Bollywood has always been welcoming beauty queens. For the past several decades, we have seen some very successful actresses coming from beauty pageants. Let’s take a look at some of the beauty queens who made their mark felt in Bollywood.
10 Beauty Queens Who Found Immense Success In Bollywood:
10. Gul Panag
Gul Panag was crowned the Miss India title in 1999, and was crowned Miss Beautiful Smile at the same pageant. She represented India at the Miss Universe 1999 pageant (48th EDition), but lost to Botswana’s Mpule Kwelagobe. Panag finished in 6th place. Since then, she has become a Bollywood actress. She made her debut in the year 2003 with the movie Dhoop. She has also starred in Dor, Turning 30, Manorama Six Feet Under, Hello, Straight, and Ab Tak Chhappan 2. Also, she won the Zee Cine Critics Award for Best Actress in 2007.
9. Celina Jaitly
Celina Jaitly was crowned Femina Miss India Universe in 2001. She went on to represent India at the Miss Universe 2001 (50th Edition), but lost to winner Perto Rico’s Denise Quiñones. She finished the competition at 5th place. Jaitly made her Bollywood debut two years later in 2003 with ‘Janasheen’. Jaitly is a supporter of the rights and equality of the LGBT community and supports the gay rights movement in India. She is also known for her involvement with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). She also has vowed to donae her eyes to a leading eye care hospital in Mumbai, India. Some of her popular movies include No Entry, Tom Dick and Harry, Zinda, Apna Sapna Money Money, Red: The Dark Side, Shakalaka Boom Boom, Heyy Babyy, Golmaal Returns. You may like; 10 Most Beautiful Eyes Celebs.
8. Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia won Femina Miss India Universe title in the year 2002 and went to represent the country in Miss Universe 2002 (51st Edition), but lost to Russia’s Oxana Fedorova, who was eventually replaced by Panama’s Justine Pasek. Dhupia finished in 9th place. The beauty queen was welcomed by Bollywood with her debut movie Qayamat: City Under Threat in 2003. Some of her other prominent work includes Julie, Rakht: What If You Can See the Future, Sheesha, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Garam Masala, Fight Club – Members Only, Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera, Chup Chup Ke, Delhii Heights, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Dus Kahaniyaan, Singh Is Kinng, etc.
7. Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza participated in Miss India 2000 and placed 3rd. She went on to represent India at the Miss Asia Pacific International 2000 (31st Edition). Dia won the competition by defeating 22 other delegates and became the 3rd Indian to win the crown. Since then, she has emerged as one of the most loved Bollywood actresses.
She made her debut in the year 2001 with ‘Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein.’ She has also starred in Deewaanapan, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Parineeta, Alag, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Cash, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Fight Club – Members Only, Krazzy 4, Dus Kahaniyaan, Krazzy 4, Kurbaan, Love Breakups Zindagi, etc. She has won Zee Cine Award, Bollywood movie award, Women’s Achievement Award, Green Globe Honor for Extraordinary Work by a Public Figure, Geospa Asiaspa India Awards for Eco Crusader of the Year, among many others.
6. Namrata Shirodkar
Namrata Shirodkar won Miss India 1993 title. She went on to represent India at the Miss Universe 1993 pageant (42nd Edition). She lost to Puerto Rico’s Dayanara Torres and was placed 6th. Juhi again represented India at the Miss Asia Pacific 1993 (24th Edition). She lost to Philippine’s Brandy Kuentze. She finished the competition in 2nd place. Juhi is one of those very rare Indian beauty queens who got placed in two major international events. She started her Bollywood career with “Purab Ki Laila Pachhim Ki Chhaila”, although the film never saw its release. She then starred in the 1998 movie ‘Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai’. Some of her notable work includes Hero Hindustani, Vaastav: The Reality, Pukar, Hathyar: Face to Face with Reality, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, LOC Kargil, Bride and Prejudice, among others. See also; 10 Bikini Actresses of Bollywood.
5. Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen won Miss India 1994 title by defeating the popular Aishwarya Rai. She represented India at the Miss Universe 1994 pageant (41st Edition). And made history by becoming the first Indian to become Miss Universe. She made her bollywood debut in the year 1996 with the movie ‘Dastak’. She then went on to star in films like Zor, Sirf Tum, Biwi No.1, Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, Aankhen, Filhaal, Samay: When Time Strikes, Vaastu Shastra, Main Hoon Na, Paisa Vasool, Chingaari, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, Bewafaa, Zindaggi Rocks, Dulha Mil Gaya, Karma Aur Holi, etc. She won a Filfare award out of 3 nominations. Besides, she also won Rajiv Gandhi Award for her achievement in Bollywood, Star Screen Award, IIFA Award and 2 Zee Cine Awards.
4. Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman was the second runner up in the Miss India 1970 contest and went on to win the Miss Asia Pacific in 1970 at the event’s 3rd Edition, defeating 14 other delegates. She was the first South Asian woman to win the title. She has won a Filmfare award out of 3 nominations. Besides, she also won a BFJA Award, a Bollywood Award ‘Award for Lifetime Achievement’, an IIFA and a Zine Cine award.
She debuted with Hulchul in 1970. Some of her most prominent work are Hungama, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Dhund, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Chori Mera Kaam, Balika Badhu, , Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Heeralal Pannalal, Shalimar, , The Great Gambler, Don, , Alibaba Aur 40 Chor, Bombay 405 Miles, Qurbaani, Dostana, Insaaf Ka Tarazu, etc.. Besides being a sex symbol, she along with Parveen Babi, was responsible for making western look for Indian actresses adaptive to Indian audience.
3. Juhi Chawla
Juhi won Miss India 1984 title and went on to India at Miss Universe 1984 pageant (33rd Edition). Although she couldn’t be among those who were placed and ultimately lost the crown to Sweden’s Yvonne Ryding, she won the Best National Costume along with Uruguya’s Yissa Pronzatti and Hong Kong’s Mina Godenzi. Since then, Chawla remains one of the most adorable actresses of all time.
She made her debut with 1986 movie Sultanat and went on to star in movies like; Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Bol Radha Bol, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, Darr, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na, Yes Boss, Ishq, Daraar, , Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, Deewana Mastana, Duplicate, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, One 2 Ka 4, Jhankaar Beats, My Brother Nikhil, 3 Deewarein, Paheli, Bas Ek Pal, Bhootnath, I Am, Gulaab Gang, among others. She won 2 Filmfare awards,, 1 Bollywood Movie Award, 2 Star Screen award, among others. See also; 10 Yummy Mummies of Bollywood.
2. Priyanka Chopra
PC became the runner up in Miss India 2000 pageant and represented India at the Miss World 2000 pageant (50th Edition) and won the crown by defeating 94 other delegates. She went to star in Bollywood with her debut movie ‘The Hero: Love Story of a Spy’ in 2003, a month after her film ‘Andaaz’ was released.
Some of her successful work includes Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Aitraaz, Karam, Waqt: The Race Against Time, Bluffmaster!, Taxi No. 9211, Krrish, Don, Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love, ove Story 2050, Drona, Fashion, Kaminey, , What’s Your Raashee?, Pyaar Impossible!, Anjaana Anjaani, 7 Khoon Maaf, Don 2, Agneepath, Barfi!, Gunday, Mary Kom, among others. She has won a total of 77 awards out of 121 nomination, including 1 National Film Award, 4 Filmfare awards, 1 Gaana award, 2 Global Indian Film Awards, 1 MTV Video Music Award India, 1 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards India, 1 People’s Choice Awards India, 5 Screen Awards, 5 Stardust Awards, 1 Times of India Film Award, 2 Zee Cine Awards, among others. See also; 10 Dance Queens of Bollywood.
1. Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai came in 2nd place at Miss India 1994 pageant and went on to represent India at the Miss World 1994 (44th Edition). She won the crown by defeating 86 other delegates. She made her Bollywood debut with 1997 movie ‘Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. Since then, she has starred in Jeans, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Taal, Mohabbatein, Bride & Prejudice, Dhoom 2 Guru, Provoked, Jodhaa Akbar, Guzaarish, among many others. She has won112 awards out of 127 nominations including 3 Filmfare, 7 IIFA, 7 Screen, 6 Zee Cine, 2 Stardust, among others. She has been included in many beautiful people lists around the world several times. See also; 10 Most Iconic Actresses of Bollywood.
