Renowned Bollywood luminary, Sushmita Sen, took to the digital realm to mark three decades since her coronation as Miss Universe. Sen, in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday, unveiled a vintage snapshot accompanied by a poignant caption. Notably, Sen clinched the coveted Miss Universe crown on May 21, 1994, etching her name as the inaugural Indian victor of this esteemed pageant.
Captured in the image, Sen tenderly cradles an infant while casting a gaze brimming with admiration. Draped in an ivory gown adorned with a sash, she radiates elegance. Alongside the photo, the erstwhile Miss Universe penned, “This juvenile soul, encountered within an orphanage, imparted to an 18-year-old me invaluable lessons of life’s innocence, resonating profoundly to this day. This juncture now marks its pearl anniversary, coinciding with India’s seminal triumph at Miss Universe!!!”
Sen further expressed, “What an odyssey it has been and continues to unfold… Gratitude, India, for perennially embodying my quintessence and fortitude!! Grateful acknowledgment to the Philippines for the enduring ardor and sense of belonging… Thirty years and still traversing! #mahalkita. I fondly reminisce and exalt your grace, my beloved @carogomezfilm. #teamo.”
Her missive continued, “To my cherished aficionados, comrades, kin, and benefactors across the globe… Be cognizant that each of you has indelibly impacted my journey and kindled inspiration in ways perhaps unbeknownst to you!! I am awash with affection!! Thank you!!! WHAT A PRIVILEGE!! Here’s to the ensuing three decades. #Happy30years #yourstruly #MissUniverse1994 #INDIA “I adore you all!!! #duggadugga.”
Subsequent to India’s inaugural triumph at Miss Universe with Sen, subsequent luminaries such as Yukta Mookhey, Lara Dutta, and, most recently, Harnaaz Sandhu, have claimed the illustrious title. During the 1994 pageant’s denouement, Sen fielded a query, “What encapsulates femininity?” Her riposte resounded, “Merely embodying womanhood is a celestial benison that we must all venerate. From woman emanates progeny. She epitomizes the ethos of nurturing, sharing, and endearment. That, in essence, defines womanhood.”
Sen’s most recent cinematic endeavor saw her feature in the denouement of the Disney+ Hotstar opus, Aarya – Antim Vaar. In addition to Sen, the series boasted a stellar cast including Pratyaksh Panwar, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Maya Sarao, Ila Arun, Sikandar Kher, Indraneil Sengupta, Vikas Kumar, and Shweta Pasricha.