Aishwarya Rai to Priyanka Chopra: Beauty Pageant Winners Who Ruled the Silver Screen

Winning the Miss India title has helped many beauties start their Bollywood careers. From walking the ramp to ruling the big screen, these divas have made a mark in Indian cinema. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and others went from beauty queens to successful Bollywood actresses. Let’s take a look at Miss India winners who made their Bollywood debut and became famous.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Miss World 1994) – Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of the most celebrated beauty queens, took her first step into Bollywood with Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya opposite Bobby Deol. Although the film didn’t fare well, her stunning screen presence and performances in later films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas cemented her place in the industry.

2. Sushmita Sen (Miss Universe 1994) – Dastak (1996)

Sushmita Sen made history by becoming the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title. She made her Bollywood debut with Dastak, where she played herself in a thriller about an obsessive lover. Over the years, she has delivered powerful performances in films like Main Hoon Na and Biwi No. 1, earning her a special place in Bollywood.

3. Priyanka Chopra (Miss World 2000) – The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003)

After winning Miss World, Priyanka Chopra stepped into Bollywood with The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, sharing screen space with Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta. She quickly rose to fame with hits like Andaaz, Aitraaz, and Fashion, eventually becoming a global icon with her Hollywood ventures.

4. Lara Dutta (Miss Universe 2000) – Andaaz (2003)

Lara Dutta, another beauty queen turned actress, made her Bollywood debut with Andaaz, where she starred alongside Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. Her performance won her the Filmfare Best Female Debut award, and she went on to feature in films like No Entry, Bhagam Bhag, and Don 2.

5. Neha Dhupia (Miss India 2002) – Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003)

Neha Dhupia’s Bollywood journey began with the action thriller Qayamat: City Under Threat, starring Ajay Devgn. She later made a mark in offbeat films like Julie, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, and Tumhari Sulu, carving a niche for herself in the industry.

6. Pooja Chopra (Miss India 2009) – Commando: A One Man Army (2013)

Pooja Chopra made her Bollywood debut in Commando: A One Man Army, an action-packed thriller starring Vidyut Jammwal. Her role as the leading lady showcased her acting chops and screen presence, earning her recognition in the film industry. Recently Pooja is making waves with her outstanding performance in recently released Neeraj Pandey’s show - Khakee 2 (The Bengal Chapter)

7. Manushi Chhillar (Miss World 2017) – Samrat Prithviraj (2022)

Manushi Chhillar, after winning Miss World, made her much-anticipated Bollywood debut with Samrat Prithviraj, opposite Akshay Kumar. While the film received mixed reviews, her portrayal of Sanyogita was praised, marking her entry into the film world.

8. Harnaaz Sandhu (Miss Universe 2021) – Baaghi 4

Harnaaz Sandhu, the third Indian to win Miss Universe, has been making waves with her transition into Bollywood. Harnaaz is all set make her bollywood debut with 'Baaghi 4', she will be sharing the screen with action star Tiger Shroff, who is known for his role in the 'Baaghi' series.