16 Unbelievable And Stunning Modelling Days Pictures of Bollywood Actresses

March 6, 2021
dadiadmin
Bollywood
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We adore the actresses of modern Bollywood, we just completely love their makeover for whatever they wear and show up on screen and its just completely beautiful. But back on the days when these beautiful actresses have started their modelling career, it was not that as it looks now.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Deepika Padukone

Katrina Kaif

Gauhar Khan

Mugda Godse

Anushka Sharma

Bipasha Basu

Jacqueline Fernandez

Kajol

Kangna Ranaut

Kareena Kapoor

Madhuri Dixit

Mallika Sherawat

Priyanka Chopra

Shilpa Shetty

Sonam Kapoor

The Runway to Reel: 16 Unbelievable and Stunning Modelling Days Pictures of Bollywood Actresses

The silver screen’s brightest stars often walk a meticulously polished path to fame, one that frequently begins on the fashion runway or the international beauty pageant stage. Long before the dazzling premieres, global accolades, and million-dollar endorsement deals, many of Bollywood’s leading ladies were professional models, hustling for their first magazine cover or commercial gig.

These rare, stunning throwback pictures from their modeling days—often featuring candid shots, experimental fashion, and the raw, unpolished beauty of youth—offer an unbelievable glimpse into the formative years of these icons. They show the journey from a simple portfolio shoot to becoming a global phenomenon.

Here is a look at 16 of Bollywood’s biggest actresses and the incredible, often surprising, details of their early modeling careers.

The Golden Era of Global Pageants: Miss World & Miss Universe

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a golden age where beauty pageant winners transitioned seamlessly into Bollywood stardom. These women had already conquered the world stage before stepping onto a film set.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The Pepsi Sensation

Aishwarya Rai was a known face in the Indian advertising circuit long before her Miss World 1994 win. The former architecture student traded her books for the runway and became an overnight sensation with a single, iconic commercial.

The Big Break: Her famous 1993 Pepsi commercial with Aamir Khan, where her one line of dialogue, “Hi, I’m Sanjana,” became a cultural phenomenon.
The Viral Fact: An invoice from her early modelling days in 1992, when she was just 18, surfaced online, showing she was paid only ₹1,500 for a magazine photoshoot.
The Crown: She was crowned Miss World in 1994.

2. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: From Bareilly to Miss World

Priyanka Chopra’s journey from a small-town girl to a global icon began with a single professional portrait. Just a year later, at the age of 18, she was crowned Miss World 2000.

First Shoot: Priyanka credits her first professional portrait shoot in Bareilly in 1999, where she even did her own hair and makeup, as the beginning of her modelling journey.
The Trio of 2000: She was part of a historic trio along with Lara Dutta and Dia Mirza, who all won major international beauty titles for India in the year 2000.

3. Lara Dutta: The Perfect Score

Lara Dutta’s career is defined by her flawless performance in pageantry. Her win at Miss Universe 2000 solidified her path to the film industry.

The Record: During the Miss Universe 2000 competition, Lara Dutta achieved the highest individual score in the history of the pageant’s interview round, with a near-perfect majority of the judges scoring her a 9.99.
Early Start: Her modelling career began at the age of 16 when her sister secretly sent her photographs to a modelling agency, leading to her winning the Gladrags Megamodel India competition in 1995.

4. Dia Mirza: The Poetic Debutante

Like her contemporaries, Dia Mirza achieved international acclaim by winning the Miss Asia Pacific International title in 2000.

A Personal Stand: During the international pageant, Dia took an important stand, expressing discomfort with the customary two-piece swimsuit and choosing to wear a one-piece instead.
Motivation: At the pageant, the 18-year-old kept a card from her father on her bedside table, which contained couplets from Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” with the line: “miles to go before I sleep.”
Scouted Young: She was spotted by a modelling agent and started working part-time when she was just 16 years old.

5. Sushmita Sen: The Trailblazer

Sushmita Sen holds the monumental distinction of being the first Indian woman ever to win the Miss Universe title in 1994, at the young age of 18.

Early Career Goal: Even at the time of her win, her stated aspiration was to be a successful model and eventually enter the creative field of dramatics or advertising.
Bollywood Debut: Following her historic international victory, she made her Bollywood debut with the film Dastak in 1996.

The Powerhouse Models: Runway & Calendar Queens

Beyond the pageant winners, a number of actresses were first-rate professional models who had already established a powerful presence in the fashion industry.

6. Deepika Padukone: The Kingfisher Calendar Girl

Deepika Padukone’s transition from a national-level badminton player to one of India’s top models was swift and spectacular.

The Designer’s Compliment: Designer Wendell Rodricks, who spotted her at a jewellery class, famously commented, “Since Aishwarya Rai, we haven’t had a girl as beautiful and fresh.”
The Big Leap: Her fame skyrocketed after she appeared in the popular Kingfisher Calendar print campaign in 2006 and won the ‘Model of the Year’ award at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards.
Early Work: Her breakthrough commercial was for the soap brand Liril.

7. Katrina Kaif: The London Import

Katrina Kaif began her professional modeling career in London before moving to India. Her early career in India quickly gained momentum, making her a prominent face even before her film debut.

International Start: She won a beauty contest in Hawaii at the age of 14, which led to her first modeling assignment for a jewelry brand.
Indian Breakthrough: She established a successful modeling career in India, walking the ramp for major designers and appearing in the first Kingfisher Calendar.
The Soap Queen: Katrina has often joked that in her early days, she was very good at landing “fake sabun (soap) ads” and “always got the sabun ads.”

8. Anushka Sharma: The Accidental Actress

Anushka Sharma never aspired to be an actress; she initially wanted a career in modeling or journalism.

Early Start: She started modeling as early as age 15 and made her runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week in 2007 for Wendell Rodricks.
The Discovery: It was at a fashion show that producer Aditya Chopra spotted her and found her perfect for the lead role opposite Shah Rukh Khan in her debut film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).
Model’s Struggle: Anushka has often spoken about her difficulty in modeling, saying, “I would walk down the ramp and smile and they used to say, ‘give us a blank look.’ It was really difficult, not to smile.”

9. Malaika Arora: The ’90s VJ and Fashion Icon

A true veteran of the fashion industry, Malaika Arora was a leading name in Indian modeling and a VJ for MTV India long before she was famous for her item songs.

Wendell Rodricks’ Muse: She was a favourite of many designers, most notably the late Wendell Rodricks, for whom she played muse for the longest time.
Pocket Money: Malaika once shared that she initially took up modeling as a challenging way to earn “quick pocket money,” never realizing it would become a full-fledged career.
Iconic Music Videos: Her modeling career included appearing in non-film music videos like Bally Sagoo’s “Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha,” before her iconic debut dance number, “Chaiyya Chaiyya.”

10. Jacqueline Fernandez: Miss Universe Sri Lanka

Born in Bahrain and educated in Australia, Jacqueline Fernandez used her modeling career as a gateway to international travel and success.

The Crown: She was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka in 2006, which paved the way for her to travel to India for modeling assignments.
Earning Her First Luxury: Jacqueline recalls that as a 15-16-year-old in Bahrain, she earned enough from ramp shows to buy her very first designer bag from Gucci.
The Journalist: Before moving into cinema, she was pursuing journalism, interning as a TV reporter in Sri Lanka, which she continued alongside her modeling work.

From Pageant to Pioneers: Trailblazing Actresses

11. Zeenat Aman: The Original Modern Diva

Zeenat Aman was instrumental in changing the image of the Bollywood heroine with her glamorous, Westernized persona in the 1970s. Her start was a pioneering win on the international stage.

The Crown: She was the first Indian to win the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant in 1970.
Early Gigs: After a brief stint as a journalist for Femina, she moved into modelling, and one of the first brands she modelled for was Taj Mahal Tea.
Self-Made: Zeenat Aman has spoken about doing her own makeup, hair, and picking her own costumes for her pageant days, highlighting the lack of support systems then available to contestants.

12. Juhi Chawla: The Bubbly Miss India

Known for her vivacious and bubbly on-screen persona, Juhi Chawla’s journey began when she won the Miss India crown in 1984.

The Pageant: After winning Miss India, she represented the country at the Miss Universe 1984 pageant, where she was awarded the Best National Costume award.
First Film: The Miss India title directly led to her brief acting debut in the film Sultanat (1986) before her breakthrough in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).

13. Namrata Shirodkar: The Beauty with a Missed Opportunity

Namrata Shirodkar, the elder sister of actress Shilpa Shirodkar, was a prominent face in modeling before her acting career.

The Crown: She was crowned Miss India in 1993, representing the country at the Miss Universe 1993 pageant.
The Controversial Answer: She finished in the Top 6 at Miss Universe. Her placement is often discussed due to her concise and literal answer to a hypothetical final question about living forever, which some feel cost her the crown.

14. Bipasha Basu: The ‘Bold’ Model

Bipasha Basu was a celebrated and bold fashion model who made her mark in the industry in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Early Controversy: One of her earliest advertisements with Vivek Oberoi in 1999 was banned from being telecast on Indian television for being considered “bold” at the time.
Model to Actress: After her successful modeling career, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her first film, Ajnabee (2001).

15. Shilpa Shetty: From Limca to Limelight

Shilpa Shetty, now known for her fitness and acting, began her journey at a remarkably young age.

The First Commercial: She started her modelling career immediately after completing her tenth-grade exams in 1991, with her first appearance being in a television commercial for the soft drink brand Limca.
The Quick Leap: After a brief stint as an ad model, she made her film debut in the blockbuster Baazigar in 1993.

16. Lisa Haydon: The Yoga Teacher Turned Lakmé Face

Lisa Haydon’s modeling career started as a way to pay the bills, only for her stunning looks and distinct persona to make her an industry favourite.

The Humble Start: She originally wanted to be a yoga teacher and took up modeling in Australia at age 18 to pay for her classes and rent, with her very first assignment being for a stretch mark cream.
The Face of Fashion: After moving to India, she quickly became one of the country’s most prominent models, walking the ramp for major fashion weeks and eventually becoming the face of the leading cosmetic brand, Lakmé.

These photographs, whether from a magazine spread, a ramp walk, or a pageant final, encapsulate a period of raw potential before the actresses became household names. They remind us that for many in Bollywood, the journey to the camera lights began with a confident walk down the runway.

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Which Bollywood actresses were beauty pageant winners before their film debut?

A: Many prominent Bollywood actresses were crowned in major international pageants, including:

Aishwarya Rai: Miss World 1994
Sushmita Sen: Miss Universe 1994
Lara Dutta: Miss Universe 2000
Priyanka Chopra: Miss World 2000
Dia Mirza: Miss Asia Pacific 2000
Zeenat Aman: Miss Asia Pacific 1970
Juhi Chawla: Miss India 1984

Q2: Which famous Bollywood actress was paid only ₹1,500 for an early modeling shoot?

A: A modeling invoice from 1992 that went viral revealed that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was paid ₹1,500 for a magazine photoshoot when she was an 18-year-old aspiring model, long before winning Miss World.

Q3: Did Deepika Padukone have a career before modeling?

A: Yes, Deepika Padukone was a national-level badminton player in her teenage years, following in the footsteps of her father, Prakash Padukone. She ultimately decided to shift her focus to a full-time career in fashion modeling at the age of 16.

Q4: Which Bollywood actress started modeling at the earliest age?

A: Shilpa Shetty Kundra began her modeling career very early, starting in 1991 with a Limca television commercial right after completing her tenth-grade examinations, at approximately 16 years old. Anushka Sharma also started young, around the age of 15.

The Runway to Reel Life: 16 Unbelievable and Stunning Modeling Days Pictures of Bollywood Actresses

The glittering world of Bollywood often appears to be a separate universe, yet for many of its leading ladies, the journey began not under the harsh spotlights of a film set, but on the elegant, high-pressure runways of the fashion industry. Before they were dazzling superstars, they were models, facing rejections, early mornings, and long shoots, all while honing the poise and confidence that would later define their cinematic presence.

The careers of some of India’s most successful actresses are built upon the foundation of their phenomenal modeling days. From iconic beauty pageant wins that put India on the global map to controversial ad campaigns that sparked national debate, here are the stunning and sometimes unbelievable glimpses into the early professional lives of Bollywood’s queens.

The Global Queens: When Pageants Changed the Game

The late 1990s and early 2000s are often called the “Golden Age” of Indian pageantry, and the women who dominated this era were destined for megastardom in Bollywood.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The Iconic Pepsi Girl

Long before she graced the Cannes red carpet, Aishwarya Rai was one of India’s most recognized faces in the advertising world. She had started modeling while in college, even modeling as a child for Camlin pencils.

The Big Break: Her face became instantly recognizable after the iconic 1993 Pepsi commercial alongside actors Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry, where her single line, “Hi, I’m Sanjana,” became a national catchphrase.
An Unbelievable Detail: A modeling invoice from 1992 surfaced online, showing she was paid a modest Rs 1,500 for a magazine photoshoot when she was 18.
The Crown: Her modeling journey culminated in winning the Miss World title in 1994, solidifying her status as a global icon.

2. Sushmita Sen: The Trailblazer

Sushmita Sen made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title in 1994 at the age of 18.

The Rivalry: An extraordinary story from the Femina Miss India 1994 pageant reveals a moment of deep doubt: Sen almost withdrew her application after learning that Aishwarya Rai was also participating, feeling that Rai’s beauty made the contest unwinnable.
The Confidence: She faced this challenge head-on, won the Miss India title, and then the Miss Universe crown, a moment she often calls the “turning point” of her life.

3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The 17-Year-Old Debutante

Priyanka Chopra’s journey to becoming a global star also began with a pageant.

Bareilly to Miss World: She completed her first professional modeling shoot in Bareilly in 1999, doing her own hair and makeup, just one year before she won the Miss World crown in 2000 at the age of 18.
The Hat-Trick: Her win, along with Lara Dutta’s Miss Universe and Dia Mirza’s Miss Asia Pacific title in the same year (2000), secured a historic “hat-trick” for India in international pageants.

4. Lara Dutta Bhupathi: The Scorching Score

A contemporary of Priyanka and Dia, Lara Dutta’s modeling career was marked by incredible international success.

Early Success: She won the Gladrags Megamodel India competition in 1995 at the young age of 16 and went on to win Miss Intercontinental in 1997.
The Record: She won the Miss Universe 2000 title in Cyprus, where she famously achieved the highest score ever recorded in the swimsuit competition, a record that stood for years.

From Ramp Scars to Stardom: The New-Age Models

Not every actress entered Bollywood through a beauty pageant. Many had long, grueling careers in mainstream fashion, learning the ropes and facing the industry’s harsh realities before landing their film breaks.

5. Deepika Padukone: The Kingfisher Girl

Deepika Padukone, a former national-level badminton player, switched careers at 18 to pursue modeling.

A Rapid Ascent: She made her runway debut at the Lakme Fashion Week for designer Suneet Varma and was quickly crowned “Model of the Year” at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards in 2005.
The Calendar Shot: Her career catapulted with her appearance in the highly coveted 2006 Kingfisher Calendar, an assignment that firmly established her as a national sensation.

6. Katrina Kaif: The Global Nomad

Katrina Kaif’s modeling career started early and spanned multiple continents.

The Teen Debut: She received her first modeling assignment for a jewelry brand in Hawaii at the age of 14, after winning a local beauty contest there.
London’s Ramps: She modeled professionally in London, walking the ramp regularly at the prestigious London Fashion Week.
India Breakthrough: Her career transitioned to India, where she was one of the models featured in the first-ever Kingfisher Calendar, a defining moment that caught the eye of filmmakers.

7. Anushka Sharma: The Surprise Debut

Anushka Sharma initially aspired to be a top model, beginning her career around the age of 15.

Wendell’s Muse: She was noticed and groomed by celebrated designer Wendell Rodricks and made her runway debut at the Lakme Fashion Week’s Les Vamps Show in 2007.
Spotted by Chopra: It was this ramp walk, where she was the finale model, that caught the attention of film producer Aditya Chopra, who saw her potential and cast her in her debut film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

8. Bipasha Basu: The ‘Bold’ Beginnings

Bipasha Basu’s entry into the industry was as dramatic as her film roles.

The Discovery: She was spotted by the renowned model Mehr Jesia Rampal in a hotel in Kolkata in 1996.
The Controversy: Basu won the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest in 1996. However, it was a 1998 advertisement for an intimate wear brand with Dino Morea that became infamous. The ad was controversially banned from broadcast for being too ‘bold’ at the time, underscoring her fierce and unconventional modeling persona.

9. Kriti Sanon: The Emotional Struggle

Kriti Sanon’s modeling days reveal the emotional toll of the industry.

Early Humiliation: The actress has openly discussed the emotional challenges of her initial days, recounting an incident where she made a mistake in choreography during her first ramp show and was publicly scolded by the choreographer. She confessed to going home and crying bitterly afterward.
The First Break: Her first professional assignment was a print shoot for Reliance Trends, a stepping stone that launched her into full-time modeling before her Telugu and Hindi film debuts in 2014.

From Ad-World Icons to Silver Screen Charmers

These actresses transitioned from being household faces in commercials to becoming cinematic darlings, proving that charm and charisma translate seamlessly from a 30-second ad to a three-hour film.

10. Genelia D’Souza: The Bubbly Ad Star

Genelia D’Souza’s launch into the industry is a textbook example of an ad paving the way for a major career.

The Parker Pen Ad: Her first modeling assignment at age 15 was the iconic Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan. She was initially hesitant as it was two days before her exams, but the director persuaded her. Bachchan himself praised her spontaneous expressions, a compliment that jump-started her career.
The Impact: The success of the ad was so significant that noted Tamil director S. Shankar saw it and decided to cast her in his 2003 Tamil film Boys, marking her film debut alongside her Hindi debut Tujhe Meri Kasam that same year.

11. Yami Gautam: The Face of a Generation

Yami Gautam’s modeling and television career provided her with immense visibility before her film debut.

The ‘Fair’ Face: She became widely known as the main face for the famous, albeit controversial, fairness cream brand ‘Fair & Lovely’ (now ‘Glow & Lovely’), being the first actress to appear in the advertisement.
TV and Ads: Before her critically acclaimed Hindi film debut Vicky Donor (2012), she was a prominent model and had starred in popular television soap operas like Chand Ke Paar Chalo and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam.

12. Disha Patani: The Shy Pageant Girl

A recent sensation known for her glamorous screen presence, Disha Patani had a surprisingly shy start.

Miss Indore: She first stepped into the limelight by becoming the first runner-up at the 2013 Ponds Femina Miss India, Indore.
Shy Beginnings: A photographer from her early days, Rajiv Suri, recalled that Patani was initially “extremely shy” and not very confident, requiring her father to bring her in for her first photoshoot.
First Big Ad: Despite her shyness, she landed her first major endorsement—a national hair color advertisement—just 10 days after moving to Mumbai.

The Beauty Pageant Class of 2000 & More

13. Dia Mirza: The Self-Made Teen

Dia Mirza’s path was driven by a strong desire for financial independence.

Financial Independence: She began part-time modeling at the age of 16 and stated that the jobs empowered her, leading her to stop taking money from her parents entirely by that age.
The Triple Win: She was the second runner-up at Femina Miss India 2000 and then won the Miss Asia Pacific title in the same year, contributing to India’s historical triple victory.

14. Jacqueline Fernandez: The Early Earner

The Sri Lankan actress had a very early start in the glamorous world.

Pre-Teen Modeler: She started modeling professionally around the age of 12 in Bahrain and later interned as a broadcast journalist in Sri Lanka.
Miss Sri Lanka: Her major break came when she was crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka in 2006, leading to a flood of modeling assignments in India. She humorously recalled earning so much money that she could walk into a Gucci store and buy a bag by age 15-16.

15. Taapsee Pannu: The Beauty with Brains

Taapsee Pannu was a qualified software engineer before she entered showbiz.

The Pageant Sub-Titles: She got her break after auditioning for a talent show in 2008, which led her to the Femina Miss India 2008 contest. Although she did not win the main title, she bagged two major sub-titles: “Pantaloons Femina Miss Fresh Face” and “Safi Femina Miss Beautiful Skin.”
A Tough Experience: Taapsee has shared that her Miss India experience was difficult, recounting being humiliated by a designer who told her she should not have been in the competition. Her ability to overcome this adversity highlighted her resilience.

16. Neha Dhupia: From Backstage to Top 10

Neha Dhupia’s story is one of sheer determination and a genuine love for the runway world.

Starting from the Bottom: She revealed that her very first experience with a fashion show was not as a model, but as a “backstage helper” helping the models with their shoes.
The Big Win: Her hard work culminated in her being crowned Femina Miss India in 2002, and she subsequently placed in the top 10 at the Miss Universe 2002 pageant.

The sheer range of their experiences, from high-stakes international pageants to tough modeling assignments and career-defining advertisements, proves that the road to Bollywood fame is often paved with the dazzling, unforgettable memories of their stunning modeling days. These foundation years equipped them not just with confidence and grace, but with the grit needed to become the enduring screen legends they are today.

AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Which Bollywood actresses started their careers in modeling before acting?

A: Many top Bollywood actresses began their careers as successful models. Some of the most notable names include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta Bhupathi, Bipasha Basu, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Kriti Sanon, Taapsee Pannu, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Genelia D’Souza, Neha Dhupia, and Yami Gautam.

Q2: Which Bollywood actresses won international beauty pageants?

A: Three prominent Bollywood actresses secured major international titles, leading to the historic “Hat-Trick” of 2000:

Sushmita Sen: Miss Universe 1994
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Miss World 1994
Lara Dutta Bhupathi: Miss Universe 2000
Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Miss World 2000
Dia Mirza: Miss Asia Pacific 2000

Q3: Who was the “Pepsi Girl” whose ad launched her career?

A: The actress famously known as the “Pepsi Girl” is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Her appearance in the 1993 Pepsi commercial with Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry was her major breakthrough in the world of advertisements.

Q4: Which actress was spotted by a filmmaker due to her ramp walk?

A: Anushka Sharma was noticed by film producer Aditya Chopra during a fashion show where she was walking the ramp for designer Wendell Rodricks in 2007. This led to her debut film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

Q5: What was Genelia D’Souza’s most famous modeling assignment before films?

A: Genelia D’Souza’s most famous modeling assignment was the Parker Pen commercial alongside Amitabh Bachchan. This ad not only gave her wide recognition but also led directly to her being cast in her debut Tamil film, Boys.

16 Unbelievable And Stunning Modelling Days Pictures of Bollywood Actresses

The silver screen of Bollywood is a world of dazzling glamour, but behind every superstar’s captivating on-screen performance lies a hidden chapter: the high-stakes, fashion-forward world of modeling. Long before they commanded ₹100 crore box offices, these leading ladies were sashaying down international ramps, posing for iconic advertising campaigns, and clinching coveted beauty pageant crowns.

The transformation from model to actress is not just a change of profession; it is an incredible evolution that often reveals a fiercely determined and ambitious young woman. Looking back at their modeling days reveals moments of breathtaking, raw beauty and stories of struggle that would seem truly “unbelievable” for a modern-day icon.

Here is a deep dive into the stunning early careers of Bollywood’s finest, showcasing the specific, career-defining moments from their lives on the runway and in front of the camera that paved their path to superstardom.

The Reigning Queens of the Catwalk and Crown

A large contingent of Bollywood’s most celebrated leading women began their journey in the world of pageantry, where confidence and poise are measured against global standards. Their early success in the modeling and beauty world instantly cemented them as ‘stunners’ before they ever uttered a dialogue in a Hindi film.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The Global Phenomenon

Before she was crowned Miss World in 1994, Aishwarya Rai was already a familiar face in India’s advertising world.

The First Camera Moment: Her earliest professional photo shoot was for a Camlin pencil advertisement when she was still a high school student in the ninth grade.
The Viral Dialogue: She gained widespread public recognition in 1993 for her famous Pepsi commercial alongside Aamir Khan, where her single line of dialogue, “Hi, I’m Sanjana,” became an instant cultural catchphrase.
The Unbelievable Transition: She was studying architecture before she dropped out to pursue modeling, a decision that eventually led her to the global stage as one of the world’s most beautiful women.

2. Sushmita Sen: The Trailblazer with a Tailor-Made Gown

Sushmita Sen’s story is a testament to confidence over couture, and her modeling days are a powerful tale of breaking the mold.

The Defining Rivalry: In 1994, she competed against Aishwarya Rai in the Femina Miss India pageant and won the title of Miss India Universe, a contest she nearly withdrew from.
The Improvised Gown: For the final round of the Miss Universe 1994 pageant, her family could not afford an expensive designer dress. She famously wore a gown designed and stitched by a local tailor from her neighborhood, proving that charm and intelligence truly trumped material luxuries.
Making History: At just 18, she became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title, catapulting her to immediate international fame.

3. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The Teenager with Global Dreams

Priyanka Chopra’s journey began in a relatively small city, and her sheer ambition quickly translated into worldwide modeling success.

The Small-Town Start: She began her modeling career in Bareilly in 1999 when she was just 17 years old, a move that quickly led to her participation in Femina Miss India.
The Audition Attire: Her first professional photoshoot saw her sporting a navy-blue sequined halter neck gown for her portfolio, a surprisingly bold and fashionable choice for her early career.
Global Recognition: Her Miss World 2000 win, along with Lara Dutta’s Miss Universe win, made 2000 a landmark year for Indian pageantry, solidifying her status as a global model before her film debut.

4. Lara Dutta: The Record-Setter

Lara Dutta, who won Miss Universe in 2000, holds an achievement from her modeling days that remains unchallenged in the history of the pageant.

The Highest Score: She holds the distinction of having the highest score in the swimsuit competition in the history of the Miss Universe pageant to date.
The Double Crown: She won the Gladrags Megamodel India contest in 1995, followed by the Miss Intercontinental Pageant in 1997, before finally clinching the Miss Universe crown in 2000.
Film Debut Success: Her modeling and pageant fame directly led to a successful Hindi film debut in Andaaz (2003), earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

From Ramp to Reel: The Supermodel Generation

The generation that followed the Miss World/Miss Universe winners transitioned more directly from high-fashion runway modeling and brand endorsements to films, often bringing with them an established, sophisticated style.

5. Deepika Padukone: The Kingfisher Icon

Deepika Padukone’s modeling career was a powerhouse success in its own right, marking her as a star long before Om Shanti Om.

Model of the Year: She started modeling in her college days and quickly won the “Model of the Year” award at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards in 2005.
The Calendar Break: Her appearance in the 2006 Kingfisher Calendar firmly established her as a national supermodel. Designer Wendell Rodricks famously commented, “Since Aishwarya Rai, we haven’t had a girl as beautiful and fresh.”
The Music Video Stint: Her face became instantly recognisable after featuring in Himesh Reshammiya’s hugely popular music video “Naam Hai Tera Tera,” which was a direct precursor to her being spotted by Farah Khan.

6. Katrina Kaif: The International Prodigy

Katrina Kaif’s journey spanned continents, starting in the West before being discovered for Bollywood.

Teenage Debut: She received her first modeling assignment for a jewelry brand in Hawaii after winning a local beauty contest when she was just 14 years old.
The London Connection: She had a solid career in the UK, becoming a regular feature at London Fashion Week and working under a contract with the Models 1 Agency in London.
The Film Discovery: It was her modeling work and presence at a fashion show in London that led to her discovery by London-based filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, resulting in her debut film, Boom (2003).

7. Bipasha Basu: The Fiery Supermodel

Bipasha Basu was one of India’s top models who brought a distinctly “fierce beauty” aesthetic to the ramp.

The Contest Winner: She began her modeling career in 1996 and quickly won the prestigious Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest and the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest.
Magazine Queen: Her successful stint saw her appearing on over 40 magazine covers before she transitioned to film, earning her a reputation as one of the most visible and sought-after models of her time.
The Teenage Bikini Shoot: She famously shared a “major throwback” picture from her teenage modeling days, revealing her first-ever swimsuit feature for Elle India, a defining early moment of her bold image.

8. Anushka Sharma: The Reluctant Smiler

Anushka Sharma’s transition from an aspiring model to an actress involved a personal challenge that she later spoke about candidly.

Early Start on the Ramp: She started her journey at a young age, walking the ramp for Wendell Rodricks’s Les Vamps Show at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2007.
The ‘Blank Look’ Challenge: Despite her success, Anushka once admitted that she didn’t consider herself a good model because she found it extremely difficult to adhere to the runway standard of not smiling. She recounted being told by designers to “give us a blank look,” which was a struggle for her natural inclination to emote.
Spotted by the Big Banner: Her modeling portfolio was noticed by Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films, leading to her unexpected and highly successful debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

Hidden Facts and Lesser-Known Beginnings

Beyond the headliners, other Bollywood stars hold fascinating, ‘unbelievable’ stories from their pre-film careers that perfectly showcase their innate flair for the spotlight.

9. Jacqueline Fernandez: The Journalist-Turned-Pageant Winner

The Sri Lankan actress first intended to be a journalist, before pageantry and modeling steered her career path.

Broadcast Aspirations: After graduating with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Sydney, she initially worked as a television reporter in Sri Lanka.
The Designer Bag Story: She revealed that as a 15-16 year old, she had made enough money from a couple of ramp shows to walk into a Gucci store and buy her first designer bag, a small one, a symbol of her early financial independence.
Miss Sri Lanka Universe: Winning the Miss Universe Sri Lanka crown in 2006 brought her modeling assignments in India, where she was finally auditioned for her Bollywood debut Aladin (2009).

10. Diana Penty: The International Runway Walker

Diana Penty successfully juggled academics with a demanding modeling career, even achieving international success.

The Elite Start: She officially started modeling in 2005 after being signed by Elite Models India while still in college.
Global Campaigns: She became the face of major international cosmetic brands, including Maybelline and Garnier, an unusual feat for a newcomer at the time.
Fashion Weeks Abroad: She made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival and later walked for major Indian and international designers, showcasing her talent beyond the domestic market.

11. Neha Dhupia: The Accidental Actress

Neha Dhupia’s initial career choice had nothing to do with glamour, making her entry into Bollywood an ‘unbelievable’ twist of fate.

The Foreign Service Dream: After winning Femina Miss India in 2002 and finishing in the Top 10 at Miss Universe 2002, Neha Dhupia’s original plan was to pursue a career in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
The Music Video Gateway: Before her pageant success, she appeared in a music video for the popular Indipop band Euphoria, which was one of her first exposures to the camera.
From History to Headliner: A history honours graduate, her switch from a serious government career path to a film debut in Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003) highlights a spontaneous and successful career pivot.

12. Pooja Batra: The Liril Girl

Pooja Batra became an overnight sensation thanks to one of the most iconic advertising campaigns in Indian history.

The Liril Legacy: She is best known for being the face of the iconic Liril soap commercial in 1993, replacing the original ‘Liril Girl,’ which instantly made her a household name.
The Pageant Win: She was crowned Femina Miss India International 1993, which led to her representing India at Miss International 1993.
Education First: She famously delayed her entry into Bollywood after winning her beauty pageant to complete her education, showcasing her focus and discipline.

Conclusion: The Defining Photoshoot

The early modeling portfolios and pageant photos of these 12 Bollywood actresses are not merely fashion archives—they are stunning relics of the nascent confidence and undiscovered star power that now defines the industry. Each picture tells a tale of incredible ambition: from a local tailor-made gown winning a global title to a single soft drink commercial launching a future global icon. These stunning images offer an unbelievable glimpse into the extraordinary journey from a fresh-faced model to a reigning Bollywood diva.

AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Which Bollywood actress was a famous model before her acting debut?

A: Many top Bollywood actresses started as models, but Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, and Katrina Kaif are among the most famous names who had incredibly successful and high-profile modeling careers before entering films. Deepika Padukone, for instance, won ‘Model of the Year’ and was a Kingfisher Calendar Girl before her film debut.

Q2: How does a modeling career help an actress in Bollywood?

A: Modeling provides actresses with crucial advantages:

Camera Confidence: They become comfortable in front of the lens and develop impeccable on-screen poise.
Discipline & Professionalism: The rigorous schedule of runway shows and photo shoots instills professional discipline.
Networking: The fashion industry often serves as a direct pipeline to Bollywood, leading to key introductions with designers, photographers, and filmmakers.
Global Exposure: Pageant winners like Sushmita Sen and Priyanka Chopra gain instant international recognition and a massive fan base.

Q3: Did Deepika Padukone model before acting in Om Shanti Om?

A: Yes, Deepika Padukone had a hugely successful modeling career before her Bollywood debut in Om Shanti Om (2007). She was the celebrated Kingfisher Calendar Girl for 2006, won the ‘Model of the Year’ award in 2005, and gained significant public recognition for her commercial work and her appearance in the hit music video ‘Naam Hai Tera’.

Q4: Which three Indian actresses won major international beauty pageants around the same time?

A: The trio of Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen, and Lara Dutta / Priyanka Chopra had their major wins close together:

Sushmita Sen (Miss Universe 1994)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Miss World 1994)
Lara Dutta (Miss Universe 2000) and Priyanka Chopra (Miss World 2000) won their crowns in the same year, making it a historic double win for India in international pageantry.

Q5: What was the one unusual thing about Anushka Sharma’s early modeling days?

A: Anushka Sharma found it difficult to adhere to the traditional modeling requirement of maintaining a blank, emotionless expression on the runway. She openly admitted that she was constantly asked by designers to stop smiling, saying, “I would walk down the ramp and smile and they used to say, ‘give us a blank look.’ It was really difficult, not to smile.”

From Ramp to Reel: 16 Unbelievable And Stunning Throwback Pictures of Bollywood Actresses’ Modeling Days

Before the multi-crore endorsements, the designer red-carpet gowns, and the international film festivals, many of Bollywood’s biggest names walked a very different path—the unforgiving, yet glamorous, world of professional modeling. The journey from a fresh-faced runway novice or a small-town girl winning a regional contest to becoming a global cinematic icon is nothing short of a stunning transformation.

These throwback pictures—the rare, candid, and often ‘unbelievable’ moments from their modeling days—offer a fascinating glimpse into the nascent careers of today’s superstars. They prove that confidence, sheer determination, and a striking presence were always there, even before the big banner films came calling.

Here are 16 sensational moments, iconic campaigns, and stunning career beginnings of Bollywood’s leading ladies before they became household names.

The Reigning Queens: Iconic Pageant & Supermodel Era

The late 1990s and early 2000s were the golden age for Indian beauty pageants, producing a cohort of actresses whose modeling days were filled with international crowns and historic firsts.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: The Architecture Dream that took a ‘Detour’

Before she was crowned Miss World 1994, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was a bright student of architecture who decided to pause her studies to pursue modeling. One of her most stunning and ‘unbelievable’ early pictures is from a simple Camlin advertisement, which she did while still in the ninth grade. This early print ad hinted at the global appeal she would soon command, long before she became the face of international cosmetics giants.

2. Aishwarya’s Iconic Soft Drink Commercial

While the Miss World crown cemented her fame, the image that broke her into the national consciousness was her appearance in a popular soft drink commercial alongside a young Aamir Khan. The picture from this ad—featuring her vibrant energy and undeniable screen presence—is a stunning early snapshot of the charisma that propelled her directly into the film industry.

3. Sushmita Sen: The Historic Miss Universe Moment

Sushmita Sen made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title in 1994. The images from her pageant run are unforgettable, particularly the striking final look. Her journey is often recalled for a touching personal anecdote: she had an emotional conversation with her father regarding wearing a swimsuit for the pageant, ensuring him that she would carry it with “respect,” a testament to her grace and poise even as a young model.

4. Lara Dutta: The Perfect 9.99 Interview Score

Lara Dutta, who was crowned Miss Universe in 2000, has one of the most intellectually stunning throwback moments in pageant history. Her finalist interview score at the Miss Universe contest was one of the highest individual scores ever recorded, with a majority of the judges reportedly giving her the maximum 9.99 mark. Pictures from this stage, highlighting her eloquence and confidence, are a far cry from a typical modeling portfolio and showcase her transition from a print model (starting at age 16 with Gladrags) to a global icon.

5. Priyanka Chopra Jonas: The 17-Year-Old’s First Photoshoot

Before she was a global star, Priyanka Chopra began her modeling career in Bareilly in 1999 at the age of 17. One of the most ‘unbelievable’ early pictures she has shared is from her first professional photoshoot, where she chose a navy-blue sequined halter neck gown for her portfolio. This image is a charming testament to her early, slightly less polished but intensely ambitious self, just before she went on to win Miss World in 2000.

The Ramp & Advertisement Legends

These actresses were the undisputed faces of the Indian fashion and advertising industries, dominating the runway and commercial campaigns before their cinematic breakthroughs.

6. Deepika Padukone: The Liril Soap Commercial Breakthrough

Deepika Padukone, who started her full-time modeling career in 2004 under the guidance of Prasad Bidapa, found her breakthrough with the widely recognized Liril soap commercial. This ad campaign instantly established her as a fresh face in the country. This early, vivacious look solidified her reputation and led to bigger opportunities, including walking the runway for designer Suneet Varma at the Lakmé Fashion Week in 2005.

7. Deepika’s Kingfisher Calendar Supermodel Status

The next year, Deepika’s career cemented its status when she appeared in the popular Kingfisher Calendar 2006 print campaign. The pictures from this highly-coveted shoot established her as a supermodel, with designer Wendell Rodricks famously commenting, “Since Aishwarya Rai, we haven’t had a girl as beautiful and fresh.”

8. Bipasha Basu: The Teenage Bikini Belle Cover

Bipasha Basu was one of the boldest and most successful models of the 1990s. One of the most unforgettable throwback images is her first swimsuit feature for Elle India magazine in April 1998, which she affectionately captioned as “Teenage modelling days… Always a bikini belle.” Starting her modeling career as early as 17, these pictures perfectly capture her raw confidence and “thunder thighs” as famously noted by her mentors, embracing a look unconventional for the time.

9. Bipasha’s Iconic and Controversial Intimate Ad

Another ‘stunning’ moment from Bipasha’s modeling life—though controversial—is the intimate wear advert she did with Dino Morea in 1998. The bold nature of the campaign was criticized for being ‘vulgar’ before it was eventually pulled down, showcasing her groundbreaking willingness to push boundaries even early in her career.

10. Preity Zinta: The ‘Perk’ Debut and The Liril Ad

Preity Zinta initially pursued a Master’s degree in criminal psychology before deciding to try modeling. Her very first television commercial was for Perk chocolates in 1996, which she landed by chance at a friend’s birthday party. However, the campaign that made her an overnight sensation was the iconic Liril advertisement, where she was the refreshing ‘wet model’ splashing water under a waterfall. These ads define a stunning shift from an academic path to becoming a national crush.

11. Malaika Arora: The MTV VJ to Music Video Star

Malaika Arora, a true supermodel of the 90s, first became famous as a Video Jockey (VJ) for MTV India, hosting popular shows like Club MTV. However, her transition to a music video sensation gave her an iconic visual identity. Her appearance in Bally Sagoo’s “Gur Naalo Ishq Mitha” music video and the ultimate breakthrough in the 1998 film Dil Se… with “Chaiyya Chaiyya” are the stunning picture moments that defined an entire generation’s fashion and dance.

The New Guard: Stories of Perseverance and Pivot

The next generation of stars also found their footing on the ramp, often having to navigate professional setbacks and personal challenges to carve a niche in cinema.

12. Katrina Kaif: The Teenager in London

Katrina Kaif began her modeling career in London as a teenager, at the age of just 14. Her early pictures are a testament to her dramatic transformation, as her fan pages often circulate photos from her international modeling assignments, which look drastically different from her Bollywood debut. Her career took a turn in a beauty contest she won in Hawaii, securing her first major assignment for a jewelry brand.

13. Anushka Sharma: The Struggle to Avoid Smiling

Anushka Sharma, who hails from an army background, originally wanted to be a model or a journalist. She moved to Mumbai and was soon picked up by designer Wendell Rodricks to be his finale model at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring Summer 2007 Collection. An unbelievable detail from this time is her struggle on the ramp, where she once recounted that she was told to “give us a blank look,” finding it “really difficult, not to smile.”

14. Kriti Sanon: The Humiliation That Fueled Determination

Kriti Sanon, an engineering graduate, briefly pursued modeling before her acting debut. A striking insight into the cut-throat world of modeling comes from her own account, where she was once scolded in front of everyone during a rehearsal, leaving her so humiliated that she cried on the auto-rickshaw ride home. Pictures from her early print shoots for brands like Reliance Trends represent this period of intense learning and resilience.

15. Taapsee Pannu: From Software Engineer to Miss Beautiful Skin

In an era where many models came from a non-academic background, Taapsee Pannu was a working software engineer before deciding to pursue her part-time passion for modeling full-time. Her entry into the limelight came after auditioning and being selected for Channel V’s 2008 talent show Get Gorgeous. Pictures from the 2008 Femina Miss India contest, where she won titles like ‘Pantaloons Femina Miss Fresh Face’ and ‘Safi Femina Miss Beautiful Skin’, mark the pivotal moment she left a stable career for the uncertainty of glamour.

16. Neha Dhupia: Backstage Shoe Helper to Miss India

Neha Dhupia’s journey to the Miss India 2002 crown has a humble and stunning beginning. She recalled in an interview that the first fashion show she ever attended was not as a model on the ramp, but as an assistant helping models with their shoes backstage. Pictures from her final Miss India crowning, where she chose to wear the same gown years later to celebrate her 20th anniversary, perfectly juxtapose her initial struggles with her eventual triumph as a pageant queen and subsequent actress.

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Which Bollywood actress was a model before being crowned Miss World?

A: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was a successful model, having worked on notable campaigns like a Camlin ad, before winning the Miss World pageant in 1994.

Q2: Which popular commercial launched Deepika Padukone’s career?

A: Deepika Padukone’s career had its breakthrough moment with the iconic Liril soap commercial. This was soon followed by her selection for the prestigious Kingfisher Calendar 2006, cementing her status as a supermodel.

Q3: What were Neha Dhupia’s initial days in the modeling industry like?

A: Before winning Miss India 2002, Neha Dhupia revealed that the first fashion show she ever attended was not on the ramp, but backstage helping models with their shoes, highlighting her struggles before her big break.

Q4: Which actress was an engineering graduate before becoming a model and actress?

A: Both Kriti Sanon (Electronics and Communication Engineering) and Taapsee Pannu (Software Engineering) completed their engineering degrees before pivoting to a career in modeling and acting.

Q5: Who started modeling at a very young age and won a contest in Hawaii?

A: Katrina Kaif started modeling as a teenager, reportedly as young as 14, and her career trajectory in the fashion world accelerated after winning a beauty contest in Hawaii.

16 Unbelievable And Stunning Modelling Days Pictures of Bollywood Actresses

Every Bollywood star has a story of struggle, grit, and destiny, but for a select group of actresses, the journey began not on a film set, but on the blindingly bright runways and magazine covers of the global fashion industry. These model-turned-actresses brought with them a rare combination of poise, professionalism, and global recognition that instantly set them apart.

The archive of their modelling days is a treasure trove of “unbelievable” moments—from historic beauty pageant wins to quirky first advertisements and candid behind-the-scenes struggles. These moments capture a raw, stunning charm that foreshadowed their eventual superstardom.

Here are 16 such unbelievable and stunning glimpses into the pre-Bollywood careers of the industry’s biggest female stars.

The Reign of the Queens: Pageant Glory Days

The most famous pipeline from modelling to Bollywood runs directly through the international beauty pageants. The year 1994 and the famed ‘Triple Crown’ of 2000 produced a generation of actresses whose first claim to fame was a golden sash and a world title.

1. Aishwarya Rai: The Vogue Appearance That Started It All (1991)

Long before she was a global film icon, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was already making international waves. In 1991, she participated in an international supermodel contest, which led to her being featured in the American edition of Vogue magazine. This early, high-fashion exposure signaled her potential on a global scale years before her major beauty pageant success.

2. Aishwarya Rai’s Iconic One-Liner Ad (1993)

The single most viral moment of Aishwarya Rai’s pre-film career came not from a ramp walk but a soft drink commercial. Her simple dialogue, “Hi, I’m Sanjana,” from a Pepsi advertisement alongside Aamir Khan, became an overnight sensation and a national catchphrase, instantly catapulting her into mass public consciousness. This “picture” solidified her as a youth icon in India.

3. Sushmita Sen’s History-Making Moment (1994)

In 1994, Sushmita Sen etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title at the age of just 18. Her victory, a stunning upset in the eyes of many, cemented her status as a ‘Beauty with Brains’ and was a defining moment for Indian women in the global sphere.

4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s DIY First Shoot (1999)

Before the Miss World crown, Priyanka Chopra was a teenager finding her footing. She often shares the “unbelievable” story and picture of her very first professional modelling shoot in Bareilly in 1999, where she did her own hair and makeup. This humble, self-styled beginning is a powerful testament to her ambition and drive long before she achieved international fame.

5. The Golden Year of Indian Pageantry (2000)

The year 2000 remains legendary in India’s pageant history. The “stunning picture” is a metaphorical one, representing the historical moment when Priyanka Chopra won Miss World, Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, and Dia Mirza won Miss Asia Pacific, marking a triple victory that is yet to be repeated.

6. Lara Dutta’s Perfect Interview Score (2000)

Lara Dutta’s Miss Universe win in 2000 came with an incredible, factual footnote: she achieved the highest individual score in the history of the Miss Universe interview round. Her articulate and passionate defense of the Miss Universe contest during the final question secured a majority of the judges’ top marks, proving her intellect matched her beauty.

7. Dia Mirza: The Miss Asia Pacific Sweep (2000)

Dia Mirza, the second runner-up at the Miss India 2000 pageant, went on to clinch the Miss Asia Pacific title in the same year. Her win was the final piece of the 2000 ‘Golden Year’ puzzle, confirming the unparalleled global dominance of Indian models that year.

The Ramp Walk Revolutionaries: Fashion’s First Favorites

For other actresses, the journey was a slower, grind-it-out path on the domestic and international fashion circuits, where they were known primarily as top-tier runway professionals.

8. Deepika Padukone: The Kingfisher Calendar Break (2006)

Deepika Padukone’s pre-Bollywood career is virtually synonymous with her stint in the prestigious Kingfisher Calendar in 2006. Her breakthrough campaign cemented her as a top model. The late fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, who spotted her, famously commented at the time: “Since Aishwarya Rai, we haven’t had a girl as beautiful and fresh.”

9. Deepika’s Model of the Year Title (2005)

Deepika’s professionalism and star quality were evident early on. The year before the Kingfisher Calendar, in 2005, she made her runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week and subsequently won the coveted ‘Model of the Year’ at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards, marking her as the industry’s next superstar talent.

10. Katrina Kaif’s International Debut at 14

Katrina Kaif began her modelling journey incredibly young. At just 14 years old, while in London, she received her first professional assignment for a jewelry campaign. This early exposure on an international level laid the groundwork for her eventual move to India and her entry into films.

11. Katrina Kaif: The ‘Too Big’ Rejection

In an “unbelievable” twist, Katrina Kaif has revealed that during her early days of modelling in London, she faced rejections for being “curvaceous” and was sometimes considered “Too Big” or unfashionable by the industry’s unrealistically lean standards. Her resilience in the face of such criticism turned her initial rejection into a motivating force for her eventual stardom.

12. Bipasha Basu’s Spotting in a Kolkata Hotel (1996)

Bipasha Basu’s entry into modelling was purely accidental and an act of destiny. In 1996, the former Miss India and supermodel Mehr Jesia Rampal spotted Bipasha at a hotel in Kolkata. Mehr was so struck by her looks that she instantly suggested she take up modeling, leading to Bipasha winning the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest that year.

13. Anushka Sharma’s Unwillingness to Keep a ‘Blank Look’ (2007)

Anushka Sharma was a celebrated face on the ramp, making her debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week in 2007 as the finale model for Wendell Rodricks. However, she candidly confessed that she did not consider herself a good model because she struggled with the classic “blank look” required on the ramp, often smiling. She famously said she realised she was “born to emote and act,” a stunning self-awareness that foreshadowed her excellent acting career.

14. Preity Zinta’s Unexpected TV Commercial (1996)

Preity Zinta, who initially obtained a postgraduate degree in criminal psychology, landed her first major break quite by chance. In 1996, at a friend’s birthday party, she met a director who persuaded her to audition for a television commercial. This led to her iconic first appearance in the Perk chocolates advertisement, marking her accidental but charming transition into the glamour world.

15. Kriti Sanon’s Engineer-to-Model Choice (2010)

Kriti Sanon, a young woman with a B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering, had two secure job offers through college placements. Her “unbelievable” turning point was rejecting both those corporate offers to pursue a full-time modelling contract, which included a print shoot for Reliance Trends as her first major assignment. This risky but rewarding choice is an inspiring picture of chasing a dream over a secure career.

16. Jacqueline Fernandez: The TV Reporter Crowned Miss Sri Lanka (2006)

Hailing from Bahrain and holding a degree in mass communication, Jacqueline Fernandez first worked as a television reporter in Sri Lanka before joining the modelling industry. The “stunning picture” here is her transition from journalism to being crowned Miss Universe Sri Lanka in 2006, which directly paved her path to auditioning for films in India a few years later.

These 16 moments capture the initial sparkle of these future superstars—a phase defined by rigorous routines, global competitions, unexpected breaks, and the raw confidence that only the world of high fashion can instill. The poise, the camera readiness, and the sheer tenacity these actresses learned on the runway became the bedrock of their phenomenal careers on the silver screen.

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Which Bollywood actresses transitioned from being models to actors?

A: A large number of prominent Bollywood actresses began their careers in modelling or won major beauty pageants. The list includes Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Anushka Sharma, Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Preity Zinta, and Kriti Sanon, among others.

Q2: Which three Indian women won international beauty pageants in the year 2000?

A: The year 2000 is often called the “Golden Year” of Indian pageantry because three major international titles were won by Indian women: Lara Dutta won Miss Universe, Priyanka Chopra Jonas won Miss World, and Dia Mirza won Miss Asia Pacific.

Q3: What was Deepika Padukone’s major breakthrough in her early modelling career?

A: Deepika Padukone’s major breakthrough in modeling came with her appearance in the prestigious 2006 Kingfisher Calendar. In 2005, she had also won the ‘Model of the Year’ award at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards.

Q4: Did Anushka Sharma want to be an actress initially?

A: No, Anushka Sharma originally intended to pursue a career in modelling or journalism and had no initial aspirations to become an actress. Her candid admission was that she felt she was born to “emote and act” and struggled to maintain the required “blank look” of a model.

Q5: What was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s first major commercial advertisement?

A: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s first major commercial advertisement that brought her widespread recognition was the iconic Pepsi commercial in 1993 alongside Aamir Khan, where her line “Hi, I’m Sanjana” became highly popular.

The Runway to Riches: 16 Unbelievable and Stunning Stories from the Modeling Days of Bollywood Actresses

Long before they graced 70mm screens, commanded multi-crore film budgets, and became global icons, many of Bollywood’s leading ladies started their journey under the harsh, often unforgiving lights of the fashion runway and studio photoshoot. The transition from a promising model to a superstar actress is a story of grit, destiny, and a transformation that is nothing short of stunning.

For fans, discovering those early, raw, and ‘unbelievable’ modelling-day pictures is a nostalgic trip. These images, often featuring the stars in starkly different avatars—sometimes awkward, sometimes intensely fashionable, but always radiating potential—serve as a powerful reminder of their humble yet ambitious beginnings.

Here is a look at the stories behind the most iconic, stunning, and often unbelievable modeling days of some of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses, detailing the moments, ages, and campaigns that launched them from the ramp to superstardom.

The Queen of the Ramp: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone’s journey from a national-level badminton player to one of the highest-paid actresses in India is the stuff of legends, but it was the modeling world that first recognized her star power.

The Early Start: Deepika began modeling professionally right after completing her 12th grade, starting her career around the age of 19. While her parents initially wanted her to complete her graduation, the flood of modeling offers proved irresistible.
The Big Break: Her turning point came in 2005 when she made her runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week for designer Suneet Varma. The same year, she was awarded the prestigious Model of the Year title at the Kingfisher Fashion Awards.
The Iconic Look: In 2006, she became a sensation after featuring in the now-iconic Kingfisher Calendar print campaign, which was shot in Australia. Designer Wendell Rodricks, who spotted her at a jewelry class, famously remarked at the time, “Since Aishwarya Rai, we haven’t had a girl as beautiful and fresh.”
The Unbelievable Maturity: Throwback videos from her early days often show a remarkably confident and poised 19-year-old, with many fans pointing out that she already carried the maturity and grace of someone much older, perfectly foreshadowing her future as a leading lady.

The Global Icon: Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra’s pre-Bollywood pictures reveal a young, ambitious teenager from Bareilly with an innate sense of style and a fierce ambition that would eventually take her to Hollywood.

Humble Portfolio: The global star began her modeling career in Bareilly in 1999 when she was just 17 years old. She has shared throwback photos of her first modeling shoot in Bareilly, where she did her own hair and makeup.
The Pageant Powerhouse: The transition from local model to international titleholder was swift and dramatic. Just a year after her first professional portfolio, she participated in the Femina Miss India contest and was crowned Miss World 2000.
The Confident Look: One of her “unbelievable” photos is her official Miss India portrait, shot by Atul Kasbekar, where she appears in a simple, striking black-and-white striped one-shoulder dress, exuding the confidence of a star in the making. Her early days of “sweet and minimal makeup” stand in stark contrast to her current full-glam, global superstar aesthetic.

The Eternal Beauty: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s ascent to fame is intrinsically linked to her unparalleled beauty, which was evident from her earliest modeling assignments.

The First Paycheck: A truly unbelievable piece of nostalgia is a modeling invoice dated May 23, 1992. The document revealed that an 18-year-old Aishwarya, who was then an aspiring architect, was paid a mere ₹1,500 for a magazine photoshoot.
The Iconic Commercial: Her face became instantly recognizable across India after the famous 1993 Pepsi commercial alongside Aamir Khan and Mahima Chaudhry, where her single line of dialogue, “Hi, I’m Sanjana,” became a cultural phenomenon.
The Miss World Crown: Despite initially preferring to study medicine or architecture, she chose modeling and pageantry. In 1994, after placing second to Sushmita Sen in Miss India, she went on to win the Miss World title in South Africa, cementing her status as a global face of beauty.
The ‘Unconventional’ Start: Interestingly, despite her stunning beauty, her graceful demeanor was initially considered “unconventional,” with some critics thinking her beauty was not “Indian” or that her composure was too “plastic” for the cutthroat world of modeling. She had to prove her mettle in a highly competitive arena dominated by established names.

The Pioneer: Sushmita Sen

Sushmita Sen holds a special place in history as the first Indian woman to bring home the Miss Universe crown, an achievement that came directly from her early foray into modeling.

The Historic Win: At the age of 18, in 1994, Sushmita Sen entered and won the Miss India contest, which was a surprise given that Aishwarya Rai was favored to win. This triumph catapulted her to the Miss Universe pageant, which she won later that year.
The Poised Pictures: A beautiful throwback picture from a photoshoot by the late photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta, taken just before the Miss India contest, is considered one of her most memorable early images. Sushmita herself recalled that the photographer smiled and said, “You look like the calm before a storm,” a poignant prediction of her future stardom.
The Confident Girl: The stories from her pageant days, including facing the international panel of judges despite a struggle with the English language (as Hindi was her primary medium of instruction), highlight the immense self-confidence and sheer will that defined her early years.

The Transformation Story: Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif’s early pictures trace her journey from a young, aspiring model in London to one of the most recognizable faces in Indian cinema.

A Teenage Start: Her professional journey began early. At the age of 14, Katrina won a beauty contest in Hawaii, which led to her very first modeling assignment for a jewelry campaign.
The London Connection: She subsequently modeled professionally in London, working for various agencies and even appearing at the London Fashion Week.
The Indian Break: After moving to India, she was noticed after walking the ramp for Rohit Bal and was prominently featured in the very first Kingfisher Calendar.
Role Models and Soap Ads: Katrina has openly spoken about her initial struggles, recalling how she would “hop onto a taxi” and meticulously visit ad agencies. She admitted that her initial ambition was simply to be a successful model, inspired by supermodels like Madhu Sapre and Lakshmi Menon. She jokingly mentioned that she became very good at getting “fake sabun (soap) ads.”

The ‘Model’ Turned Actress: Bipasha Basu

Bipasha Basu was a legitimate force in the fashion industry before she ever stepped onto a film set, often described as one of the leading supermodels of the late 90s.

Spotted by a Peer: Her big break came in 1996 when she was spotted at a hotel in Kolkata by the established model and former Miss India, Mehr Jesia Rampal, who encouraged her to take up modeling.
The World Stage: At about 17, she participated in and won the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest, earning the right to represent India at the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest in Miami.
A Banned Ad: One of her most infamous “unbelievable” modeling moments was a 1998 ad for an intimate wear brand with Dino Morea. The ad snowballed into a major controversy and was banned from broadcast on Indian television for being considered too ‘bold’ at the time, though it later found its way onto social media.

The Reluctant Ramp Walker: Anushka Sharma

Anushka Sharma’s early modeling days are remarkable because the star herself claims she was never truly a natural-born model.

The Dream Debut: Anushka, who originally had aspirations of being a model or a journalist, got her first major break in 2007 from the late designer Wendell Rodricks. She made her runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week for his ‘Les Vamps Show’ and was even picked as his finale model.
Born to Act: The most charming anecdote from her modeling career is her own admission: “I don’t think I was a good model. I think I was born to emote and act. I would walk down the ramp and smile and they used to say, ‘give us a blank look.’ It was really difficult, not to smile.”
From Ramp to Film: Despite her self-doubt, her strong presence on the ramp caught the eye of the industry, leading to a fateful audition and her blockbuster film debut in 2008 opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

The Queen of Pageantry: Lara Dutta

Lara Dutta, who famously completed the trio of Indian beauty pageant winners in the year 2000 alongside Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza, started her modeling career incredibly early.

The Accidental Winner: Lara’s entry into the modeling world was a chance encounter initiated by her sister. She was barely 15 years old when her sister sent her “horrific photographs” to the Gladrags Megamodel India competition.
Miss Universe High Score: Her early modeling and pageant training culminated in her winning the Miss Universe 2000 title. Unbelievably, she achieved the highest score ever recorded in the history of the Miss Universe swimsuit competition, a record she reportedly still holds.
The Drive: Lara recalled that winning the Gladrags competition at the young age of 16 instilled in her a “hunger” and a desire to make her father proud, which fueled her career.

The Dimpled Delight: Preity Zinta

While Preity Zinta is most loved for her vivacious, bubbly screen presence, her stunning early pictures are inextricably linked to some of the most memorable Indian advertisements of the 90s.

The Unforgettable Ads: Her career took a definitive turn after a chance meeting at a friend’s birthday party led to an audition for a television commercial. This resulted in the iconic Cadbury Perk commercial. Soon after, her fame skyrocketed with the famous Liril advertisement, where her cheerful dancing in a waterfall became instantly iconic, making her the “Liril girl.”
The 20-Year-Old Shoot: Preity once shared a throwback photo from her “first photoshoot ever” when she was just 20, admitting that she “thought I knew everything… except how to pose for a photoshoot.” These early pictures highlight the charming innocence she possessed before her critically acclaimed film debut in 1998 with Dil Se...

The journey of these Bollywood actresses from their first modeling assignment to global stardom is a compelling narrative of hard work, self-belief, and destiny. The “unbelievable and stunning” nature of their early photos is not just about the change in their physical look, but the sheer confidence and raw talent they possessed, which the camera, and the world, simply couldn’t ignore.

AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Which Bollywood actress started modeling at the youngest age?

A: Katrina Kaif is reported to have received her first modeling assignment at the age of 14 after winning a beauty contest in Hawaii. Similarly, Anushka Sharma is also mentioned to have started modeling at a super young age of 15. Lara Dutta began her pageantry/modeling career at the age of 15 or 16 by winning the Gladrags Megamodel India competition.

Q2: Which Bollywood actress was a Kingfisher Calendar Girl before her film debut?

A: Both Deepika Padukone (2006) and Katrina Kaif (in the very first edition) were Kingfisher Calendar Girls, a campaign often considered a prestigious launchpad in the Indian fashion industry, before they made their major Bollywood debuts.

Q3: What was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s first recorded modeling fee?

A: A viral modeling invoice from May 1992 revealed that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was paid ₹1,500 for one of her earliest magazine photoshoots when she was 18 years old.

Q4: Which actress found modeling difficult because she couldn’t stop smiling?

A: Anushka Sharma admitted that she was not a naturally good model because she found it difficult not to smile on the runway. She recalled that photographers and directors would tell her to “give us a blank look,” but she felt she was “born to emote and act.”

Q5: Which Bollywood actress was first spotted by a former supermodel?

A: Bipasha Basu was spotted at a hotel in Kolkata in 1996 by the renowned model and former Miss India, Mehr Jesia Rampal, who suggested she take up modeling. This led to her winning the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest.