Did Aishwarya Rai Lose Miss India 1994 To Sushmita Sen Due To A Slip On Stage?

When Sushmita Sen was chosen over Aishwarya Rai

to compete in the Miss Universe pageant, it shocked many. Some speculated that the latter’s slip on stage might have been the reason she finished as a runner-up at the 1994 Femina Miss India pageant and was selected for Miss World, but the real reason was far from the rumours and was a calculated one to ensure India had an upper hand in both global competitions.

Ruby Bhatia, India’s first VJ and a former Miss India Canada winner, revealed the reason behind choosing Sushmita over Aishwarya. She recalled witnessing the landmark event firsthand. “I was invited as a chief guest when both Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai were participants. I was there to crown Miss Beautiful Hair because, in those days,

I had long hair. That pageant, I feel, turned out to be successful for everyone — both Sushmita and Aishwarya,” she told Bollywood Thikana.

Did Aishwarya Rai’s Slip On Stage Cost Her Miss India Pageant In 1994?

Ruby shared that back then, there was an overwhelming buzz around Aishwarya, and everyone believed that she would win the Miss India pageant. But for her, Sushmita stood out for her intelligence. After the Main Hoon Na actress was crowned Aishwarya, Ruby asked her mentor, Vimla Patil, a longtime former editor of Femina, why Sushmita was chosen. “I asked Vimla ji, ‘Why did Aishwarya Rai not win? Was it because she slipped during her walk?’ During the event, she had fallen, got up and continued walking,” she shared.

Ruby then revealed Vimla Patil’s strategy. She explained, “Vimla ji told me, ‘No, she didn’t lose because of that. Anyone can slip. Miss Universe looks for intelligent, smart women of substance, and Sushmita Sen fit that profile perfectly. That is why she was chosen.’”

Why Aishwarya Rai Was Perfect For Miss World Pageant?

She further added, “Miss World looks for a dreamy, feminine, diva-like beauty. That’s why Aishwarya was selected — it was a result-oriented approach so that India could win both international titles. This is the real behind-the-scenes story.” And the strategy paid off, as both Sushmita and Aishwarya emerged victorious. They were crowned Miss Universe and Miss World, respectively, in 1994.

When Sushmita Sen Believed Miss India Pageant Would Favour Aishwarya Rai

Earlier, filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar also spoke about the face-off between Sushmita and Aishwarya, recalling that the Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya actress believed the contest was in Aishwarya’s favour because of her star status. “I remember gatecrashing the changing room and finding Sushmita crying in a corner. She told me, ‘It is all fixed. I will never win.’ I told her, ‘Look at the jury. Do you really think they can be bought? If you deserve it, you will get it.’ I asked her to go out and give her best. And she won. Later, she even called me to thank me for reassuring her,” he revealed in an interview with Vicky Lalwani.