The dusky actress, Lara Dutta started her career with modeling at the age of 15. The youngest child of the IAF pilot was born at the Hindon Air Force base in Ghaziabad.

In 1981, she moved to Bangalore with her parents, where she completed her schooling, and then shifted to Mumbai where she obtained a degree in economics.

Before winning the Miss Universe crown she appeared in several ads like Siyaram Suitings, Synergie, Ceat, Coke and Sprite.