QUICK FACTS NAME: Lara Dutta OCCUPATION: Film actress BIRTH DATE: April 16, 1978 PLACE OF BIRTH: Uttar Pradesh Lara Dutta, the first Miss Universe of the new millennium was born in Ghaziabad, India on April 16,1978. She was the  youngest of three children born to Wg.Cdr. L.K. Dutta and Jennifer Dutta. She completed her high school in Bangalore scoring the highest marks in English in the National Board Exams. She later joined Bombay University and did her degree in Economics.  Though her ambition was to study Media Marketing or be a journalist, she went to become a model by profession. A mix between Punjabi and Scottish parents, this stunning beauty always emerged a winner in whatever competitions she took part. She was first discovered by Gladrags' annual modelling competition. Then she went on to win Miss Intercontinental in Germany, which helped her to build up a very successful modelling career on a national scale.

She appeared in advertisements for Synergie, Ceat, Coke and Sprite which made her popular. She participated in the Miss Femina India contest and won the title which paved her way to the Miss Universe Crown in 2000. Her confidence, elegance and exotic looks made her stand far above the other contestants and clinched the crown.

 After she won the crown, she participated in various AIDS related events and worked along with the UNFPA. Adventurous by nature her hobbies include bungee- jumping, para-gliding, white water rafting etc. She also has a flair for cooking. 

She started her acting career with the film 'Arasaatchi' in Tamil with Arjun. Her debut Hindi film 'Andaaz' got her a Film Fare award. This was followed by films such as 'Mumbai Se Aya Mera Dost', 'Masti', 'Aan', 'No Entry' ,'Kaal', 'Zinda', 'Dosti:Friends Forever' and so on. Though she has not made much of a mark in Bollywood, this girl with her steely determination is sure to go a long way in the industry.

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