Battle of the beauties: What really happened between Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai? Was there a rivalry?

Time of India

04-05-2025

In 1994, two Indian women made the country proud on global platforms —
Sushmita Sen
was crowned Miss Universe while
Aishwarya Rai
clinched the Miss World title. Since then, the two have often been pitted against each other, both during their pageant days and later in their film careers. Despite public fascination with the idea of a rivalry, both Sushmita and Aishwarya have maintained that no animosity ever existed between them.
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Sen Breaks Silence on Relationship with Aishwarya
In a past interview with WildFilmsIndia, Sushmita Sen addressed longstanding speculations about her dynamic with Aishwarya. She stated that they were never close enough to have any sort of conflict, saying, 'We never had enough time to be enemies, rivals or friends.' She added that both were focused on their individual journeys and ambitions, with little time for distractions. According to Sushmita, 'We always wanted to be the best in our own ways — which we have proven to be.'
Sushmita also emphasized that any notion of rivalry existed more in the public imagination than in reality. 'People should keep one thing in mind — if we ever had any rivalry, it was in our own work,' she said, pointing out that both of them were working hard to build their careers from the ground up. She stressed that comparisons were unfair, especially when both were still evolving professionally. 'There is no such thing as rivalry. The sad part is that people don't understand that,' she remarked.
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Maninee De Reflects on Pageant Days
Actor Maninee De, who competed alongside Sushmita and Aishwarya in the Miss India 1994 pageant, also shared her perspective. She recalled that the idea of rivalry was mostly fueled by the media. 'This was media-created,' she said, explaining that while Aishwarya had already gained attention as a model, Sushmita was the lesser-known contestant at the time. However, there was no hostility between the two. Maninee described both as gracious and dignified individuals even at a young age.
She went on to share a personal anecdote about how Sushmita inspired her to take part in the pageant. 'She told me I am very exotic and my USP is that I spoke very well,' Maninee revealed, crediting Sushmita with encouraging her to apply. Their bond extended beyond the contest, with Sushmita often reciting poetry to her late at night, considering Maninee someone who truly understood her writing.
Aishwarya's Warmth and Grace Remembered
Maninee also spoke fondly of her interactions with Aishwarya. During the pageant, she won the Miss Congeniality award, and Aishwarya personally told her she had voted for her, calling her 'genuinely the sweetest of the lot.' Years later, during a chance meeting at a film screening, Aishwarya greeted her with affection and even met her daughter warmly, further dismissing any rumors of discord.
Enduring Legacies Beyond Comparison
Both Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai went on to establish themselves in Bollywood. Aishwarya starred in acclaimed films such as Devdas, Taal, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and was last seen in Ponniyin Selvan II. Sushmita made her mark in movies like Biwi No.1 and Main Hoon Na, and recently appeared in the series Aarya and the film Taali. Despite constant comparisons, both have forged unique and successful paths.
While the public narrative often hinted at competition, those closest to the situation confirm there was only mutual respect and personal focus. In the end, both women continue to be celebrated for their contributions — not as rivals, but as icons in their own right.