Barkha Madan is an Indian Buddhist nun also known as Gyalaten Samten. She is an Indian former model, actress and film producer who worked in Hindi and Punjabi cinema. She dedicated her life to following Buddhist ideologies in 2012 and became an Indian Tibetan Buddhist.
After this she changed her name to Ven. Gyalaten Samten. She has acted in many Bollywood films like Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1999), Bhoot (2003), Soch Lo (2010) and Surkhaab (2012). She is also a popular face of television serials. She also won the title of Miss Tourism India.
Barkha Madan Bio/Wiki
Barkha Madan is also known as Ven. Gyalten Samten. She was born on 17 August 1970 in Punjab. She holds a Bachelor’s of Degree in English Literature (Hons). During her studies, she used to participate in school theatre & drama.
She participated in Femina Miss India in 1994 along with winner Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai. In the same year, She won the title of Miss Tourism India and she participated in Miss Tourism International held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and became the runner-up.
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Barkha Madan Personal Information
| Full Name | Barkha Madan |
| Other Name | Ven. Gyalten Samten |
| Profession | former Actress, Model and Now Indian Buddhist nun |
| Date of Birth | 17 August 1970 |
| Age | 55 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Punjab, India |
| Qualification | A Bachelor’s of Degree in English Literature (Honours) |
| Height | 5’8″ (172 cm) |
| weight | 65 lg (143 Ibs) |
| Figure Measurements (approx.) | 34-32-34 |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Food Habit | Vegetarian |
| Hobbies | Painting, Meditating, Reiki and Photography |
| Net Worth | $3 million (approximately) |
Career Info
| Film Debut | 1996 – Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi |
| TV Show Debut | 1999 – Suraag _ The Clue |
| Achievements | 1994 – Finallist in Miss India Beauty Pageant contest and Runner-up in Miss Tourism International |
Barkha Madan Family Timeline
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Parents | her father was in Indian army |
| Siblings | 1 Sister (Name not known) |
Barkha Madan Career
Barkha Madan started modelling after winning the title of Miss Tourism India and became a popular model. She started her acting career in 1996 with the Bollywood film Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi in which she worked with Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon and Rekha.
She then acted in the And-Dutch film Driving Miss Palmen. In 2003 she played the role of Manjeet Khosla in Ram Gopal Varma’s horror film Bhoot. The film proved to be a box office hit and her performance was praised. She then started a production company called Golden Gate Lab for filmmakers.
She then appeared in the lead role in Soch Lo in 2010 and Surkhaab in 2012. Apart from this He is also a well-known face of the TV industry. she has appeared in many television shows like 1857 Kranti (2002), Saat Phere _ Saloni Ka Safar (2005) and Ghar Ek Sapnaa (2007).
Barkha Madan Spiritual life
She decided to become a Buddhist nun in November 2012. She has dedicated her life to the pursuit of Buddhist ideologies and became a non-Himalayan Indian Tibetan Buddhist. On 4 November 2012, she became a Buddhist nun at Hardong Khangtsen, Sera Jey Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka under the supervision of Lama Zope Ringpoche and changed her name to Ven. Gyalten Samten. She described this decision as the most important and correct decision of her life.
Barkha Madan Movies
| Year | Movie | Role |
| 2012 | Surkhaab | Jeet |
| 2010 | Soch Lo | Pali S. Chouhan |
| 2003 | Bhoot | Manjeet Khosla |
| 2003 | Samay: When Time Strikes | Anjali |
| 1999 | Tera Mera Pyar | Preet R. Singh |
| 1999 | Driving Miss Palmen | Tracey Emin |
| 1999 | Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi | Jane |
Barkha Madan Notable TV Shows
| Year | Show | Role |
| 2007 | Ghar Ek Sapnaa | Devika |
| 2005 | Saat Phere _ Saloni Ka Safar | Reva Sehgal |
| 2002 | 1857 Kranti | Rani Laxmibai |
| 2001 | Nyaay | —— |
| 1999 | Suraag _ The Clue | (ep. 24, 36, 42, 51) |
Barkha Madan Social Media Account
| @barkhamadan17 | |
| Wikipedia | Barkha Madan |
