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Born to Malayali parents in Chandigarh, she completed her early education in Kerala. The actor, who is currently the president of AMMA, made her acting debut in 1991 in the Malayalam movie Anaswaram, costarring with the renowned Mammootty. She changed her concentration to modeling a few years later, in 1994, and became the first female Gladrags Supermodel, making history. Her critically acclaimed roles in both mainstream and unconventional films have dazzled viewers. She appeared in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi movies, demonstrating that her skills were not limited by language.

Shwetha Menon participated in the same Miss India 1994 pageant that saw Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai win the titles of Miss Universe and Miss World, marking a momentous milestone for India. Did you know that during the competition, the Malayalam actor and Aishwarya Rai even shared a room?

When Shwetha Menon And Aishwarya Rai Were Roomates

Shwetha Menon competed in the 1994 Miss India pageant, which saw Aishwarya Rai become first runner-up and Sushmita Sen emerge victorious. Shwetha disclosed during the India Today Conclave South 2025 that she shared a room with Aishwarya Rai during the competition. She finished third runner-up in Miss India in 1994. "I was a roommate of Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen won it," she said. 

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How Did Shwetha Menon Entered Pageantry World?

Shwetha Menon's foray into the world of pageants was not entirely prearranged. She got a letter from Coimbatore inviting her to compete in Miss India. Her father encouraged her to follow her aspirations by supporting her decision to attend the event, despite his initial reservations about her involvement.

Reflecting on her path, Shwetha explains how the world of pageantry and modeling has changed since her earliest days. She notes that youthful talent now has easier access to opportunities. "I went to Miss India Asia Pacific, but managed to get third runner-up without any backing. The excitement that we had, I can see it in everyone now and in my daughter too. Today, I think everyone is a model," she shared.

 
 
 
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ALSO READ - AMMA President Shwetha Menon Urges Former Members To Rejoin The Organisation: 'I Wish For Their Return...'

Shwetha Menon Worked With Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan

With the 1997 movie Prithvi, which also starred Suniel and Shilpa Shetty, she made her Bollywood debut.  In the early 2000s, she had numerous appearances in Hindi films. In films like Ishq, Asoka, Bandhan, Corporate, and Sandwich, Shwetha Menon has starred opposite Bollywood heavyweights Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. 

The actor broke gender stereotypes in the business in 2024 when she was elected as the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists' (AMMA) first female president.