Lovely Lara Dutta is 35

Actress, entrepreneur and one of Bollywood's yummiest mummies, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned Miss Universe in 2000. The actress had taken a sabbatical post the birth of her daughter Saira, and returned to Bollywood this year in Bejoy Nambiar's film David.

As she turns 35 today, here is a look at Lara's journey so far.

  • Actress, entrepreneur and one of Bollywood's yummiest mummies, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned Miss Universe in 2000. The actress had taken a sabbatical post the birth of her daughter Saira, and returned to Bollywood this year in Bejoy Nambiar's film <i>David</i>.<br><br> As she turns 35 today, here is a look at Lara's journey so far.
    Actress, entrepreneur and one of Bollywood's yummiest mummies, Lara Dutta has played many roles since the time she was crowned Miss Universe in 2000. The actress had taken a sabbatical post the birth of her daughter Saira, and returned to Bollywood this year in Bejoy Nambiar's film David.

    As she turns 35 today, here is a look at Lara's 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. The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where Lara went to St Francis Xavier Girls' High School. She graduated in economics from 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. The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where Lara went to St Francis Xavier Girls' High School. She graduated in economics from University of Mumbai.
  • Lara won the annual Gladrags modelling competition and then became the first Indian representative at the 1997 Miss Intercontinental pageant and won the title.
    Lara won the annual Gladrags modelling competition and then became the first Indian representative at the 1997 Miss Intercontinental pageant and won the title.
  • At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Lara was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada.<br><br> She was the highest scorer in the swimsuit round, and her final interview answer ? in which she delivered a passionate defence of beauty pageants ? fetched her a near-perfect score of 9.99, the highest ever.<br><br> Beauty queens Priyanka and Dia also won their pageants the same year.<br><br>
    At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Lara was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada.

    She was the highest scorer in the swimsuit round, and her final interview answer – in which she delivered a passionate defence of beauty pageants – fetched her a near-perfect score of 9.99, the highest ever.

    Beauty queens Priyanka and Dia also won their pageants the same year.

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  • In 2002, Lara signed up for her first film, the Tamil language <i>Arasatchi</i>, but it only released in mid-2004 because of financial problems.
    In 2002, Lara signed up for her first film, the Tamil language Arasatchi, 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 many films have been a mixed bag of hits and flops. Her hit parade includes <i>Masti</i> (2004), <i>Kaal</i> (2005), <i>No Entry</i> (2005), <i>Bhaagam Bhaag</i> and <i><Partner</i> (2007).
    Lara's many films have been a mixed bag of hits and flops. Her hit parade includes Masti (2004), Kaal (2005), No Entry (2005), Bhaagam Bhaag and (2007).
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  • A de-glam Lara appeared as Irrfan Khan's wife in <i>Billu</i> (2009).
    A de-glam Lara appeared as Irrfan Khan's wife in Billu (2009).
  • Next came <i>Blue</i>, in the same year, opposite Akshay Kumar. The movie tanked but Lara's bikini body was a superhit.
    Next came Blue, in the same year, opposite Akshay Kumar. The movie tanked but Lara's bikini body was a superhit.
  • Lara was paired opposite her <i>Partner</i> co-star Govinda in <i>Do Knot Disturb</i>, also a 2009 film, but the movie was a dud at the box office.
    Lara was paired opposite her Partner co-star Govinda in Do Knot Disturb, also a 2009 film, but the movie was a dud at the box office.
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  • In 2010, Lara appeared in hit comedy film <i>Housefull</i> opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
    In 2010, Lara appeared in hit comedy film Housefull opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
  • In 2011, Lara Dutta's debut production film <i>Challo Dilli</i> featuring Vinay Pathak, released. The film got mixed reviews.
    In 2011, Lara Dutta's debut production film Challo Dilli featuring Vinay Pathak, released. The film got mixed reviews.
  • <i>Don 2</i> (2011) was the last film Lara Dutta appeared in, before she took an extended maternal leave from the Hindi film industry.
    Don 2 (2011) was the last film Lara Dutta appeared in, before she took an extended maternal leave from the Hindi film industry.
  • Post pregnancy, she made a comeback this year in Bejoy Nambiar's <i>David</i>, which received critical acclaim.
    Post pregnancy, she made a comeback this year in Bejoy Nambiar's 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, breaking 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, breaking up in 2007.
  • Lara then dated model turned actor Dino Morea for a year.
    Lara then dated model turned actor Dino Morea for a year.
  • In 2010, the actress got engaged to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and they got married in February 16, 2011.
    In 2010, the actress got engaged to tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and they got married in February 16, 2011.
  • Lara Dutta gave birth to her daughter Saira on January 20, 2012.
    Lara Dutta gave birth to her daughter Saira on January 20, 2012.
  • After trying her hand at producing movies and launching her own fitness DVD, Lara launched her own fashion line, an ethnic wear collection in October last year.
    After trying her hand at producing movies and launching her own fitness DVD, Lara launched her own fashion line, an ethnic wear collection in October last year.