Sushmita was born in the Bengali-speaking Sen family on November 19, 1975 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her family consists of her dad, Shubeer, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander; mom, Subhra, Jewelry Designer and owner of a Dubai-based store. She has two siblings, a sister named Neelam, who is married to Nauman Malik, and a brother named Rajeev. Subhra’s dad was a poet.

She attended different schools in Jorhat, and Nagpur, but spend the majority of her schooling days in the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute and Air Force Silver School in Delhi. She was regarded as a tomboy and spent most of her times with boys. Since the schools were Hindi medium, she could not speak English until she was 16 years of age. She subsequently not only mastered English, but became an English Honors student, and also obtained a degree in Journalism. Due to her place of birth she can speak Urdu flawlessly.

Her first public appearance was at the Air Force Club Contest at the age of 15. She did a few fashion shows thereafter. Then during 1994 she decided to be a participant in Miss India beauty pageant, fully aware that she was being pitted against the reigning favorite, Aishwarya Rai. Sushmita took everyone by surprise when she was crowned Miss India while Aishwarya had to content with being the First Runner-up. Both beauties went on to win Miss Universe and Miss World titles respectively. Ironically the final outfit for Miss Universe for Sushmita was made by a little-known Meena Bazar tailor, and her mom.

It was during 1996 that she first appeared as herself in a Bollywood movie titled ‘Dastak’. Though the movie did not fare too well, she was noticed and thus began her career on the silver screen. She has since then portrayed herself in a variety of characters and also some ‘item’ numbers.

Not considered a classic beauty and leading quite an unconventional lifestyle she ended up in many relationships but did not marry anyone. She wanted to be a mother and to adopt a baby girl, and name her Renee. Since she is single, she had to fight a Court battle before she could finally adopt Renee. Finally on 13 April 2000 she was given the go-ahead to adopt her, even though the family-owned business in Dubai was already re-named as ‘Renee’ quite ironically a year earlier on 13 April 1999.

Films Done By Sushmita sen

1996 Dastak Sushmita Sen
1997 Ratchagan Sonia
1998 Zor Aarti
1999 Sirf Tum Neha
1999 Hindustan Ki Kasam Priya
1999 Biwi No.1 Rupali
1999 Mudhalvan Herself Special appearance (song) Tamil film
2000 Aaghaaz Sudha
2000 Fiza Special appearance (song)
2001 Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Sonam
2001 Nayak: The Real Hero Special appearance (song)
2001 Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai Lara Oberoi
2002 Aankhen Neha Srivastav
2002 Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge Mehak
2002 Filhaal… Sia Sheth
2003 Samay: When Time Strikes ACP Malvika Chauhan
2003 Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye Herself Special appearance
2004 Vaastu Shastra Dr. Jhilmil Rao
2004 Main Hoon Na Miss Chandni Chopra
2004 Paisa Vasool Baby
2006 Chingaari Basanti
2005 Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya Naina
2005 Main Aisa Hi Hoon Advocate Neeti Khanna/Neeti Chhahal
2005 Bewafaa Aarti
2005 Kisna: The Warrior Poet Naima Begum Special appearance (song)
2005 It Was Raining That Night Ayesha Sahani Bengali English language film
2006 Zindaggi Rocks Kriya
2006 Alag Special appearance (song)
2007 Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag Durga Devi aka Durga Devi
2009 Karma Aur Holi Meera
2009 Do Knot Disturb Kiran
2010 Dulha Mil Gaya Shimmer Kanhai
2010 No Problem Kajal
2015 Nirbaak Bengali film
2020 Aarya Aarya Sareen Web series

Awards and nominations Received By Sushmita Sen

2000 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress Biwi No.1 Won
2000 Best Supporting Actress Sirf Tum Nominated
2001 Planet-Bollywood People’s Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai Nominated
2003Star Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
2003 IIFA Awards IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award Nominated
2003 Zee Cine Award Best Supporting Actress Won
2004 Star Screen Awards Best Actress Samay: When Time Strikes Nominated
2005 Stardust Award Star of the Year -Female Main Hoon Na Nominated
2005 Zee Cine Award Best Supporting Actress Main Hoon Na Nominated