Sushmita Sen turns 50: Did her Miss Universe win really spark a cold war with Aishwarya Rai?

Sushmita Sen-Aishwarya Rai rivalry: Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen celebrates her 50th birthday on 19 November 2025. At just 18, she became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe crown in 1994. Her win not only stunned the world but also paved the way for generations of Indian beauty queens who followed in her footsteps.

That same year, Aishwarya Rai won the Miss World title, a rare double victory that dominated national headlines. Since then, both have often been cast as rivals. But Sushmita has consistently dismissed this age-old rumour. For decades, fans have speculated about the real equation between the two beauty icons. Now, old interviews and first-hand accounts offer a clearer glimpse into their relationship.

In an earlier conversation with WildFilmsIndia, the former Miss Universe addressed the long-standing speculation with striking clarity. She said, "We never had enough time to be enemies, rivals or friends.” According to her, both were too focused on their individual goals to engage in anything beyond basic interaction. She also added, "We always wanted to be the best in our own ways, which we have proven to be.”

Sushmita maintained that any rivalry existed only in the public imagination. She explained, "If we ever had any rivalry, it was in our own work.” She further pointed out that comparisons were unfair, especially when both were young women navigating early careers. "There is no such thing as rivalry. The sad part is that people don’t understand that,” she remarked.

A similar sentiment was echoed by actor Maninee De, who shared the Miss India 1994 stage with both contestants. She revealed that the media largely fueled the idea of competition. Maninee recalled Aishwarya as warm and grounded, even noting that the future Miss World had voted for her for the Miss Congeniality title. She also remembered Sushmita fondly, sharing how the beauty queen encouraged her to join the contest, telling her she was "very exotic” and had a strong presence.

Over the years, both Sushmita and Aishwarya have built celebrated careers in the Hindi film industry. Sushmita is known for her roles in commercial hits such as Biwi No. 1 and Main Hoon Na. She was also seen in the OTT shows Aarya and Taali. Meanwhile, Aishwarya has acclaimed performances in projects like Devdas, Taal, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Ponniyin Selvan II.