contest in 1981 at the age of 17. Naturally she was the youngest woman to be crowned Miss India. Seshadri is best known for her role in Hindi film ‘Damini’ which went on to become a mega-success and received a number of awards including the most prestigious National Film Award.
Juhi Chawla (1984)
The cute actress Juhi Chawla was once a beauty queen. Juhi was crowned Miss India in 1984. The bubbly actress then went on to rule the routes during the 90s and is known for her chirpy and intense characters today. Chawla remains the most adorable actresses of all time.
Namrata Shirodkar (1993)
Namrata was crowned Miss India in the year 1993. She represented India in the ‘Miss Universe’ pageant and finished fifth. She again represented India at the Miss Asia Pacific in 1993 in which she was placed second. She is those very rare Indian beauty queens who got placed in two major international events. She then shot to fame with ‘Vaastav’. However she quit acting after tying the knot.
Sushmita Sen (1994)
Indian model and actress Sushmita Sen made history by becoming the first woman of Indian origin to win the Miss Universe title 1994 beating a bevy of beauties from around the world. After successfully completing her resign, she went on to pursue her acting career in Bollywood movies and from then onwards, she have only excelled. Sushmita Sen bagged almost five Best Supporting Actress awards in her acting career.
Aishwarya Rai (1994)
Year 1994 was a golden year for the Miss India pageant. One of the most beautiful women in the world won ‘Miss World’ title in 1994. Sushmita Sen won the Miss Universe crown in Philippines and in the same year, Aishwarya Rai triumphed in the ‘Miss World’ title in South Africa. She has only proved her acting skills in Bollywood but Hollywood as well. Her filmography has always boasted of impressive roles and screen portrayals.
Priyanka Chopra (2000)
The millennium year 2000 was once again notable for India when the country scored a hat-trick at a golden year for India. While Lara Dutta won the Miss Universe title, Priyanka Chopra won Miss World title and Dia Mirza secured the title of Miss Asia Pacific. Priyanka is one of the successful actresses who have now become an international diva with her singing skill.
Dia Mirza (2000)
Miss Asia Pacific 2000, Dia has always been more of a flawless beauty than a great actress. Dia becomes the third Indian to win the Miss Asia Pacific crown. Since then she has emerged as one of the most loved Bollywood actresses. Dia made her Bollywood debut in 2001s musical hit film, ‘Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein’ opposite R Madhavan.
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia entered in Bollywood after winning Femina Miss India title in 2002. Her most and acclaimed role is the role of ‘Julie’. Though she could never really become the A-list Bollywood actress, Neha has definitely stupefied us with some of her bold screen avatars. Neha is now working as a socialite.