Sushmita Sen Claims 1994 Miss India Was Rigged, Says Prahlad Kakkar
Sushmita Sen and the 1994 Miss India Pageant
A Glimpse into the Contest
Prahlad Kakkar recently recounted a touching moment from the 1994 Miss India pageant, where he witnessed Sushmita Sen in tears. She believed the competition was biased towards her rival, Aishwarya Rai. Both women went on to achieve global recognition, with Sushmita winning Miss Universe and Aishwarya taking home the Miss World title that same year.
Sushmita’s Emotional Experience
During the pageant, Sushmita expressed her doubts while sobbing in a corner of the changing room. Prahlad shared that he approached her, despite being in a different camp. She confided, “It’s all fixed. We don’t know what we are doing here," highlighting her belief that Aishwarya would be declared the winner due to her prominence as a model.
Insights on the Competition
Kakkar emphasized the fairness of the contest and urged Sushmita to trust the judges, particularly Simone Tata. He noted that while both women were stunning, an unfortunate fall by Aishwarya during the event played a part. Ultimately, Sushmita’s confident performance in the question-and-answer round set her apart, allowing her to clinch the coveted title amidst fierce competition.
Sushmita’s Path in the Industry
Over time, Prahlad observed that Sushmita became disillusioned with the film industry. He noted her increasing difficulty to access and connect with, as she began to build barriers around herself. Sushmita’s experiences shaped her view of the industry, which she felt was often exploitative, particularly for single women.
Celebrating Sushmita’s Achievements
Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss India in 1994, with Aishwarya as the first runner-up. Following her victory, Sushmita ventured into acting, making her debut in the thriller Dastak (1996). She starred in several notable films, such as Biwi No.1 (1999) and Main Hoon Na (2004). After a brief hiatus, she made a welcomed return to the screen with the series Aarya in 2020.
How do you feel about the challenges faced by pageant winners in the industry?
