Bollywood Hungama

Dia Mirza reflects on Miss India days, credits Lara Dutta and Sushmita Sen for their support: Lara Dutta just took me under her wing

Dia Mirza recently opened up about her early pageant days, recalling how she shared a home with Lara Dutta Bhupathi after moving to Bombay and how Sushmita Sen gave her a sense of security during that period. Mirza had won the Miss Asia Pacific title in the Philippines in 2000, the same year she was crowned Miss India Asia Pacific alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Lara Dutta Bhupathi. When I started out even before my training to be a Miss India, I hit it off really well with a lot of my fellow contestants, said Mirza. She continued, Lara Dutta just took me under her wing. I lived with her when I moved to Bombay. She was generous not just with her time and her attention, but also with her home. Sushmita Sen was another senior who was just really kind and gave me a lot of love and a sense of security. Mirza also spoke about the kind of women she feels drawn to in her friendships, saying she is inspired by those who are really grounded in reality, who know whats happening in the world, who are not living an escapist life, and who are not living in an illusion of their own making because it can happen. You can get so caught up in the appearance and in the material that you forget to really interact with reality, and I think thats essential, and its extremely attractive because it defines your authenticity. It helps you know what stories you really want to tell, and thats the game changer. Thats what will define the choices you make, the kind of paths you take, or what kind of position you take in life, said Mirza. Since 2000, Mirza has worked as an actor, producer, entrepreneur and investor. She currently serves as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, UN Secretary-General's Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals, Ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India, Artist Ambassador for Save the Children, Board Member of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation and Global Ambassador for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Also Read: Dia Mirza explains why she embraces smaller roles in Alpha, Ikka and Operation Safed Sagar: What has always mattered is the story and the grounding and depth