Pinto had a middle class upbringing in the suburb of Malad . She first wanted to be an actress when she was five years old , often dressing up and imitating television actors during her childhood . She later recalled being inspired by Sushmita Sen 's victory in the 1994 Miss Universe competition , explaining that " the country was really proud of her , and I was like , one day , I want to do the same " . Pinto attended the Carmel of St. Joseph School in Malad , and then studied at St. Xavier 's College , Mumbai . Her major was in English literature , with minors in psychology and economics . At college , she participated in amateur theatre , but declined acting and modeling assignments until her graduation in 2005
1994 Miss Universe competition
Miss Universe 1994
Freida Pinto