Destined to win a beauty pageant

Aishwarya Sushmita — yes, that’s her real name — has just been crowned the winner of Kingfisher Supermodels 3 (NDTV Goodtimes). Sharing the history behind her naming, she says, “I was born in the year 1994, when Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen won their respective titles. My parents were mesmerised by their beauty and named me after them. They say aapke naam ka asar aap pe hota hai. So maybe that’s why I too have won a beauty pageant.”

Aishwarya Sushmita adds that modelling wasn’t a planned move for her. “I was busy pursuing a degree in philosophy. I have always been attracted to the field of fashion though and then suddenly this opportunity came my way. Now that I’ve got into it, I realise I enjoy modelling too,” she says.

Originally from Bihar, this model is a sports freak. “I come from the Darbhanga district in Bihar. I was born and brought up there and later I moved to Delhi to do my graduation. I have been a state level badminton player and an inter-university boxing champ. I also enjoy playing basketball. And my other hobbies include belly dancing and singing.” Phew! That’s quite a list.