Barkha Madan is an Indian actress and model, who left Bollywood to become a Buddhist monk in 2012. She is one of the non-Himalayan Indian Tibetan Buddhist nuns at FPMT, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition.
Wiki/Biography
Barkha Madan was born on Monday, 17 August 1970 (age 52 years; in 2022) in Punjab. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature (Hons). During his studies, he participated in theater & drama. While she was studying in college, she became interested in modeling and signed up for beauty pageants.
Ven. Gyalten Samten (Barkha Madan) with Geshe Sherab after his ordination at Sera Je Monastery in November 2012
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 8″
Weight (approx): 65 kg
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Figure Measurements (approx): 34-32-34
Family
Barkha Madan belongs to a Punjabi family.
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Barkha Madan with her mother
Barkha Madan and her sister
Religion/Religious Views
Barkha Madan is a Buddhist, and she is a devoted follower of the Dalai Lama.
Barkha Madan with the Dalai Lama in 2019
In 2000, Barkha visited Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) and met the Dalai Lama. He was influenced by his lay teachings, and after 12 years, he was ordained in Kathmandu (Nepal) and changed his name to Ven. Gyalten Samten at the age of 38. According to Barkha, she first felt a strong connection with Buddhism after she visited Ramtek Ashram in Sikkim with her parents; at that time he was 10 years old. In an interview, Barkha spoke about it and said,
I didn’t feel like going back from there that day. The first connection with the ashram started from there.”
Career
Modeling
Along with winners Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai, she made it to the finals of the Miss India pageant in 1994. She was also the runner-up of Miss Tourism International (1994) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Movie
She made her Bollywood debut with ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ (1996) as Jane.
Barkha Madan in a still from the movie ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ (1996)
He also acted in the Indo-Dutch film ‘Driving Miss Palmen’ in 2000.
Barkha Madan as Tracy Emin and Tom Alter in a still from the movie ‘Driving Miss Palmen’ (2000)
In 1999, she played the lead role in the film ‘Tera Mera Pyar,’ starring Dara Singh.
Barkha Madan in the movie ‘Tera Mera Pyaar’ (1999)
In 2003, his most remarkable work was considered in Ram Gopal Varma’s horror film ‘Bhoot’ where he played the role of a ghost.
Barkha Madan in a still from the movie ‘Bhoot’ (2003) in the role of a ghost
Production
With Golden Gate Creations, his own production and distribution company, he produced and acted in the Hindi film ‘Soch Lo’ in 2010.
Barkha Madan in a still from the movie ‘Soch Lo’ (2010)
In 2014, he played the lead role in the Hindi film ‘Surkhaab,’ which turned out to be his last film before he became a monk; he is also one of the producers of the film. During an interview, while talking about the film ‘Surkhaab’ (2014), he said,
It was shot in Toronto and Punjab in just 25 days with a 10-member skeleton unit on a shoestring budget. I am the co-producer, lead actor, and chaiwalah.”
Barkha Madan – ‘Surkhaab’ (2014)
Television
Barkha has made appearances in TV shows like ‘1857 Kranti’ as Lakshmibai and ‘Ghar Ek Sapnaa’ as Devika.
Barkha Madan as Devika in ‘Ghar-Ek-Sapnaa’ (2007)
Award
Barkha’s film ‘Surkhaab’ won 9 International awards including Remi Platinum Award at the 46th Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival for best feature film (2013), Festival Award at Madrid International Film Festival for best feature film producer (2013), and Gold Dunia Award at World Film Awards (Jakarta) for best editor in 2016.
Facts/Trivia
- The first time Barkha asked Lama Zopa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist scholar, if she could become a nun, Rinpoche laughed and said,
“Why? Are you fighting with your boyfriend? Joining a monastic order is not about escape. You need to embrace Buddhist philosophy and reflect on why you want to walk the path of Prophecy.”
- Before becoming a nun, Barkha Madan ran an online entertainment magazine.
- In 2012, Barkha asked her mother if she should be ordained, and her mother replied,
“What are you waiting for? try to get it!!”
- Barkha only had two sets of robes, some feathers, a mobile phone and a laptop.
Picture of Barkha Madan in Chennai from January 30, 2020
- Barkha loves spending time with underprivileged children and doing social work.
Barkha Madan provides warm blankets to the poor at Safdarjung Hospital in 2019
- While dancing in Mumbai, Barkha’s feet once turned. Her instructor, who is a Reiki practitioner, offered to help her, and she was back on her feet within 15-20 minutes. Then, he began to practice it.
- She likes to draw and do yoga.
Barkha Madan’s painting of a meditating refugee
- In an interview, Barkha was asked whether being a monk was difficult or easy. difficult or easy which he jokingly answered,
you know how valuable this monastic robe is, I had to give up all my possessions, clothes, jewelry, car and house to get it.”
- She has attended several award shows and lives a glamorous life. During an interview, while talking about her desire to become a Buddhist nun, she said,
Everything is going well but I feel like something is missing.”
Barkha Madan before becoming a Buddhist nun
- Barkha Madan wants to start a nunnery in India for future nuns.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
