Sushmita Sen Opens Up About Her Iconic ‘Main Hoon Na’ Look and Her Journey From Miss Universe to OTT Queen

From battling the cold in that legendary red saree to redefining strong female leads in Indian entertainment, Sushmita Sen continues to leave an indelible mark on cinema and streaming platforms alike.

Sushmita Sen, who became India’s first Miss Universe in 1994, entered the film industry with a bang in Mahesh Bhatt’s Dastak in 1996. Although the film didn’t create box office waves, Sen’s screen presence was undeniable. Over the years, she carved a niche for herself in Bollywood with films like Biwi No. 1 and Filhaal…, but it was her portrayal of the elegant chemistry professor Chandni in Main Hoon Na (2004) that remains iconic.

Sen recently recalled how director Farah Khan meticulously styled her character in the film. She revealed that she had to wear a red saree straight from the freezer during the shoot. “That red saree I was made to wear came out freezing cold. On top of that, Farah Khan put a massive storm fan because Chandni’s hair needs to fly all the time,” she laughed, explaining how her hair was constantly fluttering — whether she was teaching, crying, or dancing. The director insisted on a continuous gust effect as part of Chandni’s visual appeal.

The actress also opened up about her initial reluctance to wear sarees throughout the film. “When she told me I would be in a saree for the entire film, I said, ‘Please don’t do this to me. This is my first film with Shah Rukh; I want to wear 50,000 different costumes.’ But she was like, ‘Trust me, you’re in a saree and that’s it.’” Farah Khan later revealed that Sushmita’s initial saree drape was deemed too traditional, leading to a last-minute adjustment to achieve the perfect low-waisted, flowing look that ultimately became iconic.

Interestingly, Farah Khan shared that Ayesha Takia was originally considered for the role but dropped out at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts with Imtiaz Ali’s film. With only weeks left before filming, Farah turned to Sushmita, who eventually embraced the role with grace and glamour.

Main Hoon Na also holds a special place in Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan’s hearts—it was the first film produced under their banner, Red Chillies Entertainment. According to sources, Farah Khan has cracked the initial idea for Main Hoon Na 2, and Shah Rukh is reportedly thrilled about the proposed direction. The sequel is currently in the writing stage, with Farah collaborating closely with writers from her team and Red Chillies.

After a decade-long break starting in 2010, Sushmita made a resounding comeback with the Disney+ Hotstar series Aarya in 2020, earning critical acclaim and a renewed fan base. She further impressed audiences in 2023 with Taali, where she portrayed transgender activist Gauri Sawant — a performance applauded for its depth and sensitivity.

Nearly 30 years after her Miss Universe win, Sushmita Sen remains a powerful force in Indian entertainment, commanding screens both big and small with her poise, talent, and versatility.

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