Mon Jan 13 10:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Bollywood Actress Barkha Madan Renounces Fame, Becomes Buddhist Nun

**MUMBAI, INDIA** – Barkha Madan, a former model, beauty queen, and Bollywood actress, has embarked on a transformative journey, embracing a life of Buddhist monasticism. Once known for her roles in films like “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi” and “Bhoot,” Madan, now known as Gyalten Samten, has left behind her glamorous past to dedicate herself to spiritual life.

Madan rose to prominence in 1994, participating in the Miss India pageant alongside eventual winners Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai. While she didn’t win the top title, she secured the Miss Tourism India crown and later placed third in the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia. Her Bollywood career included a debut in the hit film “Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi” (1996) and a critically acclaimed role in Ram Gopal Varma’s supernatural thriller “Bhoot” (2003). She also starred in several television serials, including “Naya” and “1857 Kranti,” where she portrayed Rani Lakshmibai. In 2010, Madan even ventured into film production, establishing Golden Gate LLC to support independent filmmakers.

However, in 2012, a lifelong devotion to the Dalai Lama led her to embrace Buddhism and become a nun. She now resides in mountain monasteries and shares her spiritual journey on Instagram, inspiring many with her profound life change. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of spiritual seeking and a departure from the often-transient nature of fame and fortune in the entertainment industry.

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