Sushmita, Sen-sational at 38

Former Miss Universe and actress Sushmita Sen, who is a regular on the ramp and Bollywood's A-List parties, proves she is still fabulous at 38. The actress, who had been missing from the big screen for over three years, is eyeing a comeback this year with a woman-oriented film.

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

Sushmita Sen was born in Hyderabad on 19th November, 1975. Later, her family shifted to Delhi, where 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 entering for the Miss India pageant in 1994. But she almost withdrew her application when she realised that top model 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 its gone a long way since then. But the basics still lies in there." This was enough for the judges and, in what was considered a shock defeat, Aishwarya had to settle for second place.

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

In the final Q&A round she was asked to explain the essence of being a woman. Her answer fetched India's it's 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 Bollywood debut in 1996 with Dastak. After Dastak, she worked with Sunny Deol in the action flick Zor. Both movies flopped miserably at the box office.

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 the flop Aaghaaz (2000) opposite Suneil Shetty.

Sushmita appeared in her first item number in the movie 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 starring Jim Carrey. The movie didn't do too well.

She did another item song Shaka Laka Baby in the movie Nayak which proved to be a huge hit with the audience. (2001).

The same year, the actress also featured in Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, which also starred Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherji.

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 acted 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 (2004). The movie didn't do too well at the box office.

In 2004, a big hit came Sush's way with Farah Khan's Main Hoon Naa. She played the sexy chemistry teacher who falls for her over-aged student, Shah Rukh Khan.

In 2004, she was also seen with Manisha Koirala in the experimental, heroine-centric Paisa Vasool. The unconventional film made no dent at the box office.

Sushmita played a prostitute in the 2006 flick Chingaari, which was well received by critics.

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

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

In 2005, she acted in Bewafaa opposite the then-emerging Kareena Kapoor. She also appeared in another item number in Subhash Ghai's movie Kisna that year. She was next seen in Zindaggi Rocks (2006), playing the story of a single mother-singer. Despite its fresh theme, the film bombed at the box office.

In 2007 came Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, the disastrous remake of Sholay, in which 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 the 2009 flick Karma Confessions And Holi. The film bombed at the box office. She then acted in David Dhawan's comedy flick Do Knot Disturb, which also starred Govinda in the main lead. It was followed by another disaster Dulha Mil Gaya. Despite SRK's special appearance, the film bombed.

Sushmita made an unimpressive outing opposite Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna and many others in No Problem (2010).

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 Sen has always been refreshingly open about her relationships. She had high-profile romances with first director Vikram Bhatt, hotelier Sanjay Narang, Hotmail's Sabeer Bhatia and actor Randeep Hooda.

India's poster girl for single motherhood, 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.

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.

The Bengali beauty, is now eyeing a comeback to the silver screen with a woman oriented film.

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