Barkha Madan

Some Lesser Known Facts About Barkha Madan

• Barkha Madan is a former Indian actress and model who has dedicated her life to following Buddhist ideologies and became a non-Himalayan Indian Tibetan Buddhist nun in 2012.

• When Barkha was studying in 6th standard, she visited a monastery in Sikkim with her father. She was influenced by the culture and visited again after a few years. In an interview, Barkha said that listening to Dalai Lama brought peace within her.

• During her studies, she actively participated in theatre & drama. When she was studying in college, she signed up for beauty pageants.

• In 1996, she made her acting debut in the Bollywood film ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ in which she played the role of Jane. Later, she appeared in many Bollywood films including Driving Miss Palmen (1996), Tera Mera Pyar (1999), Bhoot (2003), Samay: When Time Strikes (2003), and Soch Lo (2010). The film ‘Soch Lo’ was produced by Barkha’s production company Golden Gate Creations.

  

• In 2015, she was the co-producer of the Indian Hindi-language film Surkhaab. Barkha also acted in the film and played the lead role.

  

• In 2002, she made her television debut with the Indian historical drama television series ‘1857 Kranti’ on DD National in which she essayed the character of Rani Laxmibai. Later, she appeared in several TV series such as Ghar Ek Sapnaa (2007) on Sahara One and Nyaay (1999) 0n DD Network.

• On 4 November 2012, she became a Buddhist monk at Hardong Khangtsen of Sera Jey Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, under the supervision of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and changed her name to Ven. Gyalten Samten.

  

• In an interview, Barkha said that her parents were very supportive of her decision. She recalled the time when she asked her mother if she should get ordained to which her mother replied,
  

  What are you waiting for? go for it!!”

• Before becoming a monk, she lived a glamorous life; however, following her conversion to Buddhism, Barkha gave all her luxurious items and home away and now owns two sets of robes, a few woollens, a cell phone, and a laptop.