Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
Taking the cue on how you, my dear readers, reacted to the online chat between Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi and Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta, I decided to share another Indian beauty who brought pride to her country back in 1997 after winning Miss World.
The focus is on how this beauty queen-turned-actress handles sit-down interviews taped for a bigger audience. In the throwback video clips below, she guested on the talk show of Riz Khan on Al-Jazeera and discussed an assortment of topics that allow us to see through her personality and inner beauty.
There was something special about Miss Universe 2000 held in Nicosia, Cyprus. The country takes pride in one of its most popular tourist attractions- Petra tou Romiou – the birthplace of Aphrodite, Goddess of Beauty. And it could not have been a more appropriate host for the turn-of-the-millennium edition of the pageant. With 79 modern Aphrodites competing for the crown, it was certainly a memorable event that saw the victorious Lara Dutta gifting India with its second Miss Universe title. And boy, did she do it with style, gift of gab and lots of intelligence (smarts if you will).
2000 was extra significant for India because it was the year when the country won 3-of-3 international titles of Femina Miss India courtesy of Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra and Diya Mirza (left photo). It was one of those national pageant editions when the placements were perfect. 
Before becoming Miss Universe 2000, Lara was crowned Miss Intercontinental 1997 first. And this makes her just one of a small handful who won two international beauty competitions. After her reign, she has been a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador. As for her Bollywood career, it wasn’t the easiest climb at first. But last 2005, she starred in “No Entry” – the biggest box-office hit then. From there, everything went on an upswing. 
Looking back, it was the second time that India successfully won in both Miss Universe and Miss World on the same year – a feat that is difficult to achieve twice, let alone once.
And then there’s Lara Dutta.
What baffled me then was the non-inclusion of our bet Nina Alagao who was clearly deserving of making it to the first cut at the very least. Even co-hosts Ali Landry/Julie Moran were surprised that she did not make it that far.
