The year 1994 is quite memorable for every Indian as India won the prestigious Miss World and Miss Universe beauty pageants.

Aishwarya Rai was crowned as the Miss World, while Sushmita Sen was crowned as the Miss Universe. Following their win in the international arena, both models pursued a career as actresses.

In an interview conducted previously, Sushmita Sen revealed a story many might not have heard - that Aishwarya Rai was supposed to attend Miss Universe instead of her.

Sushmita Sen won the Miss India pageant, while Aishwarya Rai won the first runner-up. Thus as per the custom, Sushmitha had to compete in the Miss Universe pageant held on 21st May 1994.

However, things took an unexpected turn when her passport was lost by an event co-ordinator cum model right before Sushmita's departure to the Philippines.

Instead of helping Sushmita out, the organisers decided to send Aishwarya Rai for the Miss Universe pageant and ordered Sushmita Sen to attend Miss World pageant that was planned in November 1994.

"I won the competition rightfully, and no one else will compete in it but me," Sushmitha recalls uttering these words to her father while crying.

Thankfully, her dad got some help to sort out the passport issue. Sushmita Sen then competed in the pageant and walked away with the Miss Universe title.


Source: IndiaToday