Yukta Mookhey

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Yukta Mookhey
Mookhey at a launch event for Marc Cain store in 2013
Born
Yukta Inderlal Mookhey

(1977-10-07)7 October 1977[1][2][3] or
(1979-10-07)7 October 1979[4][5]
(46 or 44)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Alma materVaze College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Occupations
  • Actress
  • civic activist
  • model
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Spouse
Prince Tuli
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2014)​
Children1
Beauty pageant titleholder
Years active1999–2019
Hair colourBlack
Eye colourBrown

Yukta Inderlal Mookhey is an Indian civic activist and the winner of Miss World 1999 pageant. She is the fourth Indian woman to win Miss World and was previously crowned as Femina Miss India World in 1999. She is a former model and actress, and has worked in Hindi films.

Early life[edit]

Mookhey was born in Bangalore in a Sindhi family[6] and was raised in Dubai until Mookhey was seven years of age.[7] Her family moved back to Mumbai in June 1986. Her mother Aroona used to run a grooming saloon in Santa Cruz, Mumbai and her father, Inderlal Mookhey was a former Managing Director of a clothing company.[8] After school, she studied zoology at the V. G. Vaze College in Mumbai. She has a diploma in computer sciences from Aptech and has studied Hindustani classical music for three years.[1]

Pageantry[edit]

Femina Miss India[edit]

In 1999, Mookhey entered herself into the Femina Miss India contest, where she was shortlisted as a contestant. In the semifinal round during the grand finale, she was asked a question by judge Viv Richards - "How do you define a true sports person?", to which she answered:

'"I would define a true sports person as the one who welcomes defeat as well as success with a healthy attitude and with a smile."[9]

Mookhey proceeded to the succeeding round, where all her fellow Top 5 delegates were asked the same question - “In the context of the recent controversy, if you were Chelsea Clinton, what is the single most important advice, you as a daughter would you give to your parents Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, and why?”, to which she answered:

"If I was Chelsea Clinton, I would tell my parents that in the values that you have taught me, I still stand by you no matter what. And I hope we can set an example for the rest of the world to see what family values and ethics are all about. Thank you."[9]

At the end of the event, she was crowned as Miss India World 1999 by the outgoing titleholder Annie Thomas, giving her the right to represent India at the Miss World 1999 contest.[10][11]

Miss World[edit]

The 49th edition of the Miss World pageant was held on 4 December 1999 at Olympia, London and 93 delegates from around the world competed for the title. During the pageant's question and answer round, she was asked if she could be anyone in the world who would she want to be. Mookhey replied - “It would have to be Audrey Hepburn. It was her inner beauty, compassion and her aura. The calm that she had inside her reflected.”[12]

At the end of the event, Mookhey was crowned as Miss World 1999 by her predecessor Linor Abargil from Israel.[13] The first runner-up title was won by Martina Thorogood from Venezuela, followed by the second runner-up, Sonia Raciti of South Africa.[14] Mookhey also won the Asia & Oceania's Queen of Beauty Award during the Miss World contest.[15] Mookhey became the fourth woman from India to win Miss World after Reita Faria in 1966, Aishwarya Rai in 1994 and Diana Hayden in 1997.[16][17]

Social works[edit]

After Mookhey's tenure as Miss World, she involved herself in various social and charitable causes.[18] She has worked for the people affected by HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and thalassemia.[19] Mookhey has pledged to donate her organs. In connection with this, she stated, “This step will benefit someone, once I leave this world”.[19] She also works as an educationist and provides motivational counseling in various platforms.[20] She partnered with an NGO to guide young girls from the slums, nudging them towards self-contemplation, understanding their needs and help them to become aware of their bodies, through counseling.[21]

She has voiced against illegal child labour carried out in India's firecracker industries, which is an offence under the Indian law.[22] She has also aided the people with hearing impairment, from marginalised and low-income segment of the society. She expressed - “I have spent my time learning the Indian sign language because I feel that hearing impaired people have so much latent creativity and are hampered only by their inability to communicate. I would like to help them by drawing attention to this issue.”[23]

Mookhey at the 2013 Global Peace concert, in Mumbai's Andheri Sports Complex, on Martyrs' Day (30 January)

Mookhey is an environmental activist, and has participated in various clean drives and social movements to prevent deforestation.[24] In 2018, she joined a campaign to prevent illegal tree cutting taking place at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, to pave way for road and metro constructions.[25] During the movement, she stated - “I don't see any reason behind constructing road and metro from the sanctuary. The metro can be constructed underground and the road can be made elsewhere. Humans are not capable of making of what ‘Mother Earth’ can do. So we are just asking to stop the works and also stop cutting the trees.”[25] She also consigned a letter to the Pune Municipal Corporation's Heritage Cell, to include the bird sanctuary in the list of national heritage sites.[26]

She supports the Swachh Kalyani Nagar initiative in Pune, and had campaigned the households to process their waste effectively through segregation and recycling, ensuring minimum to zero garbage generation from individual societies.[21]

Personal life[edit]

On 7 September 2008, Mookhey got engaged to Prince Tuli, a New York-based businessman and financial consultant at a ceremony held at the Grand Maratha in Mumbai.[27] The marriage was held on 2 November 2008 in a traditional Sikh ceremony at a Nagpur Gurudwara followed by a reception.[28] They have one son together.

Her brother Kanwal Mookhey is a businessman and is married to Indian television actress Karishma Randhawa.[29]

In July 2013, Mookhey accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to domestic violence and harassment,[30] and a FIR was registered under Section 498A (cruelty and harassment) and Section 377 (unnatural sex) of the Indian Penal Code.[31][32] In June 2014, the couple obtained a consensual divorce.[33][34]

Career[edit]

Mookhey entered the film industry in 2001 through the Tamil movie Poovellam Un Vasam, where she appeared in a song titled "Yukta Mookhey". She made her Hindi film debut with Pyaasa in 2002 starring with Aftab Shivdasani. The film proved to be a flop at the box office. Mookhey was cast in Market but had to drop out due to an injury. In 2003, she signed Kab Kyon Kahan and Hum Teeno, but both films where later shelved. She was later signed up for the 2004 release Insaaf: The Justice, but had to drop the project.[citation needed] In 2005, she acted in two films, Memsahab and Love in Japan. In 2006, she appeared in the music video for "Kathputali".[citation needed] In 2010, she acted in Odia film Swayamsiddha, where she played a Maoist named Swayamsiddha.[35]

Filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2001 Poovellam Un Vasam Guest appearance Tamil film [36]
2002 Ishq Na Karna Aya Self Short film [37]
Pyaasa Sheetal Hindi film [38]
2005 Dil Main Jaanam Self Short film [39]
2006 Katputtli Anju [40][41]
Love in Japan Guest appearance [42][43]
2007 Kab Kahaba Tu I Love You Bhojpuri film [44]
2008 Memsahab - Lost In A Mirage Anjali [45][46]
2010 Swayamsiddha Shreya / Swayamsidha Odia Film [35]
2019 Good Newwz IVF Center Patient Hindi film [47]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 Femina Miss India 1999 Herself / contestant [48][49]
Miss World 1999 Herself / contestant / winner International pageant [50]
2000 International Indian Film Awards 2000 Host Award ceremony [51]
Miss World 2000 Herself/ Reigning Miss World International pageant [52]
2006 Jodi Kamaal Ki Herself Game show (participated with her father, Inderlal Mookhey) [53]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "From Sushmita Sen to Diana Hayden, see how educated your favourite Indian beauty pageant winners are". India Times. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
  2. ^ "Yukta Mookhey: Do you know the Miss World 1999 has a degree in Zoology?". mid-day. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  3. ^ "इस मिस वर्ल्ड से आए दिन मारपीट करता था पति, तंग आकर लिया था तलाक". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 7 October 2017. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  4. ^ "पति ने पीट-पीटकर इस पूर्व मिस वर्ल्ड का कर दिया था बुरा हाल, तलाक के बाद ऐसे कर रहीं गुजारा". Amar Ujala. 7 October 2018. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  5. ^ "New Straits Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  6. ^ "पति ने पीट-पीटकर इस पूर्व मिस वर्ल्ड का कर दिया था बुरा हाल, तलाक के बाद ऐसे कर रहीं गुजारा". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  7. ^ Rohit Garoo (7 November 2016). "Yukta Mookhey's Marriage: Paying the price for being a princess". Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  8. ^ Nikita Wagh (7 October 2019). "Yukta Mookhey: Do you know the Miss World 1999 has a degree in Zoology?". Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Femina Miss India 1999 grand finale". Miss India Organization. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  10. ^ Priya Ramani (1 February 1999). "New Miss India Gul Panag next to try a shot at Miss Universe crown". India Today. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Femina Miss India 1999 Grand Finale". Beauty Pageants (Miss India Organization). 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  12. ^ "6 Answers That Made India Win The Miss World Title". New Woman. Retrieved 7 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ "Miss India takes world crown". The Gainesville Sun. 5 December 1999. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Indian beauty crowned Miss World 1999 amid protests". The New Straits Times. 6 December 1999. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Bollywood Confidential - Yukta Mookhey". Indiatimes News. 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Makers of India - Women of Fame". Indian Mirror. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  17. ^ Simon Robinson (15 August 2007). "India's Most Influential". Time. Time magazine. Archived from the original on 2 November 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Not films, birthday girl Yukta Mookhey hit the headlines for this!". Daily Bhaskar. 26 October 2015. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Yukta Mookhey to direct films". Economic Times. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  20. ^ Shinde, Swati (20 August 2018). "Former Miss World, Yukta Mookhey interacts with Sinhgad students". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019.
  21. ^ a b Sanchita Das (13 January 2019). "Yukta Mookhey: Teach and Learn". The Pune Mirror. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Let's keep it healthy for now and the future". DNA India. 28 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
  23. ^ Kalsi, Jyoti (4 January 2005). "Yukta Mookhey: I am here to do work on my terms". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
  24. ^ Kulkarni, Prachee (27 October 2018). "Ex-beauty queen joins the battle against axed trees in Pune's Kalyani Nagar". The Pune Mirror. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  25. ^ a b "Over 740 people make human chain to save Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary". Sakal Times. 8 December 2018. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2020. Alt URL
  26. ^ Gadkari, Siddarth (6 February 2019). "Include Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in the heritage sites list". Sakal Times. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2020. Alt URL
  27. ^ "mastione.com". ww5.mastione.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  28. ^ "Yukta Mookhey's wedding". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  29. ^ Bandekar, Prathamesh (21 September 2008). "Karishma Randhawa's 1st anniversary bash". Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  30. ^ Gupta, Priya (6 July 2013). "Yukta Mookhey: Prince and his entire family have a psychological problem". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Former Miss World Yukta Mookhey lodges FIR against husband for domestic violence". India Today. 5 July 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  32. ^ Press Trust of India (5 July 2013). "Actress Yukta Mookhey lodges FIR against husband for domestic violence". NDTV. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  33. ^ "Yukta and Tuli part ways, High Court accepts consent terms for divorce". Deccan Herald. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  34. ^ "Yukta Mookhey and Tuli get divorce". Patrika Group (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 6 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  35. ^ a b "Odia Cinema World: Oriya / Odia Film Swayamm Siddha with Actor and Berhampur M.P. Sidhanta Mohapatra in Recent Controversy". 13 August 2010. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  36. ^ "Poovellam un Vaasam Review". Rediff. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  37. ^ "Ishq Na Karna Aya - Debut of Miss World Yukta Mukhi". Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  38. ^ "Pyaasa". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008.
  39. ^ "Yukta Mookhey in a music video (By IndiaFM News Bureau)". Bollywood Hungama. 6 June 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  40. ^ "Katputli". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 24 October 2008.
  41. ^ "Katputli Review". Indiafm.com. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  42. ^ "Love in Japan". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 2 May 2008.
  43. ^ "Love in Japan review". Parinda.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012.
  44. ^ "Kab Kahaba Tu I Love You". Indiafm.com. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  45. ^ "Memsahab". Indiafm.com. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  46. ^ "Memsahab Review". Smash Hits. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
  47. ^ "Good Newwz (2019)". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  48. ^ "Miss India 1999 - Glimpse of the past". Indiatimes. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  49. ^ "Miss India 2000 countdown begins". The Business Line. 11 January 2000. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  50. ^ "Miss India crowned Miss World 1999 amidst feminist demonstrations". Reading Eagle. 5 December 1999. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  51. ^ "First IIFA Award ceremony in the year 2000". International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  52. ^ "India's Chopra is the new Miss World". New Straits Times. 2 December 2000. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  53. ^ "STAR gears up for life sans KBC". The Hindustan Times. 20 February 2006. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yukta Mookhey.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss World
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Miss World Asia & Oceania
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Annie Thomas
 Femina Miss India World
1999 		Succeeded by
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