Barkha Madan, born in Punjab in 1970, began her career as a model and gained recognition in the 1994 Miss India pageant, where she won the Miss Tourism India title. She made her Bollywood debut in 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi' (1996) alongside Akshay Kumar, and later starred in notable films like 'Bhoot' directed by Ram Gopal Varma. Despite her success, Barkha felt a calling towards spirituality, influenced by the teachings of the Dalai Lama. In 2012, she made the significant decision to leave the film industry and became a Buddhist nun, adopting the name Gyalten Samten. Now living in mountain monasteries, she dedicates her life to spiritual practice and shares her journey on Instagram, emphasizing compassion and the importance of bodhicitta.