Barkha Madan Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Other name	Ven. Gyalten Samten
Profession(s)	Former actress and model
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 172 cm in meters- 1.72 m in feet & inches- 5’ 8”
Weight (approx.)	in kilograms- 65 kg in pounds- 143 lbs
Figure Measurements (approx.)	34-32-34
Eye Colour	Brown
Hair Colour	Brown
Career
Debut	Bollywood film: ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’ (1996) as Jane
Achievements	1994: Finalist in Miss India beauty pageant contest 1994: Runner-up in Miss Tourism International
Personal Life
Date of Birth	17 August 1970 (Monday)
Age (as of 2023)	53 Years
Birthplace	Punjab
Zodiac sign	Leo
Nationality	Indian
Educational Qualification	A Bachelor’s degree in English Literature (Honours)
Religion	Buddhism
Food Habit	Vegetarian
Hobbies	Painting, Meditating, Photography, and Reiki
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Unmarried
Family
Husband/Spouse	N/A
Parents	Her father was in Indian army.
Siblings	She has a sister.
Favourites
Cartoon	Tom and Jerry

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.
  

  Barkha Madan in a still from the film Soch Lo (2010)

• 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.
  

  Barkha Madan as Jeet in a still from the film Surkhaab (2015)

• 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.
  

  Barkha Madan during the praying time in a monastery

• 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.