Mon Jan 13 10:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Bollywood Actress Barkha Madan Renounces Glamorous Life for Buddhist Monasticism
**MUMBAI, INDIA** – Barkha Madan, a former Bollywood actress who once competed against Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen in the Miss India pageant, has traded the glitz and glamour of the film industry for a life of Buddhist monasticism. Madan, who achieved success in modeling and acting, left her career at its peak in 2012 to embrace spirituality. She is now known as Gyalten Samten.
Madan’s acting career spanned several Bollywood films, including “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi” (1996) alongside Akshay Kumar, Rekha, and Raveena Tandon, and “Jungle” (1999), a Ram Gopal Varma horror film. She also appeared in numerous television shows. Her early career success included winning Miss Tourism India and placing third in the Miss Tourism International contest in Malaysia.
Despite competing with eventual Miss Universe (Sushmita Sen) and Miss World (Aishwarya Rai) winners in Miss India 1994, Madan forged her own path in the entertainment industry before ultimately choosing a different life. Her decision to become a Buddhist monk marks a significant shift from her previous life in the limelight. The details surrounding her transition were revealed through her Instagram account (@barkhamadan17).
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