Sushmita Sen Wept Over 'Rigged' 1994 Miss India Pageant, Reveals Filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar

In a recent exclusive interview, renowned filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar has shed light on the intense rivalry between Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during the 1994 Miss India pageant. Kakkar, who had access to the contestants' changing room, recalled a poignant moment when he found Sushmita Sen weeping in a corner, convinced that the competition was "rigged" in Aishwarya's favor.

"One day, halfway through the competition, Sushmita was weeping copiously in one corner of the changing room. I walked up to her and asked her. She said, 'No, it's all fixed. It's all rigged. We don't know what we are doing here,'" Kakkar recounted. He then advised Sushmita to trust the fairness of the judges, particularly Simone Tata, who he believed would judge the contest honestly and fairly.

Ultimately, Sushmita's confident and composed performance in the final question-and-answer round secured her the Miss India crown over the equally stunning Aishwarya. Kakkar described the competition as "touch and go," highlighting the exceptional talent of both contestants.

Reflecting on his experience working with Sushmita, Kakkar revealed that the actress grew somewhat disenchanted with the film industry over time, harboring a mistrust of the industry's exploitative nature. Nevertheless, both Sushmita and Lara Dutta went on to proudly represent India on global stages, dismissing any supposed rivalry between them.