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Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sushmita Sen reveals Bollywood only cared about heroes when she started her career; calls herself a 'terrible actress' then
Sushmita Sen candidly discussed her Bollywood journey, acknowledging her initial struggles and the industry's focus on male leads during the '90s. She highlighted the transformative impact of OTT platforms, which provided her with meaningful roles and a career resurgence in 'Aarya'. Sen also emphasized her approach to vulnerability, prioritizing inner strength and embracing life beyond acting. Sushmita Sen stepped into Bollywood at an early age of 21. Nearly three decades into her career, Sushmita candidly admits she wasn't a natural actor at the start—and that early Bollywood seemed more interested in 'which hero' was headlining the film than in the heroine herself. A Humble Beginning and a Steep Learning Curve At a recent INWEC event, Sushmita looked back on her early days in the film industry with refreshing honesty. She admitted that her acting skills were far from polished when she began and often finds her early performances cringeworthy in hindsight. However, she acknowledged that winning Miss Universe opened unexpected doors—including the chance to step into acting. For her, it was a blessing to be paid while learning the craft, even if the journey demanded immense effort and growth over the years. Lack of Meaningful Roles in the '90s Despite her success, she revealed that she never quite got the kind of roles she truly desired as an actor. Reflecting on the evolution of cinema, she pointed out the stark contrast between the '90s and today's OTT-driven content. Back then, she recalled, the focus was rarely on the depth of a female character. Instead, it was all about who the male lead was, how many songs the heroine had, the number of dramatic scenes, and which designer outfits she wore. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Đăng ký Undo That was the standard measure of a heroine's presence in a film during that era. After appearing in a string of films up until 2015, Sushmita Sen stepped away from the spotlight for several years. Her hiatus ended with a bang in 2020 when she made a powerful comeback with her OTT debut in Aarya. The gripping drama not only marked her return but also earned her widespread critical acclaim, reaffirming her place as a formidable talent in the industry. How OTT Gave Her a Second Innings Sushmita further expressed her deep appreciation for the rise of OTT platforms, crediting them for giving her a much-desired second innings in her acting career. She shared that streaming content allowed her to explore meaningful roles she had long been hungry for. Being able to connect with audiences for 45-minute episodes across an entire series, she said, is a rare and rewarding opportunity—one she considers a true blessing as an actor. On Vulnerability and Finding Strength In the same conversation, the actress opened up about dealing with vulnerability and tough days. She reflected on how today's world constantly pushes people to compare themselves with others, often at the cost of authenticity. Admitting that she, too, has her share of low days, Sushmita shared that turning to meditation, conscious breathing, and faith helps her regain perspective. Over time, she's grown emotionally stronger—what once unsettled her no longer holds the same power. For her, peace of mind has become non-negotiable. Keeping Her Struggles Private She also revealed a deeply personal side, admitting that while she often feels vulnerable, she chooses to keep it hidden—even from her family. She shared that expressing such emotions doesn't always feel helpful, so she prefers to keep her struggles private, confiding only in herself and her faith. For her, that quiet strength has become a way of navigating life's challenges with grace. Sushmita shared that she truly loves living life to the fullest, and a moment from The Kapil Sharma Show perfectly sums up her outlook. Recalling the episode, she mentioned how Kapil jokingly asked why she appears in fewer films. Her candid reply was, 'Main zindagi zyada jeeti hoon' (I live life more), a statement she says reflects the reality of how she chooses to live—embracing experiences beyond just the screen. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sushmita Sen calls herself a ‘terrible' actress when she started, says Bollywood only cared about heroes then: ‘Kya hi kar rahe the hum'
Today marks the 31st anniversary of Sushmita Sen winning the Miss Universe title for the first time in India's history. She was just 18 when she wore the crown and at 21, she marked her acting debut with the Tamil film Ratchagan. With almost a career spanning three decades, Sushmita believes she was a terrible actress when she started and Bollywood, anyway, was only interested in 'which hero' was in the film. Speaking at a recent event hosted by INWEC, Sushmita recalled her initial days as an actor and said, 'I was a very bad actor when I started–like terrible. Now, when I look at some of my early works, I am like 'Kya hi kar rahe the hum?' But in all fairness, I hit the road running. I have to acknowledge the fact that if Miss Universe got an acting opportunity, I took it up. It was very big blessing that I was paid to learn the job. It has taken a lot of work.' However, Sushmita Sen never got the role she craved as an actor. 'I have seen the 90s cinema and now of course OTT, it's a huge change. 90s cinema is all about, 'Who is the hero? Heroine ke kitne gaane hai? Kitne conflicting scenes hai? Kaunsa designer ke kapde pehen rahi hai?' (What are the number of songs, who is she wearing) This was the look and feel of actor back then', said the actress. A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) After appearing in several films up until 2015, Sushmita took a long break. In 2020, she made a powerful comeback with her OTT debut show Aarya, which gained her critical acclaim. She said, 'I am a big fan of OTT because it has given me my second innings as an actor. It has given me the kind of work that I was so hungry for many years. The ability to be part of my audience life for 45 minutes for about ten episodes. As an actor that's a huge blessing.' ALSO READ | Shah Rukh Khan left quietly after I told him 'nas kaat lungi', recalls Wamiqa Gabbi: 'There was pin-drop silence on the sets of Baby John' In the same conversation, Sushmita Sen also talked about having bad days and feeling vulnerable. 'We live in a world where we are constantly told to compare ourselves with other people. It's like you are losing the ability to be authentic. I personally think when I have not so great day, and I do have them often, God helps. I meditate, I breathe and I come back to the present moment. And then I realise I am better off than most of the people in the world. I have just got tougher with time. Earlier things used to shake me a lot more. Your peace of mind is non-negotiable.' The actress confessed that she is vulnerable all the time but hides it from her family. 'I am vulnerable all the time, but I don't like to show it. I don't even share it with my family as it is not very helpful. I like to keep that vulnerability between me and God.' Sushmita Sen said she loves to live her life and said her statement at Kapil Sharma show is the reality of her life. 'Did you guys see the show of Kapil Sharma? When he asked me, 'Ap picturo mein kam dikhti hai', I said, 'Mai zindagi zyada jeeti hu'. Because it is a fact.'
India.com
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Zayed Khan Applauds Odisha's Women Entrepreneurs At National Women's Business Mela 2.0
Zayed Khan lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of Odisha's women at the National Women's Business Mela 2.0, calling them 'boss ladies' and praising their drive and energy. New Delhi: Actor Zayed Khan recently attended the National Women's Business Mela 2.0 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where he lauded the entrepreneurial spirit and determination of women business leaders from the state. Organised by the Indian National Women Entrepreneurs Council (INWEC), the event brought together over 200 women entrepreneurs from across India, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurating the platform. The two-day event aimed to celebrate and support women-led ventures, fostering collaboration, networking, and recognition for women in business. Zayed interacted with several entrepreneurs during the event and later took to social media to share his appreciation. Hello People , wanted to thank all the people of Odisha , #bhubaneshwar thank you for the warmth and hospitality . Great admiration for the boss ladies of Odisha who i had the pleasure of interacting with . I was amazed to see the entrepreneurial spirit in these young women , who seemed so motivated and energised . Thank you @ for empowering these woman , I really enjoyed the numerous Interactions . #womenempowerwomen #girlpower #blessed #gratitude ." View this post on Instagram A post shared by ZAYED KHAN (@itszayedkhan) He also extended gratitude to INWEC President Preeti Patnaik for championing women empowerment in the region. His presence at the Mela added encouragement and visibility to the event, which highlighted women's growing influence in the business landscape. On the professional front, Zayed Khan is set to make his OTT debut in the upcoming film The Film That Never Was (TFTNW).
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Biz mela for women entrepreneurs
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The second edition of INWEC National Women's Business Mela organised by the Indian National Women Entrepreneurs Council (INWEC) in collaboration with Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and MSME, kicked off here on Wednesday. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the five-day event and lauded the efforts to foster women-led enterprises and MSMEs across the state. Addressing the gathering, Majhi said, "Odisha is committed to empowering women and promoting MSMEs. This mela reflects our resolve to build a progressive and innovation-driven economy with women at the helm." Industries and skill development and technical education minister Sampad Swain emphasised that empowering women and strengthening MSMEs was key to Odisha's sustainable development. "It's not just about businesses, it's about building empowered communities," Swain said. Rajib Sahoo, Chairman, ICC Odisha State Council, said, "Odisha is a land of quiet ambition and bold transformation. Our MSMEs, especially those led by women, are not just economic engines — they are symbols of purpose, sustainability, and social equity". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 35 & Earning? Protect Your Family with ₹1 Cr Life Cover ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Preeti Pallavi Patnaik, convenor of INWEC, said, "Odisha's women are rewriting narratives not just by participating but leading the way. INWEC stands committed to enabling their journeys through access, advocacy, and action." More than 200 women entrepreneurs from across India are participating in the mela, which features a diverse mix of enterprises — from handwoven textiles and organic products to tech start-ups and wellness ventures.
