Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

Inside Sushmita Sen’s off-screen legacy: The woman who chose her own script

TOI Entertainment Desk
| ETimes.in | Last updated on - Aug 5, 2025, 16:00 IST
Comments
Share
1/5

She Wanted to Become a Journalist

Before fame found her, Sushmita had dreams of becoming a journalist. Fluent in English and Hindi, she also learned a bit of Urdu during her schooling in Delhi. Her curiosity for storytelling and social issues made her lean toward journalism, until the beauty pageant route changed everything.

2/5

She Owns the Rights to Her Biopic

Unusually for a celebrity, Sushmita holds the rights to her life story and has reportedly turned down multiple offers for a biopic. She has stated that she would want full creative control over any portrayal, underscoring her fiercely independent nature.

3/5

She Runs a Foundation for the Girl Child

Sushmita founded I Am Foundation, which focuses on the welfare, education, and empowerment of the girl child. She’s actively involved in its work — mentoring, fundraising, and supporting initiatives aimed at creating equal opportunities for underprivileged young girls across India.

4/5

Battle With Addison’s Disease — and How She Overcame It

In 2014, Sushmita was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare and life-threatening autoimmune disorder. For years, she took daily steroids and hormone therapy. Her fitness journey and mental strength during this period inspired millions. She later shared that regular workouts and a disciplined lifestyle helped her regain control over her health.

5/5

Lives by Her Own Rules — Never Married

Sushmita has famously dated high-profile men, including Randeep Hooda, Wasim Akram, and Lalit Modi, but has never married. She has always spoken openly about her belief in personal freedom, love without conditions, and the idea that women don’t need a marital tag to live fulfilled lives.

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In Entertainment
  • Is Lewis and Kim's romance getting serious?
  • Pooja recalls Parveen giving interview about Big B wanting to kill her
  • 'Career suicide': Tom Hardy's bad behaviour on 'MobLand' sets revealed
  • Matthew Perry's assistant sentenced to 3 yrs in prison
  • Pooja recalls Soni Razdan feeling ‘guilty’ over Mahesh-Kiran split
  • When Priyamani confessed she had a crush on Shah Rukh Khan
  • Michael Jackson estate co-executor John McClain dies at 71
  • Sunita says she learnt cooking at 15 to win Govinda’s heart
  • Quote of the day by Tom Selleck
Photostories
  • India’s heatwaves are affecting more than comfort: They are pushing the human body to its limits, doctor recommends urgent precautions
  • These animals have fewer than 100 left on earth—and their stories are heartbreaking
  • 6 high-protein sandwiches for a quick summer breakfast
  • Exclusive - Khatron Ke Khiladi 15: From talking about her show preparations to reuniting with Gaurav Khanna; Farrhana Bhatt gets candid
  • One monochrome saree, unlimited main-character energy, and this time Madhuri Dixit means pure business
  • America by rail: 5 iconic train journeys in the U.S. every traveller must experience once in a lifetime
  • Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrifices
  • How to delete stress from your life
  • 7 painful truths about love and relationships people often don't talk about
Explore more Stories
  • 8
    Varun Dhawan's ‘Chunnari Chunnari’, Kiara Advani's ‘Cheez Badi’ to Jacqueline's ‘Ek Do Teen’ : Bollywood song remakes that failed to impress audiences
  • 6
    Ranveer Singh, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp: Actors' exits from films and web series that sparked controversy
  • 9
    Allu Arjun, Mohanlal, Rishab Shetty and more: South Indian actors who earned National Awards for iconic performances
  • 9
    From Ranveer Singh's 'Don 3' to Salman Khan’s exit from ‘Inshallah’: Bollywood’s biggest on-set fallout stories
  • 6
    Best moments from AMA 2026: From the Black Eyed Peas’ reunion to BTS’ return after 4 years
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Entertainment
  • /
  • Hindi
  • /
  • Bollywood
  • /
  • Inside Sushmita Sen’s off-screen legacy: The woman who chose her own script
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © May 28, 2026, 05.43AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service