In a resurfaced interview, actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen clarified her relationship with fellow beauty queen and actress Aishwarya Rai, denying any real-life rivalry.

Speaking to WildFilmsIndia, Sushmita addressed decades-old speculation about tension between the two women, who both rose to fame after winning their respective global pageant titles in 1994.

“We never had enough time to be enemies, rivals or even friends,” Sushmita said, pointing out that the two were always respectful but distant. “We were not the best of friends, who’d say, ‘No, you first.’ We always wanted to be the best in our own ways — which we have proven to be.”

She highlighted that their paths were parallel but not antagonistic. “I went ahead and won Miss Universe; she went ahead and won Miss World. Neither of us was second to anybody,” she remarked, dismissing the long-standing narrative that pitted them against each other.

Sushmita added that any competition that existed was internal. “If there was any rivalry, it was in ensuring I was good at what I do. People don’t understand that you can only compare two perfect people — and none of us is perfect.”

She also hinted at how the public fascination with their supposed rivalry overshadowed their individual journeys. “There will come a day when, after all that’s been said and done, Aishwarya and I will have the last laugh,” she said.

Over time, both have made their mark in Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starred in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Taal, and Ponniyin Selvan II. Sushmita Sen found success in Biwi No.1, Main Hoon Na, and the recent web series Aarya, as well as Taali, where she portrayed activist Gauri Sawant.

Both actresses are currently yet to announce their next projects.