Happy Birthday Lara Dutta, Love Your Andaaz@39

Actress, entrepreneur and the only Indian beauty to be crowned as Miss Universe since 2000, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned. The actress took a break after the birth of her daughter Saira and made a Bollywood comeback in 2013 with Bejoy Nambiar's bilingual film David. She was last seen in 2016's Azhar.

As she turns 39 today, here is a look at her journey so far.

  • Actress, entrepreneur and the only Indian beauty to be crowned as Miss Universe since 2000, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned. The actress took a break after the birth of her daughter Saira and made a Bollywood comeback in 2013 with Bejoy Nambiar's bilingual film <i>David</i>. She was last seen in 2016's <i>Azhar</i>. <br><br> As she turns 39 today, here is a look at her journey so far.
    Actress, entrepreneur and the only Indian beauty to be crowned as Miss Universe since 2000, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned. The actress took a break after the birth of her daughter Saira and made a Bollywood comeback in 2013 with Bejoy Nambiar's bilingual film David. She was last seen in 2016's Azhar.

    As she turns 39 today, here is a look at her journey so far.
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  • Lara Dutta was born to a Punjabi family in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Her father is a retired Air Force officer and one of her two sisters also serves in the Air Force. Musician Nitin Sawhney is Lara's cousin. Lara grew up in Bangalore and went to St Francis Xavier Girls' High School. She graduated in economics from the University of Mumbai.
    Lara Dutta was born to a Punjabi family in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Her father is a retired Air Force officer and one of her two sisters also serves in the Air Force. Musician Nitin Sawhney is Lara's cousin. Lara grew up in Bangalore and went to St Francis Xavier Girls' High School. She graduated in economics from the University of Mumbai.
  • Lara won the annual Gladrags modelling competition which sent her to the 1997 Miss Intercontinental pageant. Lara won the title and was then crowned Femina Miss India Universe in 2000.
    Lara won the annual Gladrags modelling competition which sent her to the 1997 Miss Intercontinental pageant. Lara won the title and was then crowned Femina Miss India Universe in 2000.
  • At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Lara was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada. She was the second woman from India to be crowned Miss Universe.
    At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Lara was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada. She was the second woman from India to be crowned Miss Universe.
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  • In 2002, Lara signed up for her first film, the Tamil language <i>Arasatchi</i>, opposite Tamil superstar Arjun but it only released in mid-2004 because of financial problems.
    In 2002, Lara signed up for her first film, the Tamil language Arasatchi, opposite Tamil superstar Arjun but it only released in mid-2004 because of financial problems.
  • Lara made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with the hit film <i>Andaaz</i> opposite Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. Her performance won her the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.
    Lara made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with the hit film Andaaz opposite Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. Her performance won her the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award.
  • Lara's films have been a mixed bag of hits and flops. Her hit parade includes <i>Masti</i> (2004), <i>No Entry</i> (2005), <i>Bhaagam Bhaag</i> (2006) and <i>Partner</i> (2007).
    Lara's films have been a mixed bag of hits and flops. Her hit parade includes Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Bhaagam Bhaag (2006) and Partner (2007).
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  • Lara appeared as Irrfan Khan's wife in <i>Billu</i> (2009), a role far less glamorous than her usual film appearances.
    Lara appeared as Irrfan Khan's wife in Billu (2009), a role far less glamorous than her usual film appearances.
  • Next came <i>Blue</i>, in the same year, opposite Sanjay Dutt. The movie tanked but Lara's bikini body was a superhit.
    Next came Blue, in the same year, opposite Sanjay Dutt. The movie tanked but Lara's bikini body was a superhit.
  • In the same year, Lara appeared with her <i>Partner</i> co-star Govinda, and actors Riteish Deshmukh and Ranvir Shorey in <i>Do Knot Disturb</i> but the movie was a dud at the box office.
    In the same year, Lara appeared with her Partner co-star Govinda, and actors Riteish Deshmukh and Ranvir Shorey in Do Knot Disturb but the movie was a dud at the box office.
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  • In 2010, Lara appeared in hit comedy <i>Housefull</i> opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
    In 2010, Lara appeared in hit comedy Housefull opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
  • In 2011, Lara produced her first film - <i>Challo Dilli</i>, featuring Vinay Pathak. The film got mixed reviews.
    In 2011, Lara produced her first film - Challo Dilli, featuring Vinay Pathak. The film got mixed reviews.
  • Lara's appearance in 2011's <i>Don 2</i>, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was will acclaimed. After this she took an extended maternity leave from Bollywood.
    Lara's appearance in 2011's Don 2, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was will acclaimed. After this she took an extended maternity leave from Bollywood.
  • Post pregnancy, she made a comeback in 2013 with Bejoy Nambiar's Tamil-Hindi bilingual film <i>David</i>, which received critical acclaim.
    Post pregnancy, she made a comeback in 2013 with Bejoy Nambiar's Tamil-Hindi bilingual film David, which received critical acclaim.
  • Lara famously dated fellow model Kelly Dorjee for eight years. They were in a serious relationship when she won the Miss Universe title, and lived together for the next few years as she forged a film career, only to break up in 2007.
    Lara famously dated fellow model Kelly Dorjee for eight years. They were in a serious relationship when she won the Miss Universe title, and lived together for the next few years as she forged a film career, only to break up in 2007.
  • Lara Dutta then dated model-turned-actor Dino Morea for a year.
    Lara Dutta then dated model-turned-actor Dino Morea for a year.
  • In 2010, the actress announced she was engaged to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and they married in February 16, 2011.<br><br> (L- The picture was instagrammed by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larabhupathi/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >larabhupathi</a>)
    In 2010, the actress announced she was engaged to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and they married in February 16, 2011.

    (L- The picture was instagrammed by larabhupathi)
  • Lara Dutta gave birth to her daughter Saira on January 20, 2012.<br><br> (L- The picture was instagrammed by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/larabhupathi/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" >larabhupathi</a>)
    Lara Dutta gave birth to her daughter Saira on January 20, 2012.

    (L- The picture was instagrammed by larabhupathi)
  • Lara was last seen in 2016's <i>Fitoor</i>, co-starring Tabu, Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapur, and <i>Azhar</i>. Here's wishing Lara a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.
    Lara was last seen in 2016's Fitoor, co-starring Tabu, Katrina Kaif and Aditya Roy Kapur, and Azhar. Here's wishing Lara a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.