Susmita Sen charms fans in Belgrave

Bollywood glamour came to Belgrave when one of India's biggest film stars met hundreds of adoring fans.

Actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen arrived at the Belgrave Community Centre in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce led by a police escort.

The Bollywood superstar was greeted by about 500 adoring fans as she and Leicester East MP Keith Vaz visited the community to promote health issues.

Mr Vaz had invited the actress to the city to support the Silver Star charity, which tests people of all ages for signs of diabetes.

The occasion also marked Mr Vaz's 25 years as MP for Leicester East.

Ms Sen said: "This has got to be one of the most heartwarming, overwhelming welcomes I've had.

"I've been in London for the past three days, but it's only when I came to Leicester that I really felt at home."

Police and security cordoned off Rothley Street before the pair addressed the cheering crowd.

Maryam Karim, 20, had gone with her family and shook Sushmita's hand as the star made her way through the crowd.

She said: "She was so friendly, I think I like her even more now.

"Also, she's even more pretty in real life, I can't believe I shook her hand."

Naheed Aboobaker, 28, also from Belgrave, went to the community centre with her six-year-old son, Adam.

She said: "I never imagined that she would come to somewhere like Leicester. I've seen lots of her films but Main Hoon Na is my favourite."

Shazmin Karim, 19, said: "I love her. She's not just an actress, she's done a lot for charity too – I really like that."

Ms Sen and Mr Vaz, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2004, were also tested for the disease at one of the mobile units stationed at the community centre.

Mr Vaz said: "She's in perfect health, she got a five on the test. Unfortunately, I got a 9.2 – but don't worry I'll live until the next election."

The film star's entourage was led by drummers Amrit Singh, 28, and Bupps Singh, 15, from X-treme Sounds, based in Evington. Amrit said: "It's great to see her in real life and it's a really good event for the community – it's not every day a superstar comes to Leicester."

Youngsters from Mellor Community Primary School got an exclusive invitation to meet the actress.

Headteacher Karen Hammond said: "They've all been very excited, in fact it's not just them, most of the staff have been excitable too."

Ms Sen also invited members of the public to the Silver Star Fun Run, which takes place on July 25, before releasing balloons into the air to signify the 25,000 people the charity has helped so far.

Speaking about her personal connection to diabetes, Ms Sen said: "My grandmother died because of diabetes, so it's close to my heart.

"It's not a disease which happens to other people, it happens to everyone."

The charity is aiming to raise enough cash for two mobile testing clinics – one for Ms Sen's home city of Mumbai and one for the East Midlands.