MODELS from India

Top 7

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Indian Models of all time. This list of famous Indian Models is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity.

1. Reita Faria (b. 1943)

With an HPI of 51.40, Reita Faria is the most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 30 different languages on wikipedia.

Reita Faria Powell (née Faria; born 23 August 1943) is an Indian physician, former model and the winner of Miss World 1966 pageant. She is the first Miss World winner to be qualified as a medical doctor.

2. Padma Lakshmi (b. 1970)

With an HPI of 46.21, Padma Lakshmi is the 2nd most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 33 different languages.

Padma Parvati Lakshmi (Tamil pronunciation: [ˈpɐd̪maː ˈlɐkʂmi]; née Vaidynathan; born September 1, 1970) is an American television host, model, author, businesswoman, and activist. She rose to prominence by hosting the Bravo cooking competition program Top Chef (2006–2023). Lakshmi is the creator, host, and executive producer of the docuseries Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, which premiered in 2020 on Hulu. For her work with these two series, as an executive producer and as a host, she has received 16 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Born in India, Lakshmi immigrated to the United States as a child. She became a model before embarking on a career in television. She has written five books: two cookbooks, Easy Exotic and Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet; an encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia of Spices & Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World; a memoir, Love, Loss, and What We Ate; and a children's book, Tomatoes for Neela illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, the latter two appearing on The New York Times best-seller list. Lakshmi has formed and produced sales for five different businesses. She co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America in 2009. She was appointed United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador in 2019. Lakshmi was listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

3. Namitha (b. 1981)

With an HPI of 41.55, Namitha is the 3rd most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Namitha Vankawala (born 10 May 1981) is a state executive member of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. She started her career initially as an actress and model who predominantly works in Tamil and Telugu cinema along with a few films in Kannada and Malayalam.

4. Namrata Shirodkar (b. 1972)

With an HPI of 40.08, Namrata Shirodkar is the 4th most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 24 different languages.

Namrata Shirodkar (born 22 January 1972), is a former Indian actress, producer and beauty pageant titleholder, who was crowned the Femina Miss India in 1993. She is primarily known for her work in Hindi films. She is best known for her works in films such as the Kachche Dhaage (1999), Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999), Vaastav: The Reality (1999) and Pukar (2000), for which she was nominated for the IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award. She also appeared in Astitva (2000), Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), LOC Kargil (2003), and the British cinema Bride and Prejudice (2004), which was particularly successful in the UK. Shirodkar is married to Telugu cinema actor Mahesh Babu with whom she has two children.

5. Rakhi Sawant (b. 1978)

With an HPI of 37.61, Rakhi Sawant is the 5th most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 23 different languages.

Rakhi Sawant (born Neeru Bheda; 25 November 1978) is an Indian media personality, actress and dancer, who has performed item numbers predominantly in Hindi films. Her notable film appearances have been in Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003), Masti (2004), Main Hoon Na (2004), Krazzy 4 (2008), and Dil Bole Hadippa! (2008). Sawant was a contestant on the first season of the reality television series Bigg Boss 1 (2006) and a challenger and finalist in Bigg Boss 14 (2020). Sawant has established herself as a sex symbol and has gained attention in the media for her controversial statements and lifestyle.

6. Tulip Joshi (b. 1979)

With an HPI of 31.84, Tulip Joshi is the 6th most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 22 different languages.

Tulip Joshi is an Indian actress and businesswoman known for her works in Hindi, Kannada, Punjabi, Malayalam and Telugu films.

7. Nicole Faria (b. 1991)

With an HPI of 31.71, Nicole Faria is the 7th most famous Indian Model.  Her biography has been translated into 29 different languages.

Nicole Faria Powar (née Faria; born 9 February 1990) is an Indian actress, model and the winner of the Miss Earth 2010 pageant. She is the brand ambassador for various brands including Clean & Clear and Swiss luxury wristwatches, Frédérique Constant. She was featured on international fashion and lifestyle magazine covers, like Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, JFW, Man's World magazine and appeared on the Kingfisher Calendar in 2014. She has made significant contribution in spreading awareness about the detrimental effect of pollution on Rabindra Sarobar Lakes in Kolkata, West Bengal. In January 2018, Nicole received an award from the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind for being the first Indian woman to win the title of Miss Earth 2010. She was one of 112 women honoured as First Ladies of the country for their pioneering achievements after an extensive research process made by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of India.