Bollywood Actors Who Started As Models Before Becoming Film Stars
From pageant winners to runway favourites, these Bollywood stars first found the spotlight in modelling before carving out successful careers in films.
Bollywood has always loved a striking entrance, and for many stars, that entrance did not begin with cinema at all. It began on the ramp, in glossy ad campaigns, on beauty pageant stages, and in magazine shoots that first made audiences notice their faces. But the jump from modelling to movies has never been as simple as looking the part. The camera may love a model, but films demand far more – screen instinct, emotional range, staying power and the ability to survive beyond first impressions. Over the decades, some of Hindi cinema’s biggest names have come from the world of fashion and pageantry, proving that the ramp can be a launchpad, but never the whole journey.
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From Zeenat Aman and Aishwarya Rai to Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif and John Abraham, here’s a look at Bollywood stars who began as models before making their mark in films:
1. Zeenat Aman
Long before the term "supermodel" became commonplace in India, Zeenat Aman was breaking the mold. Working as a journalist and a model for brands like Taj Mahal Tea, she entered the pageant circuit and was crowned Femina Miss India Second Runner-up. In 1970, she achieved global recognition by winning the Miss Asia Pacific International title, becoming the first Indian, and the first South Asian woman, to win the pageant. Zeenat Aman’s entry into Bollywood revolutionised the portrayal of leading ladies in Indian cinema. After minor roles in films like ‘Hulchul’ and ‘Hungama’, she caught the attention of Dev Anand, who cast her in the cultural phenomenon ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ (1971). Her portrayal of the troubled, westernized Janice won her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award and catapulted her to stardom. She became the defining glamorous icon of the 1970s, starring in a string of legendary blockbusters including ‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ (1973), ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ (1978), ‘Don’ (1978), ‘Dharam Veer’ (1977), and ‘Qurbani’ (1980).
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2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's journey to global icon began with an immensely successful modelling career in the early 1990s. In 1991, she won an international supermodel contest and was featured in the American edition of Vogue. However, it was her iconic 1993 Pepsi commercial alongside Aamir Khan that made her a household name in India. Her modeling trajectory peaked when she was crowned Miss World in 1994, elevating her to global fame and bringing an influx of film offers to her doorstep.
She made her acting debut in Mani Ratnam's critically acclaimed Tamil film ‘Iruvar’ (1997), followed closely by her Bollywood debut in the romantic comedy ‘Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya’ (1997). While her initial Hindi films received mixed responses, she achieved major commercial and critical breakthroughs with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999) and ‘Devdas’ (2002). Her illustrious filmography includes massive hits like ‘Dhoom 2’ (2006), ‘Guru’ (2007), ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ (2008), and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (2016).
3. Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen made history and became a national icon before she even turned twenty. In 1994, she won the Femina Miss India title and subsequently represented India at the global pageant, becoming the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe crown. Her unprecedented victory paved the way for a generation of Indian models to succeed on the global stage, making her an instant celebrity and highly sought-after brand ambassador. Sushmita Sen transitioned to cinema with Mahesh Bhatt's thriller ‘Dastak’ (1996), playing a fictionalised version of herself as a beauty queen stalked by a fanatic. She quickly proved her versatility with a breakout performance in the Tamil action film ‘Ratchagan’ (1997) and a Filmfare Award-winning supporting turn in the comedy ‘Biwi No.1’ (1999). She established herself as a mainstream star with hits like ‘Aankhen’ (2002), the blockbuster action-comedy ‘Main Hoon Na’ (2004), and ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?’ (2005), later making a critically acclaimed comeback in the hit thriller series ‘Aarya’.
4. Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Before she became a global star and Hollywood crossover success, Priyanka Chopra Jonas was a prominent figure in the Indian pageant and modeling circuit. After moving back to India from the United States in her late teens, she began entering local beauty pageants. Her modeling journey reached its absolute pinnacle when she was crowned Miss World in 2000, making her a national sensation and opening the doors to a lucrative acting career. Priyanka Chopra made her acting debut in the 2002 Tamil film ‘Thamizhan’ before making her Bollywood entrance in the 2003 spy thriller ‘The Hero: Love Story of a Spy’. That same year, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for the hit romance ‘Andaaz’. She earned major critical acclaim for her negative role in ‘Aitraaz’ (2004) and subsequently headlined massive blockbusters like ‘Krrish’ (2006), ‘Don’ (2006), ‘Fashion’ (2008), ‘Barfi!’ (2012), ‘Mary Kom’ (2014), and ‘Bajirao Mastani’ (2015).
5. Lara Dutta
Lara Dutta had one of the most decorated pre-film journeys on this list. She won the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 1995, went on to be crowned Miss Intercontinental 1997, and then won Miss Universe 2000. That extraordinary run made her one of India’s biggest beauty-pageant stars before she ever signed a film. She leveraged her global recognition into a successful film career, making her Bollywood debut alongside Priyanka Chopra and Akshay Kumar in the romantic drama ‘Andaaz’ (2003), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She went on to star in numerous hit comedies and high-profile ensemble films, including ‘Masti’ (2004), ‘No Entry’ (2005), ‘Bhagam Bhag’ (2006), ‘Partner’ (2007), ‘Housefull’ (2010), and ‘Don 2’ (2011).
6. Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza's elegant entry into the public eye came via the pageant route. Working part-time as a marketing executive, she also modelled for print and TV commercials for brands like Lipton and Emami. She won the titles of Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2000 and Miss Asia Pacific International 2000, becoming part of the famous year in which India swept the major global beauty crowns.
Riding the wave of her pageant victory, Dia Mirza made her acting debut with the romantic drama ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ (2001) opposite R. Madhavan. Although the film had a moderate box office run initially, it went on to achieve immense cult status among youth audiences. She continued to feature in popular Hindi films such as the action-thriller ‘Dum’ (2003), the musical drama ‘Parineeta’ (2005), the blockbuster comedy ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ (2006), and the acclaimed biographical drama ‘Sanju’ (2018).
7. John Abraham
Long before he became Bollywood's go-to action hero, John Abraham was one of India's top male supermodels. Entering the modeling arena after working as a media planner, John Abraham shot to national prominence after winning the prestigious Gladrags Manhunt Contest in 1999. He went on to model internationally in destinations like New York and London, while simultaneously becoming a familiar face in India through numerous brand campaigns and iconic music videos, most notably Pankaj Udhas's ‘Chupke Chupke’.
John transitioned to Bollywood with a daring debut in Mahesh Bhatt's erotic thriller ‘Jism’ (2003). Despite being a newcomer with a non-film background, his brooding persona and screen presence earned him immediate recognition. He quickly proved his versatility and commercial viability with the massive success of the action-thriller ‘Dhoom’ (2004). Over the years, he has delivered numerous hits such as ‘Dostana’ (2008), ‘Force’ (2011), ‘Madras Cafe’ (2013), and ‘Pathaan’ (2023).
8. Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu was a dominant force in the Indian modelling scene before she brought her bold and charismatic screen presence to Bollywood. Her modeling career began at the tender age of 16 when she was spotted by supermodel Mehr Jesia. She went on to win the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest in 1996, which allowed her to represent India at the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest in Miami. She enjoyed a lucrative career as a fashion model, appearing on numerous magazine covers and in high-profile ad campaigns.
Bipasha Basu made her acting debut in a supporting, negative role in the Abbas-Mustan suspense thriller ‘Ajnabee’ (2001), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. However, it was her leading role in the 2002 supernatural horror hit ‘Raaz’ that firmly established her as a mainstream star. She went on to rule the early-to-mid 2000s box office with a string of successful films, including the erotic thriller ‘Jism’ (2003), the blockbuster comedy ‘No Entry’ (2005), the heist-action film ‘Dhoom 2’ (2006), and the suspense thriller ‘Race’ (2008).
9. Arjun Rampal
In the 1990s, Arjun Rampal was one of India's preeminent supermodels. Discovered in a discotheque by legendary fashion designer Rohit Bal, Arjun Rampal was quickly thrust into the high-fashion spotlight. He dominated the Indian runway, fronted major national ad campaigns, and was widely regarded as a key figure who helped define the era of the Indian male supermodel. Arjun Rampal brought his brooding good looks to the silver screen with his debut in Rajiv Rai's romantic film ‘Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat’ (2001). While his initial cinematic journey had its ups and downs, he eventually found his footing by taking on intense, character-driven roles. He delivered memorable performances in successful films like the thriller ‘Aankhen’ (2002), the mega-blockbuster ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007), the rock-musical ‘Rock On’ (2008) — which earned him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor — and the political thriller ‘Raajneeti’ (2010). He most recently won praise for his performance in the ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise.
10. Deepika Padukone
Before becoming one of the highest-paid actresses in India, Deepika Padukone was a highly sought-after fashion model. Spotted during a ramp competition in Bangalore, she made her official runway debut at the Lakmé Fashion Week in 2005. She quickly became a staple in the advertising world, modelling for prominent brands like Liril and Close-Up, but it was her appearance as the highly popular 2006 Kingfisher Calendar Girl and her stint in Himesh Reshammiya's music video ‘Naam Hai Tera’ that skyrocketed her national fame. Deepika made her acting debut with the Kannada film ‘Aishwarya’ (2006) before landing her massive Bollywood breakthrough in Farah Khan's blockbuster ‘Om Shanti Om’ (2007) opposite Shah Rukh Khan, a role that won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She subsequently solidified her superstar status with a string of critically and commercially acclaimed hits, including ‘Love Aaj Kal’ (2009), ‘Cocktail’ (2012), ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ (2013), ‘Chennai Express’ (2013), and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opuses like ‘Bajirao Mastani’ (2015) and ‘Padmaavat’ (2018).
11. Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif's modelling career began at an incredibly young age. She reportedly received her first modelling assignment in Hawaii at the age of 14, appearing in a jewellery campaign. She later modelled professionally in London, walking regularly at London Fashion Week. Her success caught the eye of filmmaker Kaizad Gustad, who cast her in her first film, prompting her move to India where she quickly dominated the domestic modelling scene and became an iconic face of the Kingfisher Calendar. She also built a successful endorsement career in India with brands like Coca-Cola, LG, Fevicol and Samsung. She made a highly publicized, though commercially unsuccessful, debut in the crime thriller ‘Boom’ (2003). Despite initial struggles with the Hindi language, her screen presence was undeniable. She turned her career around to become one of Bollywood's most reliable and highest-grossing leading ladies, delivering back-to-back blockbusters like ‘Namastey London’ (2007), ‘Singh Is Kinng’ (2008), ‘New York’ (2009), ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ (2011), ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ (2012), and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ (2017).
12. Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma originally harboured aspirations of making it big exclusively in the modelling world. After completing her education in Bangalore, she moved to Mumbai and enrolled at Elite Model Management. Her big break on the runway came in 2007 when she was chosen by the late fashion designer Wendell Rodricks to be his finale model at the Lakme Fashion Week. Her striking features quickly landed her campaigns for major brands like Fiat Palio, Whisper, and Nivea. Despite having no initial plans to enter the film industry, Anushka auditioned for Yash Raj Films and made a dream Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra's romantic drama ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ (2008). The film was a massive commercial success. She subsequently earned widespread critical acclaim and box office glory with films like ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ (2010), ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ (2012), ‘PK’ (2014), ‘Sultan’ (2016), and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ (2016).
13. Sidharth Malhotra
Sidharth Malhotra's entry into the entertainment industry started on the runway at the age of 18. With his tall, striking physique, he quickly became a successful model, walking international runways in Paris, Milan, and New York, and even modelling for prestigious luxury labels like Roberto Cavalli. Despite a thriving modelling career, he chose to shift gears, stepping behind the camera to work as an assistant director on Karan Johar’s ‘My Name Is Khan’ (2010). His behind-the-scenes work ultimately led to a starring role in front of the camera. He made a splashy Bollywood debut in Karan Johar’s ‘Student of the Year’ (2012). Sidharth has since navigated a variety of genres, scoring commercial success with the romantic thriller ‘Ek Villain’ (2014), the family drama ‘Kapoor & Sons’ (2016), and earning widespread critical acclaim for his portrayal of Captain Vikram Batra in the biographical war film ‘Shershaah’ (2021).
14. Jacqueline Fernandez
Jacqueline Fernandez first gained international prominence when she won the Miss Universe Sri Lanka pageant in 2006. Representing her country at the global Miss Universe pageant, she built a successful career in television broadcasting and modelling. A modelling assignment brought her to India, where she quickly caught the attention of Bollywood casting directors. Jacqueline made her Bollywood debut in the fantasy film ‘Aladin’ (2009) alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. While the film underperformed, she found her breakthrough in the psychological thriller ‘Murder 2’ (2011). This paved the way for her to feature in some of the most lucrative, high-grossing commercial franchises of the decade, starring in massive hits such as ‘Housefull 2’ (2012), ‘Race 2’ (2013), ‘Kick’ (2014), and ‘Judwaa 2’ (2017).
15. Kriti Sanon
Before lighting up the screen, Kriti Sanon was a well-known face on the Indian runway. Armed with an engineering degree, Kriti Sanon decided to pursue her passion for modelling, quickly walking the ramp for prominent events like Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week and Chennai International Fashion Week. Her television commercials for brands like Close-Up and Amul Ice Cream helped establish her girl-next-door appeal even before she signed her first film. Kriti made a dual debut in 2014, first appearing in the Telugu psychological thriller ‘1: Nenokkadine’ opposite Mahesh Babu, followed by her Bollywood launch in ‘Heropanti’ alongside Tiger Shroff, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has since proven her box office draw and acting chops with hit films like ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’ (2017), ‘Luka Chuppi’ (2019), and her critically acclaimed, National Award-winning performance in ‘Mimi’ (2021).
What ties all these stories together is not just beauty, visibility or fashion-world polish, but adaptability. Modelling and pageantry may have given these stars a face the public remembered, but films demanded much more – voice, screen instinct, emotional range, resilience and the ability to survive beyond the first impression. Some, like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif, became giant mainstream stars. Others, like Dia Mirza, Arjun Rampal, John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez, carved distinct and durable paths of their own.
