Happy Birthday, Sushmita Sen. Rules The Universe@41

Former Miss Universe and actress Sushmita Sen, who has entertained audiences with films like Sirf Tum and Biwi No 1, is still fabulous at 41. Sushmita's last Bollywood film was 2010's No Problem while she was last seen in Srijit Mukherji's Bengali film Nirbaak in 2015.

Here's a pictorial look at her journey as she turns a year older.

This image was posted on Instagram by Sushmita Sen

Sushmita was born in Hyderabad on November 19, 1975. Later, her family shifted to Delhi. She graduated from Delhi University.

Her father is a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander and her mother is a jewellery designer. She has a brother, Rajeev, and a sister, Neelam.

Young Sushmita dabbled in modelling before participating in the Miss India pageant in 1994. But she almost withdrew her application when she realised that Aishwarya Rai was also participating.

In the tie-breaker, when asked about the Indian textile industry, Sushmita answered, "It started off with Mahatma Gandhi's khadi, and it has gone a long way since then. But the basics still lie there."

This was enough for the judges and, in what was considered as a shock defeat, Aishwarya had to settle for the second place.

This image was posted on Instagram by Sushmita Sen

At the Miss Universe pageant in Manila, Sushmita impressed the judges with her poise and elegance. She made her way to the top five easily.

In the final Q&A round, she was asked to explain the essence of being a woman. Her answer fetched India, its first Miss Universe crown: "Being a woman is a gift of God and we should all appreciate it. The origin of a child is a mother and is a woman. A woman is the one who shares love and shows a man what love, caring and sharing is all about."

Sushmita returned to India after completing her stint as the reigning Miss Universe in a blaze of glory and was instantly flooded with film offers. She made her debut in Bollywood in 1996 with Dastak. After Dastak, she worked with Sunny Deol in Zor. Both movies failed to impress audiences.

In 1999, Sushmita appeared in Sirf Tum opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The movie did fairly well at the box office.

But it was with David Dhawan's Biwi No 1 in 1999 that Sushmita made her presence felt in Bollywood. She played the other woman in the movie which featured Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor in the lead roles.

Biwi No 1 was followed by Aaghaaz opposite Suniel Shetty.

Sushmita made a special song appearance in Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan's Fiza (2000). Her song Mehboob Mere became a huge hit and made Sushmita a rage.

Sushmita worked with Govinda in Kyo Kii...Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta (2001), which was a remake of the Hollywood hit Liar Liar featuring Jim Carrey. The movie didn't do well at the box office.

She did another item song Shaka Laka Baby in the movie Nayak, which proved to be a huge hit with the audience.

The same year, the actress also featured in Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, co-starring Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukerji.

2002's Aankhen was a welcome hit for her. The heist movie, about a bank robbery planned by three blind men, also featured Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Arjun Rampal.

In 2002, Sushmita featured opposite Euphoria singer Palash Sen in the film Filhaal which dealt with the issue of surrogacy. The movie was directed by Meghna Gulzar.

In 2003, Sushmita played the role of a female cop in Samay. The movie went unnoticed.

Sushmita's first film with Ram Gopal Varma was the horror flick Vaastu Shastra in 2004.

In 2004, Sushmita featured in Farah Khan's Main Hoon Naa. She played the role of a chemistry teacher who falls for her student, Shah Rukh Khan, who is actually an undercover cop.

In 2004, she was also seen with Manisha Koirala in Paisa Vasool. The unconventional film failed to make a dent at the box office.

Sushmita played a prostitute in 2006's Chingaari, which was well received by critics.

2005 was a big year for the actress with Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. The film was Katrina Kaif's debut movie, but it was Sushmita who stole the limelight with her dance number Laga, laga, laga re.

Main Aisa Hi Hoon, which released in the same year, was 'inspired' by the Hollywood movie I am Sam. Sushmita played the role portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in the original.

In 2005, she featured in Bewafaa, co-starring Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. She also appeared in another song in Subhash Ghai's movie Kisna that year.

She was next seen in Zindaggi Rocks, in which she played the role of a single mother. Despite its fresh theme, the film bombed at the box office.

In 2007, she featured in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, the disastrous remake of Sholay. Sushmita played the role originally portrayed by Jaya Bachchan. Despite the film's debacle, Sushmita welcomed the opportunity to act in the remake of a legendary film.

Sushmita acted opposite her then boyfriend Randeep Hooda in Karma Confessions And Holi. The film bombed at the box office. After that, she featured in David Dhawan's comedy film Do Knot Disturb, which also starred Govinda as the main lead. It was followed by another disaster Dulha Mil Gaya. Despite SRK's special appearance, the film failed to impress audiences.

Sushmita made an unimpressive appearance opposite Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna in 2010's No Problem.

In 2015, Sushmita featured in the Bengali film Nirbaak, directed by Srijit Mukherji. Nirbaak also featured Anjan Dutta, Jisshu Sengupta and Ritwick Chakraborty.

She also tried and tested her magic on the small screen as a judge of the dance reality show Ek Khiladi, Ek Haseena along with former cricketer Wasim Akram.

Sushmita was all of 24 when she decided to adopt a baby girl. She had to fight a court battle before she could finally adopt the baby, who she named Renee.

Sushmita adopted her second daughter Alisah, on January 13, 2010.

This image was posted on Instagram by Sushmita Sen

In 2010, Sushmita partnered with Tantra Entertainment Private Limited and became the president of the I Am She - Miss Universe India beauty pageant, the winner of which represented India at the Miss Universe pageant till 2012.

Here's wishing Sushmita a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.

This image was posted on Instagram by Sushmita Sen