On Lara Dutta’s birthday, we take a closer look at her inspiring journey from Miss Universe to actress, entrepreneur, and a changemaker in India.
From being crowned Miss Universe 2000 to giving back to back hit movies to Bollywood and then diving into the world of entrepreneurship, Lara Dutta has truly redefined what it means to be a multifaceted woman. As she celebrates her birthday today, let’s take a look at her journey—a mix of beauty, brains, bold choices, and business smarts.
It was a historic moment when a 22-year-old girl from Bengaluru made India proud by winning the prestigious Miss Universe title in 2000. She didn’t just win hearts with her looks—her poise, intelligence, and articulate answers set her apart. Even today, her witty answer in the interview round is famous in YouTube reels. When asked about: “You're from a family of pilots but say your goal is to, you know you want jump from a plane are the pilots in your family that bad?”, Lara answered: “Well, not really my father and my sister both pilots but I guess I've clocked in so many miles sitting behind flying as a passenger that I guess it's time that I jumped out. That's something I've always wanted to do, skydive.”
Her achievement cemented India's position on the global beauty pageant map, following in the footsteps of Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai.
Lara made her Bollywood debut with Andaaz (2003) alongside Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra and also bagged a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Her famous films include No Entry, Masti, Bhagam Bhag, Partner, Billu, and Don 2.
Beyond the glamour of the film industry, Lara Dutta has successfully evolved into a savvy entrepreneur. One of her most notable ventures is Arias, a skincare brand curated for Indian women. Launched with the aim of offering affordable luxury, the company focuses on creating effective, clean, and cruelty-free products to cater to the unique requirements of Indian skin and climate. Since its launch, Lara has been an integral part of the brand—from formulation to packaging—bringing her personal experience and authenticity. Her vision with Arias is simple: “empower women to embrace their natural beauty with products that work and resonate with their daily lives”.
What you're feeling today...we've bottled it!
— Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@LaraDutta) October 26, 2020
The Arias Body Mists now available on @flipkart @Arias
Get them there- https://t.co/nnZFCWmASF pic.twitter.com/xSCD5R1qh9
(Credit: X/@LaraDutta)
What sets Lara apart from many of her peers is her passion to serve the society. The former UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, Lara Dutta has been actively involved in advocating for women’s reproductive health, gender equality, and maternal care. She has participated in campaigns regarding childbirth education, postnatal wellness, and body image topics often underrepresented in mainstream media. She has openly shared her views about motherhood, breaking the stigma around post-partum changes after having her daughter, Saira.
In complete support of the wonderful initiative taken by @SriSri for a #DrugFreeIndia. Be a part of this great movement by @ArtofLiving & work towards a healthier future. pic.twitter.com/h6lADqzCYm
— Lara Dutta Bhupathi (@LaraDutta) February 14, 2019
(Credit: X/@LaraDutta)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was also involved in numerous initiatives supporting healthcare workers and raising awareness on mental health and emotional wellbeing. Moreover, she actively supports a couple of non-profits and speaks frequently on work-life balance, especially for mothers navigating careers and home life.
Lara Dutta smoothly made a transition from pageants to purpose, turning the fame into a force for good. She didn't stop after winning the crown, nor was she satisfied with a few hits. She transformed her fame into influence, her voice into impact, and her brand into purpose.
Here’s wishing Lara Dutta a fabulous birthday and many more achievements ahead!
