Lara Dutta

At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, she achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finalist interview score was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 marks.[24]

During the final question and answer round, the top 3 contestants were each asked the same question by the host, Sinbad: "Right now, there is a protest that has been staged outside the stadium posing pageants as an affront to women. Convince them that they are wrong". To which Dutta replied:

Pageants like Miss Universe gives us young women a platform to foray into the fields that we want to and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the armed forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions, and makes us strong and independent that we are today.[25]

At the end of the event, Dutta was crowned as Miss Universe 2000, by the outgoing titleholder Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana. Dutta's win led to her appointment as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.[26] In the same year, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza won their respective Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants.[27] During her reign as Miss Universe, she visited 62 countries.[24][28]

She is the second woman from India to be crowned Miss Universe. She received the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finale interview score is the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest.[29]

She has been a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador since 2001, shortly after her Miss Universe win. Dutta stated, "Celebrities with the power to affect their impressionable minds therefore have a moral responsibility to impart positive messages. I am committed to using any influence I may have to do just that as a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)".[30]

She signed up for the Tamil film, Arasatchi in 2002, but due to financial problems, it was only released in mid-2004. She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. However, In the film, Dutta's voice was dubbed by Mona Shetty as the filmmakers wanted two distinct characters for the female leads and they needed Kajal, Dutta's character, to have a high-pitched voice.[31] At the beginning of 2004, Dutta made a cameo appearance in Khakee in the song "Aisa Jadoo", which went on to become a chartbuster upon release . She then went on to appear in Bardaasht, which failed to do well at the box office. Her next release Aan: Men at Work was also a flop in India. Insan, Elaan and Jurm also ended up failing to do well at the box office. She later appeared in Masti which did well at the box office.

Lara Dutta revealed in an interview that she was offered a role in The Matrix franchise but turned down the offer due to her mother's illness at the time.[32]

Before making her debut in movies, Dutta made an appearance in the music video of singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya's song titled ''Tu Chalu Hai Re''.

In 2005, Dutta appeared in Kaal, which was a moderate success at the box office. Dutta then appeared in No Entry opposite actors Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Esha Deol and Celina Jaitley, which went on to become the biggest hit of the year. She next appeared in Dosti: Friends Forever which was only an average grosser in India but became the biggest hit of the year in overseas markets. Dutta along with Sania Mirza participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati (season 2) as celebrity guests, on 13 November 2005.[33]

Lara Dutta modeling in 2005

In 2006, Lara Dutta appeared a cameo in Yash Raj Films's Fanaa in a scene that featured both leads Aamir Khan and Kajol. Dutta stated in an interview that she agreed to feature in Fanaa as she had previously turned down a cameo in Yash Raj's Hum Tum (2004).[34] In December 2006, Dutta played Munni, a lady with suicidal tendencies alongside Akshay Kumar in Bhagam Bhag, which was one of the biggest hits of the year, as it collected over ₹400 million (US$5.0 million) in India alone.

Her first release of 2007 was Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. in which Dutta played a double-role, of Anaida and Laila, both love interests of Rikki Thukral (played by the film's main lead Abhishek Bachchan). The film was an underwhelming success at the domestic box office but did well overseas, especially in the United Kingdom. Dutta received praise for her performance in the film.[35]

Her next release, Partner where she starred opposite Salman Khan was a blockbuster in India and became the third biggest grosser of the year.[36] Dutta made a special appearance in Om Shanti Om. Dutta also presented a documentary film titled Sold: An MTV EXIT Special by Charmaine Choo which followed the tragedy of trafficking in South Asia where thousand of young girls and boys are sold into modern-day slavery.[37]

In 2008, Dutta lent her voice for the animated film, Jumbo. However, the film failed to do well at the box office. She made a special appearance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in the song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte" where she paid tribute to Helen, colorfully dressed, with jewels and feathers in a high hair bun. The underlying tune is "O Haseena Zulfon Wale Jaan-e-Jahaan" from the 1966 film Teesri Manzil.

In 2009, she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Irrfan Khan in Priyadarshan's Billu Barber.[38] Her next release Blue, was one of the most expensive movies of Indian cinema. Dutta had initially walked away from the project because the movie was entirely shot in the ocean and she didn't know swimming. However the male protagonist, Akshay Kumar encouraged her in learning how to swim and she immediately started training with a special coach. Blue was released on 16 October 2009.[39] She stated that "The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the assignment. He knew the reason behind my decision. Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for Andaaz, Akshay had rescued me. When I reminded him I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobia and learn swimming pronto," said Dutta. "Today, I feel Blue has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life".[39] Despite a promising opening, the film failed to do well at the box office.

She also appeared in Do Knot Disturb, which took a good start at the box office, however dropped in the coming days and failed to do well. Her 2010 release Housefull was a major commercial success across India. She starred opposite Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal, Jiah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. It was the fifth biggest hit in the country at that time as it collected ₹1.14 billion (US$14 million) at the box office.[40]

Dutta during promotions for Chalo Dilli, 2011

In 2011, her first movie as a producer, Chalo Dilli was released. The film was a moderate success, as it was made on a modest budget of ₹50 million (US$630,000). Moreover, the film and Dutta's performance was praised by critics.[41] She did an item number in the song "Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo" alongside Shah Rukh Khan in addition to an extended special appearance in Don 2 and the film was a major success, especially Lara's item number. [42]

Following her post-pregnancy break from Hindi cinema, Dutta signed a movie titled David. Filming started by August 2012.[43] The film released on 1 February 2013 and received mixed reviews. She signed a No Entry sequel titled No Entry Mein Entry.

Lara Dutta walks for Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellery in 2013

In 2015, she starred in Singh Is Bliing. The film was a financial success, grossing over ₹ 1.16 billion worldwide.[44][45] Her comic timing in the film was praised by critics.[46] She played the role of Leena Becker in the film Fitoor, released in 2016.[47] She played a crucial supporting role in the sports drama film Azhar.[48] In 2018, she appeared in the film Welcome to New York.[49]

In June 2019, Dutta appeared in the ITV 6-part drama, Beecham House where she played the role of Begum Samru.[50]

In 2021, Dutta played the role of the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi in the spy film Bell Bottom along with Akshay Kumar, Vaani Kapoor and Huma Qureshi. “The film is about a hijack that took place during Mrs Gandhi’s tenure,” The film opened to mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, but Dutta's performance and transformation for the role received high critical acclaim.[51]

Lara made her web debut in 2020 with the Hotstar's series Hundred playing ACP Saumya Shukla. She received praises for her role. In 2021, she appeared in the offbeat Hiccups and Hookups as Vasudha, a divorcee and single mother on a fun ride.

Kaun Banegi Shikhrawati (2022) on ZEE5 has her playing Rajkumari Devyani, in a dyfunctional royal family. The series is acclaimed by critics and audience alike.

In 2006, Lara Dutta made an appearance in the show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal hosted by actress Simi Garewal. Dutta has made three appearances in Koffee with Karan hosted by film producer and director Karan Johar. She first made her appearances in the first season alongside Bipasha Basu and second season with Katrina Kaif. Her last appearance on the show till date was in 2010 alongside her husband Mahesh.

Lara Dutta also made an appearance in the season 1 finale of 10 Ka Dum hosted by Salman Khan alongside fellow actress Rani Mukerji.[52]