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News Topical, Digital Desk : In the 90s, Bollywood saw the arrival of several new actresses who created history in Indian cinema with their work and stardom. Actresses like Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made their mark not only in India but worldwide. It's safe to say that during this era, there was intense competition among actresses, and carving out a niche for oneself was no small feat.
However, this fame isn't everyone's destiny; they either don't achieve it or their desire for it fades, leaving them to seek peace elsewhere. Today, we're going to talk about one such actress, who once rivaled Miss World Aishwarya Rai, but later embraced spirituality.
Who is that actress?
She not only made a name for herself in the film industry but also caught the attention of renowned Bollywood directors and producers. She possessed the perfect balance of beauty and talent, making her stand out even among a sea of beautiful faces. Making a name for herself in the film industry in the 90s was no easy task, but Barkha Madan, now known as Gyalten Samten, achieved this fame and recognition early on.
Aishwarya-Sushmita were given a tough competition
Before making her mark in the Hindi film industry, Barkha Madan worked as a model for several years. She was one of the contestants in the Femina Miss India pageant in 1994. Sushmita Sen became the winner, Aishwarya Rai was the first runner-up, and Barkha was crowned Miss India Tourism. After establishing herself in the modeling industry, Barkha decided to enter the Hindi film industry, and director Umesh Mehra gave her her acting debut in his film Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi.
She left acting and became a monk
In 2012, after appearing in a few films, Barkha Madan announced that she had quit acting and left the Hindi film industry. This came as a major shock to everyone, as she was reportedly receiving numerous film projects due to her tremendous acting range. Under the tutelage of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Barkha became a Buddhist nun and changed her name to Ven. Gyalten Samten.
In an old interview, Barkha Madan admitted that when she told her parents about her decision to leave acting and become a Buddhist nun, they fully supported her. Currently, Barkha is living a peaceful life at Sera Jey Monastery in Tibet.
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