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Dalit Actresses(A-L)


Anarkali Marikar
(Wikipedia)


Anarkali Marikar
Born 8 February 1997
Kochi, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016 – present
Parent(s)

Nias Marikar
Lali P. M.

Anarkali Marikar (born 8 February 1997) is an Indian film actress who appears predominantly in Malayalam films. She made her debut in 2016 in the film Aanandam.

Early life

Anarkali was born to Nias Marikar and Lali P. M. Her father is a photographer and mother is an actress. She has an elder sister named Lakshmi Marikar, who was a former child actor in the Malayalam film No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North. Anarkali completed her degree in Mass communication from Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram. She was offered the role in her debut film Aanandam through its cinematographer Anend C. Chandran, a friend to her sister.

Career

Anarkali made her film debut in 2016 with the teenage romantic-comedy Aanandam, in a supporting role. Her second film Vimaanam (2017) featured Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, and was directed by debutante Pradeep Nair. After that, she was cast in a leading role in Amala, directed by debutante Nishad Ebrahim.

In 2018, she played Devika opposite Asif Ali in Mandharam.[7][8] In 2019, she appeared in debutante director Manu Ashokan's Uyare, along with Parvathy Thiruvothu, Tovino Thomas and Asif Ali. Manu, who had previously worked with Anarkali in Vimaanam as an associate director, cast her in the movie seeing her performance. Her role as Sariya D'Costa, a friend of protagonist Pallavi (Parvathy), was critically acclaimed. She has also done a guest role in Marconi Mathai directed by debutante Sanil Kalathil. Starring Jayaram and Vijay Sethupathi.

Anandhi (actress)
(Wikipedia)

Anandhi in 2016
Born
Rakshita
Other names: Hasika
20 July 1993
Other names Hasika
Occupation Actress
Years active 2012–present
Spouse
Socrates
​(m. 2021)​
Children 1

Anandhi (born Rakshita; 9 December) is an Indian actress who primarily appears in Tamil and Telugu films. After her debut in the Telugu film Bus Stop (2012), she appeared in Vetrimaaran's Tamil production Poriyaalan (2014) and Prabhu Solomon's Kayal (2014). She won Special Prize for Kayal at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

Early life

Anandhi was born on 9 December[3][non-primary source needed] in a Telugu family in Warangal, Telangana.

Career

Anandhi made her debut with Maruthi's coming-of-age film Bus Stop (2012). Critics responded positively. Her next film, Priyathama Neevachata Kushalama, opened in March 2013 to negative reviews, though a critic claimed that "the saving grace for the film is performance of the lead pair - Varun Sandesh and Hasika", adding that Hasika "looks traditional and has put up a decent show as well."

Anandhi was next seen in Vijay Maddala's next directorial venture Green Signal, where she appeared alongside newcomer Revanth, though the film garnered negative reviews. In early 2013, she had also signed on to appear in the Tamil film, Poriyaalan alongside Harish Kalyan, written by Manimaran. During production, the scope of the film became larger after it was announced that director Vetrimaaran had chosen to invest in the venture as a co-producer.

Anandhi appeared in Prabhu Solomon's directorial venture Kayal, in which she plays the title role. The director decided to rechristen her as Anandhi from Rakshita for the film, and she was selected after auditioning twice before impressing Solomon. Her performance received praise. She was nominated for several Best Debut Actress awards for 2014, including at the Vijay Awards.

In 2015, Anandhi's first release was in A. Sarkunam's Chandi Veeran produced by Bala, in which she portrayed the romantic interest of Atharvaa's character. Anandhi then worked on the adult comedy flick Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) starring alongside G. V. Prakash Kumar. Post-release, Anandhi revealed her displeasure at working with the director and revealed that she was led to believe that the film would be a "cute love story" and not an "adult comedy". Anandhi nonetheless helped to promote the release of the film's Telugu version In 2016, she played a small role in Visaranai,[19] followed by two films with G. V. Prakash Kumar in Enakku Innoru Per Irukku and Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru. In 2017, her films were Rubaai, Pandigai and En Aaloda Seruppa Kaanom. In 2018, she appeared in Mari Selvaraj's debut film Pariyerum Perumal, one of the best Tamil films made on caste discrimination and the pain of the oppressed people. The film was released to positive reviews, while the cast's performance was critically acclaimed. Her next project was Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu (2019). Anandhi's character in the film was similar to that she played in Pariyerum Perumal.

Anandhi appeared in the web series Live Telecast directed by Venkat Prabhu and starring Kajal Aggarwal and Vaibhav Reddy.

Personal life

Anandhi married Socrates on 7 January 2021 in Warangal, Telangana. He is a marine engineer turned assistant director, philosopher, and brother-in-law of Moodar Koodam–fame director Naveen, notable for working in Alaudhinin Arputha Camera and Agni Siragugal.

Aindrita Ray
(Wikipedia)
Aindrita Ray
Ray during the promotion of Kannada movie Manasaare
Born
Aindrita Ray
3 March 1985 

Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation
Model
film actress
Years active 2008–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2018)​

Aindrita Ray (born 3 March 1985) is an Indian actress, primarily appearing in Kannada films. She made her acting debut in 2007, starring in Meravanige and went on to appear in several commercially successful films, establishing herself as a leading contemporary actress of Kannada cinema. She is perhaps well known for her critically acclaimed performance as Devika, a mentally challenged girl, in Manasaare.

Early life and background

Aindrita Ray was born as the youngest daughter into a Bengali family in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where she spent her childhood, before moving to Mumbai. With her father, A. K. Ray, being a prosthodontist in the Indian Air Force, she along with her family moved from one place to another, finally settling in Bangalore.

Ray studied at Baldwin Girls High School, Bangalore. Later, she joined B. R. Ambedkar Dental College, Bangalore to pursue a bachelor's degree in dental science. While studying, she did part-time modelling, appearing in television advertisements, which paved way for her entry into the film industry. She started acting in Kannada movies, and once in a while appearing in Amateur/Short films.

Acting career
Debut and breakthrough (2008)

Aindrita Ray trained under fashion choreographer M. S. Sreedhar. She was also seen in a song in the 2006 Kannada movie Jackpot, starring Harsha and Dhyaan. Aindrita Ray began her acting career in the 2008 film Meravanige, playing Nandini, the love interest of the lead actor played by Prajwal Devaraj. The film received a moderate success at the box office, with Rediff.com lauding her performance and her dancing capabilities. Later, in the same year, she made a cameo appearance in Mast Majaa Madi, which had an ensemble cast.

Initial success and accolades (2009–10)

In 2009, Ray appeared in Vaayuputra, an action movie, alongside the debutant Chiranjeevi Sarja. This was followed by a brief appearance in the successful film, Love Guru, directed by Prashant Raj. However, she got her biggest break in the film Junglee and then Turning point movie was Manasaare for her critically acclaimed role of a mentally challenged girl. She received many awards and accolades for her role, which included Suvarna Award for Best Actress and a nomination for Filmfare Awards. This was followed by director Suri's Junglee, which found a moderate success.

In 2010, she starred in five films. Veera Parampare was the only successful movie among Nooru Janmaku, Nannavanu, Januma Janumadallu and a Bollywood parallel cinema, A Flat. She was nominated by Filmfare for the Best Actress category for Veera Parampare.

Recent works

After a series of flops, Ray was cast in the supporting role in the Puneeth Rajkumar starrer Paramathma. She was widely acclaimed by the critics for her obsessive character role. She was also noticed by the critics in Dhool. The other films, Manasina Maathu and Kaanchana, however were failures.

In 2012, she starred in Parijatha, opposite Diganth, which found moderate success. Her other films include Tony, with Srinagar Kitty in the lead and Rajani Kantha, with Duniya Vijay.

In 2014, she made her Bengali film debut with Bachchan, opposite Jeet and directed by Raja Chanda, which incidentally was a remake of the Kannada movie Vishnuvardhana.

In 2017, Ray appeared in Raja Chanda's Bengali film Amar Aponjon, alongside Soham Chakraborty, Priyanka Sarkar and Subhashree Ganguly.

In 2021, she is appearing in Hardik Gajjar's Hindi feature film Bhavai opposite Pratik Gandhi, releasing in theatres on 1 October.

Personal life

Aindrita married actor Diganth Manchale on 12 December 2018, after 10 years of courtship.

Anushree (Kannada actress)
(Wikipedia)Anushree
Anushree (2019)
Born :  25 January 1988
Years active 2006–present

Anushree Born 25 January 1988, is an Indian television presenter and actress who appears in Kannada films. She started her career as a television host in Kannada television and went on to become an actress, mostly appearing in Kannada language films. She won Karnataka State Film Awards for Murali Meets Meera.

Early life

Anushree was born into Tulu-speaking family of Sampath and Shashikala in Surathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. She has a younger brother, Abhijeeth. Her parents separated when she was young with her father leaving "never to return or even stay in touch." She completed her schooling in St. Thomas Bangalore till Class V, before shifting to Narayana Guru School in Mangalore. She returned to Bangalore once she completed her pre-university education, when she began getting offers to host television shows

Career

Anushree started her career in television as an anchor in a phone-in music show named Tele Anthyakshari on Namma TV a television channel based in Mangalore. She went on to become an anchor on ETV Kannada's television show Demandappo Demandu, which gained her popularity. She also participated in the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 1. She completed 80 days in the Bigg boss home. Also hosted several stage shows such as Suvarna Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, TV9 Film Awards, Zee Music Awards, SIIMA Awards, Celebrity Cricket League and went on to feature in prominent shows like, Comedy Khiladigalu and Twenty-Twenty Comedy Cup, Kuniyona Baara and others.

She made her entry to filmdom with Benkipatna which won her the NAK Media Achievement Award for Best Debut Actress. She won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist for the film Murali Meets Meera in 2011. Anushree has played a lead role in the film Uppu Huli Khaara which was directed by Imran Sardhariya.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotesRef.2011 Bhumitayi Gouri Baraguru Ramachandrappa
2011 Murali Meets Meera Mahesh Rao Voice Dubbing
2012 Belli Kirana Ananya K. Shivarudraiah
2014 Tubelight Sandhya Venugopal
2015 Benkipatna Pavani T. K. Dayanand
2015 Ring Master Madhu Vishruth Naik
2015 Uttama Villain Ramesh Aravind Special appearance 
2016 Madha Mathu Manasi Item Dancer Sathish Pradhan Special appearance 

Awards

2015: Zee Kutumba Awards Popular Anchor
2015: NAK Media Achievement Award - Best debut actress : Benkipatna
2016: Zee Kutumba Awards 2016 - Best Anchor
2017: Zee Kutumba Awards 2017 - Popular Anchor
2018: Kempegowda Prashasti
2018: Zee Kutumba Awards 2018 - Favourite Anchor
2019: Zee Kutumba Awards 2019 - Favourite Anchor
2020:Zee Kutumba Awards 2020 - Favorite Anchor

Anu Emmanuel
(Wikipedia)
Anu Emmanuel
Anu at Agnyaathavaasi (2018) audio launch
Born 28 March 1996
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016 – present

Anu Emmanuel (pronounced [/Anu/ ɪˈmænjəwəl] (listen); born 28 March 1996) is an American actress of Indian origin who appears in Telugu films alongside few Tamil and Malayalam films.

She debuted as a heroine in the 2016 Malayalam film Action Hero Biju. She made her Telugu debut with Majnu (2016), and went on to act in other Telugu films, like Kittu Unnadu Jagratha (2017), Oxygen, and Agnyaathavaasi (2018). Emmanuel has also worked in Tamil films, making her debut with the suspense thriller Thupparivaalan (2017).

Early life

Anu Emmanuel was born on 28 March 1996 to a Malayali Christian Catholic family in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She is the daughter of Thankachan Emmanuel, a noted Malayalam film producer. Her family is settled in Dallas, Texas. She lived throughout in the US and later moved to India to pursue acting. Malayali actress Reba Monica John is her cousin.

Career

Emmanuel made her acting debut as lead in Nivin Pauly starrer Action Hero Biju, directed by Abrid Shine. She made her Telugu debut with Majnu opposite to Nani. The film went on become a hit at box-office. During that time she was announced as the female lead in Oxygen, alongside actor Gopichand in the lead. In 2017, She made her Tamil debut with Thupparivaalan alongside Vishal.

In 2018, She paired opposite to Pawan Kalyan in Agnyaathavaasi. She played lead role in Shailaja Reddy Alludu along with Naga Chaitanya and Ramya Krishna. She made a cameo appearance in Geetha Govindam. She appeared in her second Tamil film Namma Veetu Pillai opposite to Sivakarthikeyan which became successful at the box-office.

Anju (actress)
(Wikipedia)

Anju
Other names Baby Anju
Occupation Actress
Years active 1979-present
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1995; div. 1996)​
Children Arjun Prabhakar (b. 1996)

Anju, born 23 March 1971 is an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalams and Tamil films. She hails from Tamil Nadu and is now acting in Tele films and soap operas. She debuted at the age of two with the Tamil movie Uthiripookkal in 1979. She had acted in a Kannada and Telugu movies as well. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 1988 for the movie Rukmini.

Personal life

She was married to Kannada actor Tiger Prabhakar in 1995 and got divorce in 1996. They have a son Arjun born in 1996.

Awards



Anusha (actress)
Wikipedia


Anusha
Born : 4 March 1978 
Chennai
Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actor
Years active 1992-2005
Spouse(s) Saravanan
(m.2006-present)
Relatives K. R. Savithri (mother)
Ragasudha (sister)
K. R. Vijaya (aunt)

Anusha is an Indian actress. She started her film career at the early age of 13 and was one of the prominent lead actress in Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada movies during 1990s and 2000s. She has also acted in Telugu serials later in her career. She is the daughter of Tamil actress K. R. Savithri. Actress K. R. Vijaya is her aunt. She lives in Chennai with her family. She was a former basketball player at State levels and was a tall actress. Anusha married Saravanan in June, 2007.

Anikha
Anikha Surendran
Born
7 February 2004, Manjeri, Kerala, India
Education
Nazareth School Manjeri, Malappuram
Devagiri CMI Public School, Calicut
Occupation Child actress
Years active 2010 – present

Anikha Surendran, also known as Baby Anikha, is an Indian actress known for her work in the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. She made her official acting debut in the Malayalam film Kadha Thudarunnu (2010) and also appeared in the Tamil movies including Yennai Arindhaal (2015) and Viswasam (2019). She has also acted in the web series Queen (2019), produced by MX Player. She received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist in 2013 for the role of Sethulakshmi in 5 Sundarikal (2013). 

Personal life

Anikha was born in Manjeri, Kerala, and lives in Calicut.

Career

Anikha's debut as a child artist was in the film Kadha Thudarunnu in 2010. Subsequently, she has appeared in Tamil films like Yennai Arindhaal, Viswasam, and the web series Queen. In her first film Chotta Mumbai(2007) she had an uncredited role which appears just for some seconds in climax.

Amy Jackson
(Wikipedia)
Amy Jackson
Jackson in 2018
Born
Amy Louise Jackson
31 January 1992 
Citizenship British
Occupation
Actress
model
Years active 2010–present
Partner(s) George Panayatiou (2015–present)
Children 1

Amy Louise Jackson (born 31 January 1992) is a British actress and model known for her work in Indian films, predominantly in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu languages. A former Miss Teen World, Jackson has appeared in over fifteen films. She made her US debut in 2017 with Warner Brothers production of DC Comics Supergirl as Imra Ardeen/ Saturn Girl. Jackson's most notable roles include her debut into the industry as Amy Wilkinson in Madrasapattinam (2010), Sarah in action film Singh Is Bliing (2015), and Nila in India's most expensive film 2.0 (2018).

She has won an Ananda Vikatan Cinema Award, a SIIMA Award, and a London Asian Film Festival award. She was featured in The Times of India's "Most Desirable Women of 2014" as well as the "Most Promising Female Newcomers of 2012" list.

In 2009, Jackson won the Miss Teen World title in America. At the age of 15, she began her modeling career in the UK and has since worked with designers such as Hugo Boss, Carolina Herrera, JW Anderson, Bvlgari, and Cartier. In a twist of fate, Jackson was called to London to audition for the lead role in the Tamil-language period-drama Madrasapattinam (2010) directed by A. L. Vijay. Despite having had no previous acting experience, Jackson landed the role and thus began her career in India.

Jackson is a patron for charities such as "The Sneha Sargar Orphanage for girls". In 2018, she was honoured with the United Nations' International Day of The Girl Child award in London. Jackson is a proclaimed vegan animal rights advocate and has been an ambassador for PETA since 2016 as well as supporting The Elephant Family with their mission to aid human-animal conflict primarily in Asia.

Early life

Amy Louise Jackson was born on 31 January 1992 in Douglas on the Isle of Man, the daughter of Marguerita and Alan Jackson, who divorced several years after Amy Jackson was born. She has an elder sister, Alicia, who is a school teacher. When she was two years old, the family returned to Liverpool and lived with Jackson's grandmother in Woolton so that her father could continue his career with BBC Radio Merseyside. Jackson attended St Edward's College from the age of 3 - 16. She had the intention of taking her A Levels in English literature, philosophy and ethics before she was cast in her first film.

Career
Modelling

After winning the Miss Teen Liverpool and Miss Teen Great Britain pageants, Jackson won the title of Miss Teen World in 2009, which resulted in a modelling contract in the US.[citation needed] In 2009, Jackson started her modelling career with the Northern-based modelling agency, Boss Model Management, and then went on to sign with her London agency, Models 1. She won Miss Liverpool in 2010. She competed for the Miss England title in 2010 and was crowned the runner-up to Jessica Linley.

2010–2012: Breakthrough in Indian films

In 2010, Indian film producers spotted Jackson's photo on the Miss Teen World website and invited her to audition for the Tamil period-drama film Madrasapattinam (2010). Despite having had no previous acting experience, she was cast as the female lead opposite Arya. The film, set against the backdrop of 1947 India, tells the story of a British Governor's daughter who falls in love with a village boy. Jackson admitted that it was very difficult to learn the Tamil dialogues. The film was released on 9 July 2010; it was praised by critics and performed well at the box office, with Jackson gaining praise for her performance. Sify wrote, "It is an out and out Amy Jackson show. She is simply amazing to deliver lines in Tamil, and is one good reason to see the film". Behindwoods wrote, "The one who walks away with the top honours is Amy Jackson for a beautiful portrayal of a lady torn between her love and the mighty empire. She looks absolutely beautiful, emotes well through her expressive eyes and is able to earn the sympathy of the audiences during tough times". Rediff wrote, "Amy Jackson is almost perfect as the wide-eyed young girl who is seeing India for the first time, fascinated by its culture". She received a nomination for the Vijay Award for Best Debut Actress for her role in the film.

In 2011, she was signed by Gautham Vasudev Menon to play the female lead opposite Prateik Babbar in Ekk Deewana Tha (2012), the Hindi remake of the 2010 hit romantic drama film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. She essayed the role played by Trisha in the original, of Jessie Thekekuttu, a Malayali Nasrani Christian who falls in love with a Hindu boy, but is prevented from pursuing the romance by her father. The film was released in February 2012. Jackson received praise for her performance and for her chemistry with Babbar, with BehindWoods stating that "she has done wonders," and the Times of India saying that "she never disappoints."

In September 2012, Jackson made her return to Tamil cinema with a supporting role in Thaandavam (2012), starring opposite Vikram and Anushka Shetty. She was signed for the film in 2011 and shooting took place in India and London, enabling Jackson to return to see her family and friends. It was her second collaboration with director A. L. Vijay after Madrasapattinam (2010). She played the role of Sarah Vinayagam, a British-born Anglo-Indian girl who wins the Miss London title. She reportedly dubbed her own dialogues in Tamil. She received her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil at the 60th Filmfare Awards South ceremony.
2014–present

Jackson made her debut in Telugu cinema with the Vamsi Paidipally's Yevadu (2014) alongside Ram Charan and Shruti Haasan, playing the role of Shruti. Jackson next starred as supermodel Diya in Shankar's romantic thriller film, whose title is simply I (2015), the biggest project in her career. The making of the film, one of the most costly Indian films to date, took over two-and-a-half years, with a major part of the film being shot in China. The film was released on 14 January 2015 and received a mixed critical response, although Jackson's performance received favorable reviews. Deccan Chronicle wrote that she was "simply superb. She is another highlight of the film and has given a mature performance", while Sify noted that she was "the biggest surprise packet in the film" and "perfect eye candy". Consequently, she was ranked #1 in The Times of India, Chennai Edition list of the most desirable women in 2014. After I (2015), Jackson signed on to Prabhu Deva's Singh Is Bliing (2015), opposite Akshay Kumar. She had signed on to be part of Venkat Prabhu's supernatural thriller Masss (2015), but opted out of it later when the script and her character were changed. Instead, she signed on to Velraj's Thanga Magan (2015) alongside Dhanush and Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Soon after, Jackson starred in Thirukumaran's Gethu (2016), portraying an Anglo-Indian girl, for which she won positive reviews, . She has been shooting for a "gritty BBC drama series", on which she declined to further elaborate. She then portrayed the lead female role in Atlee's Theri (2016), featured alongside Vijay while portraying a Malayali teacher. Her performance received positive reviews and her role as a teacher was well appreciated. Upon release, the film went on to become one of the most profitable Tamil films of all time.

On 25 September 2017, it was announced that Jackson had been cast in her first Hollywood role as Imra Ardeen, aka Saturn Girl, in The CW's superhero drama series Supergirl (2017). The character made her first appearance in the third season. The series, based on DC characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros Television.

Jackson has played Sita in Prem's Kannada film The Villain (2018) alongside Shiva Rajkumar and Sudeep. She starred as the andro-humanoid robot Nila in Shankar's film 2.0 (2018) alongside Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar.

Jackson with the children of Mumbai's Sneha Sagar Orphanage in March 2016

Personal life

Jackson lived in India from 2012 to 2015 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, before later moving back to England, currently living in London. Jackson revealed that she was dating hotelier George Panayiotou, the son of English-Cypriot businessman Andreas Panayiotou since December 2015. On 1 January 2019, Panayiotou proposed in Zambia. Their son, Andreas, was born on 19 September 2019.

Jackson is a regular attendee at BAFTA, Cannes Film Festival, British Fashion Awards and International Fashion Weeks. In 2017 she was chosen as the muse for L'Agence at The Green Carpet Fashion Awards during Milan Fashion Week. She has been featured in editorials for fashion magazines like Vogue, Marie Clare, Cosmopolitan, ELLE.

Jackson is an ambassador and spokesperson for charities such as Being Human, Cash and Rocket St. Jude's Hospital in Mumbai and the Girl Child education program in India. In 2014, she posed with her rescue cat in a PETA campaign promoting the adoption of animals from shelters.

Aishwarya Rajesh
(Wikipedia)
Aishwarya Rajesh


Aishwarya in 2014
Born 10 January 1990 
Madras (present-day Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India

Occupation
Actress
TV anchor
Years active 1996; 2010–present
Relatives Sri Lakshmi (aunt)

Aishwarya Rajesh (born 10 January 1990) is an Indian actress who works primarily in Tamil films, alongside Telugu and Malayalam films. She is a recipient of four SIIMA Awards, one Filmfare Award South and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award.

Aishwarya started her career as television presenter in a comedy show called Asatha Povathu Yaaru? on Sun TV. After winning the reality show Maanada Mayilada, she was cast in the film Avargalum Ivargalum (2011) and came into prominence after starring in Attakathi (2012) portraying the role of Amudha. She has received Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for the 2014 film Kaaka Muttai at Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. She acted in her two career breakthrough roles as Padma in Vetrimaran's Vada Chennai (2018) opposite to Dhanush and as Kousalya Murugesan, a female cricketer in her solo film Kanaa (2018).

Her first Malayalam film was Jomonte Suvisheshangal (2017) opposite Dulquer Salmaan. She made her Hindi film debut in 2017 with Daddy opposite to Arjun Rampal. She made her Telugu film debut with Kousalya Krishnamurthy (2019), which was a remake of her 2018 movie, Kanaa.

Early life

Aishwarya Rajesh was born on 10 January 1990 in a Telugu family in Chennai (then Madras). Her father Rajesh was a Telugu film actor. He died when Aishwarya was 8 years old.Her mother Nagamani was a dancer. Her grandfather Amarnath was also an actor, while her aunt Sri Lakshmi, is a Telugu comedian with over 500 films to her credit. She is the youngest of four siblings, of whom two elder brothers died during her teenage years.

She did her schooling in Shrine Vailankanni, Chennai, Sree Vidyanikethan International School, Tirupati, and Holy Angels Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Chennai. In 1996, she performed as a child in the Telugu film Rambantu.

She studied at Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai and graduated with a B.Com degree. She started to learn dance since she needed to choreograph a stage show for a student cultural fest and later entered the reality show Maanada Mayilada on Kalaignar TV. She won the show's third season and got offered roles in films thereafter.

Career
2010–2015

In the early stages of her career, Aishwarya also worked as an anchor on the sets of the TV show Asathapovathu Yaaru. In 2010, she was cast in her first film Avargalum Ivargalum (2011) although Neethana Avan (2010) released first. In 2014, she was seen alongside Vijay Sethupathi in two films, Rummy, and Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, released within two weeks. While the first film was a village drama set in the 1980s, the latter was based on a short film of the same name, and revolved around an old man and his vintage car Premier Padmini. Critics praised her performances, especially in Rummy. Hindustan Times wrote that she was "extremely promising" while film critic Baradwaj Rangan noted that she was "expressive", calling her "a tonic for nerves frayed by the alabaster automatons we usually get as heroines". Later that year, she appeared in a song sequence in R. Parthiepan's Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam and as the female lead in Thirudan Police. In April 2014, she began filming for Seenu Ramasamy's Idam Porul Yaeval, but the film remains unreleased as of May 2020.

Her first release in 2015 was Kaaka Muttai. Her portrayal of a slum dweller and mother of two children was lauded by critics. Baradwaj Rangan wrote, "it features stunning performances from everyone...especially Aishwarya Rajesh, who plays the kids' mother with a world-weariness that belies her years". Other reviewers stated that she was "excellent" played her role "with extraordinary ease" and that she "leaves you awe-struck". That year, she also made her the stage debut, playing Cinderella from the same-titled fairytale that was adapted as a "musical dance drama".

2016–present

Aishwarya had the most releases for a Tamil actress in 2016 with 8 films out of which Aarathu Sinam, Hello Naan Pei Pesuren, Manithan and Dharma Durai were commercially successful. She was critically appreciated for her performance in the films Dharma Durai and Kuttrame Thandanai, where she collaborated with Kaaka Muttai director Manikandan. She became the number one choice for acting in performance oriented roles in the industry. In 2017, Aishwarya made her entry in Malayalam films acting in two commercially and critically successful films Jomonte Suvisheshangal and Sakhhavu. Based on her performance in Kaaka Muttai, Arjun Rampal selected Aishwarya in the challenging role of Zubeida for the film Daddy. With this, Aishwarya made her debut in Hindi and was recognized for her performance in her first Hindi film. In 2018, she completed shooting for Idhu Vedhalam Sollum Kathai. The film remained unreleased as of April 2020.

She starred in her solo film as a cricketer in Kanaa under Sivakarthikeyan's production. She reprised her role in the Telugu remake Kousalya Krishnamurthy, which marked her lead Telugu debut. She starred in sister roles in Namma Veettu Pillai and Vaanam Kottatum. She played a village belle in World Famous Lover. She played a woman who lost her husband in Dubai in Ka Pae Ranasingam. Regarding her performance, a critic noted that "Aishwarya Rajesh is a revelation. She displays hopelessness, powerlessness, vulnerability, grit and determination with ease and impressive conviction".

As of 2020, she is a part of Gautham Menon's delayed project Dhruva Natchathiram. She was cast in the Mundhanai Mudichu remake. As of April 2021, she is filming for Driver Jamuna.

Archana Phadke


Archana Phadke is a cinematographer and editor, known for About Love (2019), Sagar Setu (2009) and Placebo (2014).

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) First-time filmmaker Archana Phadke says that her documentary "About Love", in which she captured the everyday moments of her family members, made her see her loved ones as individuals with their own dreams and ideas.

Archana Phadke Talks About Her Debut Movie ‘About Love’, Says ‘Wanted to Create a Memory Box’


First-time filmmaker Archana Phadke says that her documentary About Love, in which she captured the everyday moments of her family members, made her see her loved ones as individuals with their own dreams and ideas. The incredibly personal documentary, which currently streams on MUBI India, follows three generations of Phadke’s family who live and work together in their five-storey building in South Mumbai. After Succession Season 3 Finale, Fans Share Funny Memes on the HBO’s Hit Show (View Tweets).

“About Love” was a part of a specially curated list of seven movies that were specially picked up by filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane for the streaming service. Phadke, who earlier worked as an editor for National Award-winning documentary “Placebo” (2014) and cinematographer for “Raghu Rai: An Unframed Portrait” (2017), said the process of her looking at her family as a group of people started when her mother had a breakdown and she filmed it. KBC 13: Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan to Appear on the Season Finale of Amitabh Bachchan’s Quiz Show.

“I was shooting this film for a long time and there’s always one moment that impacts you a lot. For me, that scene was when my mother had a breakdown and then she talked for ten minutes. While making the documentary, I knew that I had to film this moment. Because in that moment, my mother stopped being my mom, this role that I have assigned to her, and she became more than that. “I suddenly started seeing her as a person, as an individual. I started thinking about her dreams and aspirations. And the moment I started seeing my mother as a person, I also started seeing my whole family as people,” the 35-year-old told PTI in an interview.


For Phadke, it was the 2013 South Korean documentary “My Love, Don’t Cross That River” that pushed her to direct her first documentary feature film. “I believe that all films begin through some sort of inspiration. That’s what happened to me. I saw this documentary and it was about this nonagenarian couple who were so much in love despite being married for 75 years. “While watching that movie and even afterwards, I wondered if I have seen this kind of love in my family. So I set out to make this film, something that plays with the banal moments of everyday life and tries to understand whether it is love that actually ties families together. That was my intention when I started the film. I wanted to capture the nothingness of everyday life,” Phadke said.

The director hopes the documentary serves as a time capsule, bridging the gap between the past, present and future generations of her family. “When you’re making a personal film, you’re always caught between the role of a filmmaker and being a family person. So the family member side of me was always excited about making this film. I thought that ten years down the line, when I will watch this film, it will be a different experience. It also goes for other members of my family.”

Asked whether there were any apprehensions in her family about getting filmed, Phadke said her family understood her intentions and her passion for cinema. “A lot of time in documentaries, what happens is that you have to spend at least a month to get people to feel comfortable with the camera because otherwise the moment a person comes in front of the camera, they change. They become aware of how they are being perceived and might act.


“But I used to hang out in my house with a camera always and my family were aware of my passion.

They saw the camera as an extension of me. So when I started the documentary, I was lucky that I didn’t have to break that wall. So there was no apprehension, they were just being themselves in front of the camera.” There were moments when Phadke struggled to balance her role as a family member and as a filmmaker. The filmmaker, who has a biotechnology degree from Mumbai University’s Jai Hind College, said she filmed the situations that often left her feeling conflicted.

“When my grandfather passed away, I filmed those moments and it was quite difficult for me. When I was filming, I felt conflicted. I didn’t know whether what I was doing was right or not. But the filmmaker part of me suddenly stepped in and the idea was to film with dignity. “You cannot do it insensitively while filming a situation like this. So these kinds of moments were very difficult. Even during editing, I was in two minds about whether it should be there or not.”

Throughout the 90-minute-long documentary, Phadke trains her camera on several of her family members, including her house, the Phadke Building in South Mumbai, which also comes across as a character in the film. “I started shooting with my grandparents first and they can’t step out of the house as it doesn’t have an elevator. So this building is their whole world. Now, it’s all they have and all they know. “When it comes to my parents, the time they spend together is in this space. They also hardly took vacations or went out. So the building kind of lends itself as a character in the film. That’s why I decided to keep the story inside the house,” she said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, Sports Grind Entertainment Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Angelina Jolie
(Wikipedia)


Angelina Jolie

Jolie in 2014

Assumed office
April 17, 2012
High Commissioner
Preceded by Office established
Personal details
Born
Angelina Jolie Voight
June 4, 1975
Citizenship

United States
Cambodia
Spouse(s)
​​(m. 1996; div. 1999)​
​​(m. 2000; div. 2003)​
​​(m. 2014; div. 2019)​
Children 6
Parents
Jon Voight (father)
Relatives
James Haven (brother)
Barry Voight (uncle)
Chip Taylor (uncle)
Occupation
Actress
filmmaker
humanitarian
Awards Full list

Other names Angelina Jolie Pitt
Years active 1982–present

Angelina Jolie DCMG (/dʒoʊˈliː/; née Voight, formerly Jolie Pitt; born June 4, 1975) is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. The recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards, she has been named Hollywood's highest-paid actress multiple times.

Jolie made her screen debut as a child alongside her father, Jon Voight, in Lookin' to Get Out (1982), and her film career began in earnest a decade later with the low-budget production Cyborg 2 (1993), followed by her first leading role in a major film, Hackers (1995). She starred in the critically acclaimed biographical cable films George Wallace (1997) and Gia (1998), and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1999 drama Girl, Interrupted. Her starring role as the video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) established her as a leading Hollywood actress. She continued her action-star career with Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), Salt (2010), and The Tourist (2010), and received critical acclaim for her performances in the dramas A Mighty Heart (2007) and Changeling (2008), the latter of which earned her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her biggest commercial success came with the fantasy picture Maleficent (2014). She is also known for her voice role in animation film series Kung Fu Panda (2008–present). Jolie has also directed and written several war dramas, namely In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), and First They Killed My Father (2017).

In addition to her film career, Jolie is known for her humanitarian efforts, for which she has received a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and made an honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG), among other honors. She promotes various causes, including conservation, education, and women's rights, and is most noted for her advocacy on behalf of refugees as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Jolie has undertaken over a dozen field missions globally to refugee camps and war zones; her visited countries include Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan.

As a public figure, Jolie has been cited as one of the most powerful and influential people in the American entertainment industry. She has been cited as the world's most beautiful woman by various media outlets. Her personal life, including her relationships, marriages, and health, has been the subject of wide publicity. She is divorced from actors Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton and Brad Pitt. She has six children with Pitt, three of whom were adopted internationally.

Early life and family

Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. She is the sister of actor James Haven as well as the niece of singer-songwriter Chip Taylor and geologist and volcanologist Barry Voight. Her godparents are actors Jacqueline Bisset and Maximilian Schell. On her father's side, Jolie is of German and Slovak descent, while on her mother's side, she has primarily French Canadian, Dutch, and German ancestry. Jolie has noted that she is part Iroquois through a 17th-century Huron ancestor.

Jolie's father, actor Jon Voight, attending the 60th Academy Awards in 1988, where his children accompanied him

Following her parents' separation in 1976, she and her brother lived with their mother, who had abandoned her acting ambitions to focus on raising her children. Jolie's mother raised her as a Catholic but did not require her to go to church. As a child, she often watched films with her mother and it was this, rather than her father's successful career, that inspired her interest in acting, though she had a bit part in Voight's Lookin' to Get Out (1982) at age seven. When Jolie was six years old, Bertrand and her live-in partner, filmmaker Bill Day, moved the family to Palisades, New York; they returned to Los Angeles five years later. Jolie then decided she wanted to act and enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, where she trained for two years and appeared in several stage productions.

Jolie first attended Beverly Hills High School, where she felt isolated among the children of some of the area's affluent families because her mother survived on a more modest income. She was teased by other students, who targeted her for being extremely thin and for wearing glasses and braces. Her early attempts at modeling, at her mother's insistence, proved unsuccessful. She then transferred to Moreno High School, an alternative school, where she became a "punk outsider," wearing all-black clothing, going out moshing, and experimenting with knife play with her live-in boyfriend. She dropped out of her acting classes and aspired to become a funeral director, taking at-home courses to study embalming. At age 16, after the relationship had ended, Jolie graduated from high school and rented her own apartment before returning to theater studies, though in 2004 she referred to this period with the observation, "I am still at heart—and always will be—just a punk kid with tattoos."

As a teenager, Jolie found it difficult to emotionally connect with other people, and as a result she self-harmed, later commenting, "For some reason, the ritual of having cut myself and feeling the pain, maybe feeling alive, feeling some kind of release, it was somehow therapeutic to me. She also struggled with insomnia and an eating disorder and began experimenting with drugs; by age 20, she had used "just about every drug possible," particularly heroin. Jolie suffered episodes of depression and planned to commit suicide twice—at age 19 and again at 22, when she attempted to hire a hitman to kill her. When she was 24, she experienced a nervous breakdown and was admitted for 72 hours to UCLA Medical Center's psychiatric ward. Two years later, after adopting her first child, Jolie found stability in her life, later stating, "I knew once I committed to Maddox, I would never be self-destructive again."

Jolie has had a lifelong dysfunctional relationship with her father, which began when Voight left the family when his daughter was less than a year old. She has said that from then on their time together was sporadic and usually carried out in front of the press. They reconciled when they appeared together in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), but their relationship again deteriorated. Jolie petitioned the court to legally remove her surname, Voight, in favor of her middle name, which she had long used as a stage name; the name change was granted on September 12, 2002. Voight then went public with their estrangement during an appearance on Access Hollywood, in which he claimed Jolie had "serious mental problems." At that point, her mother and brother also broke off contact with him. They did not speak for six and a half years but began rebuilding their relationship in the wake of Bertrand's death from ovarian cancer on January 27, 2007 before going public with their reconciliation three years later.

Career
1991–1997: Early work

Jolie committed to acting professionally at the age of 16, but initially found it difficult to pass auditions, often being told that her demeanor was "too dark." She appeared in five of her brother's student films, made while he attended the USC School of Cinema-Television, as well as in several music videos, namely Lenny Kravitz's "Stand by My Woman" (1991), Antonello Venditti's "Alta Marea" (1991), The Lemonheads's "It's About Time" (1993), and Meat Loaf's "Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through" (1993). She began to learn from her father, as she noticed his method of observing people to become like them. Their relationship during this time was less strained, with Jolie realizing that they were both "drama queens."

Jolie began her professional film career in 1993, when she played her first leading role in the direct-to-video science-fiction sequel Cyborg 2, as a near-human robot designed for corporate espionage and assassination. She was so disappointed with the film that she did not audition again for a year. Following a supporting role in the independent film Without Evidence (1995), she starred in her first Hollywood picture, Hackers (1995). The New York Times critic Janet Maslin wrote that Angelina's character Kate "stands out. That's because she scowls even more sourly than [her co-stars] and is that rare female hacker who sits intently at her keyboard in a see-through top." Hackers failed to make a profit at the box office, but developed a cult following after its video release.

After starring in the modern-day Romeo and Juliet adaptation Love Is All There Is (1996), Jolie appeared in the road movie Mojave Moon (1996), of which The Hollywood Reporter said, "Jolie, an actress whom the camera truly adores, reveals a comic flair and the kind of blatant sexuality that makes it entirely credible that Danny Aiello's character would drop everything just for the chance of being with her." In Foxfire (1996) she played a drifter who unites four teenage girls against a teacher who has sexually harassed them. Jack Mathews of the Los Angeles Times wrote of her performance, "It took a lot of hogwash to develop this character, but Jolie, Jon Voight's knockout daughter, has the presence to overcome the stereotype. Though the story is narrated by Maddy, Legs is the subject and the catalyst."

In 1997, Jolie starred with David Duchovny in the thriller Playing God, set in the Los Angeles underworld. The film was not well received by critics; Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert wrote that Jolie "finds a certain warmth in a kind of role that is usually hard and aggressive; she seems too nice to be [a mobster's] girlfriend, and maybe she is." Her next work, as a frontierswoman in the CBS miniseries True Women (1997), was even less successful; writing for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Robert Strauss dismissed her as "horrid, a fourth-rate Scarlett O'Hara" who relies on "gnashed teeth and overly pouted lips." Jolie also starred in the music video for the Rolling Stones's "Anybody Seen My Baby?" as a stripper who leaves mid-performance to wander New York City.

Jolie's career prospects began to improve after she won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in TNT's George Wallace (1997), about the life of the segregationist Alabama Governor and presidential candidate George Wallace, played by Gary Sinise. Jolie portrayed Wallace's second wife, Cornelia, a performance Lee Winfrey of The Philadelphia Inquirer considered a highlight of the film. George Wallace was very well received by critics and won, among other awards, the Golden Globe Award for Best Miniseries or Television Film. Jolie also received a nomination for an Emmy Award for her performance.

1998–2000: Breakthrough

Jolie's first breakthrough came when she portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi in HBO's Gia (1998). The film chronicles the destruction of Carangi's life and career as a result of her addiction to heroin, and her decline and death from AIDS in the mid-1980s. Vanessa Vance of Reel.com retrospectively noted, "Jolie gained wide recognition for her role as the titular Gia, and it's easy to see why. Jolie is fierce in her portrayal—filling the part with nerve, charm, and desperation—and her role in this film is quite possibly the most beautiful train wreck ever filmed." For the second consecutive year, Jolie won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Emmy Award. She also won her first Screen Actors Guild Award.

In accordance with Lee Strasberg's method acting, Jolie preferred to stay in character in between scenes during many of her early films, and as a result had gained a reputation for being difficult to deal with. While shooting Gia, she told her husband, Jonny Lee Miller, that she would not be able to phone him: "I'd tell him: 'I'm alone; I'm dying; I'm gay; I'm not going to see you for weeks.'" After Gia wrapped, she briefly gave up acting, because she felt that she had "nothing else to give." She separated from Miller and moved to New York, where she took night classes at New York University to study directing and screenwriting. Encouraged by her Golden Globe Award win for George Wallace and the positive critical reception of Gia, Jolie resumed her career.

Following the previously filmed gangster film Hell's Kitchen (1998), Jolie returned to the screen in Playing by Heart (1998), part of an ensemble cast that included Sean Connery, Gillian Anderson, and Ryan Phillippe. The film received predominantly positive reviews, and Jolie was praised in particular; San Francisco Chronicle critic Peter Stack wrote, "Jolie, working through an overwritten part, is a sensation as the desperate club crawler learning truths about what she's willing to gamble." She won the Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review.

In 1999, Jolie starred in the comedy-drama Pushing Tin, alongside John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, and Cate Blanchett. The film met with mixed reception from critics, and Jolie's character—Thornton's seductive wife—was particularly criticized; writing for The Washington Post, Desson Howe dismissed her as "a completely ludicrous writer's creation of a free-spirited woman who weeps over hibiscus plants that die, wears lots of turquoise rings and gets real lonely when Russell spends entire nights away from home." Jolie then co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Bone Collector (1999), playing a police officer who reluctantly helps Washington's quadriplegic detective track down a serial killer. The film grossed $151.5 million worldwide, but was critically unsuccessful. Terry Lawson of the Detroit Free Press concluded, "Jolie, while always delicious to look at, is simply and woefully miscast."

"Jolie is emerging as one of the great wild spirits of current movies, a loose cannon who somehow has deadly aim."

—Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert on Jolie's performance in Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Jolie next took the supporting role of a sociopathic mental patient in Girl, Interrupted (1999), an adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's memoir of the same name. While Winona Ryder played the main character in what was hoped to be a comeback for her, the film instead marked Jolie's final breakthrough in Hollywood. She won her third Golden Globe Award, her second Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2000. For Variety, Emanuel Levy noted, "Jolie is excellent as the flamboyant, irresponsible girl who turns out to be far more instrumental than the doctors in Susanna's rehabilitation."

In 2000, Jolie appeared in her first summer blockbuster, Gone in 60 Seconds, which became her highest-grossing film to that point, earning $237.2 million internationally. She had a minor role as the mechanic ex-girlfriend of a car thief played by Nicolas Cage; The Washington Post writer Stephen Hunter criticized that "all she does in this movie is stand around, cooling down, modeling those fleshy, pulsating muscle-tubes that nest so provocatively around her teeth." Jolie later explained that the film had been a welcome relief after her emotionally demanding role in Girl, Interrupted.
2001–2004: Worldwide recognition

Although widely praised for her acting and performances, Jolie had rarely found films that appealed to a wide audience, but 2001's Lara Croft: Tomb Raider made her an international superstar. An adaptation of the popular Tomb Raider video games, the film required her to learn an English accent and undergo extensive martial arts training to play the archaeologist-adventurer Lara Croft. Although the film generated mostly negative reviews, Jolie was generally praised for her physical performance; Newsday's John Anderson commented, "Jolie makes the title character a virtual icon of female competence and coolth." The film was an international hit, earning $274.7 million worldwide, and launched her global reputation as a female action star.

Jolie next starred opposite Antonio Banderas as his mail-order bride in Original Sin (2001), the first of a string of films that were poorly received by critics and audiences alike. The New York Times critic Elvis Mitchell questioned Jolie's decision to follow her Oscar-winning performance with "soft-core nonsense." The romantic comedy Life or Something Like It (2002), though equally unsuccessful, marked an unusual choice for Jolie. Salon magazine's Allen Barra considered her ambitious newscaster character a rare attempt at playing a conventional women's role, noting that her performance "doesn't get off the ground until a scene where she goes punk and leads a group of striking bus workers in singing 'Satisfaction'". Despite her lack of box office success, Jolie remained in demand as an actress; in 2002, she established herself among Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, earning $10–$15 million per film for the next five years.

Jolie reprised her role as Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), which was not as lucrative as the original, earning $156.5 million at the international box office. She also starred in the music video for Korn's "Did My Time", which was used to promote the sequel. Her next film was Beyond Borders (2003), in which she portrayed a socialite who joins an aid worker played by Clive Owen. Though unsuccessful with audiences, the film stands as the first of several passion projects Jolie has made to bring attention to humanitarian causes. Beyond Borders was a critical failure; Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times acknowledged Jolie's ability to "bring electricity and believability to roles," but wrote that "the limbo of a hybrid character, a badly written cardboard person in a fly-infested, blood-and-guts world, completely defeats her."

The year 2004 saw the release of four films featuring Jolie. She first starred in the thriller Taking Lives as an FBI profiler summoned to help Montreal law enforcement hunt down a serial killer. The film received mixed reviews; The Hollywood Reporter critic Kirk Honeycutt concluded, "Jolie plays a role that definitely feels like something she has already done, but she does add an unmistakable dash of excitement and glamour." Jolie made a brief appearance as a fighter pilot in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, a science fiction adventure shot entirely with actors in front of a bluescreen, and voiced her first family film, the DreamWorks animation Shark Tale. Her supporting role as Queen Olympias in Oliver Stone's Alexander, about the life of Alexander the Great, was met with mixed reception, particularly concerning her Slavic accent. Commercially, the film failed in North America, which Stone attributed to disapproval of the depiction of Alexander's bisexuality, but it succeeded internationally, grossing $167.3 million.

2005–2010: Established actress

In 2005, Jolie returned to major box office success with the action-comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith, in which she starred opposite Brad Pitt as a bored married couple who find out that they are both secret assassins. The film received mixed reviews, but was generally lauded for the chemistry between the two leads; Star Tribune critic Colin Covert noted, "While the story feels haphazard, the movie gets by on gregarious charm, galloping energy and the stars' thermonuclear screen chemistry." With box office takings of $478.2 million worldwide, Mr. & Mrs. Smith was the seventh-highest grossing picture of the year and remained Jolie's highest-grossing live-action film for the next decade.

Following a supporting role as the neglected wife of a CIA officer in Robert De Niro's The Good Shepherd (2006), Jolie starred as Mariane Pearl in the documentary-style drama A Mighty Heart (2007). Based on Pearl's memoir of the same name, the film chronicles the kidnapping and murder of her husband, The Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, in Pakistan. Although the biracial Pearl had personally chosen Jolie for the role, the casting drew racial criticism and accusations of blackface The resulting performance was widely praised; Ray Bennett of The Hollywood Reporter described it as "well-measured and moving," played "with respect and a firm grasp on a difficult accent." She received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Jolie also played a shape-shifting seductress, Grendel's mother, in the epic Beowulf (2007), created through motion capture. The film was critically and commercially well received, earning $196.4 million worldwide.

By 2008, Jolie was considered the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, earning $15–$20 million per film. While other actresses had been forced to take salary cuts in recent years, Jolie's perceived box office appeal allowed her to command as much as $20 million plus a percentage. She starred alongside James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman in the action film Wanted (2008), which proved an international success, earning $341.4 million worldwide. The film received predominantly favorable reviews; writing for The New York Times, Manohla Dargis noted that Jolie was "perfectly cast as a super-scary, seemingly amoral assassin," adding that "she cuts the kind of disciplinarian figure who can bring boys of all ages to their knees or at least into their theater seats."
Jolie in character as Christine Collins on the set of Changeling in 2007

Jolie next took the lead role in Clint Eastwood's drama Changeling (2008). Based in part on the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, the film centers on Christine Collins, who is reunited with her kidnapped son in 1928 Los Angeles, only to realize the boy is an imposter. Chicago Tribune critic Michael Phillips noted, "Jolie really shines in the calm before the storm, the scenes when one patronizing male authority figure after another belittles her at their peril." She received nominations for a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA Award, and an Academy Award for Best Actress. Jolie also voiced the DreamWorks animation Kung Fu Panda (2008), the first work in a major family franchise, later reprising her voice role in the sequels Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016).

After her mother's death in 2007, Jolie appeared in fewer films, later explaining that her motivation to be an actress had stemmed from her mother's acting ambitions. Her first film in two years was the 2010 thriller Salt, in which she starred as a CIA agent who goes on the run after she is accused of being a KGB sleeper agent. Originally written as a male character with Tom Cruise attached to star, agent Salt underwent a gender change after a Columbia Pictures executive suggested Jolie for the role. With revenues of $293.5 million, Salt became an international success. The film received generally positive reviews, with Jolie's performance in particular earning praise; Empire magazine critic William Thomas remarked, "When it comes to selling incredible, crazy, death-defying antics, Jolie has few peers in the action business."

Jolie starred opposite Johnny Depp in the thriller The Tourist (2010). The film was a critical failure, though Roger Ebert defended Jolie's performance, stating that she "does her darndest" and "plays her femme fatale with flat-out, drop-dead sexuality." Despite poor critical reception and a slow start at the North American box office, the film went on to gross a respectable $278.3 million worldwide, cementing Jolie's appeal to international audiences. She received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance, which gave rise to speculation that it had been given merely to ensure her high-profile presence at the awards ceremony

2011–present: Career expansion

After directing the documentary A Place in Time (2007), which was distributed through the National Education Association, Jolie made her feature directorial debut with In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), a love story between a Serb soldier and a Bosniak prisoner, set during the 1992–95 Bosnian War. She conceived the film to rekindle attention for the survivors, after twice visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina in her role as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. To ensure authenticity, she cast only actors from the former Yugoslavia—including stars Goran Kostić and Zana Marjanović—and incorporated their wartime experiences into her screenplay. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews; Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Jolie deserves significant credit for creating such a powerfully oppressive atmosphere and staging the ghastly events so credibly, even if it is these very strengths that will make people not want to watch what's onscreen." The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Jolie was named an honorary citizen of Sarajevo for raising awareness of the war.

After a three-and-a-half-year absence from the screen, Jolie starred in Maleficent (2014), a live-action re-imagining of Disney's 1959 animation Sleeping Beauty. Critical reception was mixed, but Jolie's performance in the titular role was singled out for praise; The Hollywood Reporter critic Sherri Linden found her to be the "heart and soul" of the film, adding that she "doesn't chew the estimable scenery in Maleficent—she infuses it, wielding a magnetic and effortless power." In its opening weekend, Maleficent earned nearly $70 million at the North American box office and over $100 million in other markets, marking Jolie's appeal to audiences of all demographics in both action and fantasy films, genres usually dominated by male actors. The film went on to gross $757.8 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year and Jolie's highest-grossing film ever.

Jolie next completed her second directorial venture, Unbroken (2014), about World War II hero Louis Zamperini (1917–2014), a former Olympic track star who survived a plane crash over sea and spent two years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. She also served as producer under her Jolie Pas banner Unbroken is based on Laura Hillenbrand's biography of the same name, the film was scripted by the Coen brothers and starred Jack O'Connell. After a positive early reception, Unbroken was considered a likely Best Picture and Best Director contender, but it ultimately received mixed reviews and little award recognition though it was named one of the best films of the year by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. Variety magazine's Justin Chang noted the film's "impeccable craftsmanship and sober restraint", but deemed it "an extraordinary story told in dutiful, unexceptional terms." Financially, Unbroken far outperformed industry expectations in its opening weekend, eventually earning over $163 million worldwide.
Jolie promoting Eternals at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con International

Jolie's next directorial effort was the marital drama By the Sea (2015), in which she starred opposite her husband, Brad Pitt, marking their first collaboration since 2005's Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Based on her screenplay, the film was a deeply personal project for Jolie, who drew inspiration from her own mother's life. Critics, however, dismissed it as a "vanity project," as part of an overall poor reception Writing for The Washington Post, Stephanie Merry noted its dearth of genuine emotion, stating, "By the Sea is dazzlingly gorgeous, as are its stars. But peeling back layer upon layer of exquisite ennui reveals nothing but emptiness, sprinkled with stilted sentiments." Despite starring two of Hollywood's leading actors, the film received only a limited release.

As Jolie preferred to dedicate herself to her humanitarian work, her cinematic output remained infrequent. First They Killed My Father (2017), a drama set during Cambodia's Khmer Rouge era, again enabled her to combine both interests. In addition to directing the film, she co-wrote the screenplay with her longtime friend Loung Ung, whose memoirs about the regime's child labor camps served as its source material. Intended primarily for a Cambodian audience, the film was produced directly for Netflix, which allowed for the use of an exclusively Khmer cast and script. Labeling Jolie as a "skilled and sensitive filmmaker", Rafer Guzmán of Newsday commended her for "convincingly depict[ing] the illogical hell of the Khmer Rouge era". It received nominations for the Golden Globe and BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language.

Jolie reprised the role of Maleficent in the Disney fantasy sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), which received unfavorable reviews from critics but performed moderately well commercially, with a global gross of $490 million. She next starred alongside David Oyelowo as grieving parents to the title characters of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan in the fantasy film Come Away.

Following its release in May 2021, Jolie stars in Taylor Sheridan's neo-Western thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead, based on Michael Koryta's novel of the same name. She is also set to produce and star in an adaptation of the 2014 James Scott novel The Kept, in addition to portraying the fictional warrior Thena in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Eternals.

Humanitarian work
UNHCR ambassadorship

"We cannot close ourselves off to information and ignore the fact that millions of people are out there suffering. I honestly want to help. I don't believe I feel differently from other people. I think we all want justice and equality, a chance for a life with meaning. All of us would like to believe that if we were in a bad situation someone would help us."

—Jolie on her motives for joining UNHCR in 2001

Jolie first witnessed the effects of a humanitarian crisis while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) in war-torn Cambodia, an experience she later credited with having brought her a greater understanding of the world. Upon her return home, Jolie contacted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for information on international trouble spots To learn more about the conditions in these areas, she began visiting refugee camps around the world. In February 2001, she went on her first field visit, an 18-day mission to Sierra Leone and Tanzania; she later expressed her shock at what she had witnessed.

In the following months, Jolie returned to Cambodia for two weeks and met with Afghan refugees in Pakistan, where she donated $1 million in response to an international UNHCR emergency appeal, the largest donation UNHCR had ever received from a private individual. She covered all costs related to her missions and shared the same rudimentary working and living conditions as UNHCR field staff on all of her visits. Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva on August 27, 2001.
Jolie and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a UNHCR celebration of World Refugee Day in June 2005

Over the next decade, she went on more than 40 field missions, meeting with refugees and internally displaced persons in over 30 countries. In 2002, when asked what she hoped to accomplish, she stated, "Awareness of the plight of these people. I think they should be commended for what they have survived, not looked down upon." To that end, her 2001–02 field visits were chronicled in her book Notes from My Travels, which was published in October 2003 in conjunction with the release of her humanitarian drama Beyond Borders.

Jolie aimed to visit what she termed "forgotten emergencies," crises that media attention had shifted away from. She became noted for traveling to war zones, such as Sudan's Darfur region during the Darfur conflict, the Syrian-Iraqi border during the Second Gulf War, where she met privately with U.S. troops and other multi-national forces and the Afghan capital Kabul during the war in Afghanistan, where three aid workers were murdered in the midst of her first visit. To aid her travels, she began taking flying lessons in 2004 with the aim of ferrying aid workers and food supplies around the world she now holds a private pilot license with instrument rating and owns a Cirrus SR22 and Cessna 208 Caravan single-engine aircraft.

On April 17, 2012, after more than a decade of service as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Jolie was promoted to the rank of Special Envoy to High Commissioner António Guterres, the first to take on such a position within the organization. In her expanded role, she was given authority to represent Guterres and UNHCR at the diplomatic level, with a focus on major refugee crises. In the months following her promotion, she made her first visit as Special Envoy—her third over all—to Ecuador, where she met with Colombian refugees, and she accompanied Guterres on a week-long tour of Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Iraq, to assess the situation of refugees from neighboring Syria. Since then, Jolie has been on over a dozen field missions around the world to meet with refugees and undertake advocacy on their behalf.
Conservation and community development
Jolie at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in January 2005

In an effort to connect her Cambodian-born adopted son with his heritage, Jolie purchased a house in his country of birth in 2003. The traditional home sat on 39 hectares in the northwestern province Battambang, adjacent to Samlout national park in the Cardamom mountains, which had become infiltrated with poachers who threatened endangered species. She purchased the park's 60,000 hectares and turned the area into a wildlife reserve named for her son, the Maddox Jolie Project. In recognition of her conservation efforts, King Norodom Sihamoni awarded her Cambodian citizenship on July 31, 2005.

In November 2006, Jolie expanded the scope of the project—renamed the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP)—to create Asia's first Millennium Village, in accordance with UN development goals. She was inspired by a meeting with the founder of Millennium Promise, noted economist Jeffrey Sachs, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where she was an invited speaker in 2005 and 2006. Together they filmed a 2005 MTV special, The Diary of Angelina Jolie & Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, which followed them on a trip to a Millennium Village in western Kenya. By mid-2007, some 6,000 villagers and 72 employees—some of them former poachers employed as rangers—lived and worked at MJP, in ten villages previously isolated from one another. The compound includes schools, roads, and a soy milk factory, all funded by Jolie. Her home functions as the MJP field headquarters.

After filming Beyond Borders (2003) in Namibia, Jolie became patron of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, a wildlife orphanage and medical center in the Kalahari desert. She first visited the Harnas farm during production of the film, which features vultures rescued by the foundation. In December 2010, Jolie and her partner, Brad Pitt, established the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support conservation work by the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, a nature reserve also located in the Kalahari. In name of their Namibian-born daughter, they have funded large-animal conservation projects as well as a free health clinic, housing, and a school for the San Bushmen community at Naankuse. Jolie and Pitt support other causes through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, established in September 2006.
Child immigration and education

Jolie has pushed for legislation to aid child immigrants and other vulnerable children in both the U.S. and developing nations, including the "Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005." She began lobbying humanitarian interests in the U.S. capital from 2003 onwards, explaining, "As much as I would love to never have to visit Washington, that's the way to move the ball." Since October 2008, she has co-chaired Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a network of leading U.S. law firms that provide free legal aid to unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings across the U.S. Founded in a collaboration between Jolie and the Microsoft Corporation, by 2013, KIND had become the principal provider of pro bono lawyers for immigrant children. Jolie had previously, from 2005 to 2007, funded the launch of a similar initiative, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children.
Jolie on the cover of Ms. magazine in 2015, in which she discusses child marriage

Jolie has also advocated for children's education. Since its founding at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting in September 2007, she has co-chaired the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which provides policy and funding to education programs for children in conflict-affected regions. In its first year, the partnership supported education projects for Iraqi refugee children, youth affected by the Darfur conflict, and girls in rural Afghanistan, among other affected groups. The partnership has worked closely with the Council on Foreign Relations' Center for Universal Education—founded by the partnership's co-chair, noted economist Gene Sperling—to establish education policies, which resulted in recommendations made to UN agencies, G8 development agencies, and the World Bank. Since April 2013, all proceeds from Jolie's high-end jewelry collection, Style of Jolie, have benefited the partnership's work. Jolie additionally launched the Malala Fund, a grant system established by Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, at the 2013 Women in the World Summit; she personally contributed over $200,000 to the cause.

Jolie has funded a school and boarding facility for girls at Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, which opened in 2005, and two primary schools for girls in the returnee settlements Tangi and Qalai Gudar in eastern Afghanistan, which opened in March 2010 and November 2012 respectively. In addition to the facilities at the Millennium Village she established in Cambodia, Jolie had built at least ten other schools in the country by 2005. In February 2006, she opened the Maddox Chivan Children's Center, a medical and educational facility for children affected by HIV, in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. In Sebeta, Ethiopia, the birthplace of her eldest daughter, she funds a sister facility, the Zahara Children's Center, which is expected to open in 2015 and will treat and educate children suffering from HIV or tuberculosis. Both centers are run by the Global Health Committee

Jolie is executive producer of the BBC programme My World which aims to teach teenagers how to think critically about what they read and how to tell high-quality journalism from bad.

Human rights and women's rights
Jolie at the launch of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative in 2012

After Jolie joined the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in June 2007, she hosted a symposium on international law and justice at CFR headquarters and funded several CFR special reports, including "Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities." In January 2011, she established the Jolie Legal Fellowship, a network of lawyers and attorneys who are sponsored to advocate the development of human rights in their countries. Its member attorneys, called Jolie Legal Fellows, have facilitated child protection efforts in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake and promoted the development of an inclusive democratic process in Libya following the 2011 revolution.

Jolie has fronted a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones by the UK government, which made the issue a priority of its 2013 G8 presidency. In May 2012, she launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with Foreign Secretary William Hague, who was inspired to campaign on the issue by her Bosnian war drama In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011). PSVI was established to complement wider UK government work by raising awareness and promoting international co-operation. Jolie spoke on the subject at the G8 foreign ministers meeting, where the attending nations adopted a historic declaration, and before the UN security council, which responded by adopting its broadest resolution on the issue to date. In June 2014, she co-chaired the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the largest-ever meeting on the subject, which resulted in a protocol endorsed by 151 nations.

Through her work on the PSVI, Jolie met foreign policy experts Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, who served as special advisers to Hague. Their collaboration resulted in the 2015 founding of Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic, a partnership dedicated to women's rights and international justice, among other causes. In May 2016, Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics to contribute to a postgraduate degree program at the university's Centre on Women, Peace and Security, which she had launched with Hague the previous year.

On September 9, 2020, Jolie made a generous donation to two young boys, who were running a lemonade stand in London. The boys were raising money through the stall for the people of Yemen, as the country was on the brink of humanitarian crisis caused by the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels.

Recognition and honors

Jolie has received wide recognition for her humanitarian work. In August 2002, she received the inaugural Humanitarian Award from the Church World Service's Immigration and Refugee Program, and in October 2003, she was the first recipient of the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondents Association. She was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the UNA-USA in October 2005, and she received the Freedom Award from the International Rescue Committee in November 2007. In October 2011, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres presented Jolie with a gold pin reserved for the most long-serving staff, in recognition of her decade as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.

In November 2013, Jolie received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Academy Award, from the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In June 2014, she was appointed an Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) for her services to the UK's foreign policy and campaigning to end sexual violence in war zones. Queen Elizabeth II presented Jolie with the insignia of her honorary damehood during a private ceremony the following October.

Personal life
Relationships and marriages

Jolie had a serious boyfriend for two years from the age of 14. Her mother allowed them to live together in her home, of which Jolie later said, "I was either going to be reckless on the streets with my boyfriend or he was going to be with me in my bedroom with my mom in the next room. She made the choice, and because of it, I continued to go to school every morning and explored my first relationship in a safe way." She has compared the relationship to a marriage in its emotional intensity, and said that the breakup compelled her to dedicate herself to her acting career at the age of 16. Jolie initially declined to name her former beau in interviews, but in 2014 he was finally identified as costumer Anton Schneider.

During filming of Hackers (1995), Jolie had a romance with British actor Jonny Lee Miller, her first lover since the relationship in her early teens. They were not in touch for many months after production ended, but eventually reconnected and married soon after in March 1996. She attended her wedding in black rubber pants and a white T-shirt, upon which she had written the groom's name in her blood. Although the relationship ended for good the following year, Jolie remained on good terms with Miller, whom she called "a solid man and a solid friend". Their divorce, initiated by Jolie in February 1999, was finalized shortly before she remarried the next year.

Prior to her marriage to Miller, Jolie began a relationship with model-actress Jenny Shimizu on the set of Foxfire (1996). She later said, "I would probably have married Jenny if I hadn't married my husband. I fell in love with her the first second I saw her." According to Shimizu, their relationship lasted several years and continued even while Jolie was romantically involved with other people. In 2003, when asked if she was bisexual, Jolie responded, "Of course. If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I feel that it's okay to want to kiss and touch her? If I fell in love with her? Absolutely! Yes!"
Jolie with then-partner Brad Pitt at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, where they each received an Academy Award nomination

After a two-month courtship, Jolie married actor Billy Bob Thornton on May 5, 2000, in Las Vegas. They had met on the set of Pushing Tin (1999), but did not pursue a relationship at that time as Thornton was engaged to actress Laura Dern, while Jolie was reportedly dating actor Timothy Hutton, her co-star in Playing God (1997). As a result of their frequent public declarations of passion and gestures of love—most famously wearing one another's blood in vials around their necks—their marriage became a favorite topic of the entertainment media. Jolie and Thornton announced the adoption of a child from Cambodia in March 2002, but abruptly separated three months later. Their divorce was finalized on May 27, 2003. When asked about the sudden dissolution of their marriage, Jolie stated, "It took me by surprise, too, because overnight, we totally changed. I think one day we had just nothing in common. And it's scary but ... I think it can happen when you get involved and you don't know yourself yet."

Jolie was involved in a well-publicized Hollywood scandal when she was accused of having caused the divorce of actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston in October 2005. She said she fell in love with Pitt during filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), but she dismissed allegations of an affair, saying, "To be intimate with a married man, when my own father cheated on my mother, is not something I could forgive. I could not look at myself in the morning if I did that. I wouldn't be attracted to a man who would cheat on his wife." Jolie and Pitt did not publicly comment on the nature of their relationship until January 2006, when she confirmed that she was pregnant with his child.

During their twelve-year relationship, the couple were dubbed "Brangelina"—a portmanteau coined by the entertainment media—and were the subject of worldwide media coverage. They became one of Hollywood's most glamorous couples. Their family grew to include six children, three of whom were adopted, before they announced their engagement in April 2012. Jolie and Pitt married on August 23, 2014, at their estate Château Miraval in Correns, France. She subsequently took the name "Jolie Pitt". After two years of marriage, the couple separated on September 15, 2016. On September 19, Jolie filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences. On April 12, 2019, the court restored Jolie and Pitt to single status and they were declared divorced.

Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt
born August 5, 2001 (age 20), in Cambodia
Adopted March 10, 2002 by Jolie
Adopted early 2006 by Pitt
Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt
born November 29, 2003 (age 17), in
Adopted March 15, 2007 by Jolie
Adopted February 21, 2008 by Pitt
Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt
born January 8, 2005 (age 16), in Awasa, Ethiopia
Adopted July 6, 2005 by Jolie
Adopted early 2006 by Pitt
Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt
born May 27, 2006 (age 15), in Swakopmund, Namibia
Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt
born July 12, 2008 (age 13), in
Nice, France
Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt
born July 12, 2008 (age 13), in
Nice, France

Jolie has six children. Of the children, three were adopted internationally, while three are biological.

On March 10, 2002, Jolie adopted her first child, seven-month-old Maddox Chivan, from an orphanage in Battambang, Cambodia. He was born as Rath Vibol on August 5, 2001, in a local village. After twice visiting Cambodia, while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and on a UNHCR field mission, Jolie returned in November 2001 with her husband, Billy Bob Thornton, where they met and subsequently applied to adopt Maddox. The adoption process was halted the following month when the U.S. government banned adoptions from Cambodia amid allegations of child trafficking. Although Jolie's adoption facilitator was later convicted of visa fraud and money laundering, her adoption of Maddox was deemed lawful. Once the process was finalized, she took custody of Maddox in Namibia, where she was filming Beyond Borders (2003). Jolie and Thornton announced the adoption together, but she adopted Maddox alone, becoming a single parent following her separation from Thornton three months later.

Jolie adopted her second child, six-month-old Zahara Marley, from an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 6, 2005. Zahara was born as Yemsrach on January 8, 2005, in Awasa. Jolie initially believed Zahara to be an AIDS orphan, based on official testimony from her grandmother, but Zahara's birth mother later came forward in the media. She explained that she had abandoned her family when Zahara became sick, and said she thought Zahara was "very fortunate" to have been adopted by Jolie. Jolie was accompanied by her partner, Brad Pitt, when she traveled to Ethiopia to take custody of Zahara. She later indicated that they had together made the decision to adopt from Ethiopia, having first visited the country earlier that year. After Pitt announced his intention to adopt her children, she filed a petition to legally change their surname from Jolie to Jolie-Pitt, which was granted on January 19, 2006. Pitt adopted Maddox and Zahara soon after.
A pregnant Jolie attending the premiere of Changeling with director Clint Eastwood at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival

In an attempt to avoid the unprecedented media frenzy surrounding their relationship, Jolie and Pitt traveled to Namibia for the birth of their first biological child. On May 27, 2006, she gave birth to Shiloh Nouvel, in Swakopmund. Shiloh's middle name is homage to French architect Jean Nouvel. During labor, Jolie had fits of hysteric laughter due to the administration of morphine. They sold the first pictures of Shiloh through the distributor Getty Images with the aim of benefiting charity, rather than allowing paparazzi to take these valuable photographs. People and Hello! magazines purchased the North American and British rights to the images for $4.1 and $3.5 million respectively, a record in celebrity photojournalism at that time, with all proceeds donated to UNICEF.

On March 15, 2007, Jolie adopted her fourth child, three-year-old Pax Thien, from an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Pax was born as Pham Quang Sang on November 29, 2003, in HCMC, and was abandoned soon after birth. After visiting the orphanage with Pitt in November 2006, Jolie applied for adoption as a single parent, because Vietnam's adoption regulations do not allow unmarried couples to co-adopt. After their return to the United States, she petitioned the court to change Pax Thien's surname from Jolie to Jolie-Pitt, which was approved on May 31. Pitt subsequently adopted Pax on February 21, 2008.

At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, Jolie confirmed that she was expecting twins. For the two weeks she spent in a seaside hospital in Nice, France, reporters and photographers camped outside on the promenade. She gave birth to twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline, on July 12, 2008. Knox Léon was named after two ancestors and Vivienne Marcheline was named in honor of Jolie's mother. The first pictures of Knox and Vivienne were jointly sold to People and Hello! for a reported $14 million—the most expensive celebrity photographs ever taken. All proceeds were donated to the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

Cancer prevention treatment

On February 16, 2013, the 37-year-old Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy after learning she had an 87-percent risk of developing breast cancer due to a defective BRCA1 gene. Her maternal family history warranted genetic testing for BRCA mutations: her mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, had breast cancer and died of ovarian cancer, while her grandmother died of ovarian cancer. Her aunt, who had the same BRCA1 defect, died of breast cancer three months after Jolie's operation. Following the mastectomy, which lowered her chances of developing breast cancer to under five percent, Jolie had reconstructive surgery involving implants and allografts. Two years later, in March 2015, after annual test results indicated possible signs of early ovarian cancer, she underwent a preventive salpingo-oophorectomy, as she had a fifty-percent risk of developing ovarian cancer due to the same genetic anomaly. Despite hormone replacement therapy, the surgery brought on premature menopause.

"I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options."

—Jolie on her reasons for speaking out about her mastectomy

After completing each operation, Jolie discussed her mastectomy and oophorectomy in op-eds she wrote for The New York Times, with the aim of helping other women make informed health choices. She detailed her diagnosis, surgeries, and personal experiences, and described her decision to undergo preventive surgery as a proactive measure for the sake of her six children. Jolie further wrote, "On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."

Jolie's announcement of her mastectomy attracted widespread publicity and discussion on BRCA mutations and genetic testing. Her decision was met with praise from various public figures, while health campaigners welcomed her raising awareness of the options available to at-risk women Dubbed "The Angelina Effect" by a Time cover story, Jolie's influence led to a "global and long-lasting" increase in BRCA gene testing: the number of referrals tripled in Australia and doubled in the United Kingdom, parts of Canada, and India, as well as significantly increased in other European countries and the United States. Researchers in Canada and the United Kingdom found that despite the large increase, the percentage of mutation carriers remained the same, meaning Jolie's message had reached those most at risk In her first op-ed, Jolie had advocated for wider accessibility of BRCA gene testing and acknowledged the high costs which were greatly reduced after the U.S. Supreme Court, in a June 2013 ruling, invalidated BRCA gene patents held by Myriad Genetics.

Reception
Public image

As the daughter of actor Jon Voight, Jolie appeared in the media from an early age. After embarking on her own career, she earned a reputation as a "wild child", which contributed to her early success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Celebrity profiles routinely covered her fascination with blood and knives, experiences with drugs, and her sex life, particularly her bisexuality and interest in sadomasochism. When asked in 2000 about her outspokenness, she stated, "I say things that other people might go through. That's what artists should do—throw things out there and not be perfect and not have answers for anything and see if people understand." Another contributing factor of her controversial image were tabloid rumors of incest that began when Jolie, upon winning her Oscar for Girl, Interrupted, kissed her brother on the lips and said, "I'm so in love with my brother right now." She dismissed the rumors by saying, "It was disappointing that something so beautiful and pure could be turned into a circus," and explained that, as children of divorce, she and James relied on one another for emotional support.

Jolie's reputation began to change positively after she, at age 26, became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, later commenting, "In my early 20s I was fighting with myself. Now I take that punk in me to Washington, and I fight for something important." Owing to her extensive activism, her Q Score—the industry's measure of celebrities' likability—nearly doubled to 25 between 2000 and 2006. Her recognizability grew accordingly; by 2006, she was familiar to 81% of Americans, compared to 31% in 2000. She became noted for her ability to positively influence her public image through the media, without employing a publicist or an agent. Her Q Score remained above average even when, in 2005, she was accused of ending Brad Pitt's marriage to Jennifer Aniston, at which point her public persona became an unlikely combination of alleged homewrecker, mother, sex symbol, and humanitarian A decade later, Jolie was found to be the most admired woman in the world in global surveys conducted by YouGov in 2015 and 2016.

Jolie's general influence and wealth are extensively documented. In a 2006 global industry survey by ACNielsen in 42 international markets, Jolie, together with Pitt, was found to be the favorite celebrity endorser for brands and products worldwide. Jolie was the face of St. John and Shiseido from 2006 to 2008, and a decade later became a spokesmodel for Guerlain. Her 2011 endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton, reportedly worth $10 million, was a record for a single advertising campaign. Jolie was among the Time 100, a list of the most influential people in the world as published by Time, in 2006 and 2008. She was named the world's most powerful celebrity in Forbes's Celebrity 100 issue in 2009, and, though ranked lower overall, was listed as the most powerful actress from 2006 to 2008 and 2011 to 2013. Forbes additionally cited her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2009, 2011, and 2013, with estimated annual earnings of $27 million, $30 million, and $33 million respectively.

Appearance
Jolie at the premiere of A Mighty Heart in 2007; several of her tattoos are visible

Jolie's public image is strongly tied to her perceived beauty and sex appeal Many media outlets, including Vogue, People, and Vanity Fair, have cited her as the world's most beautiful woman, while others such as Esquire, FHM, and Empire have named her the sexiest woman alive; both titles have often been based on public polls in which Jolie places far ahead of other celebrity women Her most recognizable physical features are her many tattoos, eyes, and in particular her full lips, which The New York Times considered as defining a feature as Kirk Douglas's chin or Bette Davis' eyes. Among her estimated 20 tattoos are the Latin proverb quod me nutrit me destruit ("what nourishes me destroys me"), the Tennessee Williams quote "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages", four Buddhist Sanskrit prayers of protection, a twelve-inch tiger, and geographical coordinates of where she first met her adopted children. Over time, she has covered or lasered several of her tattoos, including "Billy Bob", the name of her second husband

Professionally, Jolie's status as a sex symbol has been considered both an asset and a hindrance. Some of her most commercially successful films, including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Beowulf (2007), overtly relied at least in part on her sex appeal, with Empire stating that her "pneumatic figure", "feline eyes", and "bee-stung lips" have greatly contributed to her appeal to cinema audiences. Conversely, Salon writer Allen Barra agreed with critics who suggested that Jolie's "dark and intense sexuality" has limited her in the types of roles she can be cast in, rendering her unconvincing in many conventional women's roles, while Clint Eastwood, who directed her Oscar-nominated performance in Changeling (2008), opined that having "the most beautiful face on the planet" sometimes harmed her dramatic credibility with audiences.

Beyond her career, Jolie's appearance has been credited with influencing popular culture at large. In 2002, AfterEllen founder Sarah Warn observed that many women of all sexual orientations had publicly expressed their attraction to Jolie, which she considered a new development in American culture, adding that "there are many beautiful women in Hollywood, and few generate the same kind of overwhelming interest across genders and sexual orientations that she does". Jolie's physical attributes became highly sought-after among western women seeking cosmetic surgery; by 2007, she was considered "the gold standard of beauty", with her full lips remaining the most imitated celebrity feature well into the 2010s. After a 2011 repeat survey by Allure found that Jolie most represented the American beauty ideal, compared to model Christie Brinkley in 1991, writer Elizabeth Angell credited society with having "branched out beyond the Barbie-doll ideal and embraced something quite different". In 2013, Jeffrey Kluger of Time agreed that Jolie has for many years symbolized the feminine ideal, and opined that her frank discussion of her double mastectomy redefined beauty.

Filmography

Jolie has appeared in over thirty film productions since 1982. According to the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes and infotainment website Screen Rant, her most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films are Playing by Heart (1998), Gia (1998), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004), Alexander (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Beowulf (2007), A Mighty Heart (2007), Changeling (2008), Kung Fu Panda (2008), Wanted (2008), Salt (2010), The Tourist (2010), Maleficent (2014), and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). Her television projects comprise CBS miniseries True Women and TNT's George Wallace.

Jolie has directed a number of films, such as In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), By the Sea (2015), and First They Killed My Father (2017). Her producing and executive producing credits include In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Unbroken (2014), Maleficent (2014), First They Killed My Father (2017) and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019). Jolie served as a screenwriter for In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), By the Sea (2015) and First They Killed My Father (2017).

Aarti Puri
(Wikipedia)
Aarti Puri
Portrait of Aarti Puri
Born 8 January 1985 

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, Model
Years active 1999−Present

Aarthi Puri, also known as Arthi Puri, (born 8 January 1985) is an Indian television & movie actress and model. Noted roles include the character of Trishna from show Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. and movies like Deswa.

Career

Puri started her career with regional cinema and then moved on to small screen. She is a model and has also done many movies and 100+ plus Punjabi videos as model as well. She was cast to play the parallel lead in the show Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. alongside Drashti Dhami, who plays the lead in the show. She also played a lead role opposite Rakesh Kapoor in, "Pahado Ke Daman Mein" in 1999.

Regional Film

Khich Ghuggi Khich (Punjabi comedy), Nalaik (2005)

Television

2012–2013 Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon as Trishna Balraj Chaudhary
Filmography[edit]
2004 Mysteries Shaque as Simran
2013 Ramaiya Vastavaiya as Gauri

Amritha Meera Vijayan
Amritha Meera Vijayan
Born : 9 January 1990
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016–present
Parent(s) K.Vijayan , P.G. Meera

Amritha Meera Vijayan is a South Indian actress in the Malayalam film industry. She is known for her roles in Action Hero Biju (film).

Personal life

Amritha Meera Vijayan was born into a Nair Family in Kozhikode (Calicut) as the elder daughter of K.Vijayan and P.G. Meera. She has a younger brother Anoop Meera Vijayan, who is a thyring lieutenant service for the Indian Air Force.She is raised completely in Bangalore.Completed her schooling in St. Thomas Public School Bangalore and Higher Secondary in Jyoti Nivas College, Bangalore. She completed her BSC and MSC in electronics from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. And worked as Software engineer in Cognizant Technological Solutions.

Aishwarya Devan
(Wikipedia)
Aishwarya Devan
Devan in 2018
Born 21 December 1993

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2011–present

Aishwarya Devan is an Indian actress and Beauty queen from Kerala state who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada language films. She was crowned Femina Miss India Maharashtra 2017 and represented Maharashtra state in Femina Miss India 2017. She won various subtitles during the contest and made it to top-6 finalists. She made her Hindi film debut with the film 'Kashi - in Search of Ganga'.

Early life

Aishwarya was born to Malayalee parents in Bangalore to S. Devan, and Sheeja Devan who is from Shornur, Palakkad district, Kerala.

Career

She was debuted in a Tamil movie 'Yuvan' with Siddharth Rajkumar and Rakul Preet Singh.[6] Then in Malayalam, Deepan introduced her to Shaji Kailas who cast her in his film Simhasanam opposite Prudhviraj Sukumaran. She played a Bangalore-based girl who, after her Plus Two, enters college in both her films. Yuvan was her first Tamil film and Simhasanam was her first Malayalam film.

After Simhasanam, she acted in Bala's The Hit List and Major Ravi’s Karmayodha.

In 2013, she received the lead role In V. K. Prakash's Thank You. In the early 2014 she signed up for the Tamil film Anegan directed by K.V. Anand as the second lead opposite Dhanush which released in the early 2015 and was a blockbuster, which also released as Anekudu in Telugu.

Anjana Sukhani
(Wikipedia)


Anjana Sukhani

Born 10 December 1978 

Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2002–present
Spouse(s) Reham Khan

Anjana Sukhani (born 10 December 1978) is an Indian film actress and model, who predominantly appears in Bollywood films.

Early life

Anjana was born in Jaipur to Preethi and Om Sukhani and has an older brother. She earned her Masters degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Film and modelling career
Anjana Sukhani walking the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week

Anjana Sukhani put her academic pursuits behind to pursue acting. During the early years of her career, she was cast in a television advertisement for Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates with the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. She was also noted for her performance in the remixed Hindi music video for the song Ghar Jayegi. Even though she does not have a film industry related background, she has figured in sizeable roles like in the 2007 multi-starrer blockbuster film Salaam-e-Ishq following which she starred in Golmaal Returns, a sequel to the 2006 hit film Golmaal. Her other releases were Jai Veeru, Jashnn and her Kannada debut film Maleyali Jotheyali alongside Ganesh and Yuvika Chaudhary. She has been cast in Tollywood actor Ravi Teja's film Don Seenu marking her second film in Telugu after Naa Oopiri (2005). In 2016, Anjana made her debut in Marathi cinema opposite Swapnil Joshi in Laal Ishq, a Sanjay Leela Bhansali Production directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi.

Andrea Jeremiah
(Wikipedia)
Andrea Jeremiah
Andrea in 2013
Born
Andrea Maria Jeremiah
21 December 1985
Arakkonam 
Occupation
Actress
singer
lyricist
composer
voice actress
Years active 2007–present

Andrea Maria Jeremiah is an Indian actress, playback singer, and musician works predominantly in Tamil and Malayalam launguage films. She began her career as a playback singer, and has subsequently appeared in films as supporting to lead role. She made her acting debut in Tamil film Pachaikili Muthucharam (2007), and Malayalam debut with Annayum Rasoolum (2013), and Telugu with Tadakha (2013).

She has appeared many commercialy successfully films like Mankatha (2011), Annayum Rasoolum (2013), Vishwaroopam (2013), Tadakha (2013), Endrendrum Punnagai (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Loham (2015), Thoppil Jopaan (2016), Taramani (2017), Aval (2017), Vada Chennai (2018) and Aranmanai 3 (2021).

Early life

Andrea Jeremiah was born in an Anglo-Indian family at Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu  on 21 December 1985. Andrea's father is a lawyer at the High Court in Chennai. She has one younger sister who lives and works at Leuven, Belgium as a research assistant Jeremiah was raised near Chennai and went to National Public School and graduated from Women's Christian College. She has said that she was quite a geek and wanted to be a psychiatrist until she completed her 12th board exams.

Andrea learned classical piano when she was eight. At age 10, she was a part of a Jackson Five-style troupe called Young Stars which formed the base of her early singing and music composing career. She was also a theatre artist in her college and appeared in several stage plays organised by The Madras Players and EVAM. She was the President of the Student Senate at Women's Christian College. She also organised a company, The Show Must Go On (TSMGO Productions), to promote live art and artistes. Andrea said that as a college student, she turned down every film offer she got as she had no intention of becoming a film actor.

Career
Acting

She began her theatre career with Girish Karnad's Nagamandala. She acted in new leo coffee advertisement with actor Shiva in 2006. She also acted in a serial which relayed In Podhigai channel. She has performed all over India. She played a brief role during the climax of Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005). After she rendered a song in Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, he asked her to play as one of the lead female character in his next venture, Pachaikili Muthucharam. This film was a film adaptation of James Siegel's novel Derailed, with Andrea portraying Kalyani, a homemaker, whose husband engages in an affair and is blackmailed. Andrea was selected for the role after actresses Simran, Shobana and Tabu were approached.
Jeremiah at U.S. Consul General Jennifer McIntyre celebration of World Environment Day at Marina Beach on June 5, 2012.

She signed for Selvaraghavan's fantasy-adventure film Aayirathil Oruvan, which released in early 2010. In 2011, she agreed to play a minor supporting role in Venkat Prabhu's multi-starrer Mankatha, which was released in August 2011. In 2013, she made her debut in Malayalam cinema with Rajeev Ravi's romance film Annayum Rasoolum. She has rated this film as the best in her career. She played a role in Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam and reprised the role in its sequel, which released in 2018.

Andrea has completed filming for Puthiya Thiruppangal, in which she plays a journalist. In Endrendrum Punnagai, she played a model and she also acted in the Malayalam film London Bridge. And her next film as female lead is Aranmanai, directed by Sundar C., the film becomes the blockbuster and one of the high grosser of the year.

She had signed on to director Ram's Taramani, which released in 2017.

In 2015, Andrea was cast alongside Mohanlal in Loham, directed by Ranjith. This was her third Malayalam film, and the first with Mohanlal.

In 2021, her first release was Master, which she played an Extended cameo role, then she appeared as lead in Arya's Aranmanai 3, directed by Sundar C.. The film received mixed reviews but became a hit film.

She is also completed shootings for tamil movies like Maaligai and Myskkin's Pisaasu 2 , and she is currently filming Kaa, in which she plays the lead role. She reportedly plays a wildlife photographer.

Singing

Andrea has stated that her focus was always on music, that she chose to be a professional singer and that acting happened by chance. In 2005, she ventured into playback singing in feature films. She has sung several popular songs for composers Harris Jayaraj, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh Ravichander, Thaman, Devi Sri Prasad and G. V. Prakash Kumar and has also received nominations at Filmfare and Vijay Awards for a few of them. She considers the song "Maalai Neram" as the most challenging she has sung.

Composing

Apart from singing under other composers' direction, Andrea also produces her own music. She composed, wrote and sang a single, "Soul of Taramani", as a promo for her Tamil romantic-drama Taramani. She has composed several music themes, songs and albums.

Personal Life (in Pidgin English): She has been a bright student from school to college.There was a dream of becoming a doctor since childhood, but due to money could not become a doctor, and did not intend to work in the film. But the actress was written in luck. Right now seen as a top actress. She is a famous actress in South India.

Ankita Lokhande
Wikipedia
Ankita Lokhande
Lokhande in 2020
Born 19 December 1984 

Occupation Actress
Years active 2004–present

Notable work Pavitra Rishta
Spouse(s)
Vicky Jain
​(m. 2021)​

Ankita Lokhande (born 19 December 1984) is an Indian actress who debuted in an award-winning role in Balaji Telefilms's daily show Pavitra Rishta on Zee TV. She was one of the highest paid television actors until she retired in 2018 to foray into films.

In 2019, Lokhande began her film career as Jhalkaribai in the historical periodic movie Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. She then appeared in 2020 action thriller Baaghi 3, which was directed by Ahmed Khan.

Early and personal life
Family background

Lokhande was born on 19 December 1984 in Marathi family of Indore to Shashikant (a news reporter) and Vandana Phadnis (a teacher) and has two brothers, Sooraj and Arpan and a sister, Jyoti. After graduating she moved to Mumbai in 2005 to pursue a career in acting.

Personal life
Lokhande with Sushant Singh Rajput at KAI PO CHE's premiere in 2013

Lokhande co-starred with Sushant Singh Rajput in Pavitra Rishta, and they began dating in 2010, Rajput proposed her in the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhlaja 4. In a 2016 interview, the couple even spoke of marrying each other. However the same year couple parted their ways. Post breakup with rajput, lokhande went into deep depression and it took her long time to recover from it.

In 2019, she announced her relationship with Vicky Jain, a businessman. They married on 14 December 2021 in Mumbai.

Career
Television works (2006–16)

After participation in India's Cinestar's ki Khoj (2004–05), Lokhande won the lead role of Archana in Ekta Kapoor's daily soap Pavitra Rishta (2009–14). Her performance and chemistry with Rajput received various television awards, making her a household name.

Along with Pavitra Rishta, Lokhande contested on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 4 in 2011. That year, she also participated in Comedy Circus. In 2013, she appeared in episodic of Kapoor's mini-series Ek Thhi Naayka as Pragya.

Pavitra Rishta took a generation leap in 2013, and Lokhande also began playing Archana's granddaughter Ankita, along with her former role of Archana, until the series ended in 2014.

Film career (2018–present)

After a two-year gap from acting and her separation from Rajput, there were reports that Lokhande was set for a movie debut with a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmaavat (2018). However she left the movie, replying that she was not ready for film.

The following year, speculation spread that she had been signed for Girish Malik's film Torbaaz along with Sanjay Dutt. However, rumours proved to be untrue after Malik stated that Lokhande was not going to be involved with the film.

In 2018, she announced she would appear in the role of Jhalkaribai, a warrior in Krish and Kangana Ranaut's joint directorial venture Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, an epic drama based on the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai. The film received a theatrical premiere during the eve of Republic day 2019 and did quite very well at the box-office, becoming her first commercial success.

Lokhande next starred in Sajid Nadiadwala's action packed production Baaghi 3 (2020), the third part of the Baaghi trilogy, alongside Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh, in the role of Kapoor's elder sister married to Deshmukh's character. The film was released prior to the shut down of theatres owing to Coronavirus pandemic in India, which affected the box office performance.

Amita Suman
(Wikipedia)
Amita Suman
Suman in 2021
Born 19 July 1997

Bhedihari, Nepal
Occupation Actress
Years active 2018–present

Amita Suman (born 19 July 1997) is a Nepali-British actress. She stars as Inej Ghafa in the Netflix series Shadow and Bone. She had a recurring role as Naya in The CW series The Outpost.

Early life

Suman was born in Bhedihari, a village in Parsa District, southern Nepal. Her first language was Bhojpuri. She went to Saint Xavier School in Birgunj. At the age of seven, Suman moved to Brighton, England. She attended Sussex Downs College (now East Sussex College Lewes)[5] before going on to train at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, graduating in 2018.

Career

Shortly after graduating, Suman made her television debut with minor roles in Casualty and Ackley Bridge. She landed a major guest role in the Doctor Who series 11 episode "Demons of the Punjab" as a young version of companion Yasmin Khan's grandmother, Umbreen. Suman took over the recurring role of Naya from Medalion Rahimi in Season 2 of the CW series The Outpost. In October 2019, it was announced Suman would star as Inej Ghafa in the 2021 Netflix series Shadow and Bone, an adaptation of the fantasy book series The Grisha Trilogy and the Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018 Casualty Nina Biswas 2 episodes
Ackley Bridge Sameera 1 episode
Doctor Who Umbreen Episode: "Demons of the Punjab"
2019 The Outpost Naya Recurring role (season 2)
2021 Shadow and Bone Inej Ghafa Main role
TBA Helvellyn Edge Alamo

Archana Kavi
(Wikipedia)
Archana Kavi
Kavi in 2010
Born
Archana Jose Kavi
4 January 1990 

New Delhi, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation

Actor
YouTuber
Years active 2009 – 2016
Spouse(s) Abish Mathew (2016–2021)

Archana Jose Kavi (born 4 January 1990) is an Indian film actress, YouTuber and a television host. She made her acting debut in film Neelathaamara (2009) scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose.

Early life

Archana was born in New Delhi to Jose Kaviyil, a senior journalist, and Rosamma. Jose Kaviyil's family is from Kannur District in Kerala. She has an elder brother named Ashish Kavi. She was raised in Delhi and studied at St. Xavier's School, Delhi. In 2006, Archana moved to Ramapuram in Kerala for a Bachelor of Business Administration course at the Mar Augusthinose College. She stated that she came from a "typical Malayali middle-class family and acting was never considered a profession by us". She said that she wanted to be a journalist initially since her father was one and later wanted to be an RJ but that people discouraged her.

Archana applied for an internship at the television channel Yes Indiavision and assisted in the production of certain programmes. After a year, she anchored the show Bloody Love on the same channel, while she was spotted by director Lal Jose, who offered her the lead female role in his film in March 2009.

Career

She made her cinematic debut in 2009 with the highly successful Neelathaamara, portraying the role of Kunjimalu, a maid in an old Nair Tharavadu (ancestral home) who falls for the young master of the house. Director Lal Jose said that "Archana has an in-born talent". Her role won critical accolades. In her next venture titled Mummy & Me, which narrated the tale of the tumultuous relationship between a modern-day teenager and her mother, she played the lead role of a rebellious teenager named Jewel. Archana stated the character Jewel was "so very like the real me". But her following release Best of Luck where she reunited with her Neelathamara co-stars Kailash and Rima Kallingal, failed to make an impact at the box office. She made her Tamil debut in the period film Aravaan in which she played a tribal character named Chimby.

In 2013 she also made her Telugu debut in Backbench Student. Archana stated that she played "a college girl caught in a sweet love tale" in the film. She acted as the lead in Abhiyum Njanum, in which she played a modern girl from Mumbai, who comes to Kerala in search of her fiancé. In Honey Bee she played a naïve Anglo-Indian girl Sara. She played a supporting role as the hero Karthik's best friend in Pattam Pole. Her next films Bangles in which she played a junior artiste, and Nadodimannan in which she played a doctor, both released on the same day.

She has signed her second Tamil film Gnana Kirukkan. She is shooting for Day-Night opposite Maqbool Salmaan. She has acted as a Muslim girl in the film Mazhavillinattam Vare, which is Kaithapram's directorial debut. She will also be seen in Nemam Pushparaj's upcoming film Kukkiliyar, in which she plays Manoj K Jayan's daughter who plays a 75-year-old.Archana also shot for a Hindi film Saroja, an offbeat film directed by Anjali Shukla, playing the role of a commercial sex worker.

She anchored Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njaanum, a reality show for television actors on Asianet. She maintains a Twitter account. In 2010 she was only one of two Malayalam actresses maintaining an active Twitter account. In 2021, she moved to direction with a web series titled Pandaraparambil House at 801.

Archana also owns a boutique named 'Chaaya' in Kochi, Kerala.

Personal life

Archana Kavi was engaged to standup comedian Abish Mathew on 31 October 2015. They were married on 23 January 2016 in Vallarpadam Church, Kerala The marriage function was attended by Rima Kallingal, Aashiq Abu and Abish's friends from Delhi and comedians like Kenny Sebastian, Kaneez Surka, Rohan Joshi and Kanan Gill. Now as on 2021 they have filed for divorce.

Aamani
(Wikipedia)


Aamani
Occupation Actress
Years active
1990–1997
2004–present
Awards Nandi (2 times), Filmfare (1 time)

Aamani born 16 November 1973 , is an Indian actress who has predominantly appeared in Telugu and Tamil films. She made her debut in a lead role opposite Naresh in the Telugu film Jamba Lakidi Pamba, directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana. The film turned out to be a blockbuster.

She starred in the film Mister Pellam directed by Bapu, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. She won Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu for the film Subha Lagnam and Nandi Award for Best Actress for the films Subha Sankalpam and Mr. Pellam.

Film career

Aamani was born in Bengaluru. She started her career doing small roles in films like Aadadhi. Subsequently, she was paired as the lead actress opposite actors like Vishnuvardhan, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Krishna, Mammootty, Arvind Swami, Jagapathi Babu and Kamal Haasan. She won Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Telugu for the film Subha Lagnam & Nandi Award for Best Actress for the films Subha Sankalpam & Mr. Pellam. After a hiatus of many years, she appeared in the film Aa Naluguru.

Anna Rajan
(Wikipedia)
Anna Rajan

Born
13 November 1985 , Aluva, Kochi, Kerala
Nationality Indian
Occupation
Actress
Nurse
Years active 2017 – Present
Notable work Angamaly Diaries
Parent(s) KC Rajan (Father)
Sheeba (Mother)
Relatives Shaun (Brother)

Anna Reshma Rajan is an Indian film actress who appears in Malayalam films. She made her debut in 2017 with the film Angamaly Diaries. She worked as a nurse in a private hospital in Kochi before making her first foray into films.

Personal life and education

Anna was born in Aluva a suburb of the city of Kochi in Kerala to Sheeba and KC Rajan. She has an elder brother named Shaun. Anna's father died of a heart-attack when she was in college, the sudden demise of her father put a lot of financial pressure on her family, so she had to take up jobs while in college to support the family financially.

Most of Anna's education took place in Aluva, she did her schooling from Nirmala Higher Secondary School, after which she completed her eleventh and twelfth grade from St Frances College in Aluva. She studied nursing from Government Medical College, Ernakulam. Anna, liked to play sports and has competed at various sporting district level activities representing her school and college.

Career

Anna Rajan hails from Aluva in Kerala. She worked as a nurse in Rajagiri Hospital in Aluva before foraying into films. She was identified by producer Vijay Babu and director Lijo Jose Pellissery after seeing her face in a hoarding in Kerala. They made her audition for the role of Lichy in Angamaly Diaries. Including her, the film introduced 86 debutant actors. In the film she is credited as Reshma Rajan. After that, she preferred to be credited as Anna Rajan. Her second film was the Lal Jose directorial Velipadinte Pusthakam (2017), in which she starred opposite Mohanlal.

Anamika Saha
Anamika Saha movies, shows and bio | Airtel Xstream
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anamika Saha
Born
Usha
Jessore
Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actress
Anamika Saha is a Bengali film actress.

Early life

Saha was born in Jessore, Bangladesh as Usha. In 1961, she passed Higher Secondary examination from Deshbandhu Balika Vidyalaya and joined in Scottish Church College. She started her acting career in 1973 in a Bengali film Ashar Alo. Saha got her first break through in Tollywood film industry in Tarun Majumdar’s film Sansar Simante (1974).

Anamika Saha Net Worth – $200 thousand – $2 Million Dollars.

Anamika Saha is an actress who has an estimated net worth of $200 Thousand to $2 Million dollars. One of the most popular actresses in showbiz, earned her fortune through her hard work and dedication towards her profession.

In the same way, as the year passes by, her worth is increasing at an alarming rate.
Besides, she has a luxury cars, villas (mansion) where she is enjoying her ecstatic life with full of comfort.

As of now, her exact data relating to her net value is not recorded. However, we promise you to update it once we verify with the authentic sources.

Anushree Das
(Wikipedia)


Anushree Das
Born
Kolkata
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Known for
Bourani (1991)
Rupban Kanya (1992)
Khorkuto (2020)

Anushree Das is a Bengali film and television actress. She started her career through acting in films and later switched to Bengali TV soap opera.

Career

She started playing major roles in films through playing the lead actress in Bourani directed by Bhabesh Kundu in 1991 and Rupaban in Rupban Kanya (1992). She is highly acclaimed for her works in Bhai Amar Bhai (1996) and Praner Cheye Priyo (1998).

List of works

Filmography

Bourani (1991)
Rupban Kanya (1992)
Biswas Abiswas (1994)
Amodini (1994)
Naga Jyoti (1994)
Abooz Mon (1996)
Bakul Priya (1997)
Praner Cheye Priyo (1998)

Anashua Majumdar
(Wikipedia)
Anashua Majumdar
Born December 9, 1953 
Nationality Indian
Citizenship Indian
Occupation Actress
Spouse(s) Subrata Majumder

Anashua Majumdar is a Bengali film actress and theater personality.

Filmography

Gotra (2019)
Maati (2018)
Mrs. Sen (2013)
Hariye Jaai (2012)
Bhalo Theko (2003)
Debanjali (2000)
Sampradan (1999)
Kalratri (1997)
City of Joy (1992)
Mahaprithibi (1991)

Television

YearSerialChannelCharacter2009 - 2012 Bou Kotha Kao Star Jalsha Niharika
2009 - 2013 Binni Dhaner Khoi ETV Bangla Mohor's Mother In Law
2013 - 2014 Sokhi Star Jalsha Rama Sanyal
2013 - 2015 Jol Nupur Star Jalsha Radharani
2014 - 2016 Tumi Robe Nirobe Zee Bangla Jaya
2015 - 2016 Kojagori Zee Bangla Rashmoni Mitra
2015 - 2016 Chokher Tara Tui Star Jalsha Umrao Jaan
2015 Ichchenodi Star Jalsha Malobika's Mother
2016 - 2018 Kusum Dola Star Jalsha Nayan Mani
2017 - 2018 Kundo Phuler Mala Star Jalsha Angshu's step-mother
2017 - 2018 Andarmahal Zee Bangla Kundanandini Bose
2017 Gachkouto Colors Bangla Chitra
2019 - 2020 Mohor Star Jalsha as Malobika Roy chowdhury
2020 Jiyon Kathi Sun bangla
2020 Kora Pakhi Star Jalsha Radharani Ghosh
2020-present Desher Maati Star Jalsha Sharmila Mukherjee

Anandavally
Wikipedia
Anandavally
Born 14 January 1952

Veliyam, State of Travanvore-Cochin (present day Kollam, Kerala), India
Died 5 April 2019 (aged 67)

Thiruvananthapuram
Nationality Indian
Occupation

Dubbing artist
Actress
Radio announcer
Years active 1969 – 2019
Spouse(s) Chandrasekhara Pillai
Children Director Diphan (son)

Anandavally C. R. (14 January 1952 – 5 April 2019) was an Indian actress and dubbing artist, who predominantly worked in the Malayalam film industry.

Early life

Anandavally was born into an agricultural family at Veliyam, State of Travancore-Cochin to Tamilian parents. She did her schooling in "Kaiyela School" - Veliyam, where she began acting in school plays and later started Kadhaprasangam (story-telling performance).

Career
Drama artist

Anandavally used to sing for dramas even while a teenager. But unexpectedly, her acting skills were put to test in front of a large audience during the drama "Chithalu Kayariya Bhoomi" in 1969. Then she started performing in several dramas of KPAC, Kalidasa Kalakendram, Deshabhimani Theaters-Attingal, Kerala Theaters-Kottayam and Kayamkulam Peoples Theaters.

Radio

She also worked as an announcer in the All India Radio.

Film actress
Anandavally

Anandavally entered the film industry through the film "Kadu" and went on to act in below given films. She became interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry following a minor role in various Malayalam films, where she remained a regular until she decided to pursue a dubbing artist career.

Dubbing artist

In 1973, she debuted as a dubbing artist and gave sound for actress Rajasri in the film Devi Kanyakumari. Manjil Virinja Pookkal Malayalam film dubbed for Poornima Jayaram was the break through. Thereafter, Anandavally did not look back. She has dubbed for numerous Malayalam films. She gave her voice for several leading heroines, the list as Geetha, Sumalatha, Madhavi, Menaka, Ambika, Urvasi, Jayapradha, Karthika, Parvathy, Gauthami, Suhasini, Sobhana, Sukanya, Saritha, Silksmitha, Suchitra, Sarada, Bharathi, Bhanupriya, Rekha, Revathi, Radha, Raadhika, Renjini, Mohini, Nanditha Bose, Vinayaprasad, Kanaka, Khushbu, Unni Mary, Santhikrishna and so on. She won a Kerala State Award for the Malayalam film Aadhaaram dubbed for actress Geetha.



Anuja Sathe
Wikipedia


Anuja Sathe Gokhale
Born
8 October 1987, Pune, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2010–present
Height 5.8”
Spouse(s)
Saurabh Gokhale
​(m. 2013)​

Anuja Sathe Gokhale is an Indian actress, mainly working in Indian film industry. She is married to actor Saurabh Gokhale.

Career

Anuja began her career as a theater artist, working in numerous popular Marathi plays such as Shobha Yatra and Uttar Ratra. She then progressed to Marathi television and then Marathi mainstream cinema, and more recently Bollywood. She played the leading role as Dhara in the primetime soap opera Tamanna, on Star Plus channel; this was her first Hindi TV show.] She was seen in the historical period series Peshwa Bajirao as the mother of Bajirao, Radhabai. She was also seen in Khoob Ladi Mardaani... Jhansi Ki Rani as JankiBai. She essayed the role of a mafia queen in the web-series Ek thi Begum which streamed on MX player.

Sathe met Saurabh Gokhale, another Marathi actor, on the sets of her show Mandala Don Ghadicha Dav. The couple tied the knot in 2013.


Anita Dongre
Wikipedia
Anita Dongre
Dongre in 2015
Born 3 October 1963 

Nationality Indian
Education Fashion Design SNDT Women's University in Mumbai 1998
Occupation Fashion Designer
Children Yash Dongre

Anita Dongre (born 3 October 1963) is an Indian fashion designer. She is the founder of House of Anita Dongre, an Indian fashion house.


Early life

Dongre was born in Mumbai, in the state of Maharashtra. Her mother, Pushpa Sawlani, used to stitch clothes for Anita and her 5 siblings when they were kids[citation needed]. Later in life, Anita studied fashion design at SNDT college located in Mumbai. She pursued a Degree course in Fashion designing.

Career

Dongre launched her jewellery brand Anita Dongre Pink City, which also features under House of Anita Dongre.

In the year 2015, AND Designs India Limited re-branded itself as House of Anita Dongre.

House of Anita Dongre currently shelters AND (western wear), Global Desi (boho-chic brand inspired by the folk tales of India), and her signature label ANITA DONGRE. She has recently introduced Anita Dongre Grassroot to her fashion house. She is also the founder of Pink City, a jadau fine jewellery brand.

On March 28, 2019, the Board of House of Anita Dongre Limited (HOADL), as part of its corporate restructuring, transferred the businesses under its two brands, AND and Global Desi under a slump sale arrangement to a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary, Ochre and Black Private Limited (OBPL) - effective April 01, 2019. HOADL will continue to manage the business under its two brands - Anita Dongre and Grassroot.</ref> https://www.icra.in/Rationale/ShowRationaleReport?Id=87212

Dongre's brother and sister handle the operations of the business, while she focuses on the design front. She features as the Chief Creative Officer of the company.
Personal life

Anita Dongre is married to Pravin Dongre, a businessman and has a son named Yash Dongre, who is also a part of Dongre's business.

Dongre is a vegan activist and a member of the organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Awards and recognitions

In 2008, she received the GR8 Flo Women Achievers Award for ‘Excellence in Fashion Design’.
In 2013, The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization, Bombay Chapter, presented an award to Dongre for ‘Excellence in Fashion Design’.
In 2014, she received the EY Entrepreneur of the year award.
She received the Pantene Shine Award for helping women shine.

Archana (Tamil actress)
Wikipedia
For other actresses named Archana, see Archana (disambiguation).


Archana
Born
Sudha

Occupation Actress
Years active 1980 - Present
Known for Nireekshana (1982)
Veedu (1987)
Daasi (1988)


Archana (born as Sudha) is an Indian film actress and Kuchipudi and Kathak dancer, known for her works in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. She is the recipient of two National Film Awards.

Early life

Archana was born in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India as Sudha. During her childhood, her family moved to Madras (Present day Chennai).


English
Gangapur

Accolades


Abenao Elangbam
Wikipedia


Abenao Elangbam
Born
Sonia Elangbam
September 28, 1986

Top Khongnang Makhong, Porompat DC Road, Imphal, Manipur
Present address:
Singjamei, Imphal, Manipur
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress

Sonia Elangbam, known by the stage name Abenao Elangbam, (born September 28, 1986) is an Indian actress working in Manipuri cinema. She has displayed her versatility in acting by taking various roles in Manipuri films. The beginning of her career in films are marked by movies like Cheinakhol, Thoiba Thoibi, Naoshum and Akhunba Mani.

Early life and education

She completed her Master in Adult Education from Manipur University.

Career

Before coming into films, she has acted in some theatrical plays under People's Arts and Dramatic Association, Imphal. Her first film is Chingjaogum Lepliba Thamoi, where she is playing a supporting role. She is most popularly known for her role of Naobi in Thoiba Thoibi. Among her popular films were Thoiba Thoibi, Akhunba Mani, Thokkidagi Kishi, Nobap, Ekhenglaktagi Red Rose, Chumthang Makhong, Bema Bema, Liklaai, Leikang Thambal, Tabunungda Akaiba Likli, Western Sankirtan, Phijigee Mani and Waikhu.

In Phijigee Mani, she played an archer.
Accolades

For her role in the film Nobap, Elangbam received the Special Jury Award at the 7th Manipur State Film Awards 2010. She was awarded the Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in the film Pabunggi Cycle at the 2nd SSS MANIFA 2013 Best Actress in a Leading Role award was given to her for potraying the role Thoibi in the film Tabunungda Akaiba Likli at the 3rd SSS MANIFA 2014. She was also honoured with Th. Ashokumar Memorial Award in Arts and Culture at the 10th Foundation Day of USU, Khurai.

Anna Kashfi 

Anna Kashfi (born Joan O'Callaghan; September 30, 1934 – August 16, 2015) was a British-born actress of Anglo-Indian descent who worked in Hollywood during the 1950s and early 1960s. She gained prominence for her roles in films such as The Mountain (1956) and Night of the Quarter Moon (1959), but is perhaps best known for her high-profile, tumultuous marriage to Marlon Brando (1957–1959). Her career was marked by her exoticized persona, fabricated ethnic origins, and personal struggles, including legal battles and health issues. Below is a comprehensive overview of her life, career, and legacy.

Personal Background

  • Full Name: Joan O'Callaghan (stage name: Anna Kashfi)
  • Date of Birth: September 30, 1934
  • Date of Death: August 16, 2015 (aged 80)
  • Birthplace: Chakradharpur, Bihar, India (then under British colonial rule)
  • Ethnicity: Anglo-Indian (mixed European-Indian heritage, primarily Irish/Welsh with possible distant Indian ancestry)
  • Nationality: British by birth; later U.S. resident through marriage and career
  • Caste/Community: Anglo-Indian, a Eurasian minority from British-Indian intermarriages, historically tied to colonial jobs like railways. Not part of India’s traditional caste system (e.g., Scheduled Castes/Tribes or OBCs), but considered a working-class community with socio-economic challenges post-1947 Indian independence.
  • Family:
    • Parents: William Patrick O'Callaghan (Irish, railway traffic superintendent in India) and Martha Phoebe Melinda Shrieves (Welsh, homemaker). Both were Anglo-Indians born in India to railway families.
    • Siblings: Limited information; she had at least one brother, as noted in biographies.
    • Upbringing: Grew up in modest circumstances in India’s railway colonies, relocating to Cardiff, Wales, at age 13 (1947) amid India’s partition. Her family faced financial hardship in Wales, with her mother working as a waitress and in a butcher’s shop, and her father in factories.
  • Education: Attended St. Joseph’s Convent School in India and later schools in Cardiff, but left formal education early to work and pursue modeling due to economic pressures.
  • Personal Beliefs: No explicit religious affiliations noted; her life focused on career and survival rather than ideology. She navigated racial and ethnic stereotypes in Hollywood, often leaning into an “exotic” persona.

Career Journey

Early Life and Entry into Entertainment

  • Childhood and Move to UK: Born in Chakradharpur, a railway town, Kashfi grew up in a working-class Anglo-Indian family. The 1947 partition and Indian independence disrupted Anglo-Indian communities, prompting her family’s move to Cardiff, Wales. Economic struggles led her to work odd jobs (e.g., shop assistant) before moving to London at 18 to pursue modeling.
  • Modeling Career: In London, she adopted the stage name “Anna Kashfi” (derived from Persian mythology, meaning “flower of heaven”) to appear exotic. Her striking features and dark hair made her a sought-after model for print and fashion campaigns, catching the eye of Hollywood scouts.

Hollywood Acting Career

Kashfi’s film career was brief but notable, spanning the mid-1950s to early 1960s. She was marketed as an “East Indian” actress, a persona fabricated by Hollywood publicists to capitalize on her ambiguous ethnic background.

Key Films and Roles
  • *The Mountain (1956)**: Her debut, opposite Spencer Tracy and Robert Wagner. She played a Hindu girl, leveraging her exoticized image. The role earned her critical notice for her beauty and screen presence.
  • *Battle Hymn (1957)**: A supporting role as a Korean woman, reinforcing her “foreign” typecasting.
  • *Cowboy (1958)**: Played Maria Vidal, a Mexican character, alongside Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon. Her performance was praised for its emotional depth.
  • *Night of the Quarter Moon (1959)**: A lead role as Maria, a mixed-race woman navigating racial prejudice. The film’s themes mirrored her own experiences with identity and discrimination.
  • TV Appearances: Guest roles in series like Adventures in Paradise (1960) and Bronco (1960), often playing ethnic or exotic characters.
Career Challenges
  • Typecasting: Kashfi was pigeonholed into “exotic” roles due to Hollywood’s racial biases, limiting her range. Her fabricated Indian heritage (claiming full Indian descent from a Bengali mother and architect father) was scrutinized, especially after her marriage to Brando exposed her Anglo-Indian roots.
  • Short Career: Her acting career waned after 1960, partly due to personal struggles (divorce, custody battles) and health issues (alcoholism, epilepsy). She made no major films after the early 1960s, though she attempted a comeback in modeling and minor roles.

Fabricated Heritage Controversy

  • Kashfi’s claim of being fully Indian (born to a Bengali mother and Indian architect via an “unregistered alliance”) was a Hollywood construct, likely encouraged by Paramount Pictures to market her as an exotic star. Biographies and legal records confirm her Anglo-Indian parentage (O'Callaghan and Shrieves), with Irish/Welsh ancestry and no definitive Indian lineage beyond railway family ties. This deception fueled media scrutiny, especially during her divorce from Brando, who accused her of fraud. Kashfi maintained her Indian identity in her 1978 memoir Brando for Breakfast, but evidence supports her Anglo-Indian roots, aligning with her family’s railway background.

Personal Life

  • Marriage to Marlon Brando (1957–1959):
    • Married Marlon Brando, then a global superstar, in October 1957 after meeting on the set of The Mountain. Their marriage was turbulent, marked by Brando’s infidelity and Kashfi’s struggles with identity and fame.
    • Son: Christian Devi Brando (born 1958), whose custody became a bitter legal battle post-divorce. Christian later gained notoriety for a 1990 manslaughter conviction.
    • The divorce in 1959 was highly publicized, with Brando questioning Kashfi’s heritage and mental stability, while she accused him of abuse and neglect.
  • Later Relationships: Kashfi married James Hannaford, a British sales executive, in the 1970s. They lived in Ireland and San Diego, California, until their divorce in the 1980s.
  • Health Struggles: Kashfi battled alcoholism and epilepsy, which impacted her career and personal life. These issues, combined with financial instability, led to a reclusive later life.
  • Residences: After Wales and London, she lived in Hollywood during her career peak, then moved between Ireland, California, and Washington state. She died in Woodland, Washington.

Achievements and Recognition

  • Pioneering Anglo-Indian Actress: One of the few Anglo-Indian women to break into Hollywood, paving the way for later stars like Merle Oberon (also Anglo-Indian, though she hid her heritage).
  • Cultural Impact: Her roles in films like Night of the Quarter Moon addressed racial and ethnic identity, resonating with her own experiences as a minority navigating prejudice.
  • Media Attention: Her marriage to Brando made her a tabloid fixture, amplifying her visibility despite her brief career.

Challenges and Controversies

  • Ethnicity Scandal: The discrepancy between her claimed Indian heritage and Anglo-Indian roots sparked lifelong controversy, damaging her credibility. Brando’s legal team and media investigations exposed her parents’ identities, leading to public humiliation.
  • Personal Struggles: Alcoholism, epilepsy, and financial ruin (exacerbated by legal battles and lack of industry support) overshadowed her talent. She lived modestly in later years, relying on family.
  • Custody Battle: Her fight for son Christian’s custody was protracted and emotionally draining, with Brando’s wealth and influence dominating the narrative.
  • Hollywood Bias: As an ethnic minority, Kashfi faced typecasting and limited opportunities, a common plight for non-white actresses in 1950s Hollywood.

Socio-Economic Background

  • Disadvantaged Origins: Kashfi’s family was working-class Anglo-Indian, tied to India’s railway communities. Her father’s role as a traffic superintendent was stable but modest, and her mother’s homemaking role reflected limited means. Their relocation to Wales in 1947 brought further economic hardship, with both parents taking low-wage jobs (factory work, waitressing, butchery). This aligns with a “low class” or disadvantaged socio-economic status, though not in the Indian caste sense (e.g., Dalit or tribal communities).
  • Anglo-Indian Context: Anglo-Indians enjoyed some colonial privileges (English education, civil service jobs) but faced marginalization post-independence, often emigrating due to reduced opportunities. Kashfi’s family embodied this transition from modest stability in India to immigrant struggles in the UK.
  • Career-Driven Mobility: Her modeling and acting success briefly elevated her to middle-class status in Hollywood, but personal setbacks led to financial instability by the 1970s.

Later Life and Legacy

  • Post-Acting Years: After retiring from acting, Kashfi lived quietly in California and Washington. She published Brando for Breakfast (1978), a memoir detailing her marriage and Hollywood experiences, though it was criticized for exaggerations. She remained estranged from the industry, focusing on raising her son and surviving health challenges.
  • Death: Kashfi died on August 16, 2015, in Woodland, Washington, aged 80, from natural causes. Her passing received limited media attention, reflecting her faded stardom.
  • Legacy:
    • Cultural Representation: As an Anglo-Indian actress, she challenged Hollywood’s racial norms, though her fabricated heritage complicated her narrative.
    • Influence: Her story parallels other minority actresses (e.g., Merle Oberon, Vivien Leigh with distant Indian ties) who navigated identity in a prejudiced industry.
    • Personal Resilience: Despite controversies and hardships, Kashfi’s journey from a working-class railway family to Hollywood reflects determination, even if marred by personal and professional setbacks.

Fun Facts

  • Birthday Coincidence: Born on September 30, she shares her birth date with other figures discussed in your queries (e.g., Bidita Bag, Mona Meshram) and the passing of Cuckoo Moray (1981).
  • Brando Connection: Her marriage to Brando, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, made her a global name, though it overshadowed her acting talent.
  • Railway Roots: Her family’s railway background tied her to a quintessential Anglo-Indian institution, reflecting the community’s colonial legacy.
  • Memoir Controversy: Brando for Breakfast was a bestseller but criticized by Brando’s circle for its sensational claims, adding to her polarizing image.

Recent Updates (as of September 2025)

  • Since Kashfi’s death in 2015, no new developments have emerged. Her son, Christian Brando, died in 2008, and her later years were private. Occasional mentions on platforms like X highlight her as a forgotten Hollywood figure, with some users noting her Anglo-Indian heritage as a point of interest for South Asian diaspora studies.

Conclusion

Anna Kashfi’s life was a complex tapestry of ambition, identity, and adversity. Born into a working-class Anglo-Indian family in colonial India, she rose from economic hardship to Hollywood stardom, only to face personal and professional decline. Her fabricated Indian heritage, while a career strategy, sparked controversies that overshadowed her talent. As a trailblazer for Anglo-Indian representation, her roles in films like The Mountain and Night of the Quarter Moon tackled themes of identity still relevant today. Despite her struggles with alcoholism, epilepsy, and isolation, Kashfi’s journey from a railway town to Tinseltown remains a testament to resilience in a challenging industry.
Ambika Anand


Wikipedia

Ambika Anand

Born 15 September 1980
Nationality Indian
Education Delhi University
Employer NDTV

Ambika Anand (born 15 September 1980) is an Indian TV anchor and fashion consultant at NDTV. She has previously anchored shows like Eyes on Style, Band Baajaa Bride Season 7,Big Fat Indian Wedding, I'm Too Sexy For My Shoes, and I'm Too Sexy – All Access.[5] And host ' The Ambika Anand Show ' on her Youtube channel

Early life and career

Born in Chandigarh, she completed her schooling from Delhi Public School & graduated from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University. She earned a Diploma Degree in Economics from the Cardiff Business School.

Anand joined NDTV on 8 December 2002 and worked for their show India Business Report, a weekly programme that was produced for the BBC. After close to two years of working with NDTV, she went and worked for the Department of Communication of the International Labour Organization in Geneva.

In December 2005, she rejoined NDTV and worked on several programmes in her capacity as reporter and anchor, including Hot Property, Boss's Day Out and Value for Money. She also anchored live business news on the channel.

Anand turned to fashion and wedding related programming in 2007 and joined NDTV's lifestyle channel, Good Times. She worked on a series of hit programs like Big Fat Indian Wedding, 10 Things To Do Before You Say Bye, Vanity No Apologies, The Inside Story and I Am Too Sexy For My Shoes.

Continuing with her foray in this genre, she began anchoring a new show Band Baja Bride in 2011, a bride makeover show where she performed the part of mentor. She also hosted The Fast and the Gorgeous, a reality show, in the same year.

Awards and honours

Was on Verve's India's best dressed list in 2009, 2010 
Her show I'm Too Sexy For My Shoes also won the Best Lifestyle & Fashion Show for 2010 at the Indian Telly Awards
Awarded Cosmopolitan India's Fun Fearless Female TV Personality Award 2011
10 Things to do before you say Bye! - London - A show that Anand was a part of, won the award for Outstanding Broadcast Feature at VisitBritain Media Awards 2011
Band Baajaa Bride, a show that Anand hosted won Best Lifestyle Show at the Indian Telly Awards 2011 
Was on the list of HT City Delhi's Most Stylish 2013 
In 2019, The Colombo Fashion Week show was sent as an entry by NDTV 24x7 for Best Fashion And Lifestyle Show for Indian Television Awards 2019 and won in that category. Ambika had scripted and anchored the show! 



Amala Akkineni
Wikipedia
Amala Akkineni
Amala Akkineni in 2010
Born
Amala Mukherjee
12 September 1967

Alma mater Kalakshetra, Chennai
Occupation

Actress
social activist
Years active 1986–1993; 2012–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 1992)​
Children Akhil Akkineni
Naga Chaitanya (step-son)

Amala Akkineni (née Mukherjee) is an Indian actress, Bharatanatyam dancer, and animal welfare activist. She has predominantly worked in Tamil films, in addition to Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada-language films. She was a leading actress in the Tamil film industry in the late 1980s and has appeared in many blockbusters in Tamil and other languages. She has won two Filmfare Awards South, namely Best Actress – Malayalam for the 1991 film Ulladakkam and Best Supporting Actress – Telugu for the 2012 film Life Is Beautiful. Amala is the co-founder of Blue Cross of Hyderabad, a non-government organisation (NGO) in Hyderabad, India, which works towards the welfare of animals and preservation of animal rights in India.

Early life

Amala was born in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) to a Bengali Indian Navy officer and an Irish mother. She has a brother. Amala holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Bharatanatyam from Kalakshetra college of fine arts, Madras now Chennai. She gave many live performances worldwide. She was subsequently persuaded to join films by T. Rajender, who visited her home with his wife Usha and convinced her mother to let her act in the film, which would be a classical film featuring her Bharatanatyam dancing.

Personal life

Amala married Telugu actor Nagarjuna on 11 June 1992 and the couple have a son, actor Akhil Akkineni born in 1994. She is the step-mother of actor Naga Chaitanya. They currently live in Hyderabad.

Career

Amala made her debut in a Tamil film titled Mythili Ennai Kaathali, directed by T. Rajendar, which was a huge box office hit. Winning overnight fame, she charmed cinegoers in a flurry of fifty films, including a number of Tamil box office hits. She acted with her future husband Akkineni Nagarjuna in hits such as Nirnayam and Siva. She received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for the film Ulladakkam

She quit acting in 1992 following her marriage to Nagarjuna. After a hiatus of 20 years she made a comeback in 2012 with the Telugu film Life is Beautiful. She received a CineMAA Award for Best Outstanding Actress and Telugu category Filmfare Award for best supporting actress in 2013 for her portrayal.

She returned to Malayalam cinema with C/O Saira Banu after a gap of 25 years, since Ulladakkam (1991).

Anjali (actress)
Wikipedia
Anjali


Born 16 June 1986 

Occupation Actress
Years active 2006–present

Anjali (born 16 June 1986) is an Indian actress and model, who appears in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. Following a stint in modelling, she was cast in starring roles in two Telugu productions; her debut film was the Telugu film Photo (2006), before bagging a role and gaining attention in the film Kattradhu Thamizh (2007) with Jiiva. In 2010 and 2011, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil, for her performances in Angaadi Theru and Engaeyum Eppothum respectively and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Angadi Theru, subsequently becoming recognised as one of the "finest young actors" in Tamil cinema, and noted for mostly playing "performance-oriented roles".

In 2013, she returned to Telugu cinema appeared in a string of successful films like Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, Balupu, Masala, Geethanjali and Dictator, which made her one of the leading actresses in Telugu. She also received two Nandi Awards for Best Actress for her performances in the films Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (2013) and Geethanjali (2014).

Early life

Anjali was born on 16 June 1986 in Razole, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh to a Telugu-speaking family. She has two brothers and a sister. She completed her schooling in Razole and later moved to Chennai where she continued her studies, pursuing a degree in mathematics. After completing her education, she began acting in short films, which paved the way for her entry into the film industry. Anjali remarked that her parents had aspirations to become an actor and that they "realised their dreams" through her.

Career

2006–2008: Debut and breakthrough

In 2002, Anjali was signed on to appear in director Kalanjiyam's Sathamintri Muthamidu under the screen name of Sundhari, but the film later failed to materialise.The director also began two other films with Anjali, Valiba Desam and En Kanavu Thaanadi, though those also failed to materialise. During one of her modelling assignments, she was spotted by director Siva Nageswara Rao, who offered her a starring role in his Telugu thriller film Photo (2006). Anjali portrayed a ghost haunting her murderers in Photo, which co-starred two more newcomers, Anand and Bhanu. She played the female lead in another Telugu venture, the romance film Premalekha Raasa (2007), directed by lyricist Kulasekhar, opposite a debutant again; both films garnered negative response and performed poorly at the box office, failing to propel her career in Telugu cinema.

She made her Tamil film début later that year in Kattradhu Thamizh, directed by Ram, which released to strong critical acclaim. Anjali won critical praise for her portrayal of Anandhi, the childhood friend and love interest of a young teacher-turned-psychopath (enacted by Jeeva). A Behindwoods critic wrote that she was "a delight to watch and spellbinds the viewer with her beautiful fresh look and her performance",[ while Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff described her as "a breath of fresh air" and "the perfect foil to Jeeva's plethora of emotions". Her performance earned her the Vijay Award for Best Debut Actress for that year, and she grew in popularity, leading her to several more offers, albeit the film proved commercially unsuccessful She appeared in two films in 2008; Honganasu, her first Kannada project and Aayudham Seivom in Tamil. The latter, which featured her as the female lead opposite Sundar C, was panned by critics and she was criticised for accepting that role, with reviewers noting that she had nothing to do in the film, "except roll her eyes".

2010–2012: Critical acclaim

She next played Kani, a fiery, independent sales girl in a textile showroom in Angadi Theru (2010) which melted everyone's heart and was released two years after her last venture. The Vasanthabalan-directed tragedy drama focussed on the lives of young employees who work in retail department stores. The film was shot in real location at the Ranganathan Street in T Nagar, Chennai with hidden cameras, with Anjali disclosing that they wore the uniform of a particular textile company, passing off as real sales-people and selling goods. Angadi Theru opened to rave reviews, whilst also fetching Anjali critical acclaim for her performance, which went on to win several accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Tamil. She subsequently appeared in two family drama films; S Pictures' Rettaisuzhi, in which she shared screen with veteran directors Bharathiraja and K Balachandar, and Magizhchi, co-starring and directed by Gowthaman. The latter released to favourable reviews, and Anjali received positive feedback on her performance, being labelled as "impressive", and "almost perfect as the young, a bit mischievous, village girl"; however both films failed to succeed at the box office.

In 2011, she first appeared in Payyans alongside Jayasurya, which marked her début in Malayalam cinema, followed by a lead female role in the Cloud Nine Movies-production Thoonga Nagaram, in which she starred as an anchor in local television, and a cameo appearance in a song in Ko that also featured other lead actors from Tamil Cinema. She was then seen in the small-budget drama film Karungali, directed by Kalanjiyam. Kalanjiyam had signed up Anjali, rechristening her as Sundari then, for a film titled Sathamindri Muthamidu, even prior to Kattradhu Thamizh, followed by three more films, all of which were cancelled. Following her rise to fame post Angadi Theru, Kalanjiyam revived one of the projects, namely Karungali, with Anjali agreeing to be part of it, owing to her prior commitments. The film featured her as a childless housewife living in a bad relationship with her husband, and was a critical and commercial failure. While starring in Thoonga Nagaram, she was offered a minor supporting role in another project of the production studio, Mankatha. The Ajith Kumar-starrer, directed by Venkat Prabhu, was Anjali's first high-budget project and featured her as part of an ensemble cast. The film emerged a financial success and Anjali's highest-grossing film in her career, however her role in the film was small and not well received generally. Meanwhile, she was cast by director A R Murugadoss to perform a lead role in his maiden production Engeyum Eppodhum alongside Jai, Sharvanand and Ananya, directed by his assistant M Saravanan.[Anjali essayed the role of a bold and dominating nurse, with critics again heaping praise on her performance. The Hindu wrote that she "has given her best [and] steals the show in the climax", while Rediff's Pavithra Srinivasan cited it was she "who clearly walks away with the honours", adding that "the extent of her feelings emerges only at the end, and carries you away" and calling it a "noteworthy performance". She had her only starring role in 2012 in Sundar C's Kalakalappu. A critic from Deccan Chronicle wrote that "Anjali scores well with her natural performance".
2013–2014: Continued success

In 2013, she starred in the Telugu multi-starrer Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu along with Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu and Samantha. The film went on to be a critical and commercial success, with many applauses for Anjali from the critics. Mahalakshmi Prabhakaran of DNA India commented that Anjali "as the innocent Seetha...gives an easy breezy but endearing performance". She later starred in A R Murugadoss' next production venture Vatthikuchi opposite Dhileban. The film received mixed reviews as did her performance. IndiaGlitz commented "Anjali's character though is sugary; it's a reminiscent of so many of her characters in the past and leaves you with a sense of wanting variation". Her next release was Settai, the Tamil remake of Delhi Belly, in which she starred opposite Arya. The film received mixed reviews, though she was appreciated for her performance and looks. S Saraswati of Rediff commented "Anjali, who is better known for deglamorised performances, has been given a brand new avatar for this film. Her clothes, hair and makeup have all been changed to suit her character—that of a very confident and attractive Mumbai-based journalist". After an item number in Suriya's Singam II, her first in her career, she starred in two Telugu films, Gopichand Malineni's Balupu opposite Ravi Teja and Masala, the Telugu remake of Bol Bachchan, opposite Venkatesh, for the second time in her career. In 2014, she appeared in a horror comedy women-centric film titled Geethanjali for which she received Nandi Award for Best Actress, SICA Award for Best Telugu Actress.

2015–present: Brief setback and comeback

In early 2015, Anjali returned to Sandalwood and starred opposite Puneeth Rajkumar in Rana Vikrama. Her début film in Kannada was Honganasu seven years ago. She broke the seven-year hiatus with that film. In Tamil, she appeared opposite Jayam Ravi alongside Trisha, Soori in Sakalakala Vallavan. In Telugu, she played a special cameo role of a lady don in Sankarabharanam, a Telugu film which has Nikhil Siddharth in lead. In 2016, her first release was in Telugu opposite Balayya Balakrishna titled Dictator which declared Super-hit. Her role was well received by the audience. Later she signed a psycho action thriller Telugu film Chitrangada (2017). In December 2017, her film with Jai & Janani Iyer titled Balloon directed by newcomer Sinish got good reviews and moderate-average performance at the box office. She signed a Tamil-Malayalam film Peranbu (2019) opposite Mammootty directed by Ram. She acted in the horror flick, Lisaa (2019) as lead character. Anjali acted as lesbian in the web series Paava Kadhaigal (2020) directed by Vignesh Shivan. The next year she played the role Zarina in the film Vakeel Saab (2021), directed by Venu Sriram. The film was successful at the box-office, grossing over ₹137.65 crore worldwide, despite COVID-19 pandemic in India. The film became her comeback success. Following the success, she signed for a role in the film F3, produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations

Atisha Naik
Wikipedia
Atisha NaikAtisha Naik Information: 

Atisha Naik is an Indian film actress who has been in the field of acting since she was 8 years old when she made her debut in a Marathi play, Good-Bye Doctor as a child artist. She made her film debut with Mahesh Manjrekar’s Hindi film Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye. Recently, she played an important role as a lady, Sarpanch in the national award-winning film Deool. Atisha Naik is a Actor. Atisha Naik has mostly worked in Marathi and has worked in languages like Marathi. Atisha Naik is an actress, known for Wake Up Sid (2009), Lafangey Parindey (2010), and Zokkomon (2011).Atisha Naik is a popular Actor. The latest movie in which Atisha Naik has acted is Bandookya. She has worked in Marathi serials like Abhalmaya, Madhu Ithe An Chandra Tithe, Dilya Ghari Tu Sukhi Raha, Ghadlay Bighadlay, Fu Bai Fu (Zee Marathi), Sundara Manamadhe Bharli, Ya Gojirwanya Gharat, Ghadge & Suun (Colors Marathi), Bun Maska (Zee Yuva), Mansicha Chitrakar Toh, Pudhcha Paaul, Swapnanchya Palikadale (Star Pravah), etc. She has also appeared in Hindi serials like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Ek Packet Umeed, etc. Her Marathi film appearances in Manthan: Ek Amrut Pyala, Bandookya, Salaam, and Deool were appreciated by both audience and critics.

She has also acted in Hindi feature films like Lafangey Parindey and Wake Up Sid. Atisha Naik is an Indian actress, who works in the Hindi and Marathi film and T.V. industries. Atisha made her big-screen acting debut with the 2003 movie, Praan Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye. In 2009 she acted alongside Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor in coming of age dramedy, Wake Up Sid. Atisha played the role of Mrs. Bapat. Her other acting credits include movies like Deool (2011), Lafangey Parindey (2010) Zokkomon (2011), and Salaam (2014). In 2017 Atisha acted in director Rahul Manohar Chaudhari`s Bandookya. The cast also includes Shashank Shende and Namdeo Murkute. Atisha Naik is a Hindi and Marathi actress mostly known for her negative roles. She made her Hindi film debut in ‘Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye’, a movie directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Recently, she played an important role as a lady Sarpanch, in the national award-winning film ‘Deool’ starring Nana Patekar. In this movie, she exploited her acting potential to the core and was lauded by everyone. She made her TV debut in NDTV’s Imagine “Ek Packet Umeed” and played the role of “Sundari”.

She is also very active in Marathi Theater and ‘Suryachi Pilley’ is her latest Marathi play. She is also regular in Marathi’s TV circuit and in the serial ‘Pudhcha Paul’ her role as a cunning Mother in law sends shivers to the viewers. She acted in another Starpravah Marathi TV serial ‘Manasicha Chitrakaar’ which is a story of the clash of dreams of two persons. Being an actor she wants to explore and not wants to limit herself to negative roles. She is playing a comic role In Amol Palekar’s movie “We are on, Ata Houn Jau De” and she enjoyed doing the comic role. She also did standup comedy with Sunil Tawde in “Fu Bai Fu” season 3. She recently acted in a Marathi movie Salaam (2014) Directed by Kiran Yadnyopavit and Atisha gets good reviews for her acting. She wants to make her mark in the Indian Film industry as “Smita Patil’. We wish her all the best for her upcoming projects.

Atisha Naik is an actor who performs in film, television, and even theater. She began her career as a child artiste on stage. Hailing from Maharashtra, she loved being on stage and performing in front of live audiences. Her versatile stage performance includes Suryachi Pilley’ and ‘Good Bye Doctor’ (child artiste). She began her acting career through the Hindi film ‘Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye’. It was a good offer as she got a chance to perform in Mahesh Manjrekar’s Hindi film, followed by few other popular Marathi films too. She also acted in another Marathi film ‘We are on Ata Houn Jau De’ which was a clean, healthy comedy devoid of any silly clowning and vulgarity. The film was directed by veteran actor Amol Palekar. Now she is one of the most promising faces of Marathi serial.

She started as a stage actor and then shifted to Hindi and Marathi movies because Marathi is her mother tongue, and she would be more comfortable in doing her performances. As an actor, she had every reason to opt for movies in two different languages, as both Marathi and Hindi movies have their own charm. Although she had played always a positive and good character in theater, television, or cinema, she surprised the audiences by playing a negative character of a cunning woman in the Marathi serial, Pudhcha Paaul’. She actually received prominence in the much-admired Marathi serial ‘Pudhcha Paaul’. And since then, she is known as the villain and cunning woman of the small screen. But actually, in personal life, she is a very kind-hearted woman. This actress is hardworking, honest, and possesses the thinking power and ability to do something creative before the camera. She was noticed in a meaningful small role in the Hindi popular film “Wake Up, Sid”, which was a Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions movie and directed by Ayan Mukerji. Atisha Naik plays the role of Indumati, mother of Abhimanyu (Sameer Paranjpe) and wife of Uttam. Let us have a detailed look at her Atisha Naik information.Atisha Naik information

Lives In Mumbai, India
Atisha Naik Marital Status Married
Net Worth (2021) $1 million – $5 million
Career Span 2003 – present
Occupation Actress, Director
Hobbies Acting, Travelling

Career :
Natak Good Bye Doctor
Ashi Hi Shyamchi Aai
Shevgyachya Shenga
Wada Chirebandi – 9 hours play
Sakkhe Shejari
Sorry Wrong Number
Sakharam Binder
Gidhade
Suryachi Pille
Varyavarchi Varat
Jaubai Jorat
Vijay Dinanath Chauhan
Dili Supari Baykochi
Serials Bun Maska
Abhalmaya
Hasa Chakat Fu
Aakrit
Ya Gojirwanya Gharat
Puneri Misal
Pinjara
Dilya Ghari Tu Sukhi Raha
Manasicha Chitrakar To
Fu Bai Fu
Tharar
Ghadalay Bighadalay
Mad Mad Murder
Kahani Main Twist
Pardes Main Mila Koi Apanasa
Crime Patrol
Ssshhhh…Koi Hai
Pudhcha Paaul
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Ek Packet Umeed
Ghadge & Suun
Bigg Boss Marathi (season 1) (as a guest)
Sundara Manamadhe Bharli
Swapnanchya Palikadale
Ashihi Shyamchi Aai
Films Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye
Manthan: Ek Amrut Pyala
Wake Up Sid
Are Sansar
Deool
Salaam
Lafangey Parindey
Zokkomon
Bandookya
Kante
Conditions Apply Atti Laagu
Ek Daav Sansaracha
Nishkalank
Web series / Short Films



Atisha Naik information
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She has 8.9k followers on instagram.

Atisha Naik is an Indian film actress who has been in the field of acting since she was 8 years old when she made her debut in a Marathi play, Good-Bye Doctor as a child artist.
She made her film debut with Mahesh Manjrekar’s Hindi film Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye. Recently, she played an important role as a lady, Sarpanch in the national award-winning film Deool.

Atisha Naik is an actress, known for Wake Up Sid (2009), Lafangey Parindey (2010), and Zokkomon (2011).

She has worked in Marathi serials like Abhalmaya, Madhu Ithe An Chandra Tithe, Dilya Ghari Tu Sukhi Raha, Ghadlay Bighadlay, Fu Bai Fu (Zee Marathi), Sundara Manamadhe Bharli, Ya Gojirwanya Gharat, Ghadge & Suun (Colors Marathi), Bun Maska (Zee Yuva), Mansicha Chitrakar Toh, Pudhcha Paaul, Swapnanchya Palikadale (Star Pravah), etc.
Atisha Naik information

She has also appeared in Hindi serials like Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Ek Packet Umeed, etc. Her Marathi film appearances in Manthan: Ek Amrut Pyala, Bandookya, Salaam, and Deool were appreciated by both audience and critics.
She has also acted in Hindi feature films like Lafangey Parindey and Wake Up Sid. Atisha Naik is an Indian actress, who works in the Hindi and Marathi film and T.V. industries
. She started her career as a child artist at the age of eight with the play, Goodbye Doctor.
Atisha Naik plays role of Indumati, mother of Abhimanyu (Sameer Paranjpe) and wife of Uttam.

Anupama Kumar
Wikipedia


Anupama Kumar
Born 4 December 1974 

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names Anupama Prakash Kumar
Occupation Actress, Producer, Model, Journalist, Anchor, Television producer
Years active 2004–present
Spouse(s) Cdr G. ShivaKumar
Children Aditya Shivakumar

Anupama Prakash Kumar (born 4 December 1974 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), better known as Anupama Kumar, is an Indian film actress and model. Having appeared in more than 300 ad films, she made her debut as an actress in the 2004 Hindi film Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na and went on to play supporting roles in Tamil films. Besides acting and modelling, Anupama has also worked as a journalist, anchor, and a television producer. She recently turned Producer with her indie black and white flick that is due for release in the summer of 2021 She won the Vijay Award 2013 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) for her role in Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal.

Career

Born at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Anupama mostly lived in North India. She had been mainly involved in the field of television for over thirteen years, working as an anchor, visualizer, journalist and even producer. Later she started off into a modelling and acting career, featuring in more than 300 commercials along with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Mohanlal. She had appeared in several Hindi language television series such as Kabhi Aaye Na Judaai, Mission Fateh, Shaka Laka Boom Boom and The Magic Make-Up Box as well.

Kumar debuted in Indian films with the Aishwarya Rai-starrer Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na in a cameo.

Personal life

She is married to G. Shivakumar, a Navy commander, and has one son, Aditya, with whom she currently resides in Chennai.

Avanthika Mohan
Wikipedia


Priyanka Mohan
Born 8 June 1993 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Occupation Actress, model, dancer
Years active 2012–present
Spouse(s)
Anil Kumar Kainth
​(m. 2017)​

Priyanka Mohan is an Indian actress and model, better known by her stage name as Avanthika Mohan. She made her debut film, Yakshi – Faithfully Yours and was later seen in Malayalam films and later earned popularity through the TV series Athmasakhi for which she received two best actress award for the character called Nanditha by 24 frames film society In 2018, she got the 2nd position as Kochi Times Most Desirable women on Television.

Early life

Avanthika Mohan was born and brought up in Dubai. Her parents are from Calicut. She returned to Kerala to pursue a modelling career and won the Miss Malabar 2011 title and also the subtitle Miss Perfect 2010. She is a dancer and had taken training for it. After winning the beauty pageant, she began to receive acting offers and decided to enter the film industry. She received three consequent best actress award in 2017.

Career

She made her debut in the 2012 experimental film Yakshi – Faithfully Yours, directed by Abhiram Suresh Unnithan, featuring all newcomers in the lead roles. The film saw Avanthika playing the titular character of a "snake ghost" named Nagayakshi, a snake who turns into a woman after coming to the planet. 2013 she was part of the Malayalam comedy flick Mr Bean- The Laugh Riot after which she was seen in Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi,. She next played a lead role in crocodile love story. She made her Tamil film debut with the horror film Aalamaram (2014). Her next releases were Vundile Manchi Kalam Mundu Munduna, her first Telugu film, and debutant director Shyam Mohan's thriller 8:20 released and the movie went on well she got good appreciation for her performance from the Critics and the audiences. She had signed film Male Baruva Munna, an Oriya movie and a Hindi movie directed by Samagra Ganesh is based on a true story. She has also signed Rajavin Parvai Raniyin Pakkam, to be directed by Azhagu Raj.Television debut

In May 2016, she signed into play lead role in TV series Athmasakhi in Malayalam language in which she plays a bold and modern character Nanditha who is a doctor by profession. Later in June she made her Telugu Television debut through Raja Rani in which she plays a strong and innocent school teacher. She is getting positive reviews from both TV series. She had to quit Athmasakhi in 2018 due to pregnancy completing 500 episodes. After a sabbatical she is paired up with Rajyan Rajan after Athmasakhi in the new series Priyapettaval which is going on-air in Mazhavil Manorama from late 2019 which portrays the misunderstandings in Marriage life

Personal life

Avanthika married Anil Kumar Kainth in 2017. The couple has a son Rudraunsh Kainth.

Anu Sithara
Wikipedia


Anu Sithara
Born
Anu Sithara Pulivetti Salam
21 August 1995

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2013–present
Spouse(s)
Vishnu Prasad
​(m. 2015)​
Parent(s)

Abdul Salam (Father)
Renuka (Mother)

Anu Sithara (pronounced: anu sittāra) is an Indian film actress who appears predominantly in Malayalam films. Anu Sithara made her debut in 2013 as a child artist in Pottas Bomb. Her debut role as a lead actress was in Omar Lulu's Happy Wedding in 2016.

Personal life

Anu was born on 21 August 1995 to Renuka and Abdul Salam. She married boyfriend Vishnu Prasad in 2015. She has a younger sister, Anu Sonara

Alka Kaushal
Wikipedia


Alka Kaushal
Born
Alka Badola

Delhi, India
Occupation

Actress
Producer
Years active 1994–present
Known for Queen
Spouse(s) Ravi G. Kaushal
Children Shhambhavi Kaushal (daughter)
Family Vishwa Mohan Badola (father)
Varun Badola (brother)
Kalindi Badola (sister)
Rajeshwari Sachdev (sister-in-law)

Alka Kaushal (born Badola, Hindi: अल्का कौशल) is an Indian actress and producer, known for her work in Marathi cinema. She is also popular for her roles in TV shows such as Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan and Qubool Hai. She has played supportive roles in numerous Hindi TV serials, mainly negative characters or vamps

Personal life

Kaushal is the eldest of three children born to stage artist Vishwa Mohan S. Badola and Susheela Badola. She had attended the National School of Drama Repertory in her hometown Delhi, and later moved to Mumbai to pursue a career on Indian television. She is married to TV producer and director, Ravi G. Kaushal; the couple have started their own production house, Mangalam Arts.

In 2017, the actress and her mother were sent for two years to Sangrur district jail after the Sangrur (Punjab) court upheld the two-year jail term given to the television actress and her mother in a cheque-bounce case by a lower court. Alka and her mother had borrowed Rs.50 lakh from farmer Avtar Singh, to make a serial and gave him two cheques of Rs 25 lakh each which bounced and so he moved a local court in Malerkotla in 2015, which sentenced the two to two years' imprisonment.

Acting career

She made her television debut with Ramesh Sippy's Gathaand and later acted in Tum Pukar Lo, Manzilein Apni Apni and Prratima. Kaushal has worked in serials like Faasle, 9 Malabar Hill, Sansar, Kartavya and Kammal. She is also seen in Zee TV's serial Qubool Hai. She was out of Qubool Hai for six months. She has acted in Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur as Parvati Gadodia and Tarkeshwari Singh/Tharka Bua on Sarojini. In July and November 2020, She played Sita Choudhary in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Tara Bai in Colors TV's Barrister Babu.

Since December 2020, she is playing Devi Sabherwal in Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani.

Anjali Devi
Wikipedia

Anjali Devi
Anjali Devi in 1949
Born
Anjanamma
24 August 1927

Died 13 January 2014 (aged 86)

Occupation

Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1948; died 1991)​

Anjali Devi (pronunciation (help·info); 24 August 1927 – 13 January 2014) was an Indian actress, model and producer in Telugu and Tamil films. She was well known for her role as the Devi Sita in Lava Kusa as well as for the titular roles in movies like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali.

Early life

Anjali Devi was born in Peddapuram, East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, India, as Anjamma. She changed her name to Anjani Kumari when acting in dramas. Later, director C. Pullaiah changed her name to Anjali Devi.

Career

As actress

She was a theatre artiste before venturing into movies, her debut film role was as Lohitasva in "Raja Harishchandra" in 1936. Her first film as a heroine was Kashtajeevi by L. V. Prasad in 1940, but that film was abandoned after three reels shooting. Later, C.Pullayya discovered her and gave her the opportunity to star as Mohini in Gollabhama (1947). Based on her acting ability and looks, she became a star overnight in 1947. She eventually acted in more than 350 films, majority of them in Telugu films and a few in Hindi, Tamil and Kannada films as the heroine or in character roles.

She acted in Lava Kusa, a milestone film and the first color film in the Telugu film industry in 1963. She is well known for playing Sita in Lava Kusa and her performances in films like Suvarna Sundari and Anarkali were also appreciated. Brundavanam (1992), Anna Vadina (1993) and Police Alludu (1994) were the last few films of her career. In Balaiah's Police Alludu and Anna Vadina she appeared alongside Brahmanandam. She acted in various roles, such as a damsel, an angel, a dancer, a demon, a goddess, a traditional woman and later in mother roles.

As producer

In 1955 she produced the film Anarkali, in which she herself played the titular role, with Akkineni Nageswara Rao as Prince Salim. Then she produced V. Madhusudan Rao's Bhakta Tukaram and Chandipriya. Bollywood and Tollywood actress Jayapradha played the lead role in the latter alongside Sobhan Babu and Chiranjeevi. As a producer she has produced 27 films. An ardent devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba she produced and acted in Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai Divyakatha, a tele-serial on the life and avatar of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This was also the first screen appearance of Vijay Devarakonda, then a student of class 3 at Sri Sathya Sai Primary School, Puttaparthi in 1997.

Personal life

She married P. Adinarayana Rao, a music director, in 1948. They settled in Chennai. They have two sons. Together, they produced many Telugu films under the banner, Anjali Pictures. Their granddaughter, Saila Rao, is also an actress.

Death

Devi died at the age of 86 on 13 January 2014 at Vijaya Hospital, in Chennai, due to a cardiac arrest. Her organs were donated to Ramachandra Medical College.

Awards

Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu – Suvarna Sundari (1957)
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu – Chenchu Lakshmi (1958)
Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu – Jayabheri (1959)
Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 1994 for her lifetime service to the Telugu film industry.
Ramineni Award in 2006 in the fine arts category.
Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award – Arignar Anna Award in 2000
Padmabhushan Dr. B. Saroja Devi National Award in 2010 by Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore.

Ashnoor Kaur

Wikipedia
Ashnoor Kaur
Born 3 May 2004
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2009–present
Known for


Ashnoor Kaur (born 3 May 2004) is an Indian actress. She is best known for her acting in several television serials including Jhansi Ki Rani, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Patiala Babes. In 2018, she made her Bollywood debut with supporting roles in Sanju and Manmarziyaan.

Career

Kaur started her career at the young age of five, by playing the character of Prachi in the 2009 series Jhansi Ki Rani. In 2010, she played Panna in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya of Star Plus. She later played Navika Vyas Bhatnagar in the television series Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha and Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 2. She also acted as young Mayra Kapoor in the show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. She appeared in CID, and as Ashok Sundari in the mythological series, Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev. She had the role of young Naira Singhania in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.

Kaur played Dushala in the 2013 television series Mahabharat, and was also seen in Prithvi Vallabh as Princess Vilas.

Kaur was also part of Anurag Kashyap's film Manmarziyaan in the role of Taapsee Pannu 's sister.

From 2018 to 2020, Kaur played Mini Babita/Khurana in the Sony TV show Patiala Babes.

She featured in a song "Kya Karu" by Millind Gaba and Parampara Thakur, which was released on 13 October 2020.

Personal life

Kaur is doing her schooling from Ryan International School. In 2019, she scored 93% in her class X boards.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2019 Indian Telly Awards Jury Special Award For Next Generation Star Patiala Babes Won

Agnes Sonkar


Agnes Sonkar is an Indian actress known best for her work in the film industry of the south in India, although she has starred in movies that have international exposure as well. She is well known for her looks despite a limited career in films but is very popular among audiences; as a result, she has even done an item number. The first movie that she acted in was the 2011 Freida Pinto starrer Trishna. The movie is based on the novel written by Thomas Hardy titled Tess of D’Urbervilles. It tells the story of a young Indian girl from a lower class family and how her life sets upon a destructive path when she falls in love with someone who is above her standing in society. She finally falls in love with him, but the complications from their love life leads to her becoming more and more depressed with the situation, and eventually she not only kills her lover but herself too.

In this movie, Agnes Sonkar played the role of a girl named Agnes. Trishna received mixed reviews from critics, but it served as a good launchpad for Agnes to begin a career. Her next work came in the 2014 Tamil language movie titled Azhagiya Pandipuram and was directed by renowned director Rayan and was given a musical score by Bhardwaj. The film revolves around a classic trope in Indian cinema; two warring families whose children end up falling in love with each other despite the fact that their families have issues with each other dating back generations. The story of how their love is eventually fulfilled is what the film mostly revolves around; comic relief in between the film is present as well. The film was generally well received by critics.

Agnes Sonkar had only a supporting role in this filml. In the same year, she was signed on to do an item number. The film she did the item number for was titled Husn, Heroine Aur Hathiyar and focuses on the Bhanwari Devi sex scandal, something that was dominating political headlines at the time and which also inspired a number of films in the process. The film not only focused on the various illicit activities of various politicians at the time but also put a different twist to it. The item number was meant to sell the sexual nature of the story that was being depicted, hence why Agnes was signed up.

Anupama Parameswaran


Anupama Parameswaran is an actress who is highly popular among the Malayalam and Telugu audience. Anupama launched her acting career through the blockbuster Malayalam movie Premam, directed by maverick director Alphonse Puthren. Her role of Mary in the movie, gained her popularity like no other debutant have received in the recent times. Soon after this movie, she forayed into Telugu by debuting as the seconds female lead in the movie A Aa, which became a super hit. Later she reprised her role in the Telugu official remake of Premam. She is having her Tamil debut alongside Dhanush in Kodi. In very short time, Anupama has been able to capture the likeness of scores of the audience in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil.

Anupama Parameswaran Early Life

Anupama was born on February 18, 1996, to Parameswaran and Sunitha. She was very passionate about movies from early childhood. Anupama studied music till 8th standard and got trained in classical and Carnatic dance. But, according to her, it was her laziness that made her discontinue both dance and music. She used to be a regular stage performer during her school days. And was part of a drama club in her hometown. Anupama did her schooling from Don Bosco Central School and National HSS, Irinjalakuda. Later she enrolled in BA Communicative English at CMS College, Kottayam. It was during her college days when she auditioned and got selected for the role of Mary in Premam.

On the family front, Anupama’s dad Parameswaran works in Qatar and her mother Sunitha is a housewife. She has a younger brother Akshay. Anupama is a pet lover and has a squirrel (named Chiku) and a dog (named Snoopy), which she considers as part of her small family.

Anupama childhood pics

Angoorlata Deka
Wikipedia


Angoorlata Deka

Assumed office
2016
Preceded by Gautam Bora
Constituency Batadroba
Majority 5,885
Personal details
Born 31 January 1986
Nationality Indian
Political party Bharatiya Janata Party
Spouse(s) Akashdeep Deka
Occupation Politician
Profession Actress

Angoorlata Deka (born 31 January 1986) is an Indian actress and politician from Assam. She is a first term member of the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Political party

Angoorlata is from the Bharatiya Janata Party. She represents the Batadroba constituency of Assam. She joined BJP in December 2015. She is one of the six female candidates who were given tickets by Bharatiya Janata Party, out of which, only two won elections; and Angoorlata is one of them.

Early life and family

Angoorlata was born in Nalbari, Assam.


Ayesha Dharker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ayesha Dharker
Born 16 March 1977

Occupation Actress
Years active 1989–present
Spouse(s) Robert Taylor (m. 2010)

Ayesha Dharker (born 16 March 1977) is a British actress, known for her appearance as Queen Jamillia, the Queen of Naboo, in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and for her stage performances.

Her other film roles include starring as a young woman brainwashed into contemplating becoming a suicide bomber in the Tamil film The Terrorist (1997), for which she was awarded Best Artistic Contribution by an Actress at the Cairo International Film Festival and nominated for a National Film Award for Best Actress.

She has also appeared in Outsourced and The Mistress of Spices, television series such as Arabian Nights, and the West End and Broadway musical Bombay Dreams.

Family

Dharker was born on 16 March 1977 in Mumbai, India.

She is the daughter of Imtiaz Dharker, a noted poet, artist and documentary film-maker, and Anil Dharker, a columnist and an ex-editor of the renowned Indian men's magazine Debonair. Her father is from India and her mother, born in Lahore, was raised in Scotland, United Kingdom.

In May 2010 she married Robert Taylor in St Giles Cripplegate, London.

Career

Dharker made her screen debut in the 1989 François Villiers film Manika, une vie plus tard. She subsequently went on to star in many American, French and Indian films. She has had many television roles in the UK, particularly in Cutting It and Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee, in which she co-starred with Meera Syal.

In the international award-winning film The Terrorist (1999), she played the lead character Malli, a role that earned her a nomination for the National Film Award for Best Actress in India and the Cairo Film Festival award for Best Artistic Contribution by an Actress.

Her most internationally recognised role came in 2002 when she played Queen Jamillia, the Queen of Naboo, in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. In the same year she appeared in the critically acclaimed Anita and Me. Dharker starred in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Bombay Dreams, both in London's West End and on Broadway (2004). She also starred in The Mistress of Spices (2005).

She has appeared in the episode "Planet of the Ood" of the long-running BBC sci-fi television series, Doctor Who as Solana Mercurio.

In 2006, she played the role of Asha in the film Outsourced.

In 2008, she played the role of Tara Mandal in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.

In 2010, she played doctor's wife Kamini Sharma opposite Sanjeev Bhaskar in the BBC's comedy drama series The Indian Doctor.

In 2017, Dharker began playing Nina Karnik in a returning role on long running BBC drama Holby City.

Audiobooks

Narrator for the audio book of Brick Lane by Monica Ali (2003).

Aditi Ravi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aditi Ravi
Born
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Occupation

Actress
model
Years active 2014 - present
Parent(s)

Ravi
Geetha


Aditi Ravi is an Indian model and actress, who appears in Malayalam films. She pursued a career in modelling before becoming an actress, debuting with a commercial for The Times of India during her college education. She made her acting debut with the 2014 film Angry Babies in Love, in a supporting role. Her first female lead role was in the 2017 film Alamara.
Early and personal life

Aditi was born on 15 March 1993 at Thrissur, Kerala, in India as the daughter of Ravi and Geetha. She has two siblings—Rakesh (brother) and Rakhi (sister). She graduated with a degree from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur. Aditi currently resides in Kochi.
Career

She began her modelling career during her college education, she was selected after applying for appearing in a commercial for The Times of India. Later she acted in a number of commercials for various brands. She debuted as an actress in 2014, in a supporting role in the Malayalam romantic-drama film Angry Babies in Love, directed by Saji Surendran. She played the role, Maria, a model coordinator in a modelling agency. Before the film released, she was cast in two more films, Third World Boys and Beware of Dogs in the same year. She played Teena in Beware of Dogs. In 2014, she also appeared in the music video, Yelove, alongside Siddharth Menon, she was voiced by Shreya Ghoshal. She appeared in her first female lead role in 2017 with the film Alamara, opposite Sunny Wayne. She was selected after auditioning for the role. The film directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas was a satirical comedy surrounding around the custom of gifting a cupboard as part of dowry in Kerala weddings. Some other films are Aadhi, directed by Jeethu Joseph, and Tick Tock.
Awards and Nominations


YearAwardCategoryFilmResult
2019 21st Asianet Film Awards Best Character Actress Kuttanadan Marpappa Nominated

Arundhati
Wikipedia


Arundhati

Born
Padma
3 March 1990

Nationality Indian
Education Bapu composite PU College, Bangalore
Occupation Actress
Years active 2009–present


Arundhati (born Padma; 3 March 1990), is an Indian film actress who predominantly appears in South Indian films, primarily Tamil and Kannada movies. Arundhati made her debut through a Tamil movie and this includes Veluthu Kattu (2010) that was produced by S.A. Chandrasekhar who also gave her the screen name Arundhati. After this she played pivotal roles in numerous Tamil films including Bodinayakkanur Ganesan (2011), Sundaattam (2013), Agraja (2014), Netru Indru (2014), Naaigal Jaakirathai (2014), Thottal Thodarum (2015), Arthanari (2016), Kaala (2018).

In 2014 Arundhati made a guest appearance in the Kannada film Agraja with Darshan and also acted opposite Thaman Kumar in the Tamil romantic thriller movie Thottal Thodarum (2015) after her noted performance in the comedy-thriller Naaigal Jaakirathai (2014) opposite Sibi Sathyaraj. In 2018 she was part of Kaala.

Early life

Arundhati was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, to Venkatswamy and Geetha. She has a younger brother named Yogesh. She finished her PUC from Bapu composite PU College in Bangalore and then started a training course as an air hostess in Bangalore.

Career

Director and producer S. A. Chandrashekar spotted and approached Arundhati, then still a student, in a temple and offered her a pivotal role in the film Veluthu Kattu. The film's box office returns were average, though critics have praised her performance.

S. A. Chandrashekar gave her the screen name Arundhati, which was then adopted by the Tamil film industry. She was very choosy about her role and this resulted in her turning down some offers until acting in Bodinayakarun Ganesan (2011) and Sundattam (2013) opposite Ifran. In 2014 she appeared in a challenging role in Netru Indru as a police officer who is disguised as a prostitute. Though this movie did not make big in the box office, she was praised for her role in this film.

She then appeared in the romantic thriller Thottal Thodarum (2015) opposite Thaman Kumar after playing a pivotal role in the comedy-thriller movie Naaigal Jaakirathai (2014) opposite Sibi Sathyaraj. This movie turned out to be a box office hit and she received positive reviews from the critics. In 2016, she played the female lead in the action flick Arthanari which was a box office disaster. But she was noted for her performance in 2018 Kaala which had an ensemble cast. She has been signed to play the lead in Mugam which is currently under production.

Anchal Anand


Anchal Anand 98201 93845 Email: scorpioneyes4@hotmail.com


Aanchal Anand is an Indian model and television actress. She was born on November 30 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Aanchal Anand is a hot and attractive TV personality with a displaying foundation. Aanchal has a Greek goddess-like appearance and has the most beguiling and hypnotizing identity. Aanchal Anand advocates her character of Siddhi in Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai.uy Now


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The dazzling and charming Aanchal Anand has made a significant progress in the TV business, and has demonstrated to every last one that she can play a light black shade and a lead-part with the same artfulness and flawlessness. In Teen Bahuraaniyaan, Aanchal plays the role of sibling of her co-star (as Kajal) who goes to get hitched to the child of the Gheewalla family. Payal Mahesh Gheewala is altogether different from her sister. She is a bubbly young lady who is exceptionally legit.She is extremely reasonable and trusts in remaining up for what is correctand certain. As the vamp and inconvenience inventor Alisha in Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka, the crowd wanted to scorn her. In Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai, she got into the notches of Siddhi and played an extremely sensible character with perspectives that are truly advocated and near the truth of today's life. Aanchal Anand has not found any life partner and wishes a love marriage to be arranged. She likes a life partner who looks like Gyan. Aanchal expressed her thoughts about Sachin Shroff  that he was an excellent co-star.

Amrita Saluja Raichand


Amrita Raichand is a well-known TV anchor of a cooking show Mummy ka Magic. Besides, she is also Actress and a Model. She grew up with her Dad in TATA township which is situated in Jamshedpur where her dad was a general manager. During her childhood days, she was very disciplined, and she spent more of her time towards studies. She took up Marketing Management in her college and her family members wanted her to work in a multinational company. She even has qualified computer graphics in her post graduation. She was very good at dancing in her college but one fine day she was selected as the brand ambassador for Ponds Dream fairness cream and then there was nothing to stop her she was seen on television as a model. Little more efforts made her reach Whirlpool home appliances. She was very well known for her smile that made her get more and more offers. She was later on seen in Yash Raj’s Mahive in a glamorous role wherein her acting was very much praised. Later on recently she was also seen in a Salman Khan movie ready. Her show Mummy Ka Magic, which is being telecasted for 30 minutes, has won many hearts especially the kids it was also awarded as the best cooking show for the year 2012. She also has completed her acting classes with Anupam Kher to enhance her acting Skills.

Another Version Of This Bio..



A host, an actress, and a beauty with the most beautiful smile. That’s Amrita Saluja for you. She’s been on Indian television since so many years, and always does good roles and great shows. She started her career with a show on Zee TV, which was directed by Ketan Mehta, named ‘Time Bomb’. She played the part of a journalist on the show and gave a mind blowing performance. After that, there was no turning back for her.


Amrita Saluja was born and brought up in Jamshedpur. She pursued her graduation from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Her first commercial was with Ponds and she was so talented that she was made the brand ambassador of Whirlpool home appliances, and Su-kam inverters. She has acted in some serials, the latest being ‘Mahi Wayon Sony Television. She has also hosted many shows and is currently seen on ‘Mummy Ka Magic’, which is a cookery show. She has also hosted Whirlpool Women’s Achiever awards, and Bollywood ke Sitare, among others.




She had become a household name with her debut in the serial, Time Bomb, in which she was casted opposite Rajeev Khandelwal. Her acting was praised, and after that, she was offered commercials from big brands like Ponds, Whirlpool, Su-kam, Pepsodent, Parle, Nihar, Nalli sarees, Tata Tea, Cerelac, Dabur Honitus, Maggi noodles, Wipro, Boroline, TVC Skyshop, Cello pens and many others.


Amrita Saluja also featured in a tele-film, which was broadcasted on Star TV, named ‘Humko Ishq Ne Maara’, in the year 2001. She has not only been a successful person, but also a loving wife. She is blissfully married to Rahul Raichand.


She has been a successful model, actress and host in her career. Her beauty and talent has been her support and has taken her places. She is a very devoted person and a good human being. She has a beautiful smile and has achieved success in every sphere of life, has it been her professional life or personal life.



Ashwini (actress)
Wikipedia
Ashwini


Ashwini
Born
Ashwini
14 July 1967

Died 23 September 2012 (aged 45)

Years active 1979–2012
Children Karthick

Ashwini was an Indian actress, primarily in Telugu and Tamil films. She died at the Sri Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai in the early hours of Sunday, 23 September 2012. According to reports, she was suffering from a liver-related illness and she is survived by a son, Karthik.

Career

Making her debut as a child artiste in Bhakta Dhruva Markandeya and later shared screen space with Telugu stars, Balakrishna in Bhale Thammudu, Venkatesh in Kaliyuga Pandavulu, Rajendra Prasad in Station Master and Mohan Babu films. She was one among the much sought after actresses of '80s as well as 90s. She had acted in more than 110 films in various languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.

Tributes

Veteran producer D. Ramanaidu, who produced Kaliyuga Pandavulu in 1986, which was his son Venkatesh's debut film, said, "Ashwini was a bubbly actress, and although she was playing the second lead in our film, she grabbed the attention of viewers." R. Parthiepan, who introduced her to Tamil films with Pondatti Thevai said, "she was a little plump, but suited the role that I have conceived and the next day, she was on board. In fact, she replaced a leading actress who had reservation doing film with me". Incidentally it was Parthiban who helped Ashwini's family to carry her body in an ambulance to Andhra. In addition to this, he has also agreed to take the responsibility of Ashwini's son Karthick's education expenses completely.

Abhirami (actress)
Wikipedia


Born
Divya Gopikumar
26 July 1981 

Alma mater

Occupation

Film actress
TV host
Years active 1995–2004
2014–present
Spouse(s)
Rahul Pavanan
​(m. 2009)​
Parent(s) Gopikumar
Pushpa

Abhirami (pronunciation (help·info)) (born Divya Gopikumar) is an Indian actress and television host. She has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. Her career, which started in 1995, was interrupted in 2004 when her family moved to the United States. She made a comeback in 2014.

Early life and education

She was born as Divya in a Tamil speaking family on July 26 1983 to Gopikumar and Pushpa in the Indian state of Kerala. She grew up there as her parents were both bank officials settled in Trivandrum. She attended Christ Nagar English High School and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in Trivandrum and did predegree training from Mar Ivanios College, before graduating in programs for psychology and communications from the College of Wooster in Ohio.

Her family migrated to the United States in 2004 when she got a job there. Her parents are yoga instructors in Ohio.

Career

Abhirami made her debut in director Adoor Gopalakrishnan's film Kathapurushan. While in college, Abhirami worked as a TV anchor for the program Top Ten which aired on the Asianet channel, which according to Abhirami was "quite popular" and got her a film offer. She also appeared in the 100-episode Malayalam serial Akshaya Pathram, directed by Sreekumaran Thampi.She changed her screen name to Abhirami, the character name of the heroine of the film Guna, being "obsessed with the role and the name".

She had a small role in the Malayalam film Pathram in 1999 and in the series Mercara directed by Jude Attipetty. Later she acted in the films Millennium Stars, Njangal Santhushtaranu, and Sradha before shifting to Tamil cinema. Her first Tamil film was Vaanavil (2001) opposite Arjun, which was a "big hit" and was followed by Middle Class Madhavan and Samudhiram. A notable film in her career was Virumaandi, in which she appeared as a Tamil village girl from Madurai opposite Kamal Haasan. Besides Ta

mil and Malayalam, she has appeared in Telugu and Kannada films and was a notable Tollywood actress. In 2003, she appeared opposite Upendra in the film Raktha Kanneer and opposite Shivrajkumar in Sri Ram. In 2004, she retired from the film industry and settled in the United States for her studies. She went on to work as the marketing director of an MNC there.

In 2013, Abhirami was the voice of Pooja Kumar in both parts of Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam[ and she went on to host Rishimoolam, a talk show on the Tamil television channel Puthuyugam. The following year, she returned to Malayalam films with Apothecary, in which she played the role of a gynaecologist. She also appeared in Ithu Thaanda Police playing the role of Sub-Inspector Arundhati Varma.

She has also anchored the reality show Made For Each Other on Mazhavil Manorama.

Personal life

Abhirami is married to Rahul Pavanan, grandson of writer Pavanan

Aparna Vinod
Wikipedia
Aparna Vinod
Born 19 February 1996

Nationality Indian
Education M.Sc. Psychology
Occupation Actress, Dancer and Model
Years active 2012–present
Parent(s) Vinod Ponnan, Vaiga Sukumar
Relatives Gayatri Vinod

Aparna Vinod is a south Indian film and theatre actress hailing from Cochin in Kerala, who debuted in 2015 in the Malayalam industry through the movie Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu.

Early Life, Family and Education

Aparna was born in Ernakulam in Kerala to entrepreneur Vinod P (a descendant of Padmanaban Palpu) and outfitter/designer Vaiga Sukumar. She attended school at St. Thomas Residential School during her early years and went on to complete her 10th grade from Fr. Mathew Alakalam Public School, Chalakudy graduating from Saraswathi Vidyalaya in Trivandrum.

Aparna graduated in B.Sc., Psychology under the University of Calicut at Sahrdaya College of Advanced Studies. She has done her M.Sc in Psychology from Presidency College.

Acting Career
Film

Aparna debuted in 2015 in the Malayalam industry through Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu, a Malayalam-language Indian feature film directed by Priyanandanan, starring opposite Siddharth Bharathan and Vinay Forrt in a lead role.

In her second film Kohinoor, she played the lead female role alongside Asif Ali.

After the success of Kohinoor, her debut in the Tamil film Industry came in the form of a role in an Ilayathalapathy Vijay movie, playing a minor role as a friend of the female lead Keerthy Suresh, who gets killed, in the 2017 Tamil film, Bhairavaa. The film was directed by veteran Tamil Director Bharathan.

Drama

At the Zonal and University Level arts festival conducted by the University of Calicut in 2017, Aparna Vinod played the role of a central female character who went through various stages of life, from a teenaged girl to a revolutionary character, in a play inspired by the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex.

Her work in the play earned her critical acclaim and two university level awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role for English Drama. Critics praised her method acting skills and dedication to the role.

In January 2018, Aparna was awarded the title of Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Zonal Level by the University of Calicut for her performance in the critically acclaimed English language play, Road To Redemption, Which drew strong influences from plays like Dickens' Christmas Carol and Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince. The key theme of the play deals with the protagonist's struggle with Oedipus Complex.

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
2015 Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu Thaara Malayalam Debut Film
2015 Kohinoor Daisy Malayalam
2017 Bairavaa Vaishali Tamil Debut Film (Tamil)
2020 Naduvan Tamil Filming

Awards & Recognitions

2017 Calicut University: D- Zone Best Actress in a Leading Role English Drama The Final Judgement Won
2017 University Arts Fest: Calicut University Best Actress in a Leading Role English Drama The Final Judgement Won
2018 Calicut University: D- Zone Best Actress in a Leading Role English Drama Road To Redemption Won
2018 University Arts Fest: Calicut University Best Actress in a Leading Role English Drama Road To Redemption Won

Alokananda Roy

(Wikipedia)
Alokananda Roy
Nationality Indian
Years active 1951 – 1962
1978 – present

Awards BFJA Awards

Alokananda Roy is an Indian actress known for her work in Bengali cinema and theatre. She made her thespian debut at the age of seven in the 1951 and later on became part of numerous Bengali plays. She made her screen debut with Satyajit Ray's Kanchenjungha (1962). She received a BFJA Award for her role in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's Bengali film Phera (1988). She appeared in National Award winning films such as Paromitar Ek Din, Utsab, Prohor and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero.

Acting career

After Sharmila Tagore was compelled to decline the role of Manisha in Satyajit Ray's Kanchenjungha (1962), the latter zeroed upon Alokananda Roy to play the character. Ray had to convince her father and her uncle as well that the role was sober enough to play.The film received positive review from the critics. It did not perform well at the box office.

In 1978, She returned to stage with the Bengali play Acharya directed by Shekhar Chatterjee. She featured opposite Soumitra Chatterjee for near about ten years, in the Bengali play Homapakhi directed by the latter. She starred as Rangapishima in Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali thriller TV series Tahar Namti Ranjana. Due to the sudden demise of Ghosh, the series was never carried on after completion of the first episode.

Awards

AwardYearCategoryFilmResultRef.
BFJA Award 1989 Best Actress in a Leading Role Phera Won 
Anandalok Puraskar 1998 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Sedin Chaitramas Won



Alokananda Chakladar was born in Kolkata on 25th March 1951. Her father, Himangshu Chakladar, was in the West Bengal Govt. administration and her mother, Devi Chakladar, was an eminent singer and teacher of Rabindra Sangeet, though she refused being a professional singer. Alokananda was the younger of the two children, preceded by her elder brother Abhijit.

Her education begun in St. John Diocesan Girls’ School, until and later transferred to Modern High School. She did not quite appreciate the strict regime of school life, as a youngster. In school she was fond of sports and extra-curricular activities.

Inheriting Music from her mother, the childhood and growing-up years were always in a musical environment. While her mother was a teacher at the Dakshini school of music, she introduced Alokananda to Rabindra Sangeet at the early age of seven.

However the love of her life remains constant as, Dance. As far back as she can remember, she always wanted to dance. Her aspiration was well appreciated and supported by her parents. She got associated with the CLT (Children’s Little Theatre) at an early age and was her favourite place to be in. Her very first performance was a solo dance, at the age of 4, in 1955 at Rabindra Mela, Jorasanko on the occasion of Tagore’s birthday. Followed by her performances at the CLT, with Jijo , a Japanese folk lore and many dance dramas, got her noticed as child artist.

Aindrita Ray


Aindrita Ray is an Indian film actress, primarily appearing in Kannada films.

Background

Aindrita Ray was born as the youngest daughter into a Bengali family in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where she spent her childhood, before moving to Mumbai. With her father, A. K. Ray, being a prosthodontist in the Indian Air Force, she along with her family moved from one place to another, finally settling in Bangalore. Her mother, Sunita Ray, is a child psychologist, while her elder sister works for a multinational company.

Education

She joined M R Ambedkar Dental College, Bangalore to pursue a bachelor's degree in dental science.

While studying, she did part-time modelling, appearing in television advertisements, which paved way for her entry into the film industry.

Career

Aindrita made her acting debut in 2007, starring in "Meravanige" and went on to appear in several commercially successful films, establishing herself as a leading contemporary actress of Kannada cinema. She is perhaps best known for her critically acclaimed performance as Devika, a mentally challenged girl, in "Manasaare".

In 2009, Ray appeared in "Vaayuputra", an action movie, alongside the debutant Chiranjeevi Sarja. This was followed by a brief appearance in the successful film, "Love Guru" directed by Shashank.

She received many awards and accolades for her role which included Suvarna Award for Best Actress and a nomination for Filmfare Awards.

Interestssinging

ConnectionsFather:A. K. Ray
Mother:Sunita Ray

Alivia Sarkar
Wikipedia


Alivia Sarkar
Born
Durgapur
Citizenship Indian
Occupation Model and Actress
Known for Malini Sen in Joyee

Notable work

Seemarekha (2017)
Joyee (2017)

Alivia Sarkar (Bengali: অলিভিয়া সরকার) (born 20 May 1993) is a Bengali model and actress who works primarily in TV soap operas. She is well known for portraying the female antagonists Malini Sen in Joyee and Tiya in Seemarekha.

Films

Horror Stories (Bengali) (2022)
Shades of Life (Bengali) (2021)
Ei Ami Renu (2021)

Web series

Montu Pilot (2019)

Aalisha Panwar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aalisha Panwar

Nationality Indian
Born 7 May 1996
Occupation Actress
Years active 2012–present
Known for Ishq Mein Marjawan

Aalisha Panwar is an Indian actress who appears in television shows known for her work in Colors TV's thriller Ishq Mein Marjawan. She was last seen in Star Bharat's Meri Gudiya.

Early life

Panwar is from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Her mother, Anita Panwar, is a teacher at Chapslee School Shimla, and her father, Dinesh Panwar, is a lawyer.

In 2008, she participated in DD National's Nachein Gaen Dhoom Machaen. In 2012, she was crowned The Shimla Queen.

Career

Panwar started her acting career in 2012 with the film Akkad Bakkad Bambe Bo. She made her television debut as Najma in Begusarai in 2015. In 2016, she played Aditi in Thapki Pyar Ki. She also worked in Jamai Raja and Rishton Ki Saudagar - Baazigar. From 2017 to 2019, Panwar portrayed Aarohi Kashyap and Tara Raichand in Ishq Mein Marjawan. Her next role was as a deceased character Madhuri Shirke in Star Bharat's Meri Gudiya.
Filmography

YearFilmRoleNoteReferences
2012 Akkad Bakkad Bambe Bo Teenager Girl

Television

YearShowRoleNoteRefs.
2015 Begusarai Najma Supporting
2016 Thapki Pyaar Ki Aditi Diwakar Mishra
Jamai Raja Anya Sengupta Supporting
Rishton Ka Saudagar - Baazigar Kritika Supporting
2017–2019 Ishq Mein Marjawan Aarohi Kashyap/Tara Raichand Protagonist and Antagonist (Dual Role)

2019 Laal Ishq Nishta Episodic
2019–2020 Meri Gudiya Madhuri Shirke/Madhuri Gujeral Lead role

Special appearances

YearShowRoleNoteRefs.
2017, 2018 Tu Aashiqui Aarohi Kashyap/Tara Raichand Guest
2018 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Tara Raichand Guest
2018, 2019 Udaan Sapnon Ki Tara Raichand Guest

Music videos

YearVideoSingerCompanyReferences
2020 Khamoshiyaan Yuvrash Koshar T-Series

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryShowResultReferences
2018 Gold Awards Best Actor In A Lead Role Female (Negative) Ishq Mein Marjawan Nominated

Akshata Sonawane


Akshata Sonawane is an Indian actress, model and television personality who works in the Telugu film industry. She shot to fame after she appeared on MTV Splitsvilla 10 in 2017. She will be making her big-screen debut in 2020 with Poster Telugu movie. Born on 9 May 1996, Akshata Sonawane hails from Panvel, Mumbai, India. As in 2021, Akshata Sonawane’s age is 25 years. Check below for more deets about the actress. This page will put a light upon the Akshata Sonawane biography, wiki, age, birthday, family details, affairs, upcoming movies, controversies, rumours, lesser-known facts and more.

Akshata Sonawane Profile:

Personal Info
Stage Name Akshata Sonawane
Real Name Akshata Sonawane
Profession(s) Actress, Model
Debut
TV: MTV Splitsvilla 10 (2017)
Telugu film: Ksheera Sagara Madhanam (2020)
Birthday 9 May 1996
Age 25 years
Nationality Indian
Food Habit Non-Vegetarian
Height 5’5″

Family
Parents Father: NA
Mother: Pooja Sonawane
Sibling(s) Brother(s): NA
Sister(s): NA

Educational & Qualification
School St. Mary’s High School, Vashi, Navi Mumbai
College SIES Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India
Eduction Bachelor’s degree in BMS (Business and Management Science)

Contact Details
Instagram Instagram
Facebook Facebook
Twitter Twitter
Youtube Youtube
Email ID. akshatasnwn@gmail.com

Akshata Sonawane Biography / Trivia:
Akshata Sonawane was born in Panvel, Mumbai, India.
Akshata Sonawane’s father name is NA and Akshata Sonawane’s mother name is Pooja Sonawane.
Akshata Sonawane was also a national level Basketball player.
Since childhood, she always wanted to be an actress. Thus she ventured into the modelling industry.
She was the winner of Miss Kalanilayam (2014) and was also the 1st Runner up in Miss Raigad Queen (2015)
She also won the Face of Navi Mumbai title and was the winner in Elite Miss India Asia (2015).
She got into fame after she appeared in MTV Splitsvilla Season 10 (2017)
Akshata Sonawane will be making her big-screen debut in 2020 Telugu flick, ‘Poster’..
She is the best friend of Rashi Singh.

Akshata Sonawane was one of the contestants of MTV Splitsvilla Season 10 ( 2017 ), which aired on MTV India. She was born on 9th May 1996 in Panvel, Mumbai, India. She finished her schooling at St. Mary's High School, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, and SIES Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Later, she pursued a bachelor's degree in Business and Management Science. Her mother is Pooja Sonawane. Her mother is the pillar of the house. She also has a brother.

Akshata was also a Basketball player on the National Level. She goes on trips often. Since childhood, she wished to become an actress, therefore, she entered into acting from the modeling industry. MTV show contestant Akshata has earlier showed up in many pageants such as won the Face of Navi Mumbai title, the winner of Kalanilayam (2014), 1st runner up in Miss Raigad Queen (2015), and winner in Elite Miss India Asia(2015).

After achieving this much success in life, she debuted in television with the reality show titled as the MTV Splitsvilla 10 (2017), hosted by renowned stars Sunny Leone 
. 
The theme of the show was the Experiment of Love, i.e., experimenting on love if it could be found, with the help of science. In the series, Akshata Sonawane & Siddharth Sharma 
were the first match found. The go-girl has a great sense of styling and inspiring new-comers to be stylish. Akshata is debuting on a big screen with the Telugu Movie titled Poster ( in 2020 ), directed by TMR.

Annie (actress)
Wikipedia


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Annie
Born
Annie Jobbie
21 July 1975 

Pala, Kerala, India
Other names Chitra Shaji Kailas
Occupation

Actress
Years active 1993 – 1996 (Films)
2015 – present (TV)
Spouse(s)
​(m. 1996)​
Children 3

Chitra Shaji Kailas (born Annie Jobbie; 21 July 1975), better known mononymously as Annie, is an Indian film actress and television host from Kerala, who appears in Malayalam films and television. Her film career spanned three years from 1993 to 1996 with a total of 16 films in Malayalam cinema, she retired from acting post-marriage and returned as a television host in 2015.

She debuted as an actress in 1993 in the film Ammayane Sathyam directed by Balachandra Menon. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for her role in Mazhayethum Munpe (1995). Her other most noted films include Rudraksham (1994), Parvathy Parinayam (1995), Tom & Jerry (1995), Puthukkottayile Puthumanavalan (1995), and Swapna Lokathe Balabhaskaran (1996).

Personal life

She hails from a Christian family in Pala, Kerala, India and raised in Thiruvalla. She was born to Jobbie and Mariamma in 1975. She has three older sisters, Lissy, Mary and Tessy. Her mother died when she was in eighth grade. Though she was from Pala the family was settled at Thiruvananthapuram due to her father's job. She studied at Holy Angel's Convent Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram and then joined at All Saints College for higher studies and it was during that time she entered in to films.

She is married to Shaji Kailas. She converted to Hinduism three months after her marriage with Shaji and changed her name to Chitra Shaji Kailas. She has three sons.

Anchal Sabharwal
Wikipedia

Anchal Sabharwal
Born 29 August 1986

Other names Aanchal, Sobhana
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2006 − present

Anchal Sabharwal (born 29 August 1986) is a film actress and model, who has appeared in Hindi television series and regional feature films.

Career

Anchal first appeared in many TV commercials and then in few Hindi television series. Her first film was in Telugu, Masth. Her first Hindi film was Rupali Guha's Aamras. She made her debut in Kannda in 2011 and played a supporting role in Kempe Gowda. She was first supposed to play the lead role in the film. She replaced Mugdha Chaphekar as Aarti Jhaveri in the sitcom Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo.

Archana Gautam

Archana Gautam is an Indian actress, model, and politician, born on September 1, 1995, in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. She holds a bachelor's degree
in Journalism and Mass Communication from IIMT Engineering College, Meerut.

imdb.com

In her modeling career, Archana has earned several titles, including Miss Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and Miss Bikini India in 2018. She represented India at Miss Cosmos World 2018 in Malaysia, where she won the subtitle of Most Talent 2018.

en.wikipedia.org

Transitioning to acting, Archana has appeared in Bollywood films such as "Great Grand Masti" (2016), "Haseena Parkar" (2017), and "Baaraat Company" (2017).

filmibeat.com

In 2022, she participated in the reality TV show "Bigg Boss 16," finishing as the third runner-up. She also competed in "Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 13."

en.wikipedia.org

Archana ventured into politics by joining the Indian National Congress in November 2021. She contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election from the Hastinapur constituency.

en.wikipedia.org

Recognizing the importance of personal development, Archana has been taking English lessons and updating her wardrobe to enhance her versatility as an actress.

daijiworld.com

She maintains an active presence on social media, sharing updates and engaging with her audience.

instagram.com


Arundathi Nag
Wikipedia

Arundhati Nag
Arundhati in 2010
Born
Arundhati Rao
6 July 1956

Occupation Actress
Years active 1973–present
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1980; died 1990)​
Children 1
Relatives Padmavati Rao (sister)

Arundhati Nag (née Rao; born 6 July 1956) is an Indian film and theatre actress. She has been involved with multilingual Theatre in India, for over 25 years, first in Mumbai where she got involved with Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), and did various productions in Gujarati, Marathi, and Hindi theatre, and then in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and English, in Bangalore.

They stayed in Chintamani, Karnataka for a few years.

Following her marriage to Kannada actor-director Shankar Nag (1980–1990), her association with theatre continued in Bangalore, where she performed several plays in Kannada: Girish Karnad's Anju Mallige, 27 Mavalli Circle based on the famous play Wait Until Dark, Sandhya Chayya (Jayant Dalvi), Girish Karnad's Nagamandala, and Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage as Hulaguru Huliyavva. She also worked in several Kannada movies: Accident (1984), Parameshi Prema Prasanga (1984) and Nodiswamy, Navirodu Heege (1987).

Nag built a theatre space dedicated to quality theatre in Bangalore Ranga Shankara: . She is a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2008), the Padma Shri (2010) and the National Film Awards (57th) in 2010.

Career

Nag's career spans over 40 years of theatre, film and television. She is the founder and the Managing Trustee of the Sanket Trust, established in 1992, which runs Ranga Shankara, a theatre space in Bangalore.,. Ranga Shankara offers a quality theatre experience for theatre lovers in city. The annual Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival, now in its twelfth year, has become a regular feature on Bangalore's cultural calendar.

Nag continues to be actively involved in theatre: her most recent works include Girish Karnad's "Bikhre Bimb" (Hindi) and "Odakalu Bimba" (Kannada).

Her last major movie was The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016), in which she played the mother of the mathematical wizard Ramanujan. She has also appeared in Hindi movies including Paa (2009), "Sapnay" (1997) and "Dil Se" (1998), Kannada movies including Golibar (1991), Jogi (2005) and "Andar Bahar", and Malayalam Da Thadiya (2012)

Personal life

Nag was born in 1956 in Delhi, stayed in Netaji Nagar. Her family moved to Mumbai when she was 10. At 17, she met Shankar Nag, also a theatre artist. Six years later, the two got married and moved to Bangalore. Shankar became a well-known film actor, and later a director, most remembered for his TV adaptation of R. K. Narayan's Malgudi Days (1987). They had a daughter together, Kaavya.

In 1990, Shankar died in a car accident. Arundhati continued to act in theatre, and began to work towards realising her dream of a theatre space, which in 2004, finally materialised into Ranga Shankara, which is today one of India's premier venues for theatre.

Awards

2006: Won: Citizen Extraordinaire' from the Rotary Club Bangalore
2008: Won: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award – Theatre, Acting
2010: Awarded: Padma Shri Award
2010: Conferred A Doctorate: for services rendered to the world of theatre, by Bijapur Women's University, Bijapur

Aneri Vajani
Wikipedia


Aneri Vajani
Born 26 March 1994
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2012–present

Aneri Vajani (born 26 March 1994) is an Indian television actress known for her portrayal of Nisha Gangwal in Nisha Aur Uske Cousins and Saanjh Mathur in Beyhadh.

Early life

Vajani was born on 26 March 1994 in a Gujarati family.

Career

Vajani began her career with Star Plus's Kaali – Ek Punar Avatar as Paakhi, followed by Channel V's Crazy Stupid Ishq as Shanaya.

From 2014 to 2015, Vajani portrayed Nisha Gangwal in Star Plus's Nisha Aur Uske Cousins opposite Mishkat Varma.

Next, she played Arushi in Zing's Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Riddhi in Bindass's Yeh Hai Aashiqui where she reunited with Varma.

In 2016, she played Saanjh Mathur in Sony TV's Beyhadh opposite Kushal Tandon and Jennifer Winget. She then featured in Arre's I Don't Watch TV.

In 2019, she portrayed Pari Malhotra in Voot's Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka opposite Kunal Jaisingh and Tejasswi Prakash.

In 2020, Vajani portrayed Pranati Mishra in Colors TV's Pavitra Bhagya opposite Kunal Jaisingh.

Web

YearTitleRolePlatform
2016 I Don't Watch TV Tulsi Arre
2019 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Pari Malhotra Voot
2020 Cookiees Arundhati Singh xStream

Nominations

YearAwardCategoryShowResultReference2015 Indian Telly Awards Fresh New Face (Female) Nisha Aur Uske Cousins Nominated

Asian Viewers Television Awards Female Actor Of The Year Nominated

Ankita Adhikari

SNATCHING ACTRESS ANKITA ADHIKARI’S PHONE
June 18, 2021


The government railway police in Kalyan on 16th June arrested a 21-year-old member of a fatka gang for snatching the iPhone of 22-year-old television actress Ankita Adhikari on 4th June. Ankita was travelling from Patna to Bombay by the Patna Express and the incident took place near the Ambivli railway station. The train slowed down before the station, and Ankita was speaking on her iPhone, standing near the footboard. Raju Kengar hit the actress on her hand with a stick, and fled with her phone.

Ashika Ranganath
Wikipedia

Ashika Ranganath
Ashika Ranganath in 2020
Born 5 August 1996
Nationality Indian
Citizenship India
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016 - Present

Ashika Ranganath is an Indian film actress, known for her lead role in the 2016 film Crazy Boy and Raambo 2 (2018).

Early life and personal life

Ashika was born to Ranganath and Sudha Ranganath. Her elder sister Anusha Ranganath is also an actress. She studied in Bishop Sargant School, Tumkur and later moved to Bangalore for pre-in Jyoti Nivas College, where she auditioned for a Clean and Clear Fresh Face Bangalore contest, emerging as the runner-up of Miss Fresh Face 2014. She is trained in various dance forms including freestyle, Belly and western. In an interview with zee-5 Ashika said that she had a crush on Rang De Basanti actor Siddharth.

Career

Ashika's career in acting started after Crazy Boy director Mahesh Babu picked her during a Clean and Clear Fresh Face Bangalore contest. She was nominated for the Best Debutant Actress in a Leading Role Award by SIIMA.

Alesia Raut

Wikipedia

Alesia Raut

Alecia (Alesia) Raut at Southern Command Polo Club Cup Manish Malhotra Fashion Show.
Born
Alesia Raut


Alesia Raut is an Indian-Russian model, VJ, and a fashion Choreographer. She had anchored a travel show on STAR One. And she was a contestant in a TV reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi (season 4). Alesia had also featured in some item songs such as Meri Beri Ber and Ek Aankh Maro. She is currently the official ramp-walk trainer of Femina Miss India and Miss India Universe pageants.

Personal life

Alesia was born in Moscow, Russia to an Indian father and a Russian mother. She attended Bombay Cambridge Gurukul (Andheri E) and graduated in commerce from Mithibai College in Juhu. She has a sister, Anjali Raut who is a former model in Mumbai and a brother, Amit Raut. Alesia married Alexander Yanovskiy, a Russian Economist. She moved to Moscow but the marriage failed and she returned to India with her son. Alesia married television actor Siddhanth Suryavanshi in the month of November 2017.


Alesia Raut walks the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week.
Modeling career

Alesia, had never imagined making it into modeling. However a neighbour took some pictures and sent them to the look of year contest 1999, organized by Times Group in India. She became a finalist in the ‘Look of the year-1999’ Contest. After the failure of her marriage, she returned to Mumbai from Moscow, Russia along with her son Mark. Her sister Anjali, who was a well-established model, got her back into contact with some fashion choreographers including Lubna Adams, Noyonika Chatterjee and Marc Robinson. She then restarted her modeling career. She was soon busy, including modeling for the prestigious Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week shows and International Institute of Fashion Design shows. She had done runway in many shows such as Manish Malhotra.[5] And she also played the role of a model in Madhur Bhandarkar's Movie Fashion (2008 film) which starring Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse and Arjan Bajwa. She was a contestant in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi (season 4) hosted by Akshay Kumar. She featured in an item song from the movie Karu Toh Karu Kya and she featured in the music videos Meri beri ke ber and Ek aankh maro.

Antara Biswas
Wikipedia
Antara Biswas
Monalisa in 2018
Born
Antara Biswas
21 November 1982

Other names Mona Lisa
Occupation Actress
Years active 1997–present
Spouse(s)

​
​(m. 2017)​


Antara Biswas (born 21 November 1982), better known by her stage name Mona Lisa, is an Indian actress. She has done mostly Bhojpuri language films, and has also appeared in Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu language films. She was a contestant of Indian show Bigg Boss 10 in 2016 and is known portraying Mohana in Nazar. She was last seen as Madhulika Chaudhary in Nazar 2, the second season of Nazar.

Biography and early life

Antara Biswas was born to a Bengali Hindu family. She adopted the stage name of Monalisa at the behest of her uncle. She studied at Julien Day School in Elgin Road, South Kolkata, and graduated from Ashutosh College of the University of Calcutta, earning a BA degree in Sanskrit before starting out a few years ago as a small-time TV actress and model in Odia video albums

Archana Taide
Wikipedia



Archana Taide
Born 6 November 1988

Hyedrabad, Telangana
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, Producer, Writer
Years active 2008 – present
Spouse(s) Ashish Sharma (2013 - present)


Archana Taide Sharma is an Indian actress. She started her career with the reality show Bollywood Ka Ticket on 9X TV. She started her writing career with the show she herself produced along with Ashish Sharma and a close friend, titled Chore Tera Gaon Bada Pyara. She is the Creative Head as a Producer at Desi Fillum Compani Pvt. Ltd.

Career : Archana played the lead role of Pavni in the show Beend Banoongaa Ghodi hadhunga on Imagine TV. She was cast as Nikhat Ahmed Khan in Zee TV's Qubool Hai. She was last seen playing the antagonist on & TV show Santoshi Maa.
Personal life


Taide was born into a Maharashtrian Christian family to Mr Anand Taide and Mrs Kiran Taide. She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Sion, Mumbai. On 30 January 2013, she married actor Ashish Sharma in Jaipur. The couple were introduced to each other by a mutual friend in Baroda where they were shooting for separate shows.

Aarti Solanki


She is an emerging Actress, Comedian at present.

Aarti Solanki Short Biography
Tag Name Aarti
Nationality Indian
Religious Belief Hinduism

Birth Date 11 October 1978
Age in [year] 44 Years
Birth Location Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Home Town Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sign of the Zodiac Libra

Aarti Solanki Height and Physical Description

Physical structure expresses the beauty of celebrities. Idol’s physical state, height, weight even the hairstyle is followed by the fans. We know about it. The height of Aarti Solanki is in centimeters- 157 cm in meters- 1.57 m in feet inches- 5’ 2”. The approximate weight is in kilograms- 80 kg
in pounds- 176 lbs. The Weight varies from time to time, here you get the latest weight. The eye color is Dark Brown. Similarly, the hair color is Black.
Heights in centimeters- 157 cm
in meters- 1.57 m
in feet inches- 5’ 2”
Weight(s) in kilograms- 80 kg
in pounds- 176 lbs
Figures 37-28-37
Eye Color Dark Brown
Hair Colors Black

Aarti Solanki Marital Status and Affairs

Is Aarti Solanki married or single? If you are interested enough about personal life, you get all the personal info here. In the below table you will get the information about the affair, marital status, hobbies and others. We have also written about favorite personalities and things like color, food etc here. Let check the table below to know about marital status and other information.

Hobbies Cooking, Travelling, Dancing
Favorite things/Persons Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Pushkar Jog

Educational Backgrounds

Here are the educational qualifications of Aarti Solanki. Many of the fans want to know about the educational background. fans like to follow their favourite personages to be inspired by their activities. Educational qualifications have been described here. We always depend on a reliable source, but it is tough to find. When we don’t have any data, we keep that data blank.

School Names Aryan High School, Mumbai
College Name Unknown
Educational Qualifications Not Found

Professional Life

We have added a wide range of information about her professional life. Here we also provide the school name, college name, educational qualifications and many others. Her career started as Film: Dubhang (2011, Marathi)

Ugly (2014, Bollywood)
TV: Fu Bai Fu (2010). She mainly earns from her profession e.g. Actress, Comedian.
Profession(s) Actress, Comedian
Famous For Actress, Comedian
Debut Film: Dubhang (2011, Marathi)
Ugly (2014, Bollywood)
TV: Fu Bai Fu (2010)
Achievements Not Any
Aarti Solanki Picture

The Net worth of Aarti Solanki is Rs. 151 Crores (as of 2018) [7]FirstPost.

Salary 1-5 Million
Net Worth Rs. 151 Crores (as of 2018) [7]FirstPost

The hobbies are Cooking, travelling, dancing.

Aishwarya Kale
Actress


Aishwarya Kale is a popular Actor. Latest movie in which Aishwarya Kale has acted is Sobat.

Aishwarya Lakshmi

indiaglitz.com


Aishwarya Lekshmi
Wikipedia

Aishwarya Lekshmi
Aishwarya at SIIMA
Born 6 September 1994

Nationality Indian
Occupation

Actress
Model
Doctor
Years active 2017–present
Height 164 cm (5.38 ft)
Relatives Govind Vasantha (cousin)

Aishwarya Lekshmi is an Indian film actress and model. She began her career as a model in 2014 and made her acting debut in 2017 with the film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, followed by Mayaanadhi (2017), Varathan (2018), Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019) , Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu (2019) establishing herself as a leading actress in Malayalam cinema. She won several accolades including Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South.

Early life

Aishwarya attended Holy Angels' ISC school, Trivandrum and completed her MBBS degree from Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (SNIMS), Ernakulam, in 2016. She also completed her internship there. She resides in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

Career

Lekshmi has been modelling since 2014. She has appeared on the covers of magazines such as Flower World, Salt Studio, Vanitha and FWD Life. She has modelled for brands such as Chemmanur Jewellers, Karikkineth Silks, La Brenda, Ezva Boutique, Akshaya Jewels, Sri Lakshmi Jewellery etc.

She states that she "never planned on acting", but now that she has finished her studies, she decided to give it a try when she chanced upon casting call by Althaf Salim for the family-drama Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela starring Nivin Pauly and was cast in a prominent role. She then did the female lead in romantic thriller Mayaanadhi by Aashiq Abu. The film became a major success and her role as an aspiring actress garnered appreciation. She signed for the lead role in Telugu film Naa... Nuvve, but later opted-out. In 2018, she signed by Varathan with Fahadh Faasil. She was also featured in webseries Karikku. She made her Tamil debut with the Vishal-starrer Action.

Aranmula Ponnamma
Wikipedia
Aranmula Ponnamma
Born 8 April 1914

Aranmula, Kerala, India
Died 21 February 2011 (aged 96)

Occupation Actress
Years active 1943–2004
Spouse(s) Kochu Krishna Pillai
Children Rajamma
Rajashekharan
Parent(s) Malethu Kesava Pillai
Parukutty Amma
Relatives

Suresh Gopi (Grandson-in-law)

Aranmula Ponnamma (8 April 1914 – 21 February 2011) was a National Award winning Malayalam film actress known for her roles as mother of the protagonist in numerous films. She was widely described as a mother figure in Malayalam cinema.

Early life

Ponnamma was born as one of five children of Malethu Kesava Pillai and Parukutty Amma in Aranmula, Pathanamthitta, Travancore. She has four siblings, Ramakrishna Pillai, Pankiyamma, Bhaskara Pillai and Thankamma. She started her career at the age of 12 as a Carnatic music vocalist. She began by singing before meetings organised by the Hindu Mahamandal on the banks of the Pampa river. At the age of 15, she was appointed as a music teacher in a primary school in Pala, before starting to teach in the senior classes. Later she joined the first batch of students at the Swati Tirunal Music Academy. After the course, she was appointed as the music teacher in Cotton Hill Girls' High School in Trivandrum.
Family

She was married to Late Kochu Krishna Pilla. The couple have a son, Rajashekharan and a daughter, Rajamma. Her granddaughter is married to Suresh Gopi.
Career

Ponnamma's acting debut happened at the age of 29, in a play titled Bhagyalakshmi. She went on to act in plays such as Prasanna, Chechi, Jeevithayathra and Rakthabandham, before debuting in films. Her debut role was that of the mother of the character played by Miss Kumari, a prominent actress at that time, in Sasidharan (1950). The same year she did another role as a mother in the Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair starrer Amma, which was the first film of noted producer T. E. Vasudevan and also the 18th Malayalam film. In 1968, she acted in the film Viruthan Shanku directed by P. Venu, the first full-length comedy in Malayalam cinema. She was typecasted in mother roles. In her own words: "I did play a negative role in Paadunna Puzha and that of a wayward woman in Yachakan. But after that I was always cast as the mother. As the mother of two children, I was very comfortable in that role. My role model was my mother, Parukutty Amma, who had to look after her five children on her own after my father, Malethu Kesava Pillai, passed away when I was nine. In fact, in Amma, my fifth film, I was merely acting as my mother." In her career spanning over 60 years, she acted as the mother or grandmother of first generation actors like Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, second generation actors like Prem Nazir and Sathyan and third generation actors like Mammootty, Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi.
She appeared last in the film Gourisankaram (2004). She died on 21 February 2011, aged 96, at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards

National Film Awards
1996 : Second Best Actress - KathapurushanAsianet Film Awards
1998 : Lifetime Achievement Award

Anju Kurian
(Wikipedia)
Anju Kurian

Occupation Actress
Born : 9 August 1993. Kottayam

Anju Kurian is a Super Duper Sundhari and Indian film actress who appears mainly in Malayalam and Tamil films. Best known for her roles in the 2016 Malayalam film Kavi Uddheshichathu and the 2018 film Njan Prakashan.

Career

She started her career in the Malayalam film industry with a supporting role in the movie Neram which was directed by Alphonse Puthren The following year, she played a supporting cast Ohm Shanthi Oshaana. She has also acted in several short films and musical videos.[7] In 2019, she had two releases in Malayalam as female lead in movies Shibu starring Karthik and directed by Arjun and Gokul. Jack & Daniel starring Dileep & Arjun directed by S.L Puram Jayasuriya respectively.


Anjali Jay
Wikipedia


Anjali Jay
ಅಂಜಲಿ ಜಯದೇವ್
Born
Anjali Jay
9 November 1970 

Occupation Actress
Years active 2006–present

Anjali Jay (born 9 November 1970) is an Indian actress, writer and dancer. She trained as a dancer (Bharatanatyam and Contemporary) and has performed since the age of 7. Jay has had an extensive career in theatre, including working with the Royal Shakespeare company and in movies such as Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Blind Dating, and The Age of Adaline

Personal life

Jay was born in India and grew up in Bangalore. She attended Sophia High School until 1986. She graduated with a BA degree from Mount Carmel College in 1991. Jay is trained in Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance. She went to Britain on a Charles Wallace Scholarship for her MA degree in Dance Theatre at the Laban Centre. After graduating, she performed a season with the Shobana Jaysingh Dance Company.

Career

Jay appeared opposite Chris Pine in Blind Dating.Jay was praised by Jack G. Shaheen for her "heroic" portrayal of an Arab Muslim woman, Djaq, in the Robin Hood TV series.

Acting credits

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes2006 Blind Dating Leeza Raja
2015 The Age of Adaline Cora
2017 Power Rangers Maddy Hart 
2020 Brahms: The Boy II Dr. Lawrence

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes2003 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Shala Malik Episode: "Deception on His Mind"
2005 Doctors Susie Sharma Episode: "Trophy Life"
2006–2007 Robin Hood Djaq 22 episodes
2009 The Fixer Madulika Episode: series 2, episode 6
2012 Supernatural Dr. Kashi Episode: "Heartache"
2014–2015 Continuum Jacqueline (Escher's secretary) 8 Episodes
2017 A Midsummer's Nightmare Agent Radlas TV movie
2017 iZombie Carey Gold 6 Episodes
2017–2020 Supergirl Selena 11 Episodes
2018 The X-Files Dr. Joyet Episode: "My Struggle III"
2018 The Good Doctor Oncologist Episode: "More"
2018 Salvation Dr. Rosetta Stendahl 7 episodes
2021 Debris Priya Ferris

Radio
The Making of a Marchioness (2007) as Hester
Goan Flame (2000)
Theatre[edit]
Romeo and Juliet (2006; UK tour) as Juliet
The Jungle Book (2004–05; UK tour) as Bagheera/ Dulia
Anne of Green Gables (2004; Lilian Bayliss Theatre) as Katie Maurice
Tales of the Arabian Nights (2000; UK tour)
Border Crossings production of Mappa Mundi (2000; Courtyard Theatre, Hereford)
Dance Like A Man as Latah
Vesuvius (1997; The Nehru Centre of the High Commission of India, London)

Ashlesha Sawant
Wikipedia


Ashlesha Sawant
Nationality Indian
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s) Sandeep Baswana (2011–present)

Ashlesha Sawant (Born 14 March 1982) is an Indian television actress. She played Meera in Kumkum Bhagya from 18 March 2019 to 28 January 2021. She played Preeti Sameer Deshpande in Star Plus's soap opera Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara.[3] Ashlesha also had played Tara from Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safa.

Early life and career

Sawant comes from Pune; she completed her T.Y.B.Com in 2003. Her father is in the Air Force. After Standard XII, she got into local modelling for about a year. Then she started training for the Gladrags contest. During that time, Balaji's auditions were taking place in Pune. Sawant went to the auditions for a lark. They shortlisted her for Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, and she had to move to Mumbai. The KHKH shoot did not happen, and she played a small role in Kasautii Zindagii Kay as Rishab Bajaj's associate. Ekta Kapoor informed Sawant that she was keen to cast her in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Star Plus) and Kammal (Zee TV). She accepted both offers. Sawant also played the role of Rohit Sharma's wife in Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand. She played the role of Preeti in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara. Currently she is playing the role of Meera in Kumkum Bhagya.

Awards

YearAwardCategorySerialOutcome2007 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Saat Phere Nominated

Aparna Balamurali
 Wikipedia
Aparna Balamurali
Aparna in 2018
Born 26 August 1995 

Thrissur, Kerala, India
Alma mater Global Institute of Architecture, Palakkad
Occupation

Years active 2013—present
Relatives K. P. Udayabhanu (great-uncle)

Aparna Kishok Balamurali (born 26 August 1995) is an Indian actress and playback singer who works predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. She is known for her roles in Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), Sunday Holiday (2017) and Soorarai Pottru (2020).

Personal life

Aparna comes from Thrissur in Kerala, India She was born to K. P. Balamurali and Sobha Balamurali. Her father is a music director who has composed several musical albums, and her mother is a lawyer who has also worked as a playback singer in some Malayalam films. The singer-composer K. P. Udayabhanu is her paternal great-uncle. Aparna is trained in Indian classical music and classical dance styles such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi. She was studying architecture at the Global Institute of Architecture in Palakkad when she began her acting career.

Career

Aparna started her career at the age 18 who is working in Malayalam and Tamil film industry. Aparna made her acting debut in the Malayalam film Yathra Thudarunnu (2013) along with Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, directed by Jayan Sivapuram. In 2015, her movie Oru Second Class Yathra was released. She rose to fame with her film named, Maheshinte Prathikaaram in 2016. She also starred in comedy Oru Muthassi Gada (2016). She made her Tamil debut in 8 Thottakkal (2017). She played in Sunday Holiday (2017) and Thrissivaperoor Kliptham (2017). In both films, she is paired opposite Asif Ali. Besides this, she also pursued her career in Music and gave songs like Mounangal Mindumoree, Thennal Nilavinte and Thanthane. Her 2018 releases are Kamuki and B. Tech. She has been roped in as the Tamil film's heroine in Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019) starring G. V. Prakash Kumar. Her subsequent films in Malayalam were Mr. & Ms. Rowdy (2019) and Jeem Boom Bhaa (2019) received with average reviews. She presented a convincing performance as Bommi in Suriya starrer Soorarai Pottru (2020) has been getting a lot of accolades for her role. The next Tamil movie was Theethum Nandrum (2021).

Anarkali Marikar
Wikipedia

Anarkali Marikar
Born 8 February 1997
Kochi, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016 – present
Parent(s)

Nias Marikar
Lali P. M.

Anarkali Marikar (born 8 February 1997) is an Indian film actress who appears predominantly in Malayalam films. She made her debut in 2016 in the film Aanandam.

Early life

Anarkali was born to Nias Marikar and Lali P. M. Her father is a photographer and mother is an actress. She has an elder sister named Lakshmi Marikar, who was a former child actor in the Malayalam film No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North. Anarkali completed her degree in Mass communication from Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram. She was offered the role in her debut film Aanandam through its cinematographer Anend C. Chandran, a friend to her sister.

Career

Anarkali made her film debut in 2016 with the teenage romantic-comedy Aanandam, in a supporting role. Her second film Vimaanam (2017) featured Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, and was directed by debutante Pradeep Nair. After that, she was cast in a leading role in Amala, directed by debutante Nishad Ebrahim.

In 2018, she played Devika opposite Asif Ali in Mandharam.[7][8] In 2019, she appeared in debutante director Manu Ashokan's Uyare, along with Parvathy Thiruvothu, Tovino Thomas and Asif Ali. Manu, who had previously worked with Anarkali in Vimaanam as an associate director, cast her in the movie seeing her performance. Her role as Sariya D'Costa, a friend of protagonist Pallavi (Parvathy), was critically acclaimed. She has also done a guest role in Marconi Mathai directed by debutante Sanil Kalathil. Starring Jayaram and Vijay Sethupathi.

Avika Gor
 Wikipedia 
Gor in 2020
Born
Avika Sameer Gor
30 June 1997

Occupation Actress
Years active 2007–present

Avika Gor (born 30 June 1997) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Telugu films and Hindi television. She is known for playing the roles of Anandi in Balika Vadhu and Roli in Sasural Simar Ka, both were successful shows. She made her Telugu film debut with Uyyala Jampala (2013).

She won SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut (Telugu) for her role in Uyyala Jampala. She went onto star in successful films including Cinema Choopistha Mava, Care of Footpath 2, Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada, Raju Gari Gadhi 3 and Net.

Gor also appeared as the lead in Laado – Veerpur Ki Mardani. In 2019, Gor was a contestant on Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9.

Early life and career

Avika Gor was born 30 June 1997 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She attended Sharon English High School in the Mulund suburb of Mumbai.

She made her Hindi television debut with Ssshhhh...Koi Hai in 2007. She made her film debut in Tollywood with Uyyala Jampala in 2013 and won SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut (Telugu) at 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards for her role.

Filmography
Television

YearTitleRoleNotes2008 [Rajkummar Aaryan]] Young Rajkumari Bhairavi Lead role
2008–2010 Balika Vadhu Young Anandi Singh Lead role
2011–2016 Sasural Simar Ka Roli Dwivedi Bhardwaj Parallel Lead role
2012 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 Contestant Wildcard entry (Not selected)
2017–18 Laado – Veerpur Ki Mardani Anushka Sangwan / Anushka Yuvraj Singh Choudhary / Juhi Sethi Lead role
2019 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9 Contestant Eliminated 12th place

Films

2009 Morning Walk Gargi Hindi Child artist
2010 Paathshala Avika Hindi Child artist
2012 Tezz Piya Raina Hindi Child artist
2013 Uyyala Jampala Uma Devi Telugu Debut in a lead role 
2014 Lakshmi Raave Maa Intiki Lakshmi Telugu 
2015 Cinema Choopistha Mava Parineeta Chatterjee Telugu
Thanu Nenu Keerthi Telugu
Kill Them Young Geetha Hindi
2016 Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada Ayesha / Amala Telugu 
2019 Natasaarvabhowma Bride Kannada Special appearance in "Tajaa Samcahara" song
Raju Gari Gadhi 3 Maya Telugu 
2021 Net Priya Telugu
#Bro Subhadra Telugu
2022 Thank You  TBA Telugu Filming 
10th Class Diaries  Chandini Telugu Filming 

Short films

.2016 Ankahi Baatein Hindi 
2017 I, Me, Myself Hindi Also Writer 

Music videos

2019 Doggy Ishaan Khan BLive Music 
Qurbaan Stebin Ben, Asad Khan 

Awards and nominations

YearAward CeremonyCategoryWorkResultRef.
2008 8th Indian Television Academy Awards Best Child Artist Balika Vadhu Won 
Best Actress – Drama (Jury)
2009 9th Indian Television Academy Awards Best Child Artist Won 

Aishwarya (actress)
(Wikipedia)



Aishwarya
Born
Shanta Meena Bhaskar
23 May 1971

Occupation Film actress
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Spouse(s)

Tanveer
​
​(m. 1994; div. 1996)​
Children Anaina (b. 1995)
Relatives Y. V. Rao (maternal grand father)
Lakshmi (mother)
Bhaskar (father)

Aishwarya Bhaskar (born May 23, 1971) is an Indian actress who has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu movies and later in several Malayalam television soap operas. She is the daughter of actress Lakshmi.

Career

Aishwarya's first film was Oliyampukal (1991), followed by Mamagaru (1991), Rasukutty (1992) and Meera (1992). She played a double role in Butterflies (1993) and also in Gardish (1993), which was a remake of the Malayalam movie Kireedam. Early in her career, she turned down opportunity to work with Mani Ratnam in Thiruda Thiruda (1993).

Following her marriage in 1994, Aishwarya quit the film industry and chose to prioritise bringing up a family. However her marriage fell apart and she became addicted to taking drugs as a result of her husband's addiction, which made it difficult for her to re-enter the film industry after her divorce in 1996. After undergoing a rehabilitation process, she chose to continue her education in computer science and joined to work with the NIIT in 1997 and prioritised her work as a software engineer. She then accepted an offer to be a part of a television show produced by Suresh Chandra Menon, after being convinced by her friend, actress Revathi. After a four-year sabbatical from films as a result of her marriage, childbirth and divorce, Aishwarya made a comeback in Parthiban's Housefull (1999) portraying an inspector in charge of the bomb disposal squad. She continued to portray supporting roles in films such as Suyamvaram (1999), Sathyameva Jayathe (2000) and Narasimham (2000) during the turn of the century.

Personal life

Born as Shanta Meena Bhaskar, to father K Bhaskaran and half Tamil and Telugu actress Lakshmi, she has a stepsister from her mother's third marriage with Sivachandran. She was married to Tanveer Ahmed in 1994 and they were divorced in 1996. The couple have a daughter, Anaina, born in 1995.

Amala Paul

Amala Paul is a prominent Indian actress and film producer, known for her versatile roles in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi cinema. Born on October 26, 1991, in Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, she has established herself as a leading actress in South Indian cinema with over 40 films, earning accolades for her bold performances and commitment to meaningful cinema. Beyond acting, she runs her own production company, advocates for social causes, and has navigated personal and professional challenges with resilience.

Personal Details

  • Full Name: Amala Paul Varghese
  • Date of Birth: October 26, 1991 (age 34 as of October 26, 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Ethnicity/Community: Syrian Catholic (Malayali Christian, specifically Syro-Malabar Catholic)
  • Family:
    • Father: Paul Varghese (deceased 2017, theater enthusiast)
    • Mother: Annice Paul (singer)
    • Sibling: Younger brother, Abijith Paul (actor, known for Oru Indian Pranayakatha)
  • Education:
    • Schooling: Nirmala Higher Secondary School, Aluva, Kerala
    • College: B.A. in Communicative English (incomplete) at St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam
  • Marital Status:
    • Married director A.L. Vijay (2014–2017, divorced)
    • Married Jagat Desai (businessman) in 2023; gave birth to son Ilai in June 2024
  • Languages Known: Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English
  • Hobbies/Interests: Yoga, surfing, dancing, travel, animal welfare (vegetarian, owns a pet dog)
  • Religion: Christianity (Syrian Catholic); faced controversy in 2023 for being denied entry to a Kerala temple due to her faith

Career Overview

Amala Paul debuted in the Malayalam film Neelathamara (2009) and rose to fame with the Tamil romantic drama Mynaa (2010), which earned her critical acclaim and awards. Known for choosing unconventional roles, she has worked across genres, from commercial blockbusters to hard-hitting social dramas. She is also a producer, having launched Amala Paul Productions in 2020, with films like Cadaver (2022) under her belt.

  • Debut:
    • Malayalam: Neelathamara (2009, supporting role as Beena)
    • Tamil: Mynaa (2010, lead role as Mynaa)
    • Telugu: Bejawada (2011)
    • Hindi: Aadai (2019, dubbed version)
  • Key Films:
    • Malayalam: Neelathamara (2009), Run Baby Run (2012), Oru Indian Pranayakatha (2013), Level Cross (2024)
    • Tamil: Mynaa (2010), Deiva Thirumagal (2011), Vettai (2012), Thalaivaa (2013), Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014), Amma Kanakku (2016), Ratsasan (2018), Aadai (2019), Chithha (2023)
    • Telugu: Iddarammayilatho (2013), Naayak (2013)
    • Hindi: Aadai (2019, dubbed), Christopher (2023, dubbed)
  • Production: Founded Amala Paul Productions; produced Cadaver (2022, Tamil/Malayalam) and The Teacher (2022, Malayalam)
  • Awards and Nominations:
    • Won: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress (Mynaa, 2010), Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress – South (Aadai, 2019), SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Tamil (Ratsasan, 2018)
    • Nominated: Filmfare, Vijay Awards, and SIIMA for multiple films
  • Notable Roles:
    • Mynaa (2010): Played a village girl, earning widespread praise
    • Aadai (2019): Portrayed Kamini, a bold role in a feminist thriller, lauded for tackling sexual assault and societal norms
    • Ratsasan (2018): Played a teacher in a psychological thriller, showcasing emotional depth
    • Level Cross (2024): Played a complex character in a critically acclaimed Malayalam thriller
  • Career Highlights:
    • Known for bold, women-centric roles (e.g., Aadai, The Teacher)
    • Worked with top actors like Rajinikanth (Petta), Vijay (Thalaivaa), Dhanush (Velaiilla Pattadhari), and Vikram (Deiva Thirumagal)
    • Transitioned to producer to support meaningful cinema
    • Active in OTT platforms with projects like Chithha (Disney+ Hotstar) and Level Cross

Community and Caste Background

Amala Paul belongs to the Syrian Catholic community, part of Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Christian population, which traces its origins to St. Thomas the Apostle. This ethnoreligious group is considered a forward community in Kerala, prominent in education, trade, and arts. Unlike Hindu caste systems (varna/jati), Syrian Christians do not align with traditional caste hierarchies, but their social status is comparable to upper-caste Hindu communities in Kerala. Her Christian identity was highlighted during her 2014 interfaith marriage to A.L. Vijay (Hindu, Nattukottai Chettiar) and the 2023 temple entry controversy, reflecting Kerala’s complex socio-religious dynamics.

Personal Life

  • Early Life: Born in a middle-class family in Aluva, Amala was exposed to the arts through her father’s theater involvement and mother’s singing. She initially aimed for an engineering career but pivoted to acting after modeling assignments.
  • Relationships:
    • Married Tamil director A.L. Vijay in 2014 (Christian-Hindu wedding in Chennai); divorced in 2017 due to personal differences, with Vijay’s family reportedly opposing her acting career post-marriage.
    • Married Jagat Desai (Gujarati businessman) in November 2023 in Kochi; welcomed son Ilai in June 2024.
  • Controversies:
    • Temple Entry Issue (2023): Denied entry to Thiruvairanikulam Mahadeva Temple in Kerala due to her Christian faith, sparking debates on religious inclusivity.
    • Tax Evasion Case (2018): Faced legal scrutiny for allegedly evading taxes on a luxury car registration, which she resolved.
  • Advocacy: Passionate about animal rights, environmental conservation, and women’s empowerment. She promotes vegetarianism and supports stray animal welfare, often sharing her pet dog’s pictures on social media.

Lifestyle and Public Persona

  • Fitness and Hobbies: Practices yoga and surfing, reflecting her active lifestyle. Enjoys travel, often sharing scenic posts from destinations like Goa, Maldives, and Kerala.
  • Fashion: Known for elegant and bold fashion choices, blending traditional sarees with modern outfits, making her a style icon in South India.
  • Social Media: Active on Instagram (@amalapaul), with millions of followers, where she shares updates on films, family, and social causes.
  • Public Image: Admired for resilience, choosing unconventional roles, and balancing mainstream and arthouse cinema. Her outspoken nature on gender equality and social issues has made her a role model for younger audiences.

Recent and Upcoming Projects (as of October 2025)

  • Recent: Level Cross (2024, Malayalam thriller with Asif Ali), Aadujeevitham (2024, supporting role in Prithviraj’s survival drama)
  • Upcoming: Rumored to be in talks for a Tamil-Hindi bilingual project and a second production under her banner, focusing on women-centric stories (details unconfirmed).
  • OTT Presence: Gained traction with Chithha (2023) on Disney+ Hotstar, showcasing her appeal in digital streaming.

Socio-Cultural Context

Amala Paul’s Syrian Catholic background reflects Kerala’s diverse Christian community, which enjoys high social and economic status. Her career choices—favoring bold, socially relevant roles—align with her progressive outlook, challenging traditional expectations for women in Indian cinema. Her interfaith marriage and public stances (e.g., temple controversy) highlight her navigation of India’s complex religious and cultural landscape.


Bhargavi Chirmule
(Wikipedia)


Bhargavi Chirmuley
Born 29 March 1978

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor
Years active 1994–present

Bhargavi Chirmuley (born 29 March 1978) is a Marathi actress. She has worked in many Marathi movies and television serials. Bhargavi has always been outstanding among the Marathi actors of today's generation. Besides doing serious kind of roles in movies like Kass and One Room Kitchen, she also worked in the reality show (comedy) Fu Bai Fu (3re parv).

Early life and education

Bhargavi was born to Shirish and Sai Chirmuley on 29 March 1978. She is brought up in Mumbai-Girgaon. Later her family moved to Dadar. She completed her school in Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya. She is a graduate from Ruparel College(Mumbai). She has learnt classical dance form "Bharat Natyam". She is also a yoga therapist. She has younger sister Chaitrali (actress who is wife of actor Lokesh Gupte). In 2015, she had her 2nd divorce.

Career

Chirmule started working in small plays and dramas when she was doing graduation in Ruparel. She got her first movie break in Vishwa Vinayak. In 2010, she worked with big Marathi actors like Sachin (actor) Pilgaonkar, Mahesh Kothare and Ashok Saraf in the movie Ideachi Kalpana. She says "I would like to be known as actress rather than star."[2] Chirmule participated and won the reality show Eka Peksha Ek (Celebrity Parv), hosted by Adesh Bandekar and judged by Sachin (actor). She also joined the show on 20 April 2011 Eka Peksha Ek (Apsara Aali) as guest. In 2011, she worked with Bharat Jadhav in the movie One Room Kitchen, in which she played a middle-class housewife, who is living in a chawl, but dreaming about having a flat in a suburban area of Mumbai. In 2012, she played in a drama named Zopi Gelela Jag Zala. Currently, she is doing the sitcom Suvasini, which telecasts on Star Pravah. She also played Queen Sunayna, mother of Sita in the TV serial Siya ke Ram, aired on Star Plus.

Bhavya
Wikipedia



Bhavya
Born

Bharathi
12 January 1966

Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Occupation Actress
Years active 1983 - present
Spouse(s) Rahul Verma
Awards Karnataka State Film Awards

Bhavya, born as Bharathi, is a South Indian actress. She has acted in several Kannada and a few Tamil and Telugu movies. She was a top heroine of Kannada cinema during 1985-1992. She switched over to key supporting roles post 2000. She is settled in Mumbai, India and travels frequently to Bangalore for her shoots .

Career

Bhavya began her career with the Siddalingaiah directorial Prema Parva opposite Murali in 1983. This was followed by a lead role in the acclaimed director Bhargava's Praana Snehita opposite Shankar Nag and the role of Vishnuvardhan's sister in the multi-starrer Kallu Veene Nudiyitu. She next starred in a glamorous role in the V. Ravichandran starrer Pralayantaka and played the harassed daughter-in-law in the successful Baddi Bangaramma. She signed several medium budget movies with newcomers of the time like Vinod Alva (Tavarumane and Namma Oora Devate), Ramakrishna Hegde (Sedina Sanchu), Vijaya kashi (Hosa Balu), Charan Raj (Maruthi Mahime) and Arjun Sarja (Na Ninna Preetisuve and Prema Jyothi) which were all moderately successful. Her big break to the top league came in the form of the heroine's role opposite superstar Vishnuvardhan in Nee Bareda Kadambari. She was widely acclaimed for this role. The success of her major commercial films such as Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Sangrama, Avale Nanna Hendthi and Ravana Raajya in quick succession established her as the topmost actress of Kannada cinema. She has acted opposite all the leading actors of 1980's and 1990s. Her pairing with Vishnuvardhan in one movie a year from 1985 to 1992 resulted in a string of more hits including Karunamayi, Hrudaya Geethe and Mathe Haditu Kogile. She starred with Ambarish in six films including the acclaimed Hrudaya Haadithu. With Anant Nag she has successfully starred in several romantic films and social dramas. Her pairing with action hero Shankar Nag was the most prolific, including the Sangliyana series and several masala entertainers. She acted opposite V. Ravichandran in three films during the initial phase of their respective careers and gave Kashinath the biggest hit of his career with Avale Nanna Hendthi. She also worked in Tamil/ Telugu films including the musical hit Geethanjali with Murali. She however never got a chance to act opposite Raj Kumar as she was considered too young for him. She acted with his son-in-law Ram Kumar in one of the last movies of her career as a lead heroine.

From 2002 till date, Bhavya has switched over to character roles mainly playing mother to the younger actors. Her sensitive portrayal as Dhyan's mother in Nanna Preethiya Hudugi and Ramya's mother in Amrithadhare, both directed by the famours Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, warrant special mention. Bhavya has also worked in television daily series such as Durga.

Baby Annie
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor
Years active 2005

Baby Annie (born 31 March 2001) is a south Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu movies. She is known for the role of Mallamma in the 2011 movie Rajanna, for which she received a Nandi Award. She made her debut through Anukokunda Oka Roju that stars Jagapathi Babu and Charmi. Her other noted film appearances include Swagatham, Athidi, Stalin and Ek Niranjan.

Early life

Annie was born and brought up in Hyderabad to Malayalam speaking parents.

Annie started her acting career at the age of 4 and till now she shared screen with many top actors of the Telugu Film Industry like Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Jagapathi Babu, Gopichand, and Ram Pothineni, Ram Charan, Uday Kiran and Aadhi Pinisetty. She also acted in a Bhojpuri film titled Shiva directed by Dinesh Lal Yadav under Suresh Productions.

She has won three Nandi Awards, one for Trap (Telefilm) (2007),another for Gorintaku Serial (2010) and another for Rajanna (2011). She won Nandi Award for Best Child Actress-2011 and Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu-2011 for the movie Rajanna.

She studies commerce at Avinash College of Commerce, Hyderabad.

Bhakti Barve
Wikipedia
Bhakti Barve

Born 10 September 1948

Sangli, Bombay State, India
Died 12 February 2001

Maharashtra, India
Other names Bhakti Barve Inamdar
Spouse(s) Shafi Inamdar


Bhakti Barve (10 September 1948 – 12 February 2001) was an Indian film, theatre and television actress in Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati. She is best known for her role in Kundan Shah's comedy Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), where she acted alongside Naseeruddin Shah, Satish Shah and Ravi Baswani.

In theatre, which was her mainstay, she was associated with leading groups like Theatre Unit, Indian National Theatre, and Rangayan, and is remembered for performances in plays like Ti Phularani, Nag Mandala, Aayee Retire Hote Aahe and Hands Up. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Marathi theatre Acting in 1990 by India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, apart from Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar, and Abhinay Puraskar. She was married to actor Shafi Inamdar, who died in 1996.

Personal life

Barve was born in Sangli, Maharashtra. During her school days she participated in Sudha Karmarkar's productions of children's theatre. She was married to late actor Shafi Inamdar.

Career

Barve began her career by acting for Sudha Karmarkar's Little Theatre. She also had a short stint as announcer on All India Radio, Bombay and later as a news reader on Bombay Doordarshan (India's National broadcaster), and presenter of Saptahiki. While with Doordarshan, she also performed the role of Bahinabai Choudhary, the poetess-saint, in the critically acclaimed DD produced telefilm, Bahinabai.

She shot to fame with her performance in plays like the Marathi drama Ajab Nyaya Vartulacha ('Strange Justice of the Circle') in 1973, C. T. Khanolkar's adaptation of Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle, Mohan Rakesh's Adhe-adhure, Tee Phul Rani (Flower Queen) (1975), P.L. Deshpande's noted adaptation of G. B. Shaw's Pygmalion and in Jay Lerner's My Fair Lady. She was widely appreciated in 2 super hit Marathi stage plays, Hands-Up! (1982) and Ranga Mazha Vegala (1991), both co-starring Avinash Masurekar.

She acted in many TV serials and dramas, besides Hindi films, Kundan Shah's Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Govind Nihlani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). She was also the chairperson of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Sammelan.

Death

Barve performed a solo act, Pu La Fulrani Aani Mee, at Wai on 11 February 2001. The next morning at 02:45 IST, on her way back to Mumbai, her car driven by her driver rammed into the opening of Bhatan Tunnel on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and she succumbed to her injuries.

Awards

Bhakti Barve was honoured with a posthumous award at the Indian Telly Awards in 2001 for her contribution to Indian cinema and television.

Bidita Bag

Bidita Bag (born September 30, 1987, in Santragachi, Howrah, West Bengal) is a versatile Indian actress, model, and socio-political advocate known for her impactful performances in parallel cinema across Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, and Odia films. With a career spanning modeling, Bollywood, and regional cinema, she has carved a niche for portraying bold, complex, and often marginalized characters. Her commitment to social issues, particularly women’s rights and Northeast Indian representation, makes her a distinctive figure in Indian cinema. Below is a comprehensive overview of her life, career, and contributions.

Personal Background

  • Full Name: Bidita Nandini Bag
  • Date of Birth: September 30, 1987
  • Age: 38 years (as of September 30, 2025)
  • Birthplace: Santragachi, Howrah, West Bengal, India
  • Ethnicity: Bengali with Assamese roots (her family originates from Assam, though she was born and raised in West Bengal).
  • Caste: Specific details about her caste are not publicly documented in reliable sources like her Wikipedia page, interviews, or profiles. The surname "Bag" is common in eastern India, appearing in communities like upper-caste Bengali Hindus or the Scheduled Caste Bagdi community (involved in agriculture and fishing), but no evidence directly ties her to any specific caste. As an atheist, she emphasizes social issues over traditional affiliations.
  • Education: Bidita graduated with an Economics degree from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, known for its intellectual and progressive environment, which likely shaped her worldview.
  • Family: Limited information is available about her family. She has mentioned her Assamese heritage in interviews, reflecting a dual cultural identity. Her upbringing in Howrah, a working-class town, instilled resilience and grounded values.
  • Personal Beliefs: Bidita identifies as an atheist and is vocal about socio-political issues, including women’s rights, Northeast Indian representation, and environmental causes. She has criticized systemic issues like political exploitation and media bias.

Career Journey

Early Career: Modeling

  • Bidita began her career as a model in Kolkata, leveraging her striking features and confident presence. She worked with top designers and brands, including:
    • Lakmé, Nokia, Vaseline, and Wild Stone deodorants.
    • Notable campaigns include editorials for Femina and appearances in TV commercials.
  • Her modeling success in Kolkata led to opportunities in Mumbai, where she transitioned to acting, drawn to the depth of cinematic storytelling.

Acting Career

Bidita’s acting career spans mainstream Bollywood, regional cinema, and parallel films, with a focus on intense, socially relevant roles. She debuted in Bengali cinema before gaining prominence in Hindi films.

Key Films and Roles
  • Bengali Cinema:
    • *Mukti (2010)**: Her debut film, a Bengali socio-drama, showcased her ability to portray emotional depth.
    • *Icche (2011)**: Playing the daughter in this critically acclaimed film, she earned praise for her nuanced performance in a story about familial expectations.
  • Hindi Cinema:
    • *From Sydney with Love (2012)**: Her Bollywood debut, a romantic comedy, introduced her to mainstream audiences.
    • *Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2017)**: As Phulwa, a cobbler’s wife opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui, she delivered a raw, powerful performance in this gritty action-drama. The role, involving bold scenes, highlighted her willingness to take risks.
    • *Sholay Girl (2019)**: She portrayed Reshma Pathan, India’s first stuntwoman, in this ZEE5 biopic, earning acclaim for embodying the character’s resilience.
    • *Fauji Calling (2021)**: Playing a soldier’s sister, she brought emotional weight to this patriotic drama.
    • *The Zero Line (2022)**: A thriller addressing India-Pakistan border tensions, showcasing her versatility in socio-political narratives.
  • Assamese and Odia Cinema:
    • *Bhaowra (Assamese)**: A lead role in this regional film connected her to her ancestral roots.
    • *Dhaad (Odia)**: She played a tribal woman, reinforcing her commitment to marginalized narratives.
  • Short Films and Web Series:
    • *Tees (2018)**: A short film addressing child marriage, where she played a village girl, earning festival accolades.
    • *Teen Aur Aadha (2018)**: A critically praised anthology film where she portrayed a sex worker, showcasing her range.
    • *Walkout (short film)**: Highlighted women’s safety issues, aligning with her advocacy.
Upcoming and Recent Projects
  • As of 2025, Bidita continues to work in independent and regional cinema, with recent posts on X indicating she’s involved in new projects, though specific titles remain unconfirmed. Her focus remains on roles that challenge stereotypes and amplify underrepresented voices.

Acting Style

  • Versatility: Bidita excels in diverse roles, from rural women to urban characters, often portraying resilience and defiance.
  • Bold Choices: She embraces unconventional roles, including those with intimate scenes, to challenge societal taboos, as seen in Babumoshai Bandookbaaz.
  • Emotional Depth: Her performances are marked by authenticity, drawing from her understanding of socio-economic struggles, particularly for women and Northeast Indians.
  • Regional Connect: Her fluency in Bengali and connection to Assamese culture allows her to authentically portray characters from eastern India.

Achievements and Recognition

  • Critical Acclaim: Films like Icche, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, and Sholay Girl have earned her praise for her raw intensity and commitment to challenging roles.
  • Film Festival Presence: Her short films (Tees, Teen Aur Aadha) have been screened at international festivals, highlighting her global appeal.
  • Cultural Ambassador: By working in Assamese and Odia cinema, she bridges mainstream Bollywood with regional industries, promoting Northeast Indian stories.
  • Social Impact: Her roles often address issues like child marriage, women’s safety, and tribal rights, amplifying marginalized voices.

Advocacy and Public Persona

  • Women’s Rights: Bidita is a vocal advocate for gender equality, using her platform to discuss issues like workplace harassment and women’s safety. Her role in Walkout reflects this commitment.
  • Northeast Representation: As someone with Assamese roots, she actively counters stereotypes about Northeast Indians in mainstream media, advocating for better representation.
  • Political Commentary: She has criticized political exploitation of marginalized communities, as seen in her 2018 comments on X about Bengal’s political climate and her support for Adivasi rights.
  • Environmental Causes: Bidita supports sustainable living and has participated in campaigns promoting eco-friendly practices.
  • Public Image: Known for her outspokenness, she maintains a low-key personal life but engages actively on social media (Instagram, X) to share her work and views.

Challenges and Controversies

  • Typecasting: Early in her career, she faced the risk of being typecast in rural or “bold” roles due to her willingness to take on gritty characters.
  • Industry Bias: As a Northeast Indian actress, she has spoken about the challenges of breaking into Bollywood, where regional identities are often sidelined.
  • Bold Scenes Backlash: Her role in Babumoshai Bandookbaaz sparked minor controversy due to intimate scenes, but she defended her choices as artistic and empowering.

Personal Life

  • Relationships: Bidita keeps her personal life private. There are no confirmed reports of her marital status or relationships as of 2025.
  • Hobbies: She enjoys reading, traveling, and engaging with socio-political literature, reflecting her intellectual roots from Jadavpur University.
  • Lifestyle: Based in Mumbai, she balances her acting career with advocacy, often traveling to Kolkata and Assam for personal and professional commitments.

Legacy and Impact

  • Trailblazer for Northeast India: Bidita’s success in Bollywood and regional cinema has paved the way for more Northeast Indian actors, challenging the industry’s Mumbai-centric bias.
  • Voice for the Marginalized: Her choice of roles—tribal women, sex workers, stuntwomen—amplifies stories rarely told in mainstream cinema.
  • Cultural Bridge: By working across Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, and Odia films, she fosters cultural unity and showcases India’s diversity.
  • Inspiration for Aspiring Actors: Her journey from a small town in Howrah to international film festivals inspires young actors, especially women from non-traditional backgrounds.

Fun Facts

  • Birthday Coincidence: Born on September 30, she shares her birth date with notable figures like cricketer Mona Meshram and the passing of tribal icon Ram Dayal Munda (2011).
  • Modeling Roots: Her early Lakmé campaigns featured her alongside future Bollywood stars, highlighting her early industry presence.
  • Jadavpur University Alumna: Her academic background in Economics sets her apart in an industry where formal education is less common.
  • Multilingual Talent: Fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and Assamese, she brings authenticity to her regional roles.

Recent Updates (as of September 2025)

  • Bidita remains active in independent cinema and short films, with recent X posts suggesting involvement in new projects, possibly in Bengali or Assamese cinema.
  • She continues her advocacy work, engaging with fans on social media about women’s rights and Northeast issues.
  • No major Bollywood releases are confirmed for 2025, but her focus on meaningful roles suggests upcoming work in festivals or OTT platforms like ZEE5.

Conclusion

Bidita Bag is more than an actress—she’s a cultural force who uses cinema to challenge norms and amplify marginalized voices. From her modeling days in Kolkata to her powerful performances in Babumoshai Bandookbaaz and Sholay Girl, she has proven her versatility and commitment to art with purpose. Her Bengali-Assamese heritage, atheist worldview, and advocacy for social justice make her a unique figure in Indian cinema. As she continues to take on bold roles and speak out on critical issues, Bidita remains a beacon for authenticity and change in an evolving industry.
Bhanu Athaiya
Wikipedia
Bhanu Athaiya
Born
Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye
28 April 1929

Died 15 October 2020 (aged 91)

Occupation Costume designer
Years active 1956–2004
Spouse(s) Satyendra Athaiya (separated)
Children 1
Awards

1991: Lekin...


Bhanu Athaiya (née Annasaheb Rajopadhye; 28 April 1929 – 15 October 2020) was an Indian costume designer. She worked on over 100 films, with Indian filmmakers such as Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, B.R. Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Vijay Anand, Raj Khosla, and Ashutosh Gowariker; and international directors such Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough. She was the first Indian to win an Academy Award, winning one for costume design for Gandhi in 1982 .

Biography

Athaiya was born in Kolhapur in Maharashtra of British India. She was the third of the seven children born to Annasaheb and Shantabai Rajopadhye. Athaiya's father, Annasaheb was a painter. He died when Athaiya was nine years old.

Athaiya died on 15 October 2020 from complications of brain cancer at a medical center in South Mumbai, aged 91.

Career

Athaiya started her career as a freelance fashion illustrator for various women's magazines in Bombay, including the 'Eve's Weekly'. Later when its editor opened a boutique, she asked Athaiya to try designing dresses, here upon she discovered her flair for designing clothes. Her success as a designer soon led to her switching career paths. Her career began by designing clothes for Guru Dutt's films, starting with C.I.D. (1956). She soon became a part of the Guru Dutt team.

She made her debut as a film costume designer with the film C.I.D. in 1956, and followed it up with other Guru Dutt films such as Pyaasa (1957), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962). In her career spanning 50 years she has received numerous awards. She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design (shared with John Mollo) for her work in the 1982 film, Gandhi. She became the first Indian to win an Academy Award. She also won two National Film Awards, in 1991 and 2002.

In a career spanning over 100 films, she worked with Indian filmmakers such as Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, B.R. Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Vijay Anand, Raj Khosla, and Ashutosh Gowariker, and international directors such Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough.

In March 2010, Athaiya released her book The Art of Costume Design, published by Harper Collins. On 13 January 2013, Athaiya presented a copy of the book to the Dalai Lama.

On 23 February 2012, it was reported that Athaiya wished to return her Academy Award to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences because she felt that her family will not be able to take care of the trophy after her demise. On 15 December 2012, it was confirmed that the trophy had been returned to The Academy.

In April 2021, as part of the New York Times “Overlooked No More” series of obituaries that were not written at the time of the person's passing (in this case, October 2020), Anita Gates wrote an obituary of Athaiya. In it, Athaiya is quoted about her work on Gandhi: “Richard Attenborough was making a complex film and needed someone who knew India inside out,” Athaiya told Eastern Eye, a British weekly newspaper, in an interview published last year. “So much had to be contributed, and I was ready for it.”

Birbaha Hansda
Wikipedia


Birbaha Hansda
ᱵᱤᱨᱵᱟᱦᱟ ᱦᱟᱸᱥᱫᱟᱜ

Birbaha Hansda in traditional costume
Born 1982/1983 
Citizenship Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2008-present
Awards
Best Actress,Santali Film Fair Award 2008-2012

Minister of State for Forest Affairs, Government of West Bengal

Assumed office
10 May 2021

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Preceded by Sujit Bose

Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly

Assumed office
6 May 2021

Preceded by Sukumar Hansda
Constituency Jhargram

Birbaha Hansda born 8 October 1982, is the Hon'ble Minister of State, Department of Forests (West Bengal), India and the Member of Legislative Assembly of Jhragram constituency. She is an Indian actress in Santali language films. She also acted in Bengali and Hindi language films.

Early life

Hansda was born in Aankro village in the Indian state of West Bengal in a Santal family. Her late father Naren Hansda was the founder of the Jharkhand Party (Naren). Her father and her mother Chunibala Hansda were members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Hansda participated in the elections.

She completed her Higher Secondary at Ghatshila College, and graduated from the University of Calcutta. She started acting at an early age.

Career

Hansda began working with actress and producer Prem Mardi. Her 2008 debut film was Ado Alom Aso Aa'।. She received praise for her performance. Other films include Achchha Thik Geya, Aas Tanhe Ena Amre, Amge Sari Dulariya (2012), Tode Sutam (2013), Jupur Juli, Aalom Rejinya Sakom Sindoor (2013), Jawai Orah Bongay Chapal Kiding (2014), Malang and Fulmoni.

She has worked in songs and music videos, such as 'A Na Mosla Baha' (2014), 'A Dogor Na' (2014), 'Chag Cho Chando' (2014) and 'Gorom Sari Sari'. Hansda won the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election from Jhargram (Vidhan Sabha constituency) as a candidate of AITC.

Awards

From the year 2008 to 2012, the Santali Filmfare Award was received.
RASCA Award.
Lastly, her film Fulmoni is 122nd in the Delhi International Film Competition, 2018.
Reception from Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, 2019.

Barbra Streisand
Wikipedia
Barbra Streisand
Streisand in 2018
Born
Barbara Joan Streisand
April 24, 1942 
Occupation
Singer
actress
filmmaker
Spouse(s)
​​(m. 1963; div. 1971)​
​(m. 1998)​
Partner(s)
Jon Peters (1973–1982)
Richard Baskin (1983–1987)
Children Jason Gould
Relatives
Roslyn Kind (half-sister)
Awards Full list
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1960–present
Labels Columbia
Associated acts


Barbara Joan "Barbra" Streisand (/ˈstraɪsænd/; born April 24, 1942) is an American singer, actress, and filmmaker. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in multiple fields of entertainment, and is among the few performers awarded an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT).

Streisand began her career by performing in nightclubs and Broadway theaters in the early 1960s. Following her guest appearances on various television shows, she signed to Columbia Records, insisting that she retain full artistic control, and accepting lower pay in exchange, an arrangement that continued throughout her career, and released her debut The Barbra Streisand Album (1963), which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Throughout her recording career, Streisand has topped the US Billboard 200 chart with 11 albums—a record for a woman—including People (1964), The Way We Were (1974), Guilty (1980), and The Broadway Album (1985). She also achieved five number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100—"The Way We Were", "Evergreen", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)", and "Woman in Love".

Following her established recording success in the 1960s, Streisand ventured into film by the end of that decade. She starred in the critically acclaimed Funny Girl (1968), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Additional fame followed with films including the extravagant musical Hello, Dolly! (1969), the screwball comedy What's Up, Doc? (1972), and the romantic drama The Way We Were (1973). Streisand won a second Academy Award for writing the love theme from A Star Is Born (1976), the first woman to be honored as a composer. With the release of Yentl (1983), Streisand became the first woman to write, produce, direct, and star in a major studio film. The film won an Oscar for Best Score and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical. Streisand also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Director, becoming the first (and for 37 years, the only) woman to win that award. Streisand later directed The Prince of Tides (1991) and The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).

With sales exceeding 150 million records worldwide, Streisand is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she is the highest-certified female artist in the United States, with 68.5 million certified album units tying with Mariah Carey. Billboard ranked Streisand as the greatest female artist on the Billboard 200 chart and the top Adult Contemporary female artist of all time.Her accolades include two Academy Awards, 10 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Grammy Legend Award, five Emmy Awards, four Peabody Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and nine Golden Globes.

Early life
Family

Streisand was born on April 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York City, the daughter of Diana (born Ida Rosen) and Emanuel Streisand. Her mother had been a soprano in her youth and considered a career in music, but later became a school secretary. Her father was a high school teacher at the same school, where they first met. Streisand's family was Jewish. Her paternal grandparents emigrated from Galicia (Poland–Ukraine) and her maternal grandparents from the Russian Empire, where her grandfather had been a cantor.

In August 1943, a few months after Streisand's first birthday, her father died at age 34 from complications from an epileptic seizure, possibly the result of a head injury years earlier.: 3  The family fell into near-poverty, with her mother working as a low-paid bookkeeper. As an adult, Streisand remembered those early years as always feeling like an "outcast", explaining, "Everybody else's father came home from work at the end of the day. Mine didn't.: 3  Her mother tried to pay their bills but could not give her daughter the attention she craved: "When I wanted love from my mother, she gave me food," Streisand says.: 3 

Streisand recalls that her mother had a "great voice" and sang semi-professionally on occasion. During a visit to the Catskills when Streisand was 13, she told Rosie O'Donnell, she and her mother recorded some songs on tape. That session was the first time Streisand ever asserted herself as an artist, which also became her "first moment of inspiration".

She has an older brother, Sheldon, and a half-sister, singer Roslyn Kind, from her mother's remarriage to Louis Kind in 1949.
Education

Streisand began her education at the Jewish Orthodox Yeshiva of Brooklyn when she was five. She was considered bright and inquisitive about everything; however, she lacked discipline, often shouting answers to questions out of turn.: 3  She next entered Public School 89 in Brooklyn, and during those early school years began watching television and going to movies. "I always wanted to be somebody, to be famous ...You know, get out of Brooklyn.": 3 

Streisand became known by others in the neighborhood for her voice. With the other kids she remembers sitting on the stoop in front of their apartment building and singing: "I was considered the girl on the block with the good voice.": 3  That talent became a way for her to gain attention. She would often practice her singing in the hallway of her apartment building which gave her voice an echoing quality.

She made her singing debut at a PTA assembly, where she became a hit to everyone but her mother, who was mostly critical of her daughter. Streisand was invited to sing at weddings and summer camp, along with having an unsuccessful audition at MGM records when she was nine. By the time she was 13, her mother began supporting her talent, helping her make a four-song demo tape, including "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart", and "You'll Never Know".: 4 

Becoming an actress was her main objective. That desire was made stronger when she saw her first Broadway play, The Diary of Anne Frank when she was 14. The star in the play was Susan Strasberg, whose acting she wanted to emulate.: 4  Streisand began spending her spare time in the library, studying the biographies of various stage actresses such as Eleanora Duse and Sarah Bernhardt. In addition, she began reading novels and plays and studying the acting theories of Konstantin Stanislavski and Michael Chekhov.: 4 

She attended Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn in 1956 where she became an honor student in modern history, English, and Spanish. She also joined the Freshman Chorus and Choral Club, where she sang with another choir member and classmate, Neil Diamond Diamond recalls, "We were two poor kids in Brooklyn. We hung out in the front of Erasmus High and smoked cigarettes." The school was near an art-movie house, and he recalls that she was always aware of the films they were showing. Also in her class at Erasmus Hall was Bobby Fischer, who was US Chess Champion by 1957.

During the summer of 1957, she got her first stage experience as a walk-on at the Playhouse in Malden Bridge, New York. That small part was followed by a role as the kid sister in Picnic and one as a vamp in Desk Set.: 4  In her second year, she took a night job at the Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village helping backstage. When she was a senior, she rehearsed for a small part in Driftwood, a play staged in a midtown attic space.: 5 

She graduated, aged 16, from Erasmus Hall in January 1959, and despite her mother's pleas that she stay out of show business, she set out trying to get roles on the New York City stage.: 5  After renting a small apartment on 48th street in the heart of the theater district, she accepted any job she could involving the stage, and at every opportunity, she "made the rounds" of the casting offices.: 5 

Career beginnings
Streisand, c. 1962

Aged 16 and living on her own, Streisand took various menial jobs to have some income. During one period, she lacked a permanent address, and found herself sleeping at the home of friends or anywhere else she could set up the army cot she carried around. When desperate, she returned to her mother's flat in Brooklyn for a home-cooked meal. However, her mother was horrified by her daughter's "gypsy-like lifestyle", wrote biographer Karen Swenson, and again begged her to give up trying to get into show business,: 6  but Streisand took her mother's pleadings as even more reason to keep trying: "My desires were strengthened by wanting to prove to my mother that I could be a star.": 6 

She took a job as an usher at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater for The Sound of Music early in 1960. During the run of the play, she heard that the casting director was auditioning for more singers, and it marked the first time she sang in pursuit of a job.: 6  Although the director felt she was not right for the part, he encouraged her to begin including her talent as a singer on her résumé when looking for other work.: 6 

She asked her boyfriend, Barry Dennen, to tape her singing, copies of which she could then give out to possible employers. Dennen found a guitarist to accompany her:

We spent the afternoon taping, and the moment I heard the first playback I went insane ... This nutty little kook had one of the most breathtaking voices I'd ever heard ... when she was finished and I turned off the machine, I needed a long moment before I dared look up at her.: 6 

Dennen grew enthusiastic and he convinced her to enter a talent contest at the Lion, a gay nightclub in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. She performed two songs, after which there was a "stunned silence" from the audience, followed by "thunderous applause" when she was pronounced the winner.: 7  She was invited back and sang at the club for several weeks. It was during this time that she dropped the second "a" from her first name, switching from "Barbara" to "Barbra", due to her dislike of her original name.

In the early days Streisand was repeatedly told she was too ugly to be a star and advised to get a nose job, which she did not do
Nightclub shows and Broadway stage

Streisand was next asked to audition at the Bon Soir nightclub, after which she was signed up at $125 a week. It became her first professional engagement in September 1960, where she was the opening act for comedian Phyllis Diller. She recalls it was the first time she had been in that kind of upscale environment: "I'd never been in a nightclub until I sang in one.": 7 

Dennen now wanted to expose Streisand to his vast record collection of female singers, including Billie Holiday, Mabel Mercer, Ethel Waters, and Édith Piaf. Streisand realized she could still become an actress by first gaining recognition as a singer.[24]: 7  According to biographer Christopher Nickens, hearing other great female singers benefited her style, as she began creating different emotional characters when performing, which gave her singing a greater range.

She improved her stage presence when speaking to the audience between songs. She discovered that her Brooklyn-bred style of humor was received favorably.: 8  During the next six months appearing at the club, some began comparing her singing voice to famous names such as Judy Garland, Lena Horne and Fanny Brice. Her conversational ability to charm an audience with spontaneous humor during performances became more sophisticated and professional.: 8  Theater critic Leonard Harris wrote: "She's twenty; by the time she's thirty she will have rewritten the record books.": 9 

Her name is Barbra Streisand. She is 20 years old, she has a three-octave promiscuity of range, she packs more personal dynamic power than anybody I can recall since Libby Holman or Helen Morgan. She can sing as loud as Ethel Merman and as persuasively as Lena or Ella, or as brassy as a Sophie Tucker ... and only Barbra Streisand can turn "Cry Me a River" into something comparable to Enrico Caruso having his first bash at Pagliacci. When Streisand cries you a river, you got a river, Sam ... and she will be around 50 years from now if good songs are still written to be sung by good singers.

—syndicated columnist Robert Ruark,
on her 1963 performances at the Blue Angel.

Streisand accepted her first role on the New York stage in Another Evening with Harry Stoones, a satirical comedy play in which she acted and sang two solos. The show received terrible reviews and closed the next day. With the help of her new personal manager, Martin Erlichman, she had successful shows in Detroit and St. Louis. Erlichman then booked her at an even more upscale nightclub in Manhattan, the Blue Angel, where she became a bigger hit during the period from 1961 to 1962. Streisand once told Jimmy Fallon, with whom she sang a duet,[42] on the Tonight Show, that Erlichman was a "fantastic manager" and still managed her career after 50 years.

While appearing at the Blue Angel, theater director and playwright Arthur Laurents asked her to audition for a new musical comedy he was directing, I Can Get It for You Wholesale. She got the part of secretary to the lead actor businessman, played by then unknown Elliott Gould.: 9  They fell in love during rehearsals and eventually moved into a small apartment together. The show opened on March 22, 1962, at the Shubert Theater, and received rave reviews. Her performance "stopped the show cold", wrote Nickens.: 9 : 10  Groucho Marx, while hosting the Tonight Show, told her that 20 was an "extremely young age to be a success on Broadway". Streisand received a Tony nomination and New York Drama Critic's prize for Best Supporting Actress. The show was recorded and made into an album.: 10 

Television appearances, marriage and first albums
Streisand in 1966

Streisand's first television appearance was on The Tonight Show, then credited to its usual host Jack Paar. She was seen during an April 1961 episode on which Orson Bean substituted for Paar. She sang Harold Arlen's "A Sleepin' Bee". During her appearance, Phyllis Diller, also a guest on the show, called her "one of the great singing talents in the world."

Later in 1961, before she was cast in Another Evening With Harry Stoones, she became a semi-regular on PM East/PM West, a talk/variety series hosted by Mike Wallace and Joyce Davidson.

In early 1962, she went into the Columbia Records studio for the cast recording of I Can Get It for You Wholesale. Also that spring she participated in a 25th anniversary studio recording of Pins and Needles, the classic popular front musical originated in 1937 by the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Reviews of both albums highlighted Streisand's performances.

In May 1962, Streisand appeared on The Garry Moore Show where she sang "Happy Days Are Here Again" for the first time. Her sad, slow version of the 1930s upbeat Democratic Party theme song became her signature song during this early phase of her career.: 10 

Johnny Carson had her on the Tonight Show half a dozen times in 1962 and 1963, and she became a favorite of his television audience and himself personally. He described her as an "exciting new singer." During one show, she joked with Groucho Marx who liked her style of humor.: 10 

She did three or four songs, and she was beyond brilliant – so amazing.

—Elliott Gould, about their first play together in 1961

In December 1962, she made the first of a number of appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. She was later a cohost on the Mike Douglas Show, and also made an impact on a number of Bob Hope specials. Performing with her on The Ed Sullivan Show was Liberace who became an instant fan of the young singer. Liberace invited her to Las Vegas to perform as his opening act at the Riviera Hotel. Liberace is credited with introducing Barbra to audiences on the West Coast. The following September during her ongoing shows at Harrah's Hotel in Lake Tahoe, she and Elliott Gould took time off to get married in Carson City, Nevada. With her career and popularity rising so quickly, she saw her marriage to Gould as a "stabilizing influence.": 11 

When she was 21, Streisand signed a contract with Columbia Records that gave her full creative control, in exchange for less money.

Lieberson relented and agreed to sign her. Nearly three decades later, Streisand said:

The most important thing about that first contract – actually, the thing we held out for – was a unique clause giving me the right to choose my own material. It was the only thing I really cared about. I still received lots of pressure from the label to include some pop hits on my first album, but I held out for the songs that really meant something to me.

She took advantage of this several times during her career.

Columbia wanted to call her first album, in early 1963, Sweet And Saucy Streisand; Streisand used her control to insist that it was called The Barbra Streisand Album, saying "if you saw me on TV, you could just go [to the record shop] and ask for the Barbra Streisand album. It's common sense" It reached the top 10 on the Billboard chart and won three Grammy Awards.: 11  The album made her the best-selling female vocalist in the country.: 11  That summer she also released The Second Barbra Streisand Album, which established her as the "most exciting new personality since Elvis Presley.": 11  She ended that breakthrough year of 1963 by performing one-night concerts in Indianapolis, San Jose, Chicago, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.: 11 

Streisand returned to Broadway in 1964 with an acclaimed performance as entertainer Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at the Winter Garden Theatre. The show introduced two of her signature songs, "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade." Because of the play's overnight success, she appeared on the cover of Time. In 1964, Streisand was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical but lost to Carol Channing in Hello, Dolly! Streisand received an honorary "Star of the Decade" Tony Award in 1970.

In 1966, she repeated her success with Funny Girl in London's West End at the Prince of Wales Theatre. From 1965 to 1968 she appeared in her first four solo television specials, including the Emmy award-winning My Name is Barbra.

Career

Singing

Streisand has recorded 50 studio albums, almost all with Columbia Records. Her early works in the 1960s (her debut The Barbra Streisand Album, The Second Barbra Streisand Album, The Third Album, My Name Is Barbra, etc.) are considered classic renditions of theatre and cabaret standards, including her pensive version of the normally uptempo "Happy Days Are Here Again". She performed this in a duet with Judy Garland on The Judy Garland Show. Garland referred to her on the air as one of the last great belters. They also sang "There's No Business Like Show Business" with Ethel Merman joining them.

Beginning with My Name Is Barbra, her early albums were often medley-filled keepsakes of her television specials. Starting in 1969, she began attempting more contemporary material, but like many talented singers of the day, she found herself out of her element with rock. Her vocal talents prevailed, and she gained newfound success with the pop and ballad-oriented Richard Perry-produced album Stoney End in 1971. The title track, written by Laura Nyro, was a major hit for Streisand.

During the 1970s, she was also highly prominent on the pop charts, with Top 10 recordings such as "The Way We Were" (US No. 1), "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" (US No. 1), "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (1979, with Donna Summer), which as of 2010 is reportedly still the most commercially successful duet, (US No. 1), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (with Neil Diamond) (US No. 1) and "The Main Event" (US No. 3), some of which came from soundtrack recordings of her films. As the 1970s ended, Streisand was named the most successful female singer in the U.S. – only Elvis Presley and The Beatles had sold more albums. In 1980, she released her best-selling effort to date, the Barry Gibb-produced Guilty. The album contained the hits "Woman in Love" (which spent several weeks on top of the pop charts in the fall of 1980), "Guilty", and "What Kind of Fool".

After years of largely ignoring Broadway and traditional pop music in favor of more contemporary material, Streisand returned to her musical-theater roots. Columbia records objected that the songs she wanted to sing were not pop songs, but Streisand asserted the full creative control her contract gave her—'I've always had the right to sing what I want— with 1985's The Broadway Album, which was unexpectedly successful, holding the coveted No. 1 Billboard position for three straight weeks, and being certified quadruple platinum. The album featured tunes by Rodgers and Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Stephen Sondheim, who was persuaded to rework some of his songs especially for this recording. The Broadway Album was met with acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for album of the year and handed Streisand her eighth Grammy as Best Female Vocalist. After releasing the live album One Voice in 1986, Streisand was set to release another album of Broadway songs in 1988. She recorded several cuts for the album under the direction of Rupert Holmes, including "On My Own" (from Les Misérables), a medley of "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" and "Heather on the Hill" (from Finian's Rainbow and Brigadoon, respectively), "All I Ask of You" (from The Phantom of the Opera), "Warm All Over" (from The Most Happy Fella) and an unusual solo version of "Make Our Garden Grow" (from Candide). Streisand was not happy with the direction of the project and it was scrapped. Only "Warm All Over" and a reworked, lite FM-friendly version of "All I Ask of You" were ever released, the latter appearing on Streisand's 1988 effort, Till I Loved You. At the beginning of the 1990s, Streisand started focusing on her film directorial efforts and became almost inactive in the recording studio. In 1991, a four-disc box set, Just for the Record, was released. A compilation spanning Streisand's entire career to date, it featured over 70 tracks of live performances, greatest hits, rarities and previously unreleased material.
Streisand taping her TV Special Barbra Streisand ... and other Musical Instruments in 1973

The following year, Streisand's concert fundraising events helped propel President Bill Clinton into the spotlight and into office. Streisand later introduced Clinton at his inauguration in 1993. Streisand's music career, however, was largely on hold. A 1992 appearance at an APLA benefit as well as the aforementioned inaugural performance hinted that Streisand was becoming more receptive to the idea of live performances. A tour was suggested, though Streisand would not immediately commit to it, citing her well-known stage fright as well as security concerns. During this time, Streisand finally returned to the recording studio and released Back to Broadway in June 1993. The album was not as universally lauded as its predecessor, but it did debut at No. 1 on the pop charts (a rare feat for an artist of Streisand's age, especially given that it relegated Janet Jackson's Janet to the No. 2 spot). One of the album's highlights was a medley of "I Have A Love" / "One Hand, One Heart", a duet with Johnny Mathis, who Streisand said is one of her favorite singers.

In 1993, The New York Times music critic Stephen Holden wrote that Streisand "enjoys a cultural status that only one other American entertainer, Frank Sinatra, has achieved in the last half century". In September 1993, Streisand announced her first public concert appearances in 27 years (if one does not count her Las Vegas nightclub performances between 1969 and 1972). What began as a two-night New Year's event at the MGM Grand Las Vegas led to a multi-city tour in the summer of 1994. Tickets for the tour were sold out in under an hour. Streisand also appeared on the covers of major magazines in anticipation of what Time magazine named "The Music Event of the Century". The tour was one of the biggest all-media merchandise parlays in history. Ticket prices ranged from US$50 to US$1,500, making Streisand the highest-paid concert performer in history. Barbra Streisand: The Concert went on to be the top-grossing concert of the year and earned five Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award, while the taped broadcast on HBO was the highest-rated concert special in HBO's 30-year history. Following the tour's conclusion, Streisand once again kept a low profile musically, instead focusing her efforts on acting and directing duties as well as a burgeoning romance with actor James Brolin.

In 1996, Streisand released "I Finally Found Someone" as a duet with Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams. The song was nominated for an Oscar as it was part of the soundtrack of Streisand's self-directed movie The Mirror Has Two Faces. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was her first significant hit in almost a decade and her first top 10 hit on the Hot 100 (and first gold single) since 1981.

In 1997, she finally returned to the recording studio, releasing Higher Ground, a collection of songs of a loosely inspirational nature which also featured a duet with Céline Dion. The album received generally favorable reviews and once again debuted at No. 1 on the pop charts. Following her marriage to Brolin in 1998, Streisand recorded an album of love songs entitled A Love Like Ours the following year. Reviews were mixed, with many critics complaining about the somewhat syrupy sentiments and overly-lush arrangements; however, it did produce a modest hit for Streisand in the country-tinged "If You Ever Leave Me", a duet with Vince Gill.

On New Year's Eve 1999, Streisand returned to the concert stage, selling out in the first few hours, eight months before her return. At the end of the millennium, she was the number one female singer in the U.S., with at least two No. 1 albums in each decade since she began performing. A two-disc live album of the concert entitled Timeless: Live in Concert was released in 2000. Streisand performed versions of the Timeless concert in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, in early 2000. In advance of four concerts (two each in Los Angeles and New York) in September 2000, Streisand announced that she was retiring from playing public concerts. Her performance of the song "People" was broadcast on the Internet via America Online.

Streisand's most recent albums have been Christmas Memories (2001), a somewhat somber collection of holiday songs, and The Movie Album (2003), featuring famous film themes and backed by a large symphony orchestra. Guilty Pleasures (called Guilty Too in the UK), a collaboration with Barry Gibb and a sequel to their Guilty, was released worldwide in 2005.
Streisand performing in July 2007 at The O2 Arena in London

In February 2006, Streisand recorded the song "Smile" alongside Tony Bennett at Streisand's Malibu home. The song is included on Bennett's 80th birthday album, Duets. In September 2006, the pair filmed a live performance of the song for a special directed by Rob Marshall entitled Tony Bennett: An American Classic. The special aired on NBC November 21, 2006, and was released on DVD the same day. Streisand's duet with Bennett opened the special. In 2006, Streisand announced her intent to tour again, in an effort to raise money and awareness for multiple issues. After four days of rehearsal at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, the tour began on October 4 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, continued with a featured stop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (this was the concert Streisand chose to film for a TV special), and concluded at Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 20, 2006. Special guests Il Divo were interwoven throughout the show. The show was known as Streisand: The Tour.

Streisand's 20-concert tour set box-office records. At the age of 64, she grossed $92,457,062 and set house gross records in 14 of the 16 arenas played on the tour. She set the third-place record for her show of October 9, 2006 at Madison Square Garden, the first- and second-place records, of which are held by her two shows in September 2000. She set the second-place record at MGM Grand Garden Arena with her December 31, 1999, show being the house record and highest-grossing concert of all time. This led many people to openly criticize Streisand for price gouging as many tickets sold for upwards of $1,000.[62]

A collection of performances culled from different stops on this tour, Live in Concert 2006, debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200, making it Streisand's 29th Top 10 album.[63] In the summer of 2007, Streisand gave concerts for the first time in continental Europe. The first concert took place in Zürich (June 18), then Vienna (June 22), Paris (June 26), Berlin (June 30), Stockholm (July 4, canceled), Manchester (July 10) and Celbridge, near Dublin (July 14), followed by three concerts in London (July 18, 22 and 25), the only European city where Streisand had performed before 2007. Tickets for the London dates cost between £100.00 and £1,500.00, and for Ireland, between €118 and €500. The Ireland date was marred by issues with serious parking and seating problems leading to the event's being dubbed a fiasco by Hot Press.[64] The tour included a 58-piece orchestra.

In February 2008, Forbes listed Streisand as the No.-2-earning female musician between June 2006 and June 2007 with earnings of about $60 million. On November 17, 2008, Streisand returned to the studio to begin recording what would be her 63rd album and it was announced that Diana Krall was producing the album. Streisand is one of the recipients of the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors. On December 7, 2008, she visited the White House as part of the ceremonies.

On April 25, 2009, CBS aired Streisand's latest television special, Streisand: Live in Concert, highlighting the featured stop from her 2006 North American tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On September 26, 2009, Streisand performed a one-night-only show at the Village Vanguard in New York City's Greenwich Village. This performance was later released on DVD as One Night Only: Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard. On September 29, 2009, Streisand and Columbia Records released her newest studio album, Love is the Answer, produced by Diana Krall. On October 2, 2009, Streisand made her British television performance debut with an interview on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross to promote the album. This album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and registered her biggest weekly sales since 1997, making Streisand the only artist in history to achieve No. 1 albums in five different decades.

On February 1, 2010, Streisand joined over 80 other artists in recording a new version of the 1985 charity single "We Are the World". Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie planned to release the new version to mark the 25th anniversary of its original recording. These plans changed, however, in view of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010, and on February 12, the song, now called "We Are the World 25 for Haiti", made its debut as a charity single to support relief aid for the island nation.

In 2011, Streisand sang "Somewhere" from the Broadway musical West Side Story, with child prodigy Jackie Evancho, on Evancho's album Dream with Me.

Streisand was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year on February 11, 2011, two days prior to the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

On October 11, 2012, Streisand gave a three-hour concert performance before a crowd of 18,000 as part of the ongoing inaugural events of Barclays Center (and part of her current Barbra Live tour) in Brooklyn (her first-ever public performance in her home borough). Streisand was joined onstage by trumpeter Chris Botti, Italian operatic trio Il Volo, and her son Jason Gould. The concert included musical tributes by Streisand to Donna Summer and Marvin Hamlisch, both of whom had died earlier in 2012. Confirmed attendees included Barbara Walters, Jimmy Fallon, Sting, Katie Couric, Woody Allen, Michael Douglas and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, as well as designers Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors. In June 2013 she gave two concerts in Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv.

Streisand is one of many singers who use teleprompters during their live performances. Streisand has defended her choice in using teleprompters to display lyrics and, sometimes, banter.

In September 2014, she released Partners, a new album of duets that features collaborations with Elvis Presley, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Babyface, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, John Mayer, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Jason Gould. This album topped the Billboard 200 with sales of 196,000 copies in the first week, making Streisand the only recording artist to have a number-one album in each of the last six decades. It was also certified gold in November 2014 and platinum in January 2015, thus becoming Streisand's 52nd gold and 31st Platinum album, more than any other female artist in history.

In May 2016, Streisand announced the upcoming album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway to be released in August following a nine-city concert tour, Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic, including performances in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and a return to her hometown of Brooklyn. In June 2018, Streisand confirmed she was working on an album titled Walls. This album, a protest against the Trump administration, came out on November 2, 2018, just prior to the U.S. midterm election. A featured track in this album is "Don't Lie to Me." In the New York Times she revealed that she wrote this song because Donald Trump's outrages were keeping her awake at night.

Acting
Streisand in Hello, Dolly! (1969)

Her first film was a reprise of her Broadway hit, Funny Girl (1968), an artistic and commercial success directed by Hollywood veteran William Wyler. Streisand won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actress for the role, sharing it with Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter), the only time there has been a tie in this Oscar category. Her next two movies were also based on musicals—Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!, directed by Gene Kelly (1969); and Alan Jay Lerner's and Burton Lane's On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, directed by Vincente Minnelli (1970)—while her fourth film was based on the Broadway play The Owl and the Pussycat (1970).

During the 1970s, Streisand starred in several screwball comedies, including What's Up, Doc? (1972) and The Main Event (1979), both co-starring Ryan O'Neal, and For Pete's Sake (1974) with Michael Sarrazin. One of her most famous roles during this period was in the drama The Way We Were (1973) with Robert Redford, for which she received an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress. She earned her second Academy Award for Best Original Song (with lyricist Paul Williams) for the song "Evergreen", from A Star Is Born in 1976, in which she also starred.

Along with Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier and later Steve McQueen, Streisand formed First Artists Production Company in 1969 so actors could secure properties and develop movie projects for themselves. Streisand's initial outing with First Artists was Up the Sandbox (1972).

From 1969 to 1980, Streisand appeared in Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll, the annual motion picture exhibitors poll of Top 10 Box Office attractions a total of 10 times, often as the only woman on the list. After the commercially disappointing All Night Long in 1981, Streisand's film output decreased considerably. She has acted in only eight films since.

I'm impressed with her choosing Yentl; it was extraordinary. But for some reason, Hollywood turned against her ... there was a lack of sympathy toward her ... Christ, she could have played Cleopatra better than Liz Taylor, with her enormous power and the subtlety of her singing ... She is one of the great actresses and she hasn't been well used.

—director John Huston, Playboy interview, 1985

Streisand produced a number of her own films, setting up Barwood Films in 1972. The first film she made, Yentl (1983), was turned down by every Hollywood studio at least once when she asked to not only direct the picture, but also to star in the film, until Orion Pictures took on the project and gave the film a budget of $14 million. For Yentl (1983), she was producer, director, and star, an experience she repeated for The Prince of Tides (1991) and The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996). There was controversy when Yentl received five Academy Award nominations, but none for the major categories of Best Picture, actress, or Director.The Prince of Tides received even more Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay, although not for director. Upon completion of the film, its screenwriter, Pat Conroy, who also authored the novel, called Streisand "a goddess who walks upon the earth.": xii 

Streisand also co-scripted Yentl (with Jack Rosenthal), something for which she is not always given credit. According to The New York Times editorial page editor Andrew Rosenthal in an interview with Allan Wolper, "The one thing that makes Barbra Streisand crazy is when nobody gives her the credit for having written Yentl."

In 2004, Streisand made a return to film acting after an eight-year hiatus, in the comedy Meet the Fockers (a sequel to Meet the Parents), playing opposite Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller, Blythe Danner and Robert De Niro.

In 2005, Streisand's Barwood Films, Gary Smith, and Sonny Murray purchased the rights to Simon Mawer's book Mendel's Dwarf. In December 2008, she stated that she was considering directing an adaptation of Larry Kramer's play The Normal Heart, a project she has worked on since the mid-1990s.

In December 2010, Streisand appeared in Little Fockers, the third film from the Meet the Parents trilogy. She reprised the role of Roz Focker alongside Dustin Hoffman.

On January 28, 2011, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Paramount Pictures had given the green light to begin shooting the road-trip comedy My Mother's Curse, with Seth Rogen playing Streisand's character's son. Anne Fletcher directed the project with a script by Dan Fogelman, produced by Lorne Michaels, John Goldwyn, and Evan Goldberg. Executive producers included Streisand, Rogen, Fogelman, and David Ellison, whose Skydance Productions co-financed the road movie.[95] Shooting began in spring 2011 and wrapped in July; the film's title was eventually altered to The Guilt Trip, and the movie was released in December 2012.

Streisand has been set to star in a film adaptation of the musical Gypsy – featuring music by Jules Styne, a book by Arthur Laurents and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – with Richard LaGravenese reportedly attached to the project as screenwriter. In April 2016, it was reported that Streisand was in advanced negotiations to star in and produce the film, which will be directed by Barry Levinson and distributed by STX Entertainment. Two months later, the film's script had been completed and production was scheduled to begin in early 2017.

In 2015 plans emerged for Streisand to direct a feature biopic about the 18th-century Russian empress Catherine the Great based on the top 2014 Black List script produced by Gil Netter with Keira Knightley starring. As of 2020 nothing has come out of these plans.
Artistry

Streisand possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range, which Howard Cohen of the Miami Herald describes as "peerless". Whitney Balliett wrote, "Streisand wows her listeners with her shrewd dynamics (in-your-ear soft here, elbowing-loud there), her bravura climbs, her rolling vibrato, and the singular Streisand-from-Brooklyn nasal quality of her voice – a voice as immediately recognizable in its way as Louis Armstrong's." Music writer Allegra Rossi adds that Streisand creates complete compositions in her head:

Even though she can't read or write music, Barbra hears melodies as completed compositions in her head. She hears a melody and takes it in, learning it quickly. Barbra developed her ability to sustain long notes because she wanted to. She can mold a tune that others cannot; she's able to sing between song and speech, keeping in tune, carrying rhythm and meaning.

While she is predominantly a pop singer, Streisand's voice has been described as "semi-operatic" due to its strength and quality of tone. According to Adam Feldman of Time Out, Streisand's "signature vocal style" is "a suspension bridge between old-school belting and microphone pop." She is known for her ability to hold relatively high notes, both loud and soft, with great intensity, as well as for her ability to make slight but unobtrusive embellishments on a melodic line. The former quality led classical pianist Glenn Gould to call himself "a Streisand freak".

In recent years, critics and audiences have noted that her voice has "lowered and acquired an occasionally husky edge". However, New York Times music critic Stephen Holden noted that her distinctive tone and musical instincts remain, and that she still "has the gift of conveying a primal human longing in a beautiful sound". Paul Taylor of The Independent wrote that Streisand "has sounded a little scratchy and frayed, though the stout resolve and superb technique with which Streisand manages to hoist it over these difficulties has come to seem morally as well aesthetically impressive." Reviewing Streisand's most recent studio effort Partners, Gil Naveh of Haaretz described Streisand's voice as "velvety, clear and powerful ... and the passing years have given it a fascinating depth and roughness."

Personal life
Relationships and family
Streisand with husband Elliott Gould and son Jason (1967)
With James Brolin (2013)

Streisand has been married twice. Her first husband was actor Elliott Gould, whom she married on September 13, 1963. They announced their separation on February 12, 1969 and divorced on July 6, 1971. They had one child, Jason Gould, who appeared as her on-screen son in The Prince of Tides.

In 1969 and 1970, Streisand dated Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

She started a relationship with hairdresser/producer Jon Peters in 1973. He went on to be her manager and producer. They broke up in 1982 during the making of Yentl, but remain friends. She is the godmother of his daughters, Caleigh Peters and Skye Peters.

From November 1983 to October 1987, Streisand lived with Baskin-Robbins ice cream heir Richard Baskin, who wrote the lyrics to "Here We Are At Last" on her 1984 album Emotion.

She dated actor Don Johnson from December 1987 through at least September 1988. The pair recorded a duet of "Till I Loved You".

In 1983 and 1989, respectively, Streisand briefly dated actors Richard Gere and Clint Eastwood.

From 1989 to 1991, she was involved with composer James Newton Howard.

Streisand dated tennis champion Andre Agassi from 1992 to 1993. Writing about the relationship in his 2009 autobiography, Agassi said: "We agree that we're good for each other, and so what if she's twenty-eight years older? We're simpatico, and the public outcry only adds spice to our connection. It makes our friendship feel forbidden, taboo – another piece of my overall rebellion. Dating Barbra Streisand is like wearing Hot Lava."

During the early to mid-1990s, Streisand was in romantic relationships with several high-profile men, including newscaster Peter Jennings as well as actors Liam Neeson,.Jon Voight and Peter Weller She is reputed to have had liaisons with U.S. President Bill Clinton, Prince Charles, and Dodi Fayed.

Her second husband is actor James Brolin, whom she married on July 1, 1998. While they have no children together, Brolin has two sons from his first marriage, including actor Josh Brolin, and one daughter from his second marriage.

Streisand is the owner of multiple dogs, and she loved her dog Samantha so much, that she had her cloned.

In March 2019, Streisand apologized for her controversial statements about Michael Jackson's accusers.

Name

Streisand changed her name from "Barbara" to "Barbra" because, she said, "I hated the name, but I refused to change it." Streisand further explained, "Well, I was 18 and I wanted to be unique, but I didn't want to change my name because that was too false. You know, people were saying you could be Joanie Sands, or something like that. (My middle name is Joan.) And I said, 'No, let's see, if I take out the 'a,' it's still 'Barbara,' but it's unique." A 1967 biography with a concert program said, "the spelling of her first name is an instance of partial rebellion: she was advised to change her last name and retaliated by dropping an "a" from the first instead."

Politics

In the early years of her career, Streisand's interest in politics was limited, with the exception of her participation in activities of the anti-nuclear group Women Strike for Peace in 1961 and 1962. In July 1968, with Harry Belafonte and others, she performed at the Hollywood Bowl in a fundraising concert sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Streisand has long been an active supporter of the Democratic Party and many of its causes. She was among the celebrities on President Richard Nixon's 1971 list of political enemies. In 1995 Streisand spoke at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government about the role of the artist as citizen, in support of arts programs and funding.

Streisand is a supporter of LGBT rights and backed the "No on 8" campaign in an unsuccessful attempt to defeat California Proposition 8.

In 2012, Streisand stated, "The new laws requiring U.S. citizens to produce photo IDs at the poll are designed to deprive elderly and minority citizens of the precious right to cast their vote. These regressive laws are themselves the most dangerous voter fraud threatening American democracy." Streisand continued her voter rights advocacy in 2020, tweeting a link to VoteRiders, a nonprofit that assists citizens with obtaining voter ID.

In June 2013, she helped celebrate the 90th birthday of Shimon Peres held at Jerusalem's international convention center. She also performed at two other concerts in Tel Aviv that same week, part of her first concert tour of Israel.

In January 2017, she participated in 2017 Women's March in Los Angeles. Introduced by Rufus Wainwright, Streisand appeared on stage and made a speech.

In an October 2018 interview with Emma Brockes of The Guardian, Streisand discussed the theme of her new album Walls: the danger she believed President Donald Trump posed towards the United States. She said, "This is a dangerous time in this nation, this republic: a man who is corrupt and indecent and is assaulting our institutions. It's really, really frightening. And I just pray that people who are compassionate and respect the truth will come out and vote. I'm saying more than just vote. Vote for Democrats!"

Philanthropy

In 1984, Streisand donated the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in the Mount Scopus campus, in memory of her father, an educator and scholar who died when she was young.

Streisand has personally raised $25 million for organizations through her live performances. The Streisand Foundation, established in 1986, has contributed over $16 million through nearly 1,000 grants to "national organizations working on preservation of the environment, voter education, the protection of civil liberties and civil rights, women's issues and nuclear disarmament".

In 2006, Streisand donated $1 million to the William J. Clinton Foundation in support of former President Bill Clinton's climate change initiative.

In 2009, Streisand gifted $5 million to endow the Barbra Streisand Women's Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Women's Heart Center. In September that year, Parade magazine included Streisand on its Giving Back Fund's second annual Giving Back 30 survey, "a ranking of the celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2007 according to public records", as the third most generous celebrity. The Giving Back Fund claimed Streisand donated $11 million, which The Streisand Foundation distributed. In 2012 she raised $22 million to support her women's cardiovascular center, bringing her own personal contribution to $10 million. The program was officially named the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center.

At Julien's Auctions in October 2009, Streisand, a longtime collector of art and furniture, sold 526 items, with all the proceeds going to her foundation. Items included a costume from Funny Lady and a vintage dental cabinet purchased by the performer at 18 years old. The sale's most valuable lot was a painting by Kees van Dongen.

In December 2011, she appeared at a fundraising gala for Israel Defense Forces charities.

In June 2020, she gifted George Floyd's daughter, Gianna Floyd, Disney shares.

Legacy
Honors

Streisand was presented Distinguished Merit Award by Mademoiselle in 1964, and selected as Miss Ziegfeld in 1965. In 1968, she received the Israel Freedom Medal, the highest civilian award of Israel, and she was awarded Pied Piper Award by ASCAP and Prix De L'Academie Charles Cros in 1969, Crystal Apple by her hometown City of New York, Woman of Achievement in the Arts by Anti-Defamation League in 1978. In 1984, Streisand was awarded the Women in Film Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry. She received the Woman of Courage Award by the National Organization for Women (NOW), the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Scopus Award by American Friends of The Hebrew University.

She received Breakthrough Awards for "making films that portray women with serious complexity" at the Women, Men and Media symposium in 1991. In 1992, she was given the Commitment to Life Award by AIDS Project Los Angeles(APLA), and the Bill of Rights Award by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the Dorothy Arzner Special Recognition by Women in Film, and the Golden Plate by the Academy of Achievement. She was honored with the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award from the ASCAP in 1994 and the Peabody Award in 1995, the same year she was accorded an Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Humanities by Brandeis University. She was also awarded Filmmaker of the Year Award for "lifetime achievement in filmmaking" by ShowEast and Peabody Award in 1996, Christopher Award in 1998.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton presented Streisand with the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor specifically given for achievement in the arts, and Library of Congress Living Legend, she also received the highest honor for a career in film AFI Life Achievement Award from American Film Institute and Liberty and Justice Award from Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Gracie Allen Award, First Annual Jewish Image Awards in 2001, and Humanitarian Award "for her years of leadership, vision, and activism in the fight for civil liberties, including religion, race, gender equality and freedom of speech, as well as all aspects of gay rights" from Human Rights Campaign in 2004. In 2007, French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented Streisand with Legion of Honour, the highest decoration in France, and President George W. Bush presented her Kennedy Center Honors, the highest recognition of cultural achievement.

In 2011, she was given Board of Governors Humanitarian Award for her efforts on behalf of women's heart health and her many other philanthropic activities." by Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. She received the L'Oréal Paris Legend Award in 18th Elle Magazine Women in Hollywood. In 2012, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women Film Critics Circle. She was accorded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2013. In that year, she was also recipient of the Charlie Chaplin Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Film Society of Lincoln Center as the only female artist to direct, write, produce and star in the same major studio film, Yentl, along with a Lifetime Achievement Glamour Awards.

In 2014, Streisand was on one of eight different New York Magazine covers celebrating the magazine's "100 Years, 100 Songs, 100 Nights: A Century of Pop Music in New York". She also received the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Board of Governors Award,[citation needed] the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter's annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast, and came first in the 1010 Wins Iconic Celebrity Poll by CBS in 2015. In November 2015, President Barack Obama announced that Streisand would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award of the United States. Streisand was inducted into and Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1976, Goldmine Hall of Fame in 2002, Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007, the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2009, National Museum of American Jewish History and California Hall of Fame in 2010.

In 1970, she received a Special Tony Award named "Star of the Decade", and was selected "Star of the Decade" by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) in 1980, "Star of Decade" by NATO/ShowWest and President's Award by NARM in 1988. That year she was also named as All-Time Favorite Musical Performer by People's Choice Awards. In 1986, Life named her as one of "Five Hollywood's Most Powerful Women". In 1998, Harris Poll reported that she is the "Most Popular Singer Among Adult Americans of All Ages." She was also featured on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll,Top 100 Singers of all time by Mojo magazine, named the century's best female singer in a Reuters/Zogby poll, and "Top Female Artist of the Century" by Recording Industry Association of America in 1999. In 2006, Streisand was one of honorees at Oprah Winfrey's white-tie Legends Ball.

In 2015, The Daily Telegraph ranked Streisand as one of the 10 top female singer-songwriters of all time. A&E's Biography magazine ranked Streisand as one of their favorite leading actress of all time, she was also featured on the Voices of the Century list by BBC, the "100 Greatest Movie Stars of Time" list compiled by People, VH1's list of the "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons of All Time", the "100 Greatest Entertainers of All Time", "ranked at #13" and the "Greatest Movie Star of all time list" by Entertainment Weekly, "The 50 Greatest Actresses of All Tim" by AMC, and Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. Billboard also ranked Streisand as the top female Jewish musician of all time. As a gay icon, Streisand was named by The Advocate as one of the "25 Coolest Women" and the "9 Coolest Women Appealing to Both Lesbians and Gay Men", and was also placed among the "12 Greatest Female Gay Icons of All Time" by Out magazine. She was recognized as one of the top gay icons of the past three decades by Gay Times.

During the first decade of the 21st century, the American Film Institute celebrated 100 years of the greatest films in American cinema. Four of Streisand's songs were represented on AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Songs, which highlighted "America's Greatest Music in the Movies": "The Way We Were" at #8, "Evergreen (Love Theme From A Star Is Born)" at # 16, "People" at #13, and "Don't Rain on My Parade" at #46. Many of her films were represented on AFI's 100 Years ... series. AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Laughs, highlighting "the films and film artists that have made audiences laugh throughout the century," ranked What's Up, Doc? at #61. AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions highlighted the top 100 greatest love stories in American cinema and placed The Way We Were at #8, Funny Girl at #41, and What's Up, Doc? at #68. AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals highlighted the 25 greatest American movie musicals, ranking Funny Girl at #16.

In December 2016, the film Funny Girl was marked for preservation by the Library of Congress in the National Film Registry. In March 2017, the song "People" was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry. Streisand said she was humbled to have the song honored "as part of the flow of our nation's culture."

Professional memberships

As one of the most acclaimed actresses, singers, directors, writers, composers, producers, designers, photographers and activists in every medium that she's worked in, Streisand is the only artist who is concurrently a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and Actors' Equity Association, as well as the honorary chairwoman of the board of directors of Hadassah's International Research Institute on Women.

"Streisand effect"

In a 2003 lawsuit, Streisand claimed that a website illustrating coastal erosion invaded her privacy because one of its 12,000 images happened to show her Malibu, California home; Streisand wanted the photo removed from the site. The suit was dismissed and the resultant publicity prompted hundreds of thousands of people to download the photo, which had been accessed only four times prior to Streisand initiating legal action. The term Streisand effect was coined to refer to an attempt to censor information which unintentionally publicizes that information.

Awards and nominations

Streisand has been nominated 43 times for a Grammy Award, winning eight. In addition, she has received two special non-competitive awards; the 1992 Grammy Legend Award and the 1994 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame four times. In 2011, she was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year by the Grammy Foundation for her artistic achievement in the music industry.

B. S. Saroja
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
B. S. Saroja
B. S. Saroja in 1949 film Deva Manohari
Born 18 November 1929 

Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actor
Years active 1951–1978
Spouse(s) T. R. Ramanna
(m.1949-1997)
Children Ganesh, Kalarani, Shanthi
Relatives T. R. Rajakumari (sister-in-law)

B. S. Saroja (born 18 November 1929) is an Indian actress in Malayalam movies and Tamil movies. She is the daughter of Johnson, who acted in the first Malayalam film, Vigathakumaran.

Personal life

She was born to Johnson and Rajalakshmi at Thiruvananthapuram in 1929. She studied till fourth grade. Then she joined a circus company, with which she traveled all over India. Then she acted in a Tamil movie as a junior artist. Jeevitha Nouka was her first Malayalam movie. She went on to act many movies after that. She was married to late T. R. Ramanna in 1949, a sound engineer turned movie director in Tamil movies. The couple started three cinema production companies known as R.R.Pictures, Vinayaga Pictures and Ganesh Pictures. They have three children. They are settled at Chennai.

Bárbara Mori
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Mori and the second or maternal family name is Ochoa.

Barbara Mori
Mori in 2018
Born
Barbara Mori Ochoa
2 February 1978

Montevideo, Uruguay
Nationality Mexican
Uruguayan
Occupation Actress, model, producer, writer
Years active 1997–present
Spouse(s) Kenneth Ray Sigman (m. 2016–2017)
Children 1
Relatives Kenya Mori (sister)

Bárbara Mori Ochoa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbaɾβaɾa ˈmoɾi oˈtʃoa]; born 2 February 1978) is an Uruguayan-born Mexican actress, model, producer and writer. She is known for playing the main character in the 2004 telenovela Rubí, one of the most successful telenovelas of all time. Since 2005 she has appeared as the lead character in several Hollywood and Bollywood films such as My Brother's Wife (2005), Violanchelo (2008), Insignificant Things (2008) produced by Guillermo del Toro, Kites (2010), Cantinflas (2014) and Treintona, soltera y fantástica (2016).

Mori started her career in 1992 as a fashion model at the age of 14, later she became an actress when she co-starred in 1997 on the smash TV-hit Mirada De Mujer with TV Azteca; then, she starred in the soap opera Azul Tequila. She has also appeared in several lists as one of the most beautiful Mexican actresses of all time.

Life and career

Mori was born in Uruguay on 2 February 1978. Her paternal grandfather was Japanese. Her mother is of Lebanese descent.She has two siblings, actress Kenya Mori and Kintaró Mori. Her parents divorced when she was three years of age, Mori spent her early childhood between Mexico and Uruguay and finally settled in Mexico City at the age of twelve.

Early work (1992–1997)

One day, while working as a waitress at the age of fourteen, fashion designer Marcos Toledo invited her to work as a model. She became independent by the age of seventeen and went to live with her cousins. At nineteen she met actor Sergio Mayer, who would later become father to their son Sergio, born in 1998. They never married.

She later studied acting in El Centro de Estudios de Formación Actoral. She made her acting debut in the Mexican telenovela Al norte del corazón. She then participated in the comedy series Tric Tac and Mirada de mujer the following year. She obtained her first TVyNovelas Award for her role in Mirada de mujer for Best New Actress.

Commercial success (1998–2003)

In 1998, Bárbara Mori got her first leading role as "Azul" in the series Azul Tequila, co-starring with Mauricio Ochmann. A year later she filmed the series Me muero por tí in Miami, with Peruvian actor Christian Meier. Later, she acted in various other telenovelas, including the Telemundo telenovela Amor descarado.

In 2001, she got her first film role in the romantic comedy Inspiración, the film was a box-office success in cinemas.

In 2002, she playing the villain role as a seductive college student in the telenovela Subete A Mi Moto opposite Vanessa Acosta.

Consolidation (2004–2008)

Mori in 2006.

In 2004, she signs with Televisa and starred as Rubí, a smash TV-hit and highly–rated Mexican soap opera, of the same name, which earned her another TVyNovelas Award.

In 2005 she obtained the starring role in the blockbuster film La mujer de mi hermano as Zoe, and her husband was portrayed by Christian Meier, with whom she had previously co-starred in Me muero por tí. At the same year she lent her voice in the Spanish-language version for the movie Robots.

She also had the leading role in "Pretendiendo", a Chilean/Mexican-backed movie which was critically panned.
Barbari Mori in 2014

International film success (2009–2011)

In 2009, she starred in the psychological crime thriller Amor, Dolor y Viceversa alongside Leonardo Sbaraglia, the drama is about a female architect who is involved in the murder of the fiancee of a promising surgeon, who allegedly saw in her nightmares. The crime-drama was filmed in Mexico city and is produced by Mori. The film earned mixed reviews from critics and viewers.

In 2011, she got the main role in the action-drama "Viento En Contra", alongside actors Héctor Arredondo and Fernando Luján, in which she played a successful and promising CIO, who is unjustly involved in a police chase due to a scandal of a financial fraud. The film was distributed by Warner Bros and received mixed reviews by critics. The drama was filmed on locations of Mexico city and Valle de Bravo. Mori was the producer of the film.

Indian film producer Rakesh Roshan signed her as the leading lady for his movie Kites opposite his son, Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan. It was shot in New Mexico, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, it went into production by the end of July 2008, and was released on 21 May 2010.

Mori was diagnosed with early stage cancer and is now a proud survivor. She talks about her journey in UniGlobe Entertainment's docu-drama titled 1 a Minute made by actress Namrata Singh Gujral.

Personal life

In 1996, Mori began a relationship with actor Sergio Mayer, with whom she has a son, Sergio Mayer Mori, born in 1998. The couple separated shortly after. In 2016 she wed baseball player Kenneth Ray Sigman. The couple divorced in 2017.

Mori's son had a daughter, Mila, in November 2016, making her a grandmother at 38.

Bharathi (Tamil actress)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bharathi
Born 27 October 1987

Occupation Actress
Years active 2003-2015

Bharathi is an Indian film actress who has appeared in the Tamil film industry. The actress won critical acclaim for her performance as a prostitute in Ammuvagiya Naan (2007) and later appeared in other Tamil and Malayalam language films.

Career

Bharathi was signed on by director Padmamagan to be a part of Ammuvagiya Naan (2007), after several leading actresses had turned down the role. She portrayed a prostitute who attempts to ease back into society, and won critical acclaim for her portrayal with a reviewer noting she was "blessed with a role of her lifetime". Despite the success of Ammuvagiya Naan, Bharathi failed to get good offers in Tamil films and instead signed on to feature in Malayalam films. The actress signed on to appear in Anwar Rasheed's Annan Thambi (2008) opposite Mammootty, but was later replaced by Lakshmi Rai. She then however moved on to work in Biju Pal's Aayudham (2008), featuring alongside Suresh Gopi. The film failed to become a box office success, and subsequently failed to garner further big budget film offers for Bharathi. She was also seen in Agathiyan's romantic film Nenjathai Killadhe (2008) with Vikranth and in Satrumun Kidaitha Thagaval (2009), a low-budget thriller, featuring stunt choreographer Kanal Kannan in the leading role.

Bharathi subsequently turned down approaches to be a part of Engal Aasan (2009) and Enga Raasi Nalla Raasi (2009), and chose to quit the film industry after her marriage to her manager, Murugan. In 2010, she expressed a desire to make a comeback to acting. She began work on Rudhram, a television soap drama on Jaya TV in late 2012

Bhairavi Goswami
Wikipedia
Bhairavi Goswami
Bhairavi Goswami at AIDS Healthcare Foundation Launch 'Keep the Promise'
Born
Bhairavi Goswami
12 November 1984 
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2002–present

Bhairavi Goswami, (born 12 November 1984) is an Indian actress, television host.

Early life

Bhairavi was born to parents of mixed heritage. Her father is part Bengali while her mother is Creole. Bhairavi left India at the age of 6 and returned as a teenager to pursue a career in modelling and acting, spending most of her adolescence in the United Kingdom.

Career
Modelling

Bhairavi won the "Pantaloons Model Quest" and was runner up at the "AXN Hot & Wild" contest. The Times of India described her as "the Paris Hilton of India, who loves to socialise".

Movies and theatre

After her first movie role in Sagar Bellary's Bheja Fry, she acted in the children's hit composite animation film My Friend Ganesha 2. In her next film, Mr. Bhatti on Chutti, starring Anupam Kher with Amitabh Bachchan in a cameo appearance, she played a glamorous girl. Bhairavi shed her glamorous image to play a simple school teacher in Kachcha Limboo.[8] [9] She has ten plays to her credit, including Liar Liar, Tea Coffee or Me, Mad House and See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil 

Music videos
"Samundar Mein Nahake" remix directed by Samir Malkan
Raaghav Sachar's first album directed by Indrajit Nattoji for HMV
"Raat Taakli"", Marathi music video directed by Deepali Vichare

Television credits
JBC with Javed Jaffery
Bollywood Live (Indonesia)
Guest VJ on B4U
Appeared on Movers & Shakers (Shekhar Suman Show)

Filmography
YearFilmRole
2014 Kamasutra - The Poetry of Sex
2012 Hate Story Bhairavi
2011 Kachha Limboo Lily Fernandes
2008 My Friend Ganesha – 2 Anita
2007 Bheja Fry Suman Rao

Theatre
GenrePlayDirectorNotes
English comedy Liar Liar Dinyar Contractor 150 shows worldwide
English comedy Madhouse Dinyar Contractor 140 shows worldwide
English comedy P Dialogues Alyque Padamsee 10 shows in Mumbai
English comedy Mad Horses of Matheran Gary Richardson 195 shows
English comedy Unspoken Dialogues Alyque Padamsee 8 shows in Mumbai
Hindi comedy Tea, Coffee Or Me 85 shows

English comedy See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Paritossh Painter 50 shows worldwide
Hindi comedy Shree, Adi, Manav Paritossh Painter 5 shows in Mumbai
English comedy Dil Maange More Paritossh Painter 5 shows

Beyoncé
Wikipedia
Beyoncé
Beyoncé at The Lion King premiere in 2019
Born
Beyonce Giselle Knowles
September 4, 1981 
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Other names
Harmonies by The Hive
Queen B
Third Ward Trill
Sasha Fierce
Occupation
Singer
actress
record producer
songwriter
dancer
businesswoman
director
Years active 1997–present
Organization

Spouse(s)
​(m. 2008)​
Children 3, including Blue Ivy
Parent(s)

Relatives Solange Knowles (sister)
Awards Full list
Musical career
Genres

Instruments Vocals
Labels
Associated acts
Website beyonce.com

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter (/biːˈjɒnseɪ/ bee-YON-say; née Knowles; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Their hiatus saw the release of her first solo album, Dangerously in Love (2003), which featured the US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy".

Following the 2006 disbanding of Destiny's Child, she released her second solo album, B'Day, which contained hit singles "Irreplaceable" and "Beautiful Liar". Beyoncé also starred in multiple films such as The Pink Panther (2006), Dreamgirls (2006), Obsessed (2009), and The Lion King (2019). Her marriage to Jay-Z and her portrayal of Etta James in Cadillac Records (2008) influenced her third album, I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008), which earned a record-setting six Grammy Awards in 2010. It spawned the successful singles "If I Were a Boy", "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", and "Halo".

After splitting from her manager and father Mathew Knowles in 2010, Beyoncé released her musically diverse fourth album 4 in 2011. She later achieved universal acclaim for her sonically experimental visual albums, Beyoncé (2013) and Lemonade (2016), the latter of which was the world's best-selling album of 2016 and the most acclaimed album of her career, exploring themes of infidelity and womanism. In 2018, she released Everything Is Love, a collaborative album with her husband, Jay-Z, as the Carters. As a featured artist, Beyoncé topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the remixes of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran in 2017 and "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. The same year, she released the musical film and visual album Black Is King to widespread acclaim.

Beyoncé is one of the world's best-selling recording artists, having sold 118 million records worldwide. She is the first artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 with their first six solo studio albums. Her success during the 2000s was recognized with the RIAA's Top Certified Artist of the Decade as well as Billboard's Top Female Artist of the Decade. Beyoncé's accolades include 28 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Video Music Awards (including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2014), 24 NAACP Image Awards, 31 BET Awards, and 17 Soul Train Music Awards; all of which are more than any other singer. In 2014, Billboard named her the highest-earning black musician of all time, while in 2020, she was included on Time's list of 100 women who defined the last century.

Life and career
Early life and career beginnings

Beyonce Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, to Celestine "Tina" Knowles (née Beyonce), a hairdresser and salon owner, and Mathew Knowles, a Xerox sales manager. Beyoncé's name is a tribute to her mother's maiden name. Her younger sister Solange Knowles is also a singer and a former backup dancer for Destiny's Child. Solange and Beyoncé are the first sisters to have both had No. 1 albums. Mathew is African American, and Tina is Louisiana Creole. Through her mother, Beyoncé is a descendant of Acadian leader Joseph Broussard[14] and Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin. In 2018, Beyoncé researched her ancestry and discovered that she is descended from a slaveowner who married his slave.

Beyoncé was raised Catholic and attended St. Mary's Montessori School in Houston, where she enrolled in dance classes Her singing was discovered when dance instructor Darlette Johnson began humming a song and she finished it, able to hit the high-pitched notes. Beyoncé's interest in music and performing continued after winning a school talent show at age seven, singing John Lennon's "Imagine" to beat 15/16-year-olds. In the fall of 1990, Beyoncé enrolled in Parker Elementary School, a music magnet school in Houston, where she would perform with the school's choir. She also attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and later Alief Elsik High School. Beyoncé was also a member of the choir at St. John's United Methodist Church as a soloist for two years.

When Beyoncé was eight, she and childhood friend Kelly Rowland met LaTavia Roberson while at an audition for an all-girl entertainment group. They were placed into a group called Girl's Tyme with three other girls, and rapped and danced on the talent show circuit in Houston. After seeing the group, R&B producer Arne Frager brought them to his Northern California studio and placed them in Star Search, the largest talent show on national TV at the time. Girl's Tyme failed to win, and Beyoncé later said the song they performed was not good. In 1995, Beyoncé's father resigned from his job to manage the group. The move reduced Beyoncé's family's income by half, and her parents were forced to move into separated apartments. Mathew cut the original line-up to four and the group continued performing as an opening act for other established R&B girl groups. The girls auditioned before record labels and were finally signed to Elektra Records, moving to Atlanta Records briefly to work on their first recording, only to be cut by the company. This put further strain on the family, and Beyoncé's parents separated. On October 5, 1995, Dwayne Wiggins's Grass Roots Entertainment signed the group. In 1996, the girls began recording their debut album under an agreement with Sony Music, the Knowles family reunited, and shortly after, the group got a contract with Columbia Records.

1997–2002: Destiny's Child

Beyoncé (center) at the final line-up of Destiny's Child, performing during their 2005 Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It concert tour

The group changed their name to Destiny's Child in 1996, based upon a passage in the Book of Isaiah. In 1997, Destiny's Child released their major label debut song "Killing Time" on the soundtrack to the 1997 film Men in Black. In November, the group released their debut single and first major hit, "No, No, No". They released their self-titled debut album in February 1998, which established the group as a viable act in the music industry, with moderate sales and winning the group three Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, and Best R&B/Soul Single for "No, No, No". The group released their Multi-Platinum second album The Writing's on the Wall in 1999. The record features some of the group's most widely known songs such as "Bills, Bills, Bills", the group's first number-one single, "Jumpin' Jumpin'" and "Say My Name", which became their most successful song at the time, and would remain one of their signature songs. "Say My Name" won the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and the Best R&B Song at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards. The Writing's on the Wall sold more than eight million copies worldwide. During this time, Beyoncé recorded a duet with Marc Nelson, an original member of Boyz II Men, on the song "After All Is Said and Done" for the soundtrack to the 1999 film, The Best Man.

LeToya Luckett and Roberson became unhappy with Mathew's managing of the band and eventually were replaced by Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams.Beyoncé experienced depression following the split with Luckett and Roberson after being publicly blamed by the media, critics, and blogs for its cause. Her long-standing boyfriend left her at this time.The depression was so severe it lasted for a couple of years, during which she occasionally kept herself in her bedroom for days and refused to eat anything.Beyoncé stated that she struggled to speak about her depression because Destiny's Child had just won their first Grammy Award, and she feared no one would take her seriously.Beyoncé would later speak of her mother as the person who helped her fight it. Franklin was then dismissed, leaving just Beyoncé, Rowland, and Williams.

The remaining band members recorded "Independent Women Part I", which appeared on the soundtrack to the 2000 film Charlie's Angels. It became their best-charting single, topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for eleven consecutive weeks. In early 2001, while Destiny's Child was completing their third album, Beyoncé landed a major role in the MTV made-for-television film, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, starring alongside American actor Mekhi Phifer. Set in Philadelphia, the film is a modern interpretation of the 19th-century opera Carmen by French composer Georges Bizet When the third album Survivor was released in May 2001, Luckett and Roberson filed a lawsuit claiming that the songs were aimed at them. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 663,000 copies sold. The album spawned other number-one hits, "Bootylicious" and the title track, "Survivor", the latter of which earned the group a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. After releasing their holiday album 8 Days of Christmas in October 2001, the group announced a hiatus to further pursue solo careers.

In July 2002, Beyoncé made her theatrical film debut, playing Foxxy Cleopatra alongside Mike Myers in the comedy film Austin Powers in Goldmember, which spent its first weekend atop the U.S. box office and grossed $73 million. Beyoncé released "Work It Out" as the lead single from its soundtrack album which entered the top ten in the UK, Norway, and Belgium. In 2003, Beyoncé starred opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr., in the musical comedy The Fighting Temptations as Lilly, a single mother with whom Gooding's character falls in love. The film received mixed reviews from critics but grossed $30 million in the U.S. Beyoncé released "Fighting Temptation" as the lead single from the film's soundtrack album, with Missy Elliott, MC Lyte, and Free which was also used to promote the film. Another of Beyoncé's contributions to the soundtrack, "Summertime", fared better on the U.S. charts.
2003–2005: Dangerously in Love and Destiny Fulfilled
Beyoncé performing "Baby Boy", which spent nine consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart

Beyoncé's first solo recording was a feature on Jay-Z's song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" that was released in October 2002, peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. On June 14, 2003, Beyoncé premiered songs from her first solo album Dangerously in Love during her first solo concert and the pay-per-view television special, "Ford Presents Beyoncé Knowles, Friends & Family, Live From Ford's 100th Anniversary Celebration in Dearborn, Michigan." The album was released on June 24, 2003, after Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland had released their solo efforts. The album sold 317,000 copies in its first week, debuted atop the Billboard 200, and has since sold 11 million copies worldwide. The album's lead single, "Crazy in Love", featuring Jay-Z, became Beyoncé's first number-one single as a solo artist in the US. The single "Baby Boy" also reached number one, and singles, "Me, Myself and I" and "Naughty Girl", both reached the top-five. The album earned Beyoncé a then record-tying five awards at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards; Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Dangerously in Love 2", Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Crazy in Love", and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "The Closer I Get to You" with Luther Vandross. During the ceremony, she performed with Prince.

In November 2003, she embarked on the Dangerously in Love Tour in Europe and later toured alongside Missy Elliott and Alicia Keys for the Verizon Ladies First Tour in North America. On February 1, 2004, Beyoncé performed the American national anthem at Super Bowl XXXVIII, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. After the release of Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé had planned to produce a follow-up album using several of the left-over tracks. However, this was put on hold so she could concentrate on recording Destiny Fulfilled, the final studio album by Destiny's Child. Released on November 15, 2004, in the US and peaking at number two on the Billboard 200, Destiny Fulfilled included the singles "Lose My Breath" and "Soldier", which reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Destiny's Child embarked on a worldwide concert tour, Destiny Fulfilled... and Lovin' It sponsored by McDonald's Corporation, and performed hits such as "No, No, No", "Survivor", "Say My Name", "Independent Women" and "Lose My Breath". In addition to renditions of the group's recorded material, they also performed songs from each singer's solo careers, most notably numbers from Dangerously in Love. and during the last stop of their European tour, in Barcelona on June 11, 2005, Rowland announced that Destiny's Child would disband following the North American leg of the tour. The group released their first compilation album Number 1's on October 25, 2005, in the US and accepted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 2006. The group has sold 60 million records worldwide.

2006–2007: B'Day and Dreamgirls

Beyoncé's second solo album B'Day was released on September 4, 2006, in the US, to coincide with her twenty-fifth birthday. It sold 541,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200, becoming Beyoncé's second consecutive number-one album in the United States. The album's lead single "Déjà Vu", featuring Jay-Z, reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The second international single "Irreplaceable" was a commercial success worldwide, reaching number one in Australia, Hungary, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States. B'Day also produced three other singles; "Ring the Alarm", "Get Me Bodied", and "Green Light" (released in the United Kingdom only).
Beyoncé performing during The Beyoncé Experience tour in 2007

At the 49th Annual Grammy Awards (2007), B'Day was nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Ring the Alarm" and Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration"for "Déjà Vu"; the Freemasons club mix of "Déjà Vu" without the rap was put forward in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category. B'Day won the award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. The following year, B'Day received two nominations – for Record of the Year for "Irreplaceable" and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "Beautiful Liar" (with Shakira), also receiving a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Pictures, Television or Other Visual Media for her appearance on Dreamgirls: Music from the Motion Picture (2006).

Her first acting role of 2006 was in the comedy film The Pink Panther starring opposite Steve Martin, grossing $158.8 million at the box office worldwide. Her second film Dreamgirls, the film version of the 1981 Broadway musical loosely based on The Supremes, received acclaim from critics and grossed $154 million internationally. In it, she starred opposite Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy playing a pop singer based on Diana Ross.To promote the film, Beyoncé released "Listen" as the lead single from the soundtrack album. In April 2007, Beyoncé embarked on The Beyoncé Experience, her first worldwide concert tour, visiting 97 venues and grossed over $24 million. Beyoncé conducted pre-concert food donation drives during six major stops in conjunction with her pastor at St. John's and America's Second Harvest. At the same time, B'Day was re-released with five additional songs, including her duet with Shakira "Beautiful Liar".

2008–2010: I Am... Sasha Fierce
Beyoncé performing during the I Am... World Tour.

I Am... Sasha Fierce was released on November 18, 2008, in the United States. The album formally introduces Beyoncé's alter ego Sasha Fierce, conceived during the making of her 2003 single "Crazy in Love". It was met with generally mediocre reviews from critics, but sold 482,000 copies in its first week, debuting atop the Billboard 200, and giving Beyoncé her third consecutive number-one album in the US. The album featured the number-one song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and the top-five songs "If I Were a Boy" and "Halo".[ Achieving the accomplishment of becoming her longest-running Hot 100 single in her career, "Halo"'s success in the U.S. helped Beyoncé attain more top-ten singles on the list than any other woman during the 2000s. It also included the successful "Sweet Dreams", and singles "Diva", "Ego", "Broken-Hearted Girl" and "Video Phone". The music video for "Single Ladies" has been parodied and imitated around the world, spawning the "first major dance craze" of the Internet age according to the Toronto Star. The video has won several awards, including Best Video at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards, the 2009 Scottish MOBO Awards, and the 2009 BET Awards. At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, the video was nominated for nine awards, ultimately winning three including Video of the Year. Its failure to win the Best Female Video category, which went to American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "You Belong with Me", led to Kanye West interrupting the ceremony and Beyoncé improvising a re-presentation of Swift's award during her own acceptance speech. In March 2009, Beyoncé embarked on the I Am... World Tour, her second headlining worldwide concert tour, consisting of 108 shows, grossing $119.5 million.

Beyoncé further expanded her acting career, starring as blues singer Etta James in the 2008 musical biopic Cadillac Records. Her performance in the film received praise from critics, and she garnered several nominations for her portrayal of James, including a Satellite Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Beyoncé donated her entire salary from the film to Phoenix House, an organization of rehabilitation centers for heroin addicts around the country. On January 20, 2009, Beyoncé performed James' "At Last" at First Couple Barack and Michelle Obama's first inaugural ball Beyoncé starred opposite Ali Larter and Idris Elba in the thriller, Obsessed. She played Sharon Charles, a mother and wife whose family is threatened by her husband's stalker. Although the film received negative reviews from critics, the movie did well at the U.S. box office, grossing $68 million – $60 million more than Cadillac Records – on a budget of $20 million. The fight scene finale between Sharon and the character played by Ali Larter also won the 2010 MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.

At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Beyoncé received ten nominations, including Album of the Year for I Am... Sasha Fierce, Record of the Year for "Halo", and Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", among others. She tied with Lauryn Hill for most Grammy nominations in a single year by a female artist. Beyoncé went on to win six of those nominations, breaking a record she previously tied in 2004 for the most Grammy awards won in a single night by a female artist with six. In 2010, Beyoncé was featured on Lady Gaga's single "Telephone" and appeared in its music video. The song topped the U.S. Pop Songs chart, becoming the sixth number-one for both Beyoncé and Gaga, tying them with Mariah Carey for most number-ones since the Nielsen Top 40 airplay chart launched in 1992. "Telephone" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.

Beyoncé announced a hiatus from her music career in January 2010, heeding her mother's advice, "to live life, to be inspired by things again". During the break she and her father parted ways as business partners. Beyoncé's musical break lasted nine months and saw her visit multiple European cities, the Great Wall of China, the Egyptian pyramids, Australia, English music festivals and various museums and ballet performances.

2011–2013: 4 and documentary film
Beyoncé's sound became mellower with 2011's 4 which focused on traditional R&B styles. She performed the album during her 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé concert residency in August 2011

On June 26, 2011, she became the first solo female artist to headline the main Pyramid stage at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival in over twenty years. Her fourth studio album 4 was released two days later in the US. 4 sold 310,000 copies in its first week and debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, giving Beyoncé her fourth consecutive number-one album in the US. The album was preceded by two of its singles "Run the World (Girls)" and "Best Thing I Never Had". The fourth single "Love on Top" spent seven consecutive weeks at number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest peak from the album. 4 also produced four other singles; "Party", "Countdown", "I Care" and "End of Time". "Eat, Play, Love", a cover story written by Beyoncé for Essence that detailed her 2010 career break, won her a writing award from the New York Association of Black Journalists. In late 2011, she took the stage at New York's Roseland Ballroom for four nights of special performances: the 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé concerts saw the performance of her 4 album to a standing room only. On August 1, 2011, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped 1 million copies to retail stores. By December 2015, it reached sales of 1.5 million copies in the US. The album reached one billion Spotify streams on February 5, 2018, making Beyoncé the first female artist to have three of their albums surpass one billion streams on the platform.

In June 2012, she performed for four nights at Revel Atlantic City's Ovation Hall to celebrate the resort's opening, her first performances since giving birth to her daughter.

2013–2015: Beyoncé
Beyoncé performing during The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour in 2013. The tour is one of the highest grossing tours of the decade.

Beyoncé embarked on The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour on April 15 in Belgrade, Serbia; the tour included 132 dates that ran through to March 2014. It became the most successful tour of her career and one of the most successful tours of all time. In May, Beyoncé's cover of Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" with André 3000 on The Great Gatsby soundtrack was released. Beyoncé voiced Queen Tara in the 3D CGI animated film, Epic, released by 20th Century Fox on May 24, and recorded an original song for the film, "Rise Up", co-written with Sia.

On December 13, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her eponymous fifth studio album on the iTunes Store without any prior announcement or promotion. The album debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, giving Beyoncé her fifth consecutive number-one album in the US. This made her the first woman in the chart's history to have her first five studio albums debut at number one. Beyoncé received critical acclaim and commercial success, selling one million digital copies worldwide in six days; Musically an electro-R&B album, it concerns darker themes previously unexplored in her work, such as "bulimia, postnatal depression [and] the fears and insecurities of marriage and motherhood". The single "Drunk in Love", featuring Jay-Z, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In April 2014, after much speculation, Beyoncé and Jay-Z officially announced their On the Run Tour. It served as the couple's first co-headlining stadium tour together. On August 24, 2014, she received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé also won home three competitive awards: Best Video with a Social Message and Best Cinematography for "Pretty Hurts", as well as best collaboration for "Drunk in Love". In November, Forbes reported that Beyoncé was the top-earning woman in music for the second year in a row – earning $115 million in the year, more than double her earnings in 2013. Beyoncé was reissued with new material in three forms: as an extended play, a box set, as well as a full platinum edition. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), in the last 19 days of 2013, the album sold 2.3 million units worldwide, becoming the tenth best-selling album of 2013. The album also went on to become the twentieth best-selling album of 2014. As of November 2014, Beyoncé has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and has generated over 1 billion streams, as of March 2015.

At the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2015, Beyoncé was nominated for six awards, ultimately winning three: Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé. She was nominated for Album of the Year, but the award went to Beck for his album Morning Phase.

2016–2018: Lemonade and Everything Is Love
Beyoncé performing alongside Bruno Mars at Super Bowl 50 halftime show in February 2016

On February 6, 2016, Beyoncé released "Formation" and its accompanying music video exclusively on the music streaming platform Tidal; the song was made available to download for free. She performed "Formation" live for the first time during the NFL Super Bowl 50 halftime show. The appearance was considered controversial as it appeared to reference the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party and the NFL forbids political statements in its performances. Immediately following the performance, Beyoncé announced The Formation World Tour, which highlighted stops in both North America, and Europe. It ended on October 7, with Beyoncé bringing out her husband Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Serena Williams for the last show. The tour went on to win Tour of the Year at the 44th American Music Awards.

On April 16, 2016, Beyoncé released a teaser clip for a project called Lemonade. It turned out to be a one-hour film which aired on HBO exactly a week later; a corresponding album with the same title was released on the same day exclusively on Tidal. Lemonade debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, making Beyoncé the first act in Billboard history to have their first six studio albums debut atop the chart; she broke a record previously tied with DMX in 2013. With all 12 tracks of Lemonade debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Beyoncé also became the first female act to chart 12 or more songs at the same time. Additionally, Lemonade was streamed 115 million times through Tidal, setting a record for the most-streamed album in a single week by a female artist in history. It was 2016's third highest-selling album in the U.S. with 1.554 million copies sold in that time period within the country as well as the best-selling album worldwide with global sales of 2.5 million throughout the year. In June 2019, Lemonade was certified 3× Platinum, having sold up to 3 million album-equivalent units in the United States alone.
Beyoncé performing during The Formation World Tour in 2016. The tour grossed $256 million from 49 sold-out shows.

Lemonade became her most critically acclaimed work to date, receiving universal acclaim according to Metacritic, a website collecting reviews from professional music critics. Several music publications included the album among the best of 2016, including Rolling Stone, which listed Lemonade at number one. The album's visuals were nominated in 11 categories at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, the most ever received by Beyoncé in a single year, and went on to win 8 awards, including Video of the Year for "Formation". The eight wins made Beyoncé the most-awarded artist in the history of the VMAs (24), surpassing Madonna (20). Beyoncé occupied the sixth place for Time magazine's 2016 Person of the Year.

In January 2017, it was announced that Beyoncé would headline the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. This would make Beyoncé only the second female headliner of the festival since it was founded in 1999. It was later announced on February 23, 2017, that Beyoncé would no longer be able to perform at the festival due to doctor's concerns regarding her pregnancy. The festival owners announced that she will instead headline the 2018 festival. Upon the announcement of Beyoncé's departure from the festival lineup, ticket prices dropped by 12%. At the 59th Grammy Awards in February 2017, Lemonade led the nominations with nine, including Album, Record, and Song of the Year for Lemonade and "Formation" respectively. and ultimately won two, Best Urban Contemporary Album for Lemonade and Best Music Video for "Formation". Adele, upon winning her Grammy for Album of the Year, stated Lemonade was monumental and more deserving.

In September 2017, Beyoncé collaborated with J Balvin and Willy William, to release a remix of the song "Mi Gente". Beyoncé donated all proceeds from the song to hurricane charities for those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in Texas, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other Caribbean Islands. On November 10, Eminem released "Walk on Water" featuring Beyoncé as the lead single from his album Revival. On November 30, Ed Sheeran announced that Beyoncé would feature on the remix to his song "Perfect". "Perfect Duet" was released on December 1, 2017. The song reached number-one in the United States, becoming Beyoncé's sixth song of her solo career to do so.

On January 4, 2018, the music video of Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 4:44 collaboration, "Family Feud" was released. It was directed by Ava DuVernay. On March 1, 2018, DJ Khaled released "Top Off" as the first single from his forthcoming album Father of Asahd featuring Beyoncé, husband Jay-Z, and Future. On March 5, 2018, a joint tour with Knowles's husband Jay-Z, was leaked on Facebook. Information about the tour was later taken down. The couple announced the joint tour officially as On the Run II Tour on March 12 and simultaneously released a trailer for the tour on YouTube. On March 20, 2018, the couple traveled to Jamaica to film a music video directed by Melina Matsoukas.

On April 14, 2018, Beyoncé played the first of two weekends as the headlining act of the Coachella Music Festival. Her performance of April 14, attended by 125,000 festival-goers, was immediately praised, with multiple media outlets describing it as historic. The performance became the most-tweeted-about performance of weekend one, as well as the most-watched live Coachella performance and the most-watched live performance on YouTube of all time. The show paid tribute to black culture, specifically historically black colleges and universities and featured a live band with over 100 dancers. Destiny's Child also reunited during the show.

On June 6, 2018, Beyoncé and husband Jay-Z kicked-off the On the Run II Tour in Cardiff, United Kingdom. Ten days later, at their final London performance, the pair unveiled Everything Is Love, their joint studio album, credited under the name The Carters, and initially available exclusively on Tidal. The pair also released the video for the album's lead single, "Apeshit", on Beyoncé's official YouTube channel. Everything Is Love received generally positive reviews, and debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200, with 123,000 album-equivalent units, of which 70,000 were pure album sales. On December 2, 2018, Beyoncé alongside Jay-Z headlined the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 which was held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Their 2-hour performance had concepts similar to the On the Run II Tour and Beyoncé was praised for her outfits, which paid tribute to Africa's diversity.

2019–present: Homecoming, The Lion King and Black Is King

Homecoming, a documentary and concert film focusing on Beyoncé's historic 2018 Coachella performances, was released by Netflix on April 17, 2019. The film was accompanied by the surprise live album Homecoming: The Live Album. It was later reported that Beyoncé and Netflix had signed a $60 million deal to produce three different projects, one of which is Homecoming. Homecoming received six nominations at the 71st Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.

Beyoncé starred as the voice of Nala in the remake The Lion King, which was released on July 19, 2019. Beyoncé is featured on the film's soundtrack, released on July 11, 2019, with a remake of the song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" alongside Donald Glover, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, which was originally composed by Elton John. Additionally, an original song from the film by Beyoncé, "Spirit", was released as the lead single from both the soundtrack and The Lion King: The Gift – a companion album released alongside the film, produced and curated by Beyoncé. Beyoncé called The Lion King: The Gift a "sonic cinema." She also stated that the album is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat. The songs were additionally produced by African producers, which Beyoncé said was because "authenticity and heart were important to [her]," since the film is set in Africa. In September of the same year, a documentary chronicling the development, production and early music video filming of The Lion King: The Gift entitled "Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift" was aired on ABC.

Beyoncé wrote and recorded a song titled “Be Alive” for the biographical drama film King Richard.

Artistry
Voice and musical style

With "Single Ladies", clearly I'd just gotten married, and people want to get married every day – then there was the whole Justin Timberlake thing [recreating the video] on Saturday Night Live, and it was also the year YouTube blew up. With "Irreplaceable", the aggressive lyrics, the acoustic guitar, and the 808 drum machine – those things don't typically go together, and it sounded fresh. "Crazy in Love" was another one of those classic moments in pop culture that none of us expected. I asked Jay to get on the song the night before I had to turn my album in – thank God he did. It still never gets old, no matter how many times I sing it.

—Beyoncé

Jody Rosen highlights her tone and timbre as particularly distinctive, describing her voice as "one of the most compelling instruments in popular music". Her vocal abilities mean she is identified as the centerpiece of Destiny's Child. Jon Pareles of The New York Times commented that her voice is "velvety yet tart, with an insistent flutter and reserves of soul belting". Rosen notes that the hip hop era highly influenced Beyoncé's unique rhythmic vocal style, but also finds her quite traditionalist in her use of balladry, gospel and falsetto. Other critics praise her range and power, with Chris Richards of The Washington Post saying she was "capable of punctuating any beat with goose-bump-inducing whispers or full-bore diva-roars."

Songwriting

Beyoncé has received co-writing credits for most of her songs and has had no sole writing credit. In regards to the way she approaches collaborative songwriting, Beyoncé explained: "I love being around great writers because I'm finding that a lot of the things I want to say, I don't articulate as good as maybe Amanda Ghost, so I want to keep collaborating with writers, and I love classics and I want to make sure years from now the song is still something that’s relevant." Her early songs with Destiny's Child were personally driven and female-empowerment themed compositions like "Independent Women" and "Survivor", but after the start of her relationship with Jay-Z, she transitioned to more man-tending anthems such as "Cater 2 U".

In 2001, she became the first Black woman and second female lyricist to win the Pop Songwriter of the Year award at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards. Beyoncé was the third woman to have writing credits on three number-one songs ("Irreplaceable", "Grillz" and "Check on It") in the same year, after Carole King in 1971 and Mariah Carey in 1991. She is tied with American lyricist Diane Warren at third with nine songwriting credits on number-one singles. (The latter wrote her 9/11-motivated song "I Was Here" for 4.) In May 2011, Billboard magazine listed Beyoncé at number 17 on their list of the Top 20 Hot 100 Songwriters for having co-written eight singles that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She was one of only three women on that list, along with Alicia Keys and Taylor Swift.

Beyoncé has long received criticism, including from journalists and musicians, for the extensive writing credits on her songs. The controversy surrounding her songwriting credits began with interviews in which she attributed herself as the songwriter for songs in which she was a co-writer or for which her contributions were marginal. In a cover story for Vanity Fair in 2005, she claimed to have "written" several number-one songs for Destiny's Child, contrary to the credits, which list her as a co-writer among others. In a 2007 interview with Barbara Walters, she claimed to have conceived the musical idea for the Destiny's Child hit "Bootylicious", which provoked the song's producer Rob Fusari to call her father and then-manager Mathew Knowles in protest over the claim. As Fusari tells Billboard, "[Knowles] explained to me, in a nice way, he said, 'People don't want to hear about Rob Fusari, producer from Livingston, N.J. No offense, but that's not what sells records. What sells records is people believing that the artist is everything.'" However, in an interview for Entertainment Weekly in 2016, Fusari said Beyoncé "had the 'Bootylicious' concept in her head. That was totally her. She knew what she wanted to say. It was very urban pop angle that they were taking on the record."

In 2007, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ruled out Beyoncé as a songwriter on "Listen" (from Dreamgirls) for its Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category. Responding to a then-new three-writer limit, the Academy deemed her contribution the least significant for inclusion. In 2009, Ryan Tedder's original demo for "Halo" leaked on the Internet, revealing an identical resemblance to Beyoncé's recording, for which she received a writing credit. When interviewed by The Guardian, Tedder explained that Beyoncé had edited the bridge of the song vocally and thus earned the credit, although he vaguely questioned the ethics of her possible "demand" for a writing credit in other instances. Tedder elaborated when speaking to Gigwise that "She does stuff on any given song that, when you go from the demo to the final version, takes it to another level that you never would have thought of as the writer. For instance, on 'Halo,' that bridge on her version is completely different to my original one. Basically, she came in, ditched that, edited it, did her vocal thing on it, and now it's become one of my favorite parts of the song. The whole melody, she wrote it spontaneously in the studio. So her credit on that song stems from that." In 2014, the popular industry songwriter Linda Perry responded to a question about Beyoncé receiving a co-writing credit for changing one lyric to a song: "Well haha um that's not songwriting but some of these artists believe if it wasn't for them your song would never get out there so they take a cut just because they are who they are. But everyone knows the real truth about Beyoncé. She is talented but in a completely different way." Perry's remarks were echoed by Frank Ocean, who acknowledged the trend of recording artists forcing writing credits while jokingly suggesting Beyoncé had an exceptional status.

Reflecting on the controversy, Sunday Independent columnist Alexis Kritselis wrote in 2014, "It seems as though our love for all things Beyoncé has blinded us to the very real claims of theft and plagiarism that have plagued her career for years", and that, "because of her power and influence in the music industry, it may be hard for some songwriters to 'just say no' to Beyoncé." While reporting on her controversial writing record, pop culture critics such as Roger Friedman and The Daily Beast's Kevin Fallon said the trend has redefined popular conceptions of songwriting, with Fallon saying, "the village of authors and composers that populate Lemonade, [Kanye West']s Life of Pablo, [Rihanna's] Anti, or [Drake's] Views – all of which are still reflective of an artist's voice and vision ... speaks to the truth of the way the industry's top artists create their music today: by committee." James S. Murphy of Vanity Fair suggests Beyoncé is among the major artists like Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday who are "celebrated [not] because [they] write such good parts, but because [they] create them out of the words that are given".

Meanwhile, Everything Is Love producers Cool & Dre stated that Beyoncé is "100 percent involved" in writing her own songs, with Dre saying that "She put her mind to the music and did her thing. If she had a melody idea, she came up with the words. If we had the words, she came up with the melody. She's a beast," when speaking on the writing process of Everything Is Love. Ne-Yo, when asked about his collaborative writing experience with Beyoncé on "Irreplaceable," said that they both wrote "two damn totally different songs [...] So, yeah, I gave her writer's credit. Because that counts. That's writing... She put her spin on it." As for Drake: "'Pound Cake' happened while I was writing for Beyoncé or working with Beyoncé, not writing for, working with. I hate saying writing for 'cause she's a phenomenal writer. She has bars on bars." The-Dream revealed: "We did a whole Fela album that didn't go up. It was right before we did 4. We did a whole different sounding thing, about twenty songs. She said she wanted to do something that sounds like Fela. That's why there's so much of that sound in the 'End of Time.' There's always multiple albums being made. Most of the time we're just being creative, period. We're talking about B, somebody who sings all day long and somebody who writes all day long. There's probably a hundred records just sitting around."

Influences
Beyoncé's major influences include Michael Jackson (left) and Tina Turner (right).

Beyoncé names Michael Jackson as her major musical influence. Aged five, Beyoncé attended her first ever concert where Jackson performed and she claims to have realized her purpose. When she presented him with a tribute award at the World Music Awards in 2006, Beyoncé said, "if it wasn't for Michael Jackson, I would never ever have performed." Beyoncé was heavily influenced by Tina Turner, who she said "Tina Turner is someone that I admire, because she made her strength feminine and sexy". She admires Diana Ross as an "all-around entertainer", and Whitney Houston, who she said "inspired me to get up there and do what she did." Beyoncé cited Madonna as an influence "not only for her musical style, but also for her business sense", saying that she wanted to "follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire." She also credits Mariah Carey's singing and her song "Vision of Love" as influencing her to begin practicing vocal runs as a child. Her other musical influences include Prince, Shakira, Lauryn Hill, Sade Adu, Donna Summer,[266] Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker, and Toni Braxton.

The feminism and female empowerment themes on Beyoncé's second solo album B'Day were inspired by her role in Dreamgirls and by singer Josephine Baker. Beyoncé paid homage to Baker by performing "Déjà Vu" at the 2006 Fashion Rocks concert wearing Baker's trademark mini-hula skirt embellished with fake bananas. Beyoncé's third solo album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, was inspired by Jay-Z and especially by Etta James, whose "boldness" inspired Beyoncé to explore other musical genres and styles. Her fourth solo album, 4, was inspired by Fela Kuti, 1990s R&B, Earth, Wind & Fire, DeBarge, Lionel Richie, Teena Marie, The Jackson 5, New Edition, Adele, Florence and the Machine, and Prince.

Beyoncé has stated that she is personally inspired by Michelle Obama (the 44th First Lady of the United States), saying "she proves you can do it all," and has described Oprah Winfrey as "the definition of inspiration and a strong woman." She has also discussed how Jay-Z is a continuing inspiration to her, both with what she describes as his lyrical genius and in the obstacles he has overcome in his life. Beyoncé has expressed admiration for the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, posting in a letter "what I find in the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, I search for in every day in music ... he is lyrical and raw". Beyoncé also cited Cher as a fashion inspiration.

Music videos and stage
Beyoncé performing during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards

In 2006, Beyoncé introduced her all-female tour band Suga Mama (also the name of a song on B'Day) which includes bassists, drummers, guitarists, horn players, keyboardists and percussionists. Her background singers, The Mamas, consist of Montina Cooper-Donnell, Crystal Collins and Tiffany Moniqué Riddick. They made their debut appearance at the 2006 BET Awards and re-appeared in the music videos for "Irreplaceable" and "Green Light".[ The band have supported Beyoncé in most subsequent live performances, including her 2007 concert tour The Beyoncé Experience, I Am... World Tour (2009–2010), The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013–2014) and The Formation World Tour (2016).

Beyoncé has received praise for her stage presence and voice during live performances. Jarett Wieselman of the New York Post placed her at number one on her list of the Five Best Singer/Dancers. According to Barbara Ellen of The Guardian Beyoncé is the most in-charge female artist she's seen onstage, while Alice Jones of The Independent wrote she "takes her role as entertainer so seriously she's almost too good." The ex-President of Def Jam L.A. Reid has described Beyoncé as the greatest entertainer alive. Jim Farber of the Daily News and Stephanie Classen of The StarPhoenix both praised her strong voice and her stage presence. Beyoncé's stage outfits have been met with criticism from many countries, such as Malaysia, where she has postponed or cancelled performances due to the country's strict laws banning revealing costumes.

Beyoncé has worked with numerous directors for her music videos throughout her career, including Melina Matsoukas, Jonas Åkerlund, and Jake Nava. Bill Condon, director of Beauty and the Beast, stated that the Lemonade visuals in particular served as inspiration for his film, commenting, "You look at Beyoncé's brilliant movie Lemonade, this genre is taking on so many different forms ... I do think that this very old-school break-out-into-song traditional musical is something that people understand again and really want."

Alter ego

Described as being "sexy, seductive and provocative" when performing on stage, Beyoncé has said that she originally created the alter ego "Sasha Fierce" to keep that stage persona separate from who she really is. She described Sasha as being "too aggressive, too strong, too sassy [and] too sexy", stating, "I'm not like her in real life at all." Sasha was conceived during the making of "Crazy in Love", and Beyoncé introduced her with the release of her 2008 album, I Am... Sasha Fierce. In February 2010, she announced in an interview with Allure magazine that she was comfortable enough with herself to no longer need Sasha Fierce. However, Beyoncé announced in May 2012 that she would bring her back for her Revel Presents: Beyoncé Live shows later that month.

Public image
Beyoncé at the premiere of her 2006 film Dreamgirls

Beyoncé has been described as having a wide-ranging sex appeal, with music journalist Touré writing that since the release of Dangerously in Love, she has "become a crossover sex symbol".[288] Offstage Beyoncé says that while she likes to dress sexily, her onstage dress "is absolutely for the stage." Due to her curves and the term's catchiness, in the 2000s, the media often used the term "bootylicious" (a portmanteau of the words "booty" and "delicious") to describe Beyoncé, the term popularized by Destiny's Child's single of the same name. In 2006, it was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

In September 2010, Beyoncé made her runway modelling debut at Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show. She was named the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" by People[294] and the "Hottest Female Singer of All Time" by Complex in 2012. In January 2013, GQ placed her on its cover, featuring her atop its "100 Sexiest Women of the 21st Century" list. VH1 listed her at number 1 on its 100 Sexiest Artists list. Several wax figures of Beyoncé are found at Madame Tussauds Wax Museums in major cities around the world, including New York,[299] Washington, D.C., Amsterdam,Bangkok,[302]Hollywood and Sydney.

According to Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, Beyoncé uses different fashion styles to work with her music while performing. Her mother co-wrote a book, published in 2002, titled Destiny's Style, an account of how fashion affected the trio's success. The B'Day Anthology Video Album showed many instances of fashion-oriented footage, depicting classic to contemporary wardrobe styles. In 2007, Beyoncé was featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming the second African American woman after Tyra Banks, and People magazine recognized Beyoncé as the best-dressed celebrity.

Beyoncé's lighter skin color and costuming has drawn criticism from some in the African-American community. Emmett Price, a professor of music at Northeastern University, wrote in 2007 that he thinks race plays a role in many of these criticisms, saying white celebrities who dress similarly do not attract as many comments. In 2008, L'Oréal was accused of whitening her skin in their Feria hair color advertisements, responding that "it is categorically untrue", and in 2013, Beyoncé herself criticized H&M for their proposed "retouching" of promotional images of her, and according to Vogue requested that only "natural pictures be used".

Beyoncé has been a vocal advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement. Her song "Formation", which she performed at the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show, gained criticism from some politicians and police. Some police tried to get the Formation World Tour boycotted by other members. Beyoncé has said she is against police brutality but is not anti-police.

Personal life
Marriage and children
Beyoncé performing on the I Am... World Tour with Jay-Z, whom she married in 2008

Beyoncé started a relationship with Jay-Z after their collaboration on "'03 Bonnie & Clyde", which appeared on his seventh album The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (2002). Beyoncé appeared as Jay-Z's girlfriend in the music video for the song, fuelling speculation about their relationship. On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z married without publicity. As of April 2014, the couple had sold a combined 300 million records together. They are known for their private relationship, although they have appeared to become more relaxed in recent years. Both have acknowledged difficulty that arose in their marriage after Jay-Z had an affair.

Beyoncé miscarried around 2010 or 2011, describing it as "the saddest thing" she had ever endured. She returned to the studio and wrote music to cope with the loss. In April 2011, Beyoncé and Jay-Z traveled to Paris to shoot the album cover for 4, and she unexpectedly became pregnant in Paris. In August, the couple attended the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, at which Beyoncé performed "Love on Top" and ended the performance by revealing she was pregnant. Her appearance helped that year's MTV Video Music Awards become the most-watched broadcast in MTV history, pulling in 12.4 million viewers; the announcement was listed in Guinness World Records for "most tweets per second recorded for a single event" on Twitter, receiving 8,868 tweets per second and "Beyonce pregnant" was the most Googled phrase the week of August 29, 2011. On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to a daughter, Blue Ivy, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Following the release of Lemonade, which included the single "Sorry", in 2016, speculations arose about Jay-Z's alleged infidelity with a mistress referred to as "Becky." Jon Pareles in The New York Times pointed out that many of the accusations were "aimed specifically and recognizably" at him. Similarly, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone magazine noted the lines "Suck on my balls, I've had enough" were an "unmistakable hint" that the lyrics revolve around Jay-Z."

On February 1, 2017, she revealed on her Instagram account that she was expecting twins. Her announcement gained over 6.3 million likes within eight hours, breaking the world record for the most liked image on the website at the time. On July 13, 2017, Beyoncé uploaded the first image of herself and the twins onto her Instagram account, confirming their birth date as a month prior, on June 13, 2017, with the post becoming the second most liked on Instagram, behind her own pregnancy announcement. The twins were born at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California. She wrote of her pregnancy and its aftermath in the September 2018 issue of Vogue, in which she had full control of the cover, shot at Hammerwood Park by photographer Tyler Mitchell.

Activism

Beyoncé performed "America the Beautiful" at President Barack Obama's 2009 presidential inauguration, as well as "At Last" during the first inaugural dance at the Neighborhood Ball two days later. The couple held a fundraiser at Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan for President Obama's 2012 presidential campaign which raised $4 million. In the 2012 presidential election, the singer voted for President Obama. She performed the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" at his second inauguration in January 2013.

The Washington Post reported in May 2015, that Beyoncé attended a major celebrity fundraiser for 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. She also headlined for Clinton in a concert held the weekend before Election Day the next year. In this performance, Beyoncé and her entourage of backup dancers wore pantsuits; a clear allusion to Clinton's frequent dress-of-choice. The backup dancers also wore "I'm with her" tee shirts, the campaign slogan for Clinton. In a brief speech at this performance Beyoncé said, "I want my daughter to grow up seeing a woman lead our country and knowing that her possibilities are limitless." She endorsed the bid of Beto O'Rourke during the 2018 United States Senate election in Texas.
Beyoncé has conducted several fundraising and donation campaigns during her tours

In 2013, Beyoncé stated in an interview in Vogue that she considered herself to be "a modern-day feminist". She would later align herself more publicly with the movement, sampling "We should all be feminists", a speech delivered by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie at a TEDx talk in April 2013, in her song "Flawless", released later that year. The next year she performed live at the MTV Video Awards in front a giant backdrop reading "Feminist." Her self-identification incited a circulation of opinions and debate about whether her feminism is aligned with older, more established feminist ideals. Annie Lennox, celebrated artist and feminist advocate, referred to Beyoncé's use of her word feminist as 'feminist lite'. bell hooks critiqued Beyoncé, referring to her as a "terrorist" towards feminism, harmfully impacting her audience of young girls. Adichie responded with "...her type of feminism is not mine, as it is the kind that, at the same time, gives quite a lot of space to the necessity of men.” Adichie expands upon what 'feminist lite' means to her, referring that "more troubling is the idea, in Feminism Lite, that men are naturally superior but should be expected to "treat women well" and "we judge powerful women more harshly than we judge powerful men. And Feminism Lite enables this." Beyoncé responded about her intent by utilizing the definition of feminist with her platform was to "give clarity to the true meaning" behind it. She says to understand what being a feminist is, "...it's very simple. It's someone who believes in equal rights for men and women." She advocated to provide equal opportunities for young boys and girls, men and women must begin to understand the double standards that remain persistent in our societies and the issue must be illuminated in effort to start making changes.

She has also contributed to the Ban Bossy campaign, which uses TV and social media to encourage leadership in girls. Following Beyoncé's public identification as a feminist, the sexualized nature of her performances and the fact that she championed her marriage was questioned.

In December 2012, Beyoncé along with a variety of other celebrities teamed up and produced a video campaign for "Demand A Plan", a bipartisan effort by a group of 950 U.S. mayors and others designed to influence the federal government into rethinking its gun control laws, following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Beyoncé publicly endorsed same-sex marriage on March 26, 2013, after the Supreme Court debate on California's Proposition 8. She spoke against North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, a bill passed (and later repealed) that discriminated against the LGBT community in public places in a statement during her concert in Raleigh as part of the Formation World Tour in 2016. She has also condemned police brutality against black Americans. She and Jay-Z attended a rally in 2013 in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin. The film for her sixth album Lemonade included the mothers of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner, holding pictures of their sons in the video for "Freedom". In a 2016 interview with Elle, Beyoncé responded to the controversy surrounding her song "Formation" which was perceived to be critical of the police. She clarified, "I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me".

In February 2017, Beyoncé spoke out against the withdrawal of protections for transgender students in public schools by Donald Trump's presidential administration. Posting a link to the 100 Days of Kindness campaign on her Facebook page, Beyoncé voiced her support for transgender youth and joined a roster of celebrities who spoke out against Trump's decision.

In November 2017, Beyoncé presented Colin Kaepernick with the 2017 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, stating, "Thank you for your selfless heart and your conviction, thank you for your personal sacrifice," and that "Colin took action with no fear of consequence ... To change perception, to change the way we treat each other, especially people of color. We're still waiting for the world to catch up." Muhammad Ali was heavily penalized in his career for protesting the status quo of US civil rights through opposition to the Vietnam War, by refusing to serve in the military. 40 years later, Kaepernick had already lost one professional year due to taking a much quieter and legal stand "for people that are oppressed."

Impact
Beyoncé performing during her I Am... World Tour in 2009

Beyoncé's success has led to her becoming a cultural icon and earning her the nickname "Queen Bey". In The New Yorker, music critic Jody Rosen described Beyoncé as "the most important and compelling popular musician of the twenty-first century ... the result, the logical end point, of a century-plus of pop." Author James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits (2018), draws a parallel between the singer's success and the dramatic transformations in modern society: "In the last one hundred years, we have seen the rise of the car, the airplane, the television, the personal computer, the internet, the smartphone, and Beyoncé." The Observer named her Artist of the Decade (2000s) in 2009.

She is known for coining popular phrases such as 'put a ring on it,' a euphemism for marriage proposal, 'I woke up like this,' which started a trend of posting morning selfies with the hashtag #iwokeuplikethis, and 'boy, bye,' which was used as part of the Democratic National Committee's campaign for the 2020 election. Similarly, she also came up with the phrase "visual album" following the release of her fifth studio album, which had a video for every song. This has been recreated by many other artists since, such as Frank Ocean and Melanie Martinez. The album also popularized surprise releases, with many artists releasing songs, videos or albums with no prior announcement, such as Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Frank Ocean, Jay-Z and Drake.

In January 2012, research scientist Bryan Lessard named Scaptia beyonceae, a species of horse-fly found in Northern Queensland, Australia after Beyoncé due to the fly's unique golden hairs on its abdomen. In 2018, the City of Columbia, South Carolina declared August 21 the Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Day in the city after presenting her with the keys to Columbia.

Achievements

Beyoncé has won 28 Grammy Awards, both as a solo artist and member of Destiny's Child and The Carters, making her the most honored singer, male or female, by the Grammys. She is also the most nominated artist in Grammy Award history with a total of 79 nominations. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" won Song of the Year in 2010 while "Say My Name", "Crazy in Love" and "Drunk in Love" have each won Best R&B Song. Dangerously in Love, B'Day and I Am ... Sasha Fierce have all won Best Contemporary R&B Album, while Lemonade has won Best Urban Contemporary Album. Beyoncé set the record for the most Grammy awards won by a female artist in one night in 2010 when she won six awards, breaking the tie she previously held with Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, and Amy Winehouse, with Adele equaling this in 2012.

Beyoncé has also won 24 MTV Video Music Awards, making her the most-awarded artist in Video Music Award history. She won two awards each with The Carters and Destiny's Child making her lifetime total of 28 VMAs. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and "Formation" won Video of the Year in 2009 and 2016 respectively. Beyoncé tied the record set by Lady Gaga in 2010 for the most VMAs won in one night for a female artist with eight in 2016.She is also the most-awarded and nominated artist in BET Award history, winning 29 awards from a total of 60 nominations, the most-awarded person at the Soul Train Music Awards with 17 awards as a solo artist, and the most-awarded person at the NAACP Image Awards with 24 awards as a solo artist.

She was named on the 2016 BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour Power List as one of seven women judged to have had the biggest impact on women's lives over the past 70 years, alongside Margaret Thatcher, Barbara Castle, Helen Brook, Germaine Greer, Jayaben Desai and Bridget Jones, She was named the Most Powerful Woman in Music on the same list in 2020. In the same year, Billboard named her with Destiny's Child the third Greatest Music Video artists of all time, behind Madonna and Michael Jackson.

On June 16, 2021, Beyoncé was among several celebrities at the Pollstar Awards where she won the award of "top touring artist" of the decade (2010s).On June 17, 2021, Beyoncé was inducted into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame as a member of the inaugural class.

Business and ventures

In 2010, Beyoncé founded her own entertainment company Parkwood Entertainment which formed as an imprint based from Columbia Records, the company began as a production unit for videos and films in 2008. Parkwood Entertainment is named after a street in Houston, Texas where Beyoncé once lived. With headquarters in New York City, the company serves as an umbrella for the entertainer's various brands in music, movies, videos, and fashion. The staff of Parkwood Entertainment have experiences in arts and entertainment, from filmmaking and video production to web and fashion design. In addition to departments in marketing, digital, creative, publicity, fashion design and merchandising, the company houses a state-of-the-art editing suite, where Beyoncé works on content for her worldwide tours, music videos, and television specials. Parkwood Entertainment's first production was the musical biopic Cadillac Records (2008), in which Beyoncé starred and co-produced.The company has also distributed Beyoncé's albums such as her self-titled fifth studio album (2013), Lemonade (2016) and The Carters, Everything is Love (2018). Beyoncé has also signed other artists to Parkwood such as Chloe x Halle, who performed at Super Bowl LIII in February 2019.

Fashion lines

Beyoncé and her mother introduced House of Deréon, a contemporary women's fashion line, in 2005. The concept is inspired by three generations of women in their family, with the name paying tribute to Beyoncé's grandmother, Agnèz Deréon, a respected seamstress.According to Tina, the overall style of the line best reflects her and Beyoncé's taste and style. Beyoncé and her mother founded their family's company Beyond Productions, which provides the licensing and brand management for House of Deréon, and its junior collection, Deréon. House of Deréon pieces were exhibited in Destiny's Child's shows and tours, during their Destiny Fulfilled era. The collection features sportswear, denim offerings with fur, outerwear and accessories that include handbags and footwear, and are available at department and specialty stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Philanthropy
Beyoncé (center) and her mother, Tina, (left) at the opening of the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center on March 5, 2010

In 2002, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles built the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth, a community center in Downtown Houston. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Beyoncé and Rowland founded the Survivor Foundation to provide transitional housing to displaced families and provide means for new building construction, to which Beyoncé contributed an initial $250,000. The foundation has since expanded to work with other charities in the city, and also provided relief following Hurricane Ike three years later. Beyoncé also donated $100,000 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. In 2007, Beyoncé founded the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, a housing complex offering living space for 43 displaced individuals. As of 2016, Beyoncé had donated $7 million for the maintenance of the complex.

After starring in Cadillac Records in 2009 and learning about Phoenix House, a non-profit drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization, Beyoncé donated her full $4 million salary from the film to the organization. Beyoncé and her mother subsequently established the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center, which offers a seven-month cosmetology training course helping Phoenix House's clients gain career skills during their recovery.

In January 2010, Beyoncé participated in George Clooney and Wyclef Jean's Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief telethon, donated a large sum to the organization, and was named the official face of the limited edition CFDA "Fashion For Haiti" T-shirt,made by Theory which raised a total of $1 million.In April 2011, Beyoncé joined forces with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation, to help boost the latter's campaign against child obesity by reworking her single "Get Me Bodied". Following the death of Osama bin Laden, Beyoncé released her cover of the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA", as a charity single to help raise funds for the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.

Beyoncé became an ambassador for the 2012 World Humanitarian Day campaign donating her song "I Was Here" and its music video, shot in the UN, to the campaign. In 2013, it was announced that Beyoncé would work with Salma Hayek and Frida Giannini on a Gucci "Chime for Change" campaign that aims to spread female empowerment. The campaign, which aired on February 28, was set to her new music. A concert for the cause took place on June 1, 2013, in London.With help of the crowdfunding platform Catapult, visitors of the concert could choose between several projects promoting education of women and girls. Beyoncé also took part in "Miss a Meal", a food-donation campaign, and supported Goodwill Industries through online charity auctions at Charitybuzz that support job creation throughout Europe and the U.S.

During Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, Beyoncé launched BeyGOOD Houston to support those affected by the hurricane in Houston. The organization donated necessities such as cots, blankets, pillows, baby products, feminine products and wheelchairs, and funded long-term revitalization projects. On September 8, Beyoncé visited Houston, where she sponsored a lunch for 400 survivors at her local church, visited the George R Brown Convention Center to discuss with people displaced by the flooding about their needs, served meals to those who lost their homes, and made a significant donation to local causes. Beyoncé additionally donated $75,000 worth of new mattresses to survivors of the hurricane.Later that month, Beyoncé released a remix of J Balvin and Willy William's "Mi Gente", with all of her proceeds being donated to disaster relief charities in Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.S. and the Caribbean after hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and the Chiapas and Puebla earthquakes

Bhanupriya
(Wikipedia)
Bhanupriya

Bhanupriya in the film Donga Mogudu (1987)
Born
Mangabhanu
15 January 1967 

Years active 1983–present
Spouse(s)
Adarsh Kaushal
​​(m. 1998; div. 2005)​
Children 1
Relatives Shantipriya (sister)

Bhanupriya (born Mangabhanu; 15 January 1967) is an Indian actress, Kuchipudi dancer, and voice artist. In a career spanning 37 years, Bhanupriya has appeared in 155 feature films, predominantly in Telugu and Tamil languages, in a variety of roles. She has garnered three state Nandi Awards, three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South and two Cinema Express Awards.

Early life

Bhanupriya was born on 15 January 1967 in Rangampeta village near Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in a Telugu-speaking family, to Pandu Babu and Ragamali. She was named as Mangabhanu. Her family later moved to Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She has an elder brother Gopikrishanan and a younger sister Shantipriya, who has also been a film actress since the 1990s.

Career

She was one of the mainstream top actresses for more than a decade from 1983 to 1995. She made her acting debut with the Tamil film Mella Pesungal (1983). She then appeared in the Telugu hit Sitaara, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. She then played an ornithologist in the 1985 mystery film Anveshana. In 1986, she made her Hindi film debut with Dosti Dushmani.

In 1988, she appeared in Swarnakamalam, which was screened at the Indian panorama section of the 1988 International Film Festival of India[8] and the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Bhanupriya received the Indian Express Award for Best Actress, the Nandi Award for Best Actress, and the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu for her performance in the film. In 1989 and 1991, her performances in the Tamil hits Aararo Aariraro, and Azhagan brought her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prizes, respectively.

She received the JFW Divas of South India Award - for her contribution to South Indian cinema, the Gemini TV Puraskaram for lifetime achievement in television and various other honors..

Charmila

Charmila (born Lakshmi on October 2, 1974, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu) is an Indian actress best known for her prominent roles in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s and 1990s. With a career spanning over four decades, she has appeared in more than 38 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada industries, often portraying strong, relatable female characters. Hailing from a Tamil Catholic Christian family, Charmila's journey in the film world has been marked by early success, personal hardships, and recent revelations about industry exploitation amid the #MeToo movement in Mollywood. Despite fading from the spotlight post-2000s, she made sporadic comebacks and has been vocal in 2024-2025 interviews about her experiences.

Early Life and Entry into Films

Charmila grew up in Chennai in a conservative family. Her father, Manoharan, was a veterinary doctor who later worked at the State Bank of India, while her mother, Haise, was a homemaker. She has not publicly detailed siblings, but her upbringing was strict, with her parents viewing Malayalam cinema as "B-grade" and "ashleel" (vulgar) due to its perceived focus on adult themes, drugs, and exploitative content in the 1980s. In a September 2025 interview, Charmila revealed that her parents initially discouraged her from accepting Malayalam offers, warning her that "all the movies there are pornographic," but she persisted after encouragement from figures like Suchitra Mohanlal's father, Balaji.

She began acting as a child artist at age 7, debuting in the Tamil film Oyilattam (1981), followed by Kizhakke Varum Paattu (1982). Her transition to lead roles came in the late 1980s, but it was her Malayalam entry that skyrocketed her fame.

Film Career

Charmila's breakthrough came with the 1991 Malayalam film Dhanam, directed by Sibi Malayil, where she starred opposite Mohanlal as a resilient woman in a family drama. This role earned her widespread acclaim and established her as a leading actress in Mollywood. She went on to deliver memorable performances in over 30 Malayalam films, often in socially relevant stories, romantic comedies, and thrillers. Her on-screen chemistry with stars like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Suresh Gopi made her a household name.

Partial Filmography (Key Highlights):

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
1981OyilattamChild ArtistTamilDebut film
1991DhanamLeadMalayalamDebut in Malayalam; opposite Mohanlal
1991KeliLeadMalayalamDirected by Bharathan; critically acclaimed
1992Priyappetta KukkuLeadMalayalamMusical romance
1993KabooliwalaLeadMalayalamAdaptation of Tagore's story; family drama
1994RajadhaniLeadMalayalamThriller; one of her biggest hits
1995RajakeeyamGayathriMalayalamFamily drama
1996MusthaffaaLalithaMalayalamAction film
2012NaanSupportingTamilComeback role
2013Ivan VeramathiriMalini's MotherTamilSupporting
2019Patham Classile PranayamSupportingMalayalamRomantic drama
2020Point Range and Cochin Shadhi at Chennai 03SupportingMalayalamEnsemble comedy
2022Jayamma PanchayathiSravanthiTeluguRural drama
2024RK VellimeghamSupportingMalayalamRecent release

She also worked in Telugu (Nakili, 2012) and Kannada films, though Malayalam remained her primary base. Charmila received no major awards but was praised for her natural acting style. Post-1990s, she took a hiatus due to personal issues but returned in supporting roles in the 2010s and 2020s. As of 2025, she has expressed disinterest in full-time acting, citing the industry's toxic past.

Personal Life

Charmila's personal life has been tumultuous, often intersecting with her career. She has been open about failed relationships and mental health struggles. In her early 20s, she was romantically linked to actor Babu Antony, a relationship she attributed to her father's "rigid attitude" that strained family dynamics. She later described how "romance ruined my life," leading to emotional lows.

Charmila has been married twice, both ending in separation or divorce:

  • First Marriage (to Kishore Satya): A serial actor she met in the industry. They married in the mid-1990s but divorced after four years amid allegations of emotional and physical abuse. In a 2017 public spat, Charmila accused him of causing a miscarriage ("Kishore killed my child") and destroying her career, while he claimed she was unfaithful. She has spoken of multiple suicide attempts during this period.
  • Second Marriage (to Rajesh): Post-divorce, she married businessman Rajesh, with whom she has a son, Jude Adonis. They separated, but details remain private. In 2025 interviews, she reflected on "adjustment issues" and how her career suffered from these relationships.

Charmila has no confirmed current partner and focuses on co-parenting. She rubbished 2024 rumors of poverty and hospitalization, clarifying it was a minor injury from a bathroom fall treated at a government hospital.

Controversies and Allegations

Charmila has been candid about the dark side of Malayalam cinema, especially in the wake of the 2017 #MeToo wave and its 2024 resurgence. In August-September 2024, she leveled explosive allegations against 28 industry figures, including:

  • Director Hariharan: Accused of sexual demands and dropping her from a film after she refused. Actor Vishnu confirmed this in 2024, recounting Hariharan asking him, "Will she adjust?" during a script discussion.
  • A Prominent Producer and Associates: Claimed they attempted to rape her on a film set, involving drugs and coercion.
  • Broader Claims: She accused major actors, directors, and producers of harassment, assault, and a culture where "entertainment for them was drugs and ladies," explaining the era's B-grade film popularity. These revelations tied into the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) movement, amplifying survivor stories.

In 2017, her public feud with ex-husband Kishore Satya drew media attention, with mutual accusations aired on social media and interviews. Reddit discussions from 2023 highlight fan sympathy for her "abused" marriages and career setbacks. As of September 2025, her interviews continue to spark debates on X (formerly Twitter), with posts sharing clips of her discussing industry stigma and personal regrets.

Recent Activities (2024-2025)

  • Interviews and Revelations: In 2024-2025, Charmila has been active in media, appearing on shows like Aagayam Tamil and StarTalk. She discussed her hesitance as a newcomer, the industry's "karala adhayaaya" (dark chapter), and how she turned down roles post-trauma. A September 2025 Mathrubhumi interview went viral for her blunt take on 1980s Mollywood.
  • Health and Rumors: In late 2024, she addressed false claims of financial distress, emphasizing her self-reliance.
  • Social Media Buzz: Recent X posts (as of September 2025) feature her interview snippets in Tamil and Malayalam, with users praising her courage. No active personal X account found, but she's trending under #ActressCharmila.
  • Future Plans: At 51, she shows no interest in major comebacks but advocates for safer industry practices.
Charmila's story is one of resilience—from child star to survivor advocate. Her recent openness has reignited interest in her classic films like Kabooliwala and Rajadhani, available on streaming platforms.
Cherry Mardia
Wikipedia

Cherry Mardia
Cherry Mardia at Jigariyaa Trailer Launch
Born 7 May 1992
Nationality Indian
Occupation Model, Actress

Cherry Mardia (born 7 May 1992) is an Indian film and television actress. She is known for role in Jigariyaa, Kadaram Kondan and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. She also played a role in Voot originals the raikar case

Career

She made her acting debut in Bollywood in 2014 film Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty. She was the lead actress in the film Jigariyaa. The film was critically appreciated and her performance garnered much praise. In 2019, she starred in Kadaram Kondan, which marked her Tamil debut.

TV series
YearProgramRoleNotes
2018 Anjaan: Special Crimes Unit ACP Shivani Joglekar

Films
YearFilmRoleNotes2014 Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty Preeti Bakshi Virat Bakshi's younger sister
Jigariyaa Radha Lead role
2016 Robinhood Ke Pote Apoorva
2019 Kadaram Kondan Catherine Williams Tamil film

Chander Bari
Wikipedia
Chander Bari

Born 4 December 1973
DVD cover of the film
Directed by Tarun Majumdar
Story by Pracheta Gupta
Produced by Rosevally films
Country India
Language Bengali

Chander Bari is a 2007 Bengali film directed by Tarun Majumdar. The film centers on a middle class joint family. The film is based on a Bengali story written by Pracheta Gupta. Majumdar used some Rabindra Sangeets in this film.

Plot

The Sanyals are a large extended family composed of the nonagenarian grandfather, (Haradhan Banerjee), his son (Ranjit Mallick), daughter-in-law (Laboni Sarkar) who rules over the house like a female Hitler, reincarnated, and their children of whom two, a daughter (Koel Mallick) and son (Rishi Kaushik) live together in a beautiful mansion in Bhawanipur. There seems to be more servants in their house than family members, extending the virtues and parameters of the ideal ‘joint’ family. The film starts with everyone being excited about the return of the elder son (Babul Supriyo) from US, where he had gone for some business related work. However, all hell breaks loose, when he returns with a wife (Rituparna Sengupta) and her child from a former marriage in tow. Her first husband with underworld links was killed in police crossfire. Everyone accepts the new additions to the Sanyal family except the mother-in-law who refuses to even acknowledge her presence. The story revolves around how these two women build bridges to keep the joint family intact, with most of the credit going to the beautiful daughter-in-law.

Cast

Koel Mallick Nandita

Music

Some of the tracks used in this film were from Rabindra Sangeet.
"Bhenge Mor Ghar Er Chabi"
"Chand Er Hashir Bnadh Bhengechhe"
"Gun Gun Nhromora Boslo Eshe"
"Bandh Bhenge Dao"
"Debo Na, Debo Na Sara To Jotoi Dako" (Singer: Jojo, Sujay Bhowmick)

Chetana Das
Wikipedia
Chetana Das
Born 4 November 1954

Shillong, Meghalaya (then Assam), India
Nationality Indian
Alma mater Darrang College, Tezpur
Occupation Actor

Chetana Das (born in Shillong, Meghalaya, India) is an Indian actress from Assam. She is popular face in Assamese cinema for comic roles.

Early life

Das was born in Shillong. She completed her graduation from Darrang College, Tezpur in Assam. Her first drama was Jyoti Prasad Agarwala's Sunit Konwori, and also got the award of best actress in that drama from Tezpur Multipurpose Girls School.

Chithra (actress)
Chithra
Born 21 May 1965
Kochi, Kerala, India
Died 21 August 2021 (aged 56)
Other names Shruti Chithra
Nallennai Chithra

Occupation Actress
Years active 1981–2020
Spouse(s)
Vijayaraghavan
​(m. 1990⁠–⁠2021)​
Children 1

Chithra (21 May 1965 – 21 August 2021) was an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalam cinema. She had acted in more than 100 films. She acted along with Prem Nazir and Mohanlal in her first film Attakalasham in 1983. She was nicknamed "Nallennai Chithra" because of the fame she attained with the advertisement of an oil company she had acted in.

Personal life and death

She was born as second child among three children to Madhavan and Devi at Kochi in 1965. She has an elder sister Deepa and a younger sister, Divya. She studied at ICF Higher secondary school, Chennai. She studied till tenth grade and could not continue her studies since she became busy with movies by then.

She was married to Vijayaraghavan since 1990. They have a daughter, Mahalakshmi born in 1992. She retired from films after her marriage. She resided at Saligramam,Chennai with her family. She acted in Tamil serials. She died on 21 August 2021 in Chennai due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

Chriselle Almeida
Wikipedia

Chriselle Almeida
Born
1 December 1980, Mumbai, India
Occupation Actress

Chriselle Almeida is an Indian actress.

Education

Almeida received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Connecticut-Storrs and received a full scholarship towards her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from University of California, Los Angeles.

Career

Almeida's film career includes her starring role as Kiran, a Bollywood star who has an affair with a female journalist in When Kiran Met Karen, which caused some controversy in India. She also starred as India in the 2004 film The Franklin Abraham, directed by Jonah Freeman, and played Bindu Kapoor in the 2016 film Miss India America, directed by Ravi Kapoor. She has also been nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Idyllwild Film Festival for a short film.

In television, she appeared as Lakshmi, a prospective bride for Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory episode "The Transporter Malfunction". Other credits include Arrested Development, Cavemen, Grey's Anatomy, Melissa & Joey, Showtime's Shameless, and Gossip Girl, as well as Sex and the City 2, Body of Proof, and Loosely Exactly Nicole.

On stage, Almeida has performed with Rasa Theater, a professional South Asian company in New York City, including in the Eugene O'Neill play Abortion and the Sarovar Banka play The End of the Apurnas.

Charlize Theron
encyclopedia

Charlize Theron
Theron in 2018
Born 7 August 1975 
Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa
Citizenship

South Africa (1975–present)
United States (2007–present)
Occupation

Actress
producer
Years active 1995–present

Works Full list
Partner(s)

Stuart Townsend (2002–2009)
Sean Penn (2013–2015)
Children 2
Awards Full list

Charlize Theron (/ʃɑːrˈliːz ˈθɛrən/ shar-LEEZ THERR-ən; Afrikaans: [ʃarˈlis ˈtrɔn]; born 7 August 1975) is a South African and American actress and producer. One of the world's highest-paid actresses, Theron is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In 2016, Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Theron came to international prominence in the 1990s by playing the leading lady in the Hollywood films The Devil's Advocate (1997), Mighty Joe Young (1998), and The Cider House Rules (1999). She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003), for which she won the Silver Bear and Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first South African to win an Oscar in an acting category. She received another Academy Award nomination for playing a sexually abused woman seeking justice in the drama North Country (2005).

Theron has since starred in several commercially successful action films, including The Italian Job (2003), Hancock (2008), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Prometheus (2012), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), Atomic Blonde (2017), and The Old Guard (2020). She also received praise for playing troubled women in Jason Reitman's comedy-dramas Young Adult (2011) and Tully (2018), and for portraying Megyn Kelly in the biographical drama Bombshell (2019), receiving a third Academy Award nomination for the last.

Since the early 2000s, Theron has ventured into film production with her company Denver and Delilah Productions. She has produced numerous films, in many of which she had a starring role, including The Burning Plain (2008), Dark Places (2015), and Long Shot (2019). Theron became an American citizen in 2007, while retaining her South African citizenship. She has been honoured with a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life

Theron was born in Benoni, in Transvaal Province (Gauteng Province since 1994) of South Africa, the only child of road constructionists Gerda (born Maritz): 16-18  and Charles Theron (27 November 1947 – 21 June 1991).: 16-18, 34  Second Boer War military leader Danie Theron was her great-great-uncle.: 14  She is from an Afrikaner family, and her ancestry includes Dutch as well as French and German. Her French forebears were early Huguenots in South Africa.: 14  "Theron" is an Occitan surname (originally spelled Théron) 

She grew up on her parents' farm in Benoni, near Johannesburg. On 21 June 1991, Theron's father, an alcoholic,[8] threatened both teenaged Charlize and her mother while drunk, physically attacking her mother and firing a gun at both of them. Theron's mother retrieved her own handgun, shot back and killed him. The shooting was legally adjudged to have been self-defense, and her mother faced no charges.

Theron attended Putfontein Primary School (Laerskool Putfontein), a period during which she has said she was not "fitting in". She was frequently unwell with jaundice throughout childhood and the antibiotics she was administered made her upper incisor milk teeth rot (they had to be surgically removed) and teeth did not grow until she was roughly ten years old. At 13, Theron was sent to boarding school and began her studies at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. Although Theron is fluent in English, her first language is Afrikaans.

Career
1991–1996: Beginnings

Although seeing herself as a dancer, at age 16 Theron won a one-year modelling contract at a local competition in Salerno and moved with her mother to Milan, Italy. After Theron spent a year modelling throughout Europe, she and her mother moved to the US, both New York City and Miami. In New York, she attended the Joffrey Ballet School, where she trained as a ballet dancer until a knee injury closed this career path. As Theron recalled in 2008:


I went to New York for three days to model, and then I spent a winter in New York in a friend's windowless basement apartment. I was broke, I was taking class at the Joffrey Ballet, and my knees gave out. I realized I couldn't dance anymore, and I went into a major depression. My mom came over from South Africa and said, "Either you figure out what to do next or you come home, because you can sulk in South Africa".

In 1994, Theron flew to Los Angeles, on a one-way ticket her mother bought for her, intending to work in the film industry. During the initial months there, she lived in a motel with the $300 budget that her mother had given her; she continued receiving cheques from New York and lived "from paycheck to paycheck" to the point of stealing bread from a basket in a restaurant to survive. One day, she went to a Hollywood Boulevard bank to cash a few cheques, including one her mother had sent to help with the rent, but it was rejected because it was out-of-state and she was not an American citizen. Theron argued and pleaded with the bank teller until talent agent John Crosby, who was the next customer behind her, cashed it for her and gave her his business card.

Crosby introduced Theron to an acting school, and in 1995 she played her first non-speaking role in the horror film Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest. Her first speaking role was Helga Svelgen the hitwoman in 2 Days in the Valley (1996), but despite the movie's mixed reviews, attention drew to Theron due to her beauty and the scene where she fought Teri Hatcher's character. Theron feared being typecast as characters similar to Helga and recalled being asked to repeat her performance in the movie during auditions: "A lot of people were saying, 'You should just hit while the iron's hot'[...] But playing the same part over and over doesn't leave you with any longevity. And I knew it was going to be harder for me, because of what I look like, to branch out to different kinds of roles".

When auditioning for Showgirls, Theron was introduced to talent agent J. J. Harris by the co-casting director Johanna Ray. She recalled being surprised at how much faith Harris had in her potential and referred to Harris as her mentor. Harris would find scripts and movies for Theron in a variety of genres and encouraged her to become a producer. She would be Theron's agent for over 15 years until Harris's death.

1997–2002: Rise to fame

Larger roles in widely released Hollywood films followed, and her career expanded by the end of the 1990s. In the horror drama The Devil's Advocate (1997), which is credited to be her break-out film, Theron starred alongside Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino as the haunted wife of an unusually successful lawyer. She subsequently starred in the adventure film Mighty Joe Young (1998) as the friend and protector of a giant mountain gorilla, and in the drama The Cider House Rules (1999), as a woman who seeks an abortion in World War II-era Maine. While Mighty Joe Young flopped at the box office, The Devil's Advocate and The Cider House Rules were commercially successful. She was on the cover of the January 1999 issue of Vanity Fair as the "White Hot Venus". She also appeared on the cover of the May 1999 issue of Playboy magazine, in photos taken several years earlier when she was an unknown model; Theron unsuccessfully sued the magazine for publishing them without her consent.

By the early 2000s, Theron continued to steadily take on roles in films such as Reindeer Games (2000), The Yards (2000), The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000), Men of Honor (2000), Sweet November (2001), The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001), and Trapped (2002), all of which, despite achieving only limited commercial success, helped to establish her as an actress. On this period in her career, Theron remarked: "I kept finding myself in a place where directors would back me but studios didn't. [I began] a love affair with directors, the ones I really, truly admired. I found myself making really bad movies, too. Reindeer Games was not a good movie, but I did it because I loved [director] John Frankenheimer."

2003–2008: Worldwide recognition
Theron on the cover of Ms. magazine in 2005

Theron starred as a safe and vault "technician" in the 2003 heist film The Italian Job, an American homage/remake of the 1969 British film of the same name, directed by F. Gary Gray and opposite Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Jason Statham, Seth Green, and Donald Sutherland. The film was a box office success, grossing US$176 million worldwide.

In Monster (2003), Theron portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute who was executed in Florida in 2002 for killing six men (she was not tried for a seventh murder) in the late 1980s and early 1990s; film critic Roger Ebert felt that Theron gave "one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema". For her portrayal, she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 76th Academy Awards in February 2004, as well as the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Globe Award. She is the first South African to win an Oscar for Best Actress. The Oscar win pushed her to The Hollywood Reporter's 2006 list of highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, earning up to US$10 million for a film; she ranked seventh. AskMen also named her the number one most desirable woman of 2003.
Theron at the premiere of North Country at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival

For her role as Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland in the 2004 HBO film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Theron garnered Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award nominations. In 2005, she portrayed Rita, the mentally challenged love interest of Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), on the third season of Fox's television series Arrested Development, and starred in the financially unsuccessful science fiction thriller Aeon Flux; for her voice-over work in the Aeon Flux video game, she received a Spike Video Game Award for Best Performance by a Human Female.

In the critically acclaimed drama North Country (2005), Theron played a single mother and an iron mine worker experiencing sexual harassment. David Rooney of Variety wrote: "The film represents a confident next step for lead Charlize Theron. Though the challenges of following a career-redefining Oscar role have stymied actresses, Theron segues from Monster to a performance in many ways more accomplished [...] The strength of both the performance and character anchor the film firmly in the tradition of other dramas about working-class women leading the fight over industrial workplace issues, such as Norma Rae or Silkwood." Roger Ebert echoed the same sentiment, calling her "an actress who has the beauty of a fashion model but has found resources within herself for these powerful roles about unglamorous women in the world of men." For her performance, she received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress. Ms. magazine also honoured her for this performance with a feature article in its Fall 2005 issue. On 30 September 2005, Theron received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2007, Theron played a police detective in the critically acclaimed crime film In the Valley of Elah, and produced and starred as a reckless, slatternly mother in the little-seen drama film Sleepwalking, alongside Nick Stahl and AnnaSophia Robb. The Christian Science Monitor praised the latter film, commenting that "Despite its deficiencies, and the inadequate screen time allotted to Theron (who's quite good), Sleepwalking has a core of feeling". In 2008, Theron starred as a woman who faced a traumatic childhood in the drama The Burning Plain, directed by Guillermo Arriaga and opposite Jennifer Lawrence and Kim Basinger, and also played the ex-wife of an alcoholic superhero alongside Will Smith in the superhero film Hancock. The Burning Plain found a limited release in US theaters, but grossed $5,267,917 outside the US. Moreover Hancock made US$624.3 million worldwide. Also in 2008, Theron was named the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Woman of the Year, and was asked to be a UN Messenger of Peace by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. During this time she began appearing in J'adore Commercials.

2009–2011: Hiatus and return to actin

Her film releases in 2009 were the post-apocalyptic drama The Road, in which she briefly appears in flashbacks, and the animated film Astro Boy, providing her voice for a character. On 4 December 2009, Theron co-presented the draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, accompanied by several other celebrities of South African nationality or ancestry. During rehearsals she drew an Ireland ball instead of France as a joke at the expense of FIFA, referring to Thierry Henry's handball controversy in the play-off match between France and Ireland. The stunt alarmed FIFA enough for it to fear she might do it again in front of a live global audience.

Following a two-year hiatus from the big screen, Theron returned to the spotlight in 2011 with the black comedy Young Adult. Directed by Jason Reitman, the film earned critical acclaim, particularly for her performance as a depressed divorced, alcoholic 37-year-old ghostwriter. Richard Roeper awarded the film an A grade, stating "Charlize Theron delivers one of the most impressive performances of the year". She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and several other awards. Roger Ebert called her one of the best actors working today.

In 2019, Theron spoke about her method of working on roles. Creating a physical identity together with the emotional part of the character, she said, is "a great tool set that adds on to everything else you were already doing as an actor. It's a case-by-case thing, but there is, to me, this beautiful thing that happens when you can get both sides: the exterior and interior. It's a really powerful dynamic". When preparing for a role, "I almost treat it like studying. I will find space where I am alone, where I can be focused, where there's nobody in my house, and I can really just sit down and study and play and look at my face and hear my voice and walk around and be a fucking idiot and my dogs are the only ones who are seeing that".

2012–present: Return to prominence and critical acclaim
Theron at WonderCon in March 2012 promoting Prometheus

In 2012, Theron took on the role of villain in two big-budgeted films. She played Evil Queen Ravenna, Snow White's evil stepmother, in Snow White and the Huntsman, opposite Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, and appeared as a crew member with a hidden agenda in Ridley Scott's Prometheus. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle found Snow White and the Huntsman to be "[a] slow, boring film that has no charm and is highlighted only by a handful of special effects and Charlize Theron's truly evil queen", while The Hollywood Reporter writer Todd McCarthy, describing her role in Prometheus, asserted: "Theron is in ice goddess mode here, with the emphasis on ice [...] but perfect for the role all the same". Both films were major box office hits, grossing around US$400 million internationally each.

In 2013, Vulture/NYMag named her the 68th Most Valuable Star in Hollywood saying: "We're just happy that Theron can stay on the list in a year when she didn't come out with anything [...] any actress who's got that kind of skill, beauty, and ferocity ought to have a permanent place in Hollywood". On 10 May 2014, Theron hosted Saturday Night Live on NBC. In 2014, Theron took on the role of the wife of an infamous sheepherder in the western comedy film A Million Ways to Die in the West, directed by Seth MacFarlane, which was met with mediocre reviews and moderate box office returns.

In 2015, Theron played the sole survivor of the massacre of her family in the film adaptation of the Gillian Flynn novel Dark Places, directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner, in which she had a producer credit, and starred as Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), opposite Tom Hardy. Mad Max received widespread critical acclaim, with praise going towards Theron for the dominant nature taken by her character. The film made US$378.4 million worldwide.

Theron reprised her role as Queen Ravenna in the 2016 film The Huntsman: Winter's War, a sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman, which was a critical and commercial failure. In 2016, Theron also starred as a physician and activist working in West Africa in the little-seen romantic drama The Last Face, with Sean Penn, provided her voice for the 3D stop-motion fantasy film Kubo and the Two Strings, and produced the independent drama Brain on Fire. That year, Time named her in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

In 2017, Theron starred in The Fate of the Furious as the main antagonist of the entire franchise, and played a spy on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 in Atomic Blonde, an adaptation of the graphic novel The Coldest City, directed by David Leitch. With a worldwide gross of US$1.2 billion, The Fate of The Furious became Theron's most widely seen film, and Atomic Blonde was described by Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times as "a slick vehicle for the magnetic, badass charms of Charlize Theron, who is now officially an A-list action star on the strength of this film and Mad Max: Fury Road".

In the black comedy Tully (2018), directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, Theron played an overwhelmed mother of three. The film was acclaimed by critics, who concluded it "delves into the modern parenthood experience with an admirably deft blend of humor and raw honesty, brought to life by an outstanding performance by Charlize Theron". She also played the president of a pharmaceutical in the little-seen crime film Gringo and produced the biographical war drama film A Private War, both released in 2018.

In 2019, Theron produced and starred in the romantic comedy film Long Shot, opposite Seth Rogen and directed by Jonathan Levine, portraying a U.S. Secretary of State who reconnects with a journalist she used to babysit.[87] The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest in March 2019, and was released on 3 May 2019, to positive reviews from film critics. Theron next starred as Megyn Kelly in the drama Bombshell, which she also co-produced. Directed by Jay Roach, the film revolves around the sexual harassment allegations made against Fox News CEO Roger Ailes by former female employees. For her work in the film, Theron was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress,[92]Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. That year, Forbes ranked her as the ninth highest-paid actress in the world, with an annual income of $23 million.

Theron produced and starred in The Old Guard directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, opposite KiKi Layne for Netflix, which was released in July 2020. She next reprised her role as Cipher in F9, originally set for release on 22 May 2020, before its delay to June 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was announced in February 2021 that she will be playing Lady Lesso in upcoming film The School for Good and Evil (2022).

Other ventures
Activism
Theron at the 2013 Crystal Award Ceremony for Exploring Arts in Society

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) was created in 2007 by Theron, who the following year was named a UN Messenger of Peace, in an effort to support African youth in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The project is committed to supporting community-engaged organizations that address the key drivers of the disease. Although the geographic scope of CTAOP is Sub-Saharan Africa, the primary concentration has mostly been Charlize's home country of South Africa. By November 2017, CTAOP had raised more than $6.3 million to support African organizations working on the ground.

In 2008, Theron was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. In his citation, Ban Ki-Moon said of Theron "You have consistently dedicated yourself to improving the lives of women and children in South Africa, and to preventing and stopping violence against women and girls". She recorded a public service announcement in 2014 as part of their Stop Rape Now program.

In December 2009, CTAOP and TOMS Shoes partnered to create a limited edition unisex shoe. The shoe was made from vegan materials and inspired by the African baobab tree, the silhouette of which was embroidered on blue and orange canvas. Ten thousand pairs were given to destitute children, and a portion of the proceeds went to CTAOP.

In 2020, CTAOP partnered with Parfums Christian Dior to create Dior Stands With Women, an initiative that includes Cara Delevingne, Yalitza Aparicio, Leona Bloom, Paloma Elsesser, and others, to encourage women to be assertive by documenting their journey, challenges and accomplishments.

Theron is involved in women's rights organizations and has marched in pro-choice rallies.

Theron is a supporter of same-sex marriage and attended a march and rally to support that in Fresno, California, on 30 May 2009. She publicly stated that she refused to get married until same sex marriage became legal in the United States, saying: "I don't want to get married because right now the institution of marriage feels very one-sided, and I want to live in a country where we all have equal rights. I think it would be exactly the same if we were married, but for me to go through that kind of ceremony, because I have so many friends who are gays and lesbians who would so badly want to get married, that I wouldn't be able to sleep with myself". Theron further elaborated on her stance in a June 2011 interview on Piers Morgan Tonight. She stated: "I do have a problem with the fact that our government hasn't stepped up enough to make this federal, to make [gay marriage] legal. I think everybody has that right".

In March 2014, CTAOP was among the charities that benefited from the annual Fame and Philanthropy fundraising event on the night of the 86th Academy Awards. Theron was an honoured guest along with Halle Berry and keynote speaker James Cameron.

In 2015, Theron signed an open letter which One Campaign had been collecting signatures for; the letter was addressed to Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women as they serve as the head of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively, which will start to set the priorities in development funding before a main UN summit in September 2015 that will establish new development goals for the generation. In August 2018, she visited South Africa with Trevor Noah and made a donation to the South African charity Life Choices. In 2018, she gave a speech about AIDS prevention at the 22nd International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, organized by the International AIDS Society.

Endorsements

Having signed a deal with John Galliano in 2004, Theron replaced Estonian model Tiiu Kuik as the spokeswoman in the J'Adore advertisements by Christian Dior. In 2018, she appeared in a new advertisement for Dior J'adore. From October 2005 to December 2006, Theron earned US$3 million for the use of her image in a worldwide print media advertising campaign for Raymond Weil watches. In February 2006, she and her production company were sued by Weil for breach of contract. The lawsuit was settled on 4 November 2008. In 2018, Theron joined Brad Pitt, Daniel Wu and Adam Driver as brand ambassadors for Breitling, dubbed the Breitling Cinema Squad.

Personal life
Theron at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2007, Theron became a naturalised citizen of the United States, while retaining her South African citizenship. She lives in Los Angeles.

Theron has adopted two children: a daughter, Jackson in March 2012 and another daughter, August, in July 2015. She has been interested in adoption since childhood, when she became aware of orphanages and the overflowing numbers of children in them. In April 2019, Theron revealed that Jackson, then seven years old, is a transgender girl. She said of her daughters, "They were born who they are[,] and exactly where in the world both of them get to find themselves as they grow up, and who they want to be, is not for me to decide".

She is inspired by actresses Susan Sarandon and Sigourney Weaver. She has described her admiration for Tom Hanks as a "love affair" and watched many of his movies throughout her youth. Hollywood actors were never featured in magazines in South Africa so she never knew how famous she was until she moved to the United States, which has been inferred as a factor to her "down-to-earth" attitude to fame. After filming for That Thing You Do! finished, Theron got Hanks' autograph on her script. She later presented him his Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2020, in which Hanks revealed that he had a mutual admiration for Theron's career since the day he met her.

Theron said in 2018 that she went to therapy in her thirties because of anger, discovering that it was due to her frustration growing up during South Africa's apartheid, which ended when she was 15.

Relationships

Theron's first public relationship was with actor Craig Bierko, whom she dated from 1995 to 1997.

Theron was in a three-year relationship with singer Stephan Jenkins until October 2001. Some of Third Eye Blind's third album, Out of the Vein, explores the emotions Jenkins experienced as a result of their breakup.

Theron began a relationship with Irish actor Stuart Townsend in 2001 after meeting him on the set of Trapped. The couple lived together in Los Angeles and Ireland. The couple split up in late 2009.

In December 2013, Theron began dating American actor Sean Penn. The two were rumoured to be engaged in December 2014. The relationship ended in June 2015.

United Nations Messenger of Peace

Since 2008, Theron has been officially recognized as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

Health concerns

Theron often quips that she has more injuries on sets that are not action films; however, while filming Æon Flux in Berlin, Theron suffered a herniated disc in her neck, caused by a fall while filming a series of back handsprings. It required her to wear a neck brace for a month. Her thumb ligament tore during The Old Guard when her thumb caught in another actor's jacket during a fight scene, which required three operations and six months in a thumb brace. There were no major injuries during the filming of Atomic Blonde but she broke teeth from jaw clenching and had dental surgery to remove them: "I had the removal and I had to put a donor bone in there to heal until I came back, and then I had another surgery to put a metal screw in there."

Outside of action films, she had a herniated disk in her lower back as she filmed Tully and also suffered from a depression-like state, which she theorised was the result from the processed food she had to eat for her character's post-natal body. In July 2009, she was diagnosed with a serious stomach virus, thought to be contracted while overseas. While filming The Road, Theron injured her vocal cords during the labour screaming scenes. On her first modelling job in Morocco, the camel she sat on smacked its head into her jaw, causing two dislocations. When promoting Long Shot, she revealed that she laughed so hard at Borat that her neck locked for five days. Then she added that on the set of Long Shot she "ended up in the ER" after knocking her head against a bench behind her when she was putting on knee pads.

Chitrashi Rawat
Wikipedia
Chitrashi Rawat
Born 29 November 1989
Occupation

Hockey player
actress
Years active 2007-present


Chitrashi Rawat (born 29 November 1989) is a former Indian hockey player, film actress and television presenter. Her film career began in 2007, when she starred as Komal Chautala, a member of the Indian women's national hockey team, in the movie Chak De India.

Career

Rawat had been playing field hockey since childhood.

She was picked for the role of a hockey player in the movie Chak De! India by the producers after an audition in Jabalpur. The film turned out to be a blockbuster worldwide, and Rawat shot to fame. In 2008, she starred in her second venture, Fashion. The film was a success at the box office, and received critical acclaim. She had a main role in the 2009 action film Luck opposite superstars Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Shruti Hassan, Mithun Chakraborty, and Ravi Kissen. Luck also received critical acclaim, but did average business at the box office.

Her latest films include Yeh Dooriyan and the 2012 hit Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya.

Rawat is a former student of the Guru Nanak Academy. The daughter of T. S. Rawat, a resident of Raipur, Uttarakhand, Rawat regularly represents the Uttarakhand hockey team in the national championships. Currently, she is studying at St Andrew FYBMM pursuing her bachelor's degree in mass media. She has campaigned for Minute Maid pulpy orange, along with co-stars Vidya Malvade and Sagarika Ghatge.

She hails from Dehradun. She is also hosting Star Gold's Sabse Favourite Kaun. She was also a contestant in a Comedy Circus 2 of Optimystix. She acted in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion as Shomu and recently as "Shortkut" in the 2009 action thriller movie Luck. She subsequently participated in Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao, the Indian remake of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Dalljiet Kaur
Wikipedia
Dalljiet Kaur
Kaur in 2020
Born 15 November 1982 
Occupation Actress
Years active 2004–present
Spouse(s)
​​(m. 2009; separated 2015)​
Children 1

Dalljiet Kaur (born 15 November 1982) is an Indian television actress primarily known for her portrayals of Niyati in Kulvaddhu, Anjali in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon? and Manjiri in Kaala Teeka. She participated and became the winner of Nach Baliye with Shaleen Bhanot. In 2019, she participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 13.

Early life

Kaur was born on 15 November 1982 in Ludhiana. She comes from a family of army background. Her father is a retired Colonel and her two elder sisters are in the defence services, as Indian Army officers.

Personal life

Kaur met Shalin Bhanot while working together in Kulvaddhu,[6] whom she married on 9 December in the year 2009. They have a son. In 2015, the she filed for a divorce accusing Shaleen of domestic violence.

Career

In 2004, she won the title of Miss Pune, as well as being a finalist in a number of other pageants including, Miss Navy, Miss Mumbai and Miss Maharashtra Queen. She made her television début in the Zee TV drama, Manshaa, and this was followed by appearances in C.I.D., Aahat and Raat Hone Ko Hai. In 2005, she appeared in the show in a cameo role in Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai. Her first role as a protagonist in a drama was in Kulvaddhu as Niyati, a young girl from a royal Jodhpur family.

Following the abrupt ending of Kulvaddhu, Daljeet went on to play Shikha in Chhoona Hai Aasmaan. She also appeared in Star Plus show Santaan from 2007 to 2009.

In 2008, she participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye in the fourth season and became the winner with ex husband Shalin Bhanot. In 2011 she played Anjali in Star Plus' show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?. She later appeared in other shows like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (2012), Sasural Simar Ka & Rangrasiya (2013).

Kaur made her comeback to television with Colors TV's Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur where she played Janki. She later did an episodic appearance in Life OK's Savdhaan India. From 2015 to 2017, she played one of the leads in Zee TV's Kaala Teeka.

In 2017, she portrayed Aadishakti in Maa Shakti. In 2018, she played one of the supporting leads in Star Plus show Qayamat Ki Raat. She later appeared in Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka and Vikram Betaal Ki Rahasya Gatha

In 2019, she essayed the role of antagonist Antara Rawat on the show Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega which aired on Zee TV. In September 2019, Kaur was a celebrity contestant in the thirteenth season of the Indian version of the reality TV show Big Brother, Bigg Boss.

In 2021, Kaur appeared in the music video 'Befikar Raho' alongside Asim Riaz's brother Umar Riaz, which she produced as well. It released in May.

Devadarshini
Devadarshini
Born : 1 January 1975
Devadarshini Sukumaran

Other names Devadarshini Chetan
Occupation Actress
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s) Chetan

Devadarshini is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil- and Telugu-language films and television series. She began her career as a television anchor before venturing into acting, first in television and then in films. She mainly appears in supporting roles and often performs comic roles.She has performed in television serials including Marmadesam and Athipookal. She has also participated in Jodi Number One, a dance reality show with her husband Chetan.

Biography

Devadarshini was born in Chennai. She studied commerce in college and later gained a master's degree in Applied Psychology.

While still in college, she began anchoring television shows. She was then offered an opportunity to act in the Doordarshan serial Kanavugal Ilavasam, which led to her landing a role in the mystery series Marmadesam by Naga. She was introduced in Ramany Vs Ramany Part I – Episode 21, which was also directed by Naga. Devadarshini became part of the series' second installment, Vidathu Karuppu, which she considers a "big turning point" in her life as it established her in the industry.

She has also played several pivotal roles in cult serials like Annamalai, Kolangal, Athipookal, Poovilangu among many others.

She won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for Parthiban Kanavu (2003). She played the lead role in Sakthi Pirakuthu (2010), a film made by an NGO. After Muni 2: Kanchana (2011), she was continuously doing humorous characters.

Personal life

In 2002, Devadarshini married Chetan, a television actor. They first worked together on Marmadesam. Her daughter Niyati made her debut in 96 portraying the younger version of her mother's character.(Wikipedia)

Debattama Saha
(Wikipedia)


Debattama Saha
Born
20 March 1997, Silchar, Assam
Nationality Indian
Other names Mishti
Education Don Bosco High School, Silchar

Occupation
actress
model
singer
Years active 2016–present

Debattama Saha is an Indian actress in Bengali and Hindi television known for her roles in E Amar Guru Dakshina, Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein and Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani..

Early life

Debattama Saha is originally from Silchar, Assam. She completed her studies from Don Bosco High School, Silchar and graduated in English Honours from Amity University, Kolkata. She is also a trained dancer.

Career

Saha started her career in 2016 with Colors Bangla's E Amar Gurudakshina. She played role of Shoi/Uma/Nayantara opposite Suman Dey and Biswarup Bandhopadhyay.

In 2019, she made Hindi TV debut with Sony TV's Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein as a parallel lead role of Dr. Parineeti Ganguly opposite Mudit Nayar and Simran Pareenja. She both performed and helped choreograph the dance in the promotional video for the show.

Since December 2020, she has been playing the lead role of Anokhi Bhalla in the StarPlus television series Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani opposite Karanvir Sharma.

Filmography
Television

YearShowRoleNotesChannelLanguageProduction Company(s)
2016–2018 E Amar Gurudakshina Shoi/Uma/Nayantara[1] Lead role[4] Colors Bangla Bengali Subrata Roy Productions
2019–2020 Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein Dr. Parineeti "Pari" Ganguly Lead role[3] Sony Entertainment Television Hindi Qissago Telefilms LLP
2020–present Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani Anokhi Bhalla[8] Lead role[9] Star Plus Hindi DJ's Creative Unit

Deeba
(Wikipedia)


Deeba
Born
Raheela
1 August 1947 

Occupation Film actress
Years active 1959–present
Spouse(s) Naeem Rizvi
Children Madiha Rizvi (daughter)
Awards Nigar Awards:
Special Award for Sajna Door Diya (1970) (a Punjabi film)

Deeba (Urdu: دِیبا‎), is a Pakistani film actress. She was one of the leading film actresses during the 1960s and 1970s, well-known for her romantic and tragic roles in Urdu and Punjabi films.

Early life and career

Raheela was born at Ranchi, Bihar, British India on 1 August 1947. In the 1950s, she was living with her married sister near Karachi Cantt. Station (a railway station) in a slum area of Karachi. She started her career as a child actress in the film Faisla (1959) and was nicknamed "Chutanki" as she was still a little girl.

She got a breakthrough in Charagh Jalta Raha (1962 film), a Fazal Karim Fazli film. Her performances in several films, such as Milan (1964), Khamosh Raho (1964), Aina (1966), Payal ki jhankar (1966), Doraha, Sangdil (1968), Dard (1969), Sajna Door Diya (1970), Neend hamarey khuwab tumharey (1971), Ansoo (1971), Pardes (1972), and Seeta Maryam Margaret (1978) have won critical acclaim. She played many supporting characters, including on-screen mother in several films throughout most of the 1980s and 1990s.

She received a Nigar Best Actress award for the Punjabi film Sajna door diya in 1970. Her smiling face and innocent look have given rise to the description "Pakistani Mona Lisa".

Deeba married camera man Naeem Rizvi in 1971 and left silver-screen for 10 years. However, financial hardships made her join the Pakistani film industry again in 1987 as a supporting actress.

She acted in several television plays in early 2000s.

List of television projects
Mother of Desert (TV Film) – Indus TV
Moorat (TV Serial) – ARY TV
Manzil (TV Serial) – ARY TV
Riyasat (TV Serial) – ARY TV
Sarkar Sahab (TV Serial) – ARY TV

Selected filmography
TitleReleased
Roti 1988
Sarmaya 1990

Awards and recognition

Nigar Award (Special Award for Deeba) in 1970 for Sajna Door Diya (1970 film)

Disha Parmar
(Wikipedia)
Disha Parmar
Disha at Star Parivaar Awards 2015
Born
Disha parmar
11 November 1994

Delhi, India
Nationality Indian
Years active 2012 - Present

Disha Parmar is an Indian actress and model. She is best known for her lead role as Pankhuri in Star Plus' Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara..

Early life

Parmar completed her schooling from Sadhu Vaswani International School Delhi. During her higher secondary education, she used to participate in dance competitions, plays and fashion shows.

Career

For a year, she worked in a Delhi-based company 'Elite Model Management India Pvt. Ltd' and organised the auditions for Rajshri Productions. She enrolled for the auditions and was selected for the lead role of Pankhuri in Pyaar Ka Dard Hai. She was 17 when she was selected for the role.

Parmar appeared in several print and commercial ads in Delhi.[3] She left her studies in midway as she was named as the lead for the show Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara as Pankhuri. She has received praise for her pairing with co-star Nakuul Mehta She continued with working in the commercials along with the serial.

In 2017 she played the lead role of Jhanvi/Jia in Zee Tv's daily soap Woh Apna Sa. She also participated in Box Cricket League in 2014.

Television

YearTitleRole
2012–2014 Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara Pankhudi Gupta/Ayesha Khan
2014–2015 Box Cricket League 1 Contestant
2015 Bigg Boss 9 Guest
2016 I Don't Watch TV Herself
2017–2018 Woh Apna Sa Jhanvi Agarwal/Jia Mehra

Music videos

YearSongArtistsSingersLyricsMusicDirectorCompany2019 Yaad Teri Disha Parmar & Rahul Vaidya Rahul Vaidya Kumaar Rahul Vaidya & Sheryas Purunik Sidhaant Sachdev


Awards

YearAwardCategoryRoleShowResult2013 Indian Telly Awards Fresh New Face (Female) Pankhuri Gupta Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara Won
BIG Star Entertainment Awards Entertainer of the Year (Female) Won
2014 Indian Telly Awards Best jodi Pankhuri- aaditya kumar Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara Won

(shared with Nakuul Mehta)
2017 Zee Rishtey Awards Favourite Naya Sadasya (Female) Jhanvi Agarwal Woh Apna Sa Won

Disco Shanti
(Wikipedia)


Disco Shanti
Born
Santha Kumari
28 August 1965 

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1983 – 1997
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1996; died 2013)​ 
Children 3
Parent(s)
Lakshmi
Relatives Lalitha Kumari (sister)

Santha Kumari (born 28 August 1965), famously known as Disco Shanti, is an Indian film actress who was particularly famous in South India for her appearances in item numbers.

She has appeared in more than 900 films in different languages of India, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and Odia.

Personal life

Disco Shanti is the daughter of Tamil actor C. L. Anandan, who starred in many films, such as Vijayapuri Veeran and Kaattumallika. She has a younger sister, actress Lalitha Kumari. She married Telugu actor Sri Hari in 1996 and stopped working in movies. The couple had two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Akshara died when she was just four months old. The family started the Akshara Foundation in her memory, which aims to supply villages with fluoride-free water and students with school supplies. They also adopted four villages in Medchal. Sri Hari, who had been suffering from a liver ailment for some time, complained of giddiness during the shooting of R... Rajkumar, being directed by Prabhu Deva. He was rushed to a hospital where he died later.

Divya Bharati
Born : February 25, 1974 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India


Died : April 5, 1993 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India (accidental fall from building)

Birth Name : Divya Om Parkash Bharti

Nickname : Sana

Height : 5' 4" (1.63 m)

Divya was born on February 25, 1974 to Meeta and Om Prakash Bharti.

Opting for acting, she quit college, & landed a role in 'Bobbili Raja' (Telegu) in 1990 at just 16 years of age. This movie became a hit, and was dubbed into Hindi and released as 'Raampur Ka Raja'.

Divya made her debut in Bollywood in 1992 'Dil Hi To Hai', then in a musical romance 'Dil Ka Kya Kasoor', but it was the multi-starer 'Vishwatma' that really got her noticed. Thereafter she acted in 13 more movies amidst speculations that she would be the next Sridevi.


Her personal life was not as well chartered as her tinsel one, for she fell in love with Sajid Nadiadwala, married him secretly as her parents strongly disapproved, changed her religion from Hindu to Islam, and her name to Sana.


Her life tragically came to an end on April 5, 1993 when she fell from the balcony of her 5th floor flat in Yari Road, Versova.


Two of her movies 'Rang' and 'Shatranj' were released after her passing, and were dedicated to her memory. Her film-maker husband has also dedicated several of his films to her name.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: rAjOo

Divya Bharti, (born Divya Om Prakash Bharti, February 25, 1974 - April 5, 1993) was a popular Indian film actress in the early 1990s. Divya Bharti was born to parents Meeta and Om Prakash. She left studies to start acting at the age of 16. She made her debut at the age of 16 in a Telugu film called Bobbili Raja (1990) which starred Venkatesh. This movie was dubbed in Hindi as Rampur Ka Raja. Then she starred in Dharma Kshetram, Tholi Madhu and Rowdy Alludu which were also Telugu films and featured superstars Chiranjeevi and Prashanth respectively. She made her Hindi film debut in the 1992 film Vishwatma. The film did not do well at the box office but showcased Divya's talents as an actress. She was most notable for the song used in the film Saat Samundar which was a hit. 1992 saw more of her Hindi films being released including Dil Hi To Hai, Deewana, Shola Aur Shabnam, Dil Aashna Hai, Kshatriya, Jaan Se Pyaara, and Geet. Some of these films were hits and some flopped but her fanbase grew and she was the leading actress of 1992 having received the Filmfare Lux New Face Award that same year. She secretly married Bollywood film producer Sajid Nadiadwala in May 1992 but kept the marriage a secret due to family problems because of her being a Hindu and him being a Muslim and also to safeguard her promising movie career. After marriage she converted into Islam with her new name being Sana Nadiadwala. On April 5, 1993, she fell to her death off an apartment building in Mumbai tragically ending a potentially successful career. The circumstances behind her death were considered suspicious by the media; however, despite an investigation, police found nothing. To this day her death remains a mystery. Some sources believe she was pushed, others say she accidentally fell off and some say she was drunk and this caused her to fall. Her two final films Rang and Shatranj were released after her death and dedicated to her memory. Her husband Sajid Nadiadwala continues to dedicate all his produced films in her memory to this day.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: gavin (gunmasterM@hotmail.com)

Spouse : Sajid Nadiadwala

(20 May 1992 - 5 April 1993) ( her death)

Trivia

She died falling from a building while she was drunk. However, the papers say it was a murder.

Was married to Sajid Nadiadwala in secret, due to family problems.

At the time of her death she was meant to do films including. Mohra, Laadla and Vijaypath. Months after her death, two of her completed films Rang and Shatranj were released and dedicated to her memory.

Cousin of actress Kainaat Arora ( Grand Masti).


The film Om Shanti Om was loosely based on her.

She had changed her screen name to "Radha" when she signed the film "Radha Ka Sangam" at the age of 16.

Starred in the shelved film "Yatra" (1993). Starring Sunny Deol, Divya Bharti.The film was almost complete. It was shelved after her death.

Starred in the shelved film "Parinaam" Starring Akshay Kumar,Divya Bharti. The film was announced and shelved due to Divya's death.

Was engaged to Vicky Nihalani.

Was close friends with Fardeen Khan in 1990.

Divya was in the only ninth grade when film makers and producers approached her and she was offered with films. One of the reason was many were convinced that she resembled Sridevi, the most successful actress of that time. In the beginning her parents denied as Divya was still too young and she too didn't seem interested. It was until Nandu Tolani who offered her with the Gunahon Ka Devta,(he wanted to replace Mandakini) when Divya admitted she would do it and her family too finally gave with the approval. Finally, it was the late 1988 and Divya was only 14 then, when she gave up the school and initiated her career in the film industries.Meanwhile, Divya came to know through her that Dalip Shankar was lookiing for a new girl to cast opposite to Aamir Khan in 'Aatank Hi Aatank' and 'Rudra Avtaar'. With the permission from her parents, Divya signed both the films. During those time, Kirti Kumar, the film maker and producer and the brother of Govinda made notice about Divya at the video library. He followed Divya to her residence and then he called up the director Nandu Tolani and asked about Divya, who used to reside in the next building.

Has a half sister named Poonam from her father's first marriage.

Personal Quotes

Asked what next for her: "I'm waiting for life to take its course. I won't wait until I'm kicked out. When it's time for marriage, I'll walk away gracefully." (Asiaweek, January 6, 1993; page 41)

Deepti Sati
Wikipedia
Deepti Sati
Deepti Sati in 2019
Born
Deepti Sati
29 January 1995

Nationality Indian
Occupation

Years active 2015–present

Deepti Sati is an Indian actress and model who predominantly appears in Malayalam films. She has also appeared in Marathi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu films. She was crowned Miss Kerala in 2012.

Early life

Deepti Sati was born in Mumbai. Her father, Divyesh Sati, hails from Nainital, Uttarakhand while her mother Madhuri Sati, is a native of Kochi, Kerala. Deepti Sati did her schooling from Canossa Convent High School, Mumbai and pursued her Bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.

Career

Deepti Sati started her modelling career with a pageant called Pantaloon Fresh Face Hunt. Deepti Sati won the Impresario Miss Kerala 2012 title. She was one among the top ten finalists of Femina Miss India 2014 and was also awarded the titles Miss. Talented 2014 & Miss. Iron Maiden 2014. She also won the title Navy Queen 2013 and was the first runner up in the pageant Indian Princess 2013. Deepti Sati is a trained dancer in the Indian classical dance form called Kathak as well as Bharatanatyam and has undergone training since she was three years old.

Deepti Sati made her acting debut alongside Vijay Babu and Ann Augustine in the 2015 Malayalam movie Nee-Na, directed by Lal Jose, in which she played the title character as a creative director of an ad company. She impressed the audience with her powerful tomboyish character.

Deedi Damodaran
Wikipedia

Deedi Damodaran
Born 4 August 1969

Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Occupation Screenwriter

Deedi Damodaran is an Indian screenwriter who works in Malayalam cinema. Gulmohar (2008) is her first film in Malayalam directed by Jayaraj, starring Ranjith, Siddique, Augustine, and Neenu Mathew. She is the daughter of the veteran screen writer of Malayalam cinema T.Damodaran. She is one of the founding members of Women in Cinema Collective, the organization for the welfare of women workers of Malayalam movie industry.

Filmography

1. Gulmohar (2008 )
2. Makal in Kerala kafe ( 2009 )
3.Nayika ( 2011 )

Durga Krishna
(Wikipedia)


Durga Krishna
Born 25 October 1996
Nationality Indian
Occupation

Years active 2017–present
Spouse(s)
Arjun Raveendran
​(m. 2021)​

Durga Krishna (born 25 October 1996) is an Indian actress and classical dancer who works primarily in Malayalam films.

Career

Krishna made her debut in 2017 as Janaki in Pradeep M. Nair's Vimaanam. Her other major roles include Anjaly Junior in Kuttymama (2019) and Sherin in Confessions of a Cuckoo (2021).

Personal life

She is from Kozhikode in Kerala, India. On April 5, 2021, Krishna married Arjun Ravindran, her producer and co-star from the film Confessions of a Cuckoo.

Dulari
Remembering Hindi cinema’s yesteryear actress Dulari 



Dulari (real name Ambika Gautam) (18 April 1928–18 January 2013) was a film actress, who worked as character actor in Hindi cinema, appearing in 135 films, most notably Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Teesri Kasam (1967), Deewar (1975).

Forced to look for work after her father’s illness,Dulari made her film debut with Hamari Baat (1943), produced by Bombay Talkies, and went to appear as a character actor in over 135 films in the following six decades. Her last screen appearance was in Ziddi (1997) directed by Guddu Dhanoa.

She married sound recordist J. B. Jagtap in 1952, and took a break from acting for nine years.
She died in an old age home in Pune, Maharashtra at the age of 86. She had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and was bedridden for over two years. Through the last years of her life Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) had started providing her financial assistance after veteran actress Waheeda Rehman brought up her case.

Dulari born as Ambika Gautam, was an Indian film actress, who worked as character actor in Hindi cinema, appearing in 135 films, most notably Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Teesri Kasam (1967), Padosan (1968) and Deewaar (1975).
Early life 
Dulari was born on 18 April 1928 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Her real name was Ambika Gautam. She was a Kanyakubja Brahmin from the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh. She was nick-named Rajdulari and later on only Dulari remained by which she was known.
Career 
Forced to look for work after her father's illness, Dulari made her film debut with Hamari Baat (1943), produced by Bombay Talkies, and went to appear as a character actor in over 135 films in the following six decades. Her last screen appearance was in Ziddi (1997) directed by Guddu Dhanoa.
Her most memorable role was in Jeevan Jyoti (1953). Her other important roles were in Pati Seva, Rangeen Kahani (1945) and some Gujarati films, Chundi ane Chokha (1957), Mangal Bhera (1948).
Her other films are Karyavar (Gujarati), Aankh ka Taara, Akhri Daku, Darinda, Ahuti, Naastik, Dillagi and Darwaza.
Personal life 
She married sound recordist J. B. Jagtap in 1952, and took a break from acting for nine years.
Death 
She died in an old age home in Pune, Maharashtra at the age of 84. She had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and was bedridden for over two years. Through the last years of her life Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) had started providing her financial assistance after veteran actress Waheeda Rehman brought up her case. She was survived by her daughter Charulata Jagtap and grandsons who have settled in Australia.

Diya (actress)


(Wikipedia)
Diya
Born 7 June 1980

Occupation Film actress
Years active 2003–2007

Diya is an Indian film actress who appeared in Tamil language films. She appeared in notable productions including Dreams alongside Dhanush.

Career

The actress was married in 2006 and subsequently opted out of the several projects she had committed to, including Seven, Sooravali and Century Raagam and thus ended her acting career. She married software engineer Aravind.

Durga Khote


The ‘mother’ of Hindi & Marathi cinema who broke social taboos
Durga Khote made a name for herself as a lead actor before Independence & as a ‘mother’ after it. She also acted as Lady Macbeth and started her own ad agency.


Durga Khote | Twitter | @FilmHistoryPics

New Delhi: “I have a wish, that everybody — young and old, women and men, girls and boys — give dignity to labour. Irrespective of what the job is. Even if one is sweeping the floor, do it so well that people ask who cleaned the floor,” said Durga Khote in an interview just a year short of her death in 1990.

In a red sari, with short hair and dentures sticking out, Khote, at the age of 85, was regarded as a pioneering actor in Hindi and Marathi cinema. In 2000, she was named by India Today in its millennium issue as one of the ‘100 People Who Shaped India’. She was known as someone who marked a defining phase in Indian cinema as she entered the film industry to support her children after the passing of her husband, breaking the notion that people from respectable families don’t work in the show business.

On her 29th death anniversary, ThePrint rewinds to the life and times of the pre-independence era actor who became known for playing mother to the stars.

How Vita Laud became Durga Khote

Durga Khote was born as Vita Laud to an elite Maharashtrian family in the Bombay Presidency on 14 January 1905. Because she came from a well-established family, she was allowed to complete her education. She went to Cathedral High School and then to St Xaviers College to do her Bachelor in Arts. It was at that time that her marriage was arranged with mechanical engineer Vishwanath Khote from Banaras Hindu University.

They had two sons, but shortly after, her husband died. Widowed at the age of 26, she did not want to be dependent on her in-laws (whom she lived with). So, to provide for her family, she started working in films. The first opportunity came when her sister Shalini, who was a friend of producer J.B.H. Wadia, convinced her to appear in his silent film Farebi Jaal (1931). The movie did poorly and she received much backlash. A large part of it was also because the public could not reconcile to the idea of woman whose family was the crème de la crème of society acting in movies.

The mother and more

Khote got her her big break when well-known director V. Shantaram spotted her and cast her in his bilingual movie Ayodhya Ka Raja in 1932. Khote managed to impress audiences and from there on, she didn’t look back.

Talking about the man who gave her big break, she said: “Shantaram Sir taught me everything.”

She acted in movies such as Sairandhri (1933), Amar Jyoti (1936), Mahatma Vidur (1943) and Veer Kunal (1945). However it was in Mughal-E-Azam (1960), in the role of Jodhabai, that she finally entered a bigger league.

In an interview with actor Tabassum, when asked why she was typecast as the mother even early on in her career, Khote replied in an absolutely ungrudging manner that it was mainly because of her height and perceived personality that she was seen as a mother, especially in mythological movies and period dramas.

One of the most notable roles she played as a mother was in the movie Karz. Director Subhash Ghai said in an interview that Karz was a story where the role of a mother was very important.

“I needed someone to play the role who would look like a queen but would also have to work like a servant. She needed to look majestic and dignified and still like a queen, while doing the work of a maid-servant,” he said. “Durgaji knew how to carry herself and was extremely hardworking.”

Beyond Bollywood

Apart from movies, Khote was also a member of the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA), where she worked alongside luminaries like Balraj Sahni, Prithviraj Kapoor and K.A. Abbas. She acted in the Marathi version of Macbeth, called Rajmukut, in which she played the role of Lady Macbeth.

Shashi Kapoor once said of her: “The most noteworthy thing about her was her professionalism and her desire to always be working on something which interested and moreover something which, according to her, was worthwhile. She never worked only for money.”

Refusing to be restricted to only films and theatre, she also set up one of the first ad agencies in the country, Durga Khote Productions, in the early 1940s. The company produced the Doordarshan soap, Wagle ki Duniya.

She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1968 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1984.

Durga Khote passed away on 22 September 1991, at the age of 86. The year before, she said in an interview: “I have a great desire to work and do something, I have a mission. I just don’t have the power or strength anymore though.”


Dheepa Ramanujam
(Wikipedia)


Dheepa Ramanujam
Born
Dheepa
31 August 1966 
Nationality Indian
Occupation
Actress
Playwright
Director
Spouse(s) Ramanujam

Dheepa Ramanujam is an entrepreneur and Indian film actress who appears in Tamil films. Dheepa Ramanujam forayed into acting with K. Balachander's television serial Premi, while made her acting debut with a small role in the Rajinikanth-starrer Arunachalam (1997). She is popularly known for directing Chillu, a science fiction stage play produced by Sri Thenandal Films in collaboration with Shraddha and Krea, a US–based theatre group.'She's also well known for her role as Bhuvaneshwari in the film Pichaikkaran directed by Sasi.

Since 2020 Dheepa has also become an entrepreneur and started her own line of denim jeans for Indian women under the brand name of Lotusline.

Devadarshini
(Wikipedia)


Devadarshini
Born
Devadarshini Sukumaran

Other names Devadarshini Chetan
Occupation Actress
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s) Chetan

Devadarshini is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil- and Telugu-language films and television series. She began her career as a television anchor before venturing into acting, first in television and then in films. She mainly appears in supporting roles and often performs comic roles. She has performed in television serials including Marmadesam and Athipookal. She has also participated in Jodi Number One, a dance reality show with her husband Chetan.

Biography

Devadarshini was born in Chennai to a Tamil-speaking family. She studied commerce in college and later gained a master's degree in Applied Psychology.

While still in college, she began anchoring television shows. She was then offered an opportunity to act in the Doordarshan serial Kanavugal Ilavasam, which led to her landing a role in the mystery series Marmadesam by Naga. She was introduced in Ramany Vs Ramany Part I – Episode 21, which was also directed by Naga. Devadarshini became part of the series' second installment, Vidathu Karuppu, which she considers a "big turning point" in her life as it established her in the industry.

She has also played several pivotal roles in cult serials like Annamalai, Kolangal, Athipookal, Poovilangu among many others.

She won her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for Parthiban Kanavu (2003). She played the lead role in Sakthi Pirakuthu (2010), a film made by an NGO. After Muni 2: Kanchana (2011), she was continuously doing humorous characters.

Personal life

In 2002, Devadarshini married Chetan, a television actor. They first worked together on Marmadesam. Her daughter Niyati made her debut in 96 portraying the younger version of her mother's character.

Awards and nominations

YearAward


Deepshikha Nagpal
(Wikipedia)
Deepshikha Nagpal
Deepshikha in 2020
Born
Deepshikha
20 August 1969

India
Occupation

Actress
film director
film writer
Years active 1994–present
Spouse(s)

​
​(m. 1997; div. 2007)​
Keshav Arora
​
​(m. 2012; div. 2016)​
Children 2

Deepshikha Nagpal (born 20 August 1969),[citation needed] simply known as Deepshikha, is an Indian actress and film director. She received acclaim in the Hindi film industry only after the release of Koyla. She was also seen in the Bollywood movie Dhoom Dhadaka with Satish Kaushik. She has also acted in Tamil films and a number of TV soaps. Her debut film as a director, Yeh Dooriyan, was released in August 2011.[1] She was a contestant on Bigg Boss 8 in 2014.

Personal life

Deepshika married Jeet Upendra and has two children, but after 10 years they divorced. In January 2012, she married Indore-based Keshav Arora, who had been her co-actor in her directorial debut Yeh Dooriyan.

She appeared on Season 8 of the Colors reality show Big Boss, and was evicted on the 21st day.


Dubbing Janaki
(Wikipedia)


Dubbing Janaki / Janaki R. Dasari
Born 28 August 1949 

Occupation actress
Years active 1958–present
Known for Sagara Sangamam
Spouse(s) Ramakrishnan
(m.1964; died on 1997)
Children 3

Dubbing Janaki is an Indian film and television actress. She acted in South Indian languages. She appeared in character roles during the 1980s. She was also a famous dubbing artist. She also appeared in television shows.

Early life

Janaki was born in Peddapuram, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. She started acting in stage shows from the age of 9. She studied up to 7th standard.

She married Ramakrishnan, a military employee, at the age of 15 in 1964 and relocated to Chennai. The couple have two sons and a daughter. Her husband died in 1997. She is currently living with her children family in Chennai.

Career

She started appearing in films since 1958. Her first film was Bhookailas produced by AVM. She dubbed for the role of Kasturba in the Telugu film Gandhi. She played an important character in the film Sankarabharanam (1980) in which she played a maid. After that, she started getting similar roles. She is also remembered for her mother roles in films Sagara Sangamam (1983) and Swati Kiranam.


Dhanya Mary Varghese

Dhanya Mary Varghese is an Indian actress, model, dancer, and television personality predominantly known for her work in Malayalam cinema and television. Born into a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, she began her career as a background dancer before transitioning to lead roles in films and serials. Her career spans over two decades, marked by a mix of film appearances, reality TV stints, and anchoring. However, she took a hiatus after marriage in 2012, resuming selectively from 2017 onward. Dhanya has been involved in notable controversies, including a high-profile real estate fraud case, which continues to impact her public image. As of 2025, she remains active in television and occasional films, with recent legal developments drawing media attention.

Early Life and Education

Dhanya Mary Varghese was born on September 17, 1985 (some sources cite September 22, 1989, but the majority confirm 1985), in Edayar, Koothattukulam near Muvattupuzha, Kerala, India. She hails from a Nasrani Syrian Christian family. Her father, Varghese, and mother, Sheeba, provided a supportive upbringing. She has a younger brother, Dixon Paul Varghese, who works as a Station Master in the Southern Railway.

Dhanya completed her schooling across several institutions: Little Flower Girls High School in Vadakara, St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School in Piravom, and M.K.M. Higher Secondary School in Piravom. She pursued higher education at the prestigious St. Teresa's College in Kochi, earning both her bachelor's and post-graduation degrees. An alumnus of the renowned performing arts institution Ranjini Kalabhavan (often referred to simply as Kalabhavan) in Kochi, her training there honed her dancing and acting skills, laying the foundation for her entertainment career.

Family and Personal Life

Dhanya's personal life has been closely tied to her professional trajectory. On November 14, 2011, she got engaged to John Jacob, a winner of the Kairali TV reality show Tharolsavam. The couple married on January 9, 2012, at Mateer Memorial Church in Thiruvananthapuram. Following her marriage, Dhanya chose to retire from the film industry to focus on family life. They welcomed a son, Johan Jacob, on July 13, 2013.

Dhanya is known for her grounded personality, non-vegetarian diet, and interest in cooking. She does not consume alcohol or smoke and often shares glimpses of her family life on social media. Her Instagram handle is @dhanya.mary.varghese, where she posts about personal milestones, including birthday celebrations for herself and her son.

Career

Dhanya's entry into the industry was humble, starting as a junior artist and dancer. She debuted as a background dancer in the song "Thottuvilichalo" from the Malayalam film Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam (2003). Her acting breakthrough came with the Tamil film Thirudi (2006), where she played the lead role of Thamarai. She transitioned to Malayalam cinema with Nanma (2007) and gained prominence with Thalappavu (2008), portraying Saramma opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Her film career peaked in the late 2000s and early 2010s with roles in Vairam: Fight for Justice (2009), Kerala Cafe (2009 anthology), and Nayakan (2010). She also modeled for brands like Chavara Matrimony, Chungath Prince Jewellery, Asian Paints, East Tea, and Manorama, appearing in commercials and musical albums.

Post-marriage retirement in 2012, Dhanya shifted to television, anchoring shows like Dhannya Me Vishu, Vanitha, Kali Gandaki, Food Steps, and Comedy Stars. She served as a guest judge on Idea Star Singer (Asianet, 2010) and hosted the Vanitha Asianet-Film Awards 2009. In 2017, she resumed films with Honey Bee 2: Celebrations.

On reality TV, she won Bhayam (Zee Keralam, 2021–2022), an adventure show, and participated in Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 4 (2022), finishing as fourth runner-up and earning an "Award for Punctuality." Her TV serials include Seetha Kalyanam (as Seetha, earning her widespread popularity), Deivathinte Swantham Devootty, and Mazhavil Manorama (for which she won a Best Actress award in 2012).

As of 2025, Dhanya continues selective projects, balancing acting with family. She has appeared in over 20 films, mostly in Malayalam, with occasional Tamil and Telugu ventures.

Filmography

Dhanya's film roles often feature strong, relatable female characters. Here's a selected list of her notable films:

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes
2003Swapnam Kondu ThulabharamGroup DancerMalayalamDebut as junior artist
2006ThirudiThamarai (Lead)TamilActing debut
2007NanmaLeadMalayalamMalayalam debut
2008ThalappavuSaramma (Lead)MalayalamBreakthrough role
2009Vairam: Fight for JusticeVairamani Sivarajan (Lead)MalayalamCritically acclaimed
2009Kerala CafeHiranmayiMalayalamAnthology segment: "Lalitham Hiranmayam"
2010NayakanMariya Vincent Karanavar (Lead)MalayalamDirected by Lijo Jose Pellissery
2010Red ChilliesSupportingMalayalamAction thriller
2017Honey Bee 2: CelebrationsSupportingMalayalamComeback post-hiatus
2021KaanekkaaneZarineMalayalamOTT release on SonyLIV
2024SivapuramSupportingMalayalamRecent release
2024Three Char Sau BeesSupportingHindi/MalayalamMulti-language

(Full filmography exceeds 20 entries; she has minor roles in Telugu films like Ninnu Kori (2017).)

Television and Reality Shows

  • Serials: Seetha Kalyanam (Asianet, as Seetha – iconic role), Deivathinte Swantham Devootty, Mazhavil Manorama.
  • Reality/Shows: Bhayam (Winner, 2021–22), Bigg Boss Malayalam S4 (4th Runner-up, 2022), Idea Star Singer (Guest Judge, 2010).

Awards and Achievements

  • Kerala Film Critics TV Awards (2012): Best Actress for Mazhavil Manorama.
  • Asianet Television Awards (2019): Best Star Pair (with Anoop Krishnan) for Seetha Kalyanam.
  • Bigg Boss Malayalam S4 (2022): Award for Punctuality.

Her work has been praised for bringing authenticity to middle-class Kerala narratives, especially in TV.

Controversies

Dhanya's career has been overshadowed by legal issues since 2016. She, her husband John Jacob (director of Samson and Sons Builders and Developers Pvt. Ltd.), and brother-in-law Samuel Jacob were arrested in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, for a real estate fraud scam. The company allegedly defrauded over 500 investors of approximately ₹100–130 crore by collecting advances for 500 unbuilt flats and 20 villas in Kochi projects promised since 2011. Dhanya served as the company's marketing director and was implicated for her stake in properties.

She was imprisoned briefly in Thiruvananthapuram's Women's Prison. Legal proceedings continue, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provisionally attaching 13 properties (12 land parcels and one flat in Pattimukku and Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram) worth ₹1.56 crore in November 2024 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Dhanya has denied direct involvement, claiming false accusations and threatening legal action against media for misinformation. The case remains ongoing, with the chairman Jacob Samson arrested in 2016.

No other major controversies are reported, though her Bigg Boss stint sparked debates on her on-screen persona versus real-life challenges.

Recent Updates (as of September 2025)

  • Legal Developments: The ED's November 2024 asset attachment has reignited media coverage, with Dhanya maintaining her innocence.
  • Birthday Tributes: On September 17, 2025, fans celebrated her 40th birthday, praising her resilience amid challenges, especially as the beloved "Seetha" from Seetha Kalyanam.
  • Professional: No new film announcements post-2024 releases like Sivapuram, but she remains active on social media, sharing family moments. Speculation about TV comebacks persists, though legal matters take precedence.

Dhanya Mary Varghese embodies Kerala's vibrant entertainment scene—talented yet resilient in the face of adversity. For the latest, follow her on Instagram or check official sources. If you'd like details on a specific film or aspect, let me know!

Divyaa Unni
(Wikipedia)
Divyaa Unni
Unni
Born 2 September 1981 
Occupation Actress, Indian classical dance performer and teacher
Years active 1987-present
Spouse(s)
Sudhir Sekharan Menon
​​(m. 2002; div. 2017)​
Arun Kumar
​(m. 2018)​
Relatives

Vidhya Unni (sister)
Meera Nandan (cousin)
Remya Nambeesan (cousin)


Divyaa Unni is an Indian film actress and classical dancer who teaches various forms of dance such as Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniyattom.

Early life

Divyaa Unni was born to Ponnethmadhatil Unnikrishnan and Kizhkemadhatil Uma Devi at Kochi, Kerala, India. Her mother Uma Devi, is a Sanskrit teacher and is the Head of Sanskrit Department; at Bhavans Vidya Mandir, Girinagar & was awarded the National Award for Teachers (India), in the year 2013 by the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee. She has a sister, Vidhya Unni, who has worked as a lead in couple of Malayalam movies. Divyaa completed her schooling in Bhavan's Vidya Mandir, Girinagar.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communicative English from St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam. Divyaa is related (cousin) to Malayalam actress Meera Nandan and Remya Nambeesan.

Post her wedding, she quit cinema and got settled in the US. Divya Unni tied the knot with Arun Kumar in 2018, an engineer from the USA. The couple was blessed with a baby girl on January 14, 2020. The actress has two kids in her first marriage as well.

Film career

Divyaa has acted as a lead in over 50 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

As a child, Divyaa got her first break in the film Neeyethra Dhanya (1987) when she was a student in second grade. It was followed by Pookkalam Varavayi (1991) directed by Kamal and O' Faby (1993). She also did a TV serial Iniyonnu Vishramikkatte directed by Vinayan.

Divyaa's first feature film as a lead actress was Kalyana Sowgandhikam (1996) with actors like Dileep and Kalabhavan Mani in the lead roles - one she did when she was fourteen; studying in the tenth grade. Subsequently, she worked with the actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dileep and directors Bharathan; I V Sasi; Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas.

Dance career

Divyaa started her Bharatanatyam dance training at the age of three, thereafter she was trained in Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam. Subsequently, Divyaa Unni was crowned, in 1990 and 1991, ''Kalathilakom'' in Kerala School Kalolsavam statewide competitions. On India's premier Television Channel Doordarshan, she has presented a variety of Indian dance art-forms to such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, and Indian folk dance. She continues to perform at various Indian dance festivals in India and international stages throughout North America, Europe and Persian Gulf countries.

She has received many awards including the Aravindaksha Memorial Award – the Abhinaya Tilaka Puraskaram for the best state dance performance.

In the pursuit of promoting Indian culture in the West, Divyaa is developing the artistic talents of young children in the United States, where she currently resides. With this goal, she is currently the Director of Sreepadam School of Arts in Houston, Texas, United States.

Deepti Nambiar


Deepti Nambiar is an Indian actress and model known for her work in South Indian cinema, particularly in Tamil and Malayalam films. She made her debut in the Tamil film Engeyum Eppodhum (2011), directed by M. Saravanan.

She has since appeared in various films and gained recognition for her performances. Apart from acting, she has also been involved in modeling and has appeared in advertisements. Though not as widely known as some mainstream actresses, she has built a career with selective roles in regional cinema.


Eden Kuriakose
(Wikipedia)


Eden Kuriakosse

Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2013–present

Born : 23 February 1991

Eden Kuriakosse is an Indian film actress and model who appears in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films.

Personal life

Eden was trained as a theater actress. She later pursued modelling and has won Miss Kerala, Miss Coimbatore titles and Miss South India finalist.

Career

Eden Kuriakosse made her acting debut in 2013 with the Tamil film Aandava Perumal, and got her breakthrough with the 2014 Tamil supernatural romantic comedy Irukku Aana Illai.Also was the lead in 'panivizhum nilavu' Her next film was a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual titled Thiraikku varaatha kathai in Tamil and Girls in Malayalam. The film directed by Thulasidas featured only female artists and is the first all-women film in Indian cinema. She has seen in guest role in Ean Da Thalayil Ennavaikale". She has been signed to play the female lead in the upcoming Tamil film titled Narai, Manjal Vanam and Thittamittapadi.

E. V. Saroja
(Wikipedia)


E. V. Saroja (1935 - 2006) was a Tamil and Telugu actress and dancer. She was born on 3 November 1935 as Engan V. Saroja. She belonged to Engan village of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu.[citation needed]

Her debut film was En Thangai in 1952 starring M. G. Ramachandran. She played the role of a blind girl.

She acted in about 70 films with other top-ranking stars of Tamil and Telugu film industry like Gemini Ganesan and Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Her mother tongue is Tamil.[citation needed]

Personal life

Her brother is E. V. Rajan, with whom she established E.V.R. Pictures.[citation needed] They produced a few films like Koduthuvaithaval (starring MGR as hero) and Thanga Surangam (Sivaji Ganesan as hero).

Death

She died of heart failure in Chennai on Friday 3 November 2006.

Ester Noronha
( Wikipedia)


Ester Noronha
Born

Ester Valerie Noronha
12 September, 1992

Nationality Indian
Occupation
Film actress
Singer
Classical Dancer
Live Show Performer
Years active 2012–present
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 2019; div. 2020)​

Ester Noronha is an Indian actress and playback singer best known for her work in South Indian films. Her acting credits feature films in Telugu, Kannada, Konkani, Tamil, Hindi and Marathi film industries. Notable among her filmography are Bhimavaram Bullodu (2014), Garam (2016), Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum (2016) and Nagrik (2016).

Other significant film credits include the Konkani movies Nasibacho Khel (2016) and Sophiya (2017), the latter of which features her as a playback singer besides being an actress. She is associated with the 2017 Telugu movie Juliet Lover of Idiot and the multilingual film Shakeela (2020).

Career

Noronha debuted in Bollywood film Baromas under her Guru Saroj Khan's choreography. She was then cast by film director Teja in his Telugu movie 1000 Abaddalu in 2013, and Noronha was immediately signed by the prestigious Suresh Productions for their Golden Jubilee project Bhimavaram Bullodu, opposite Hero Sunil.

Noronha debuted in Sandalwood (Kannada) with the movie Usirigintha Neene Hattira, produced by E. K. Entertainers.

Yet, she appeared in the title song of the Telugu movie Garam, alongside hero Aadi, and in the Tamil movie Meen Kuzhambum Mann Paanaiyum (English: Fish Curry And The Clay Pot) starring Kalidas Jayaram in the lead.

In 2017, Noronha starred in Boyapati Srinu's multi-starrer Jaya Janaki Nayaka (Telugu), Nayanam (Telugu), Nuggkai (Kannada), Director Mahesh Babu's Athiratha (Kannada).

Personal life

Noronha is a Roman Catholic and traces her roots to the aristocratic family of the Noronha's of portugal. Her paternal ancestors are said to be Portuguese/Goans who settled in Verna - Goa and eventually moved to Udupi - Karnataka. While her mother is a Mangalorean.

Noronha married Indian singer and rapper Noel Sean in January 2019. They separated in February 2019 due to irreconcilable differences and filed for divorce in June 2019. The couple was granted the divorce in the Court of Law as well the Court of Church (Annulment) in August 2020.

Discography

She sang in a Konkani movie Nachom-ia Kumpasar (Let's dance to the rhythm) for the song Meu Amor. At the 62nd National Film Awards, the film won two awards and a special mention. The film won the award for the best feature film in Konkani.

Noronha sang for the Konkani film Sophiya – A Dream Girl in which she acted too which was produced by her mother Janet Noronha.

Ena Saha

Wikipedia

Ena Saha
Born 28 May 1992 
Nationality Indian
Occupation
Actress
model
producer
Years active 2011–present

Ena Saha (born 28 May 1992), is an Indian film and television actress who predominantly appears in Bengali films and television shows.

Career

She has appeared in a number of Bengali TV serials, including Raat Bhor Bristi, Bou Katha Kau and Bandhan.

She has appeared in several commercial and art-house Bengali films and a Malayalam film. Her first film is the Bengali film Ami Aadu, directed by Somnath Gupta. In the film 1:30 am she played the role of Nishi. The film was well received by critics in several film festivals. In 2013, she appeared in the Malayalam film Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, where she played the character Gauri.

She is now a Producer along with her mom Banani Saha under the banner of 'Jarek Entertainments'.

Faryal
Wikipedia


Faryal
Born
Faryal Manmohan
3 November, 1945

Occupation actress, dancer
Years active 1965–present

Faryal was born on Nov 3, 1945 in Syria. She is an Indian film actress and dancer of mixed Indian and Arabic descent working in Hindi films. She was a popular Bollywood cabaret dancer and actress in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Early life and background

Faryal was born in the Damascus area of Syria to an Indian father and a Syrian mother. She completed her education at Loretto Convent, Simla, Cathedral High School and St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Faryal worked for a while as an air hostess in Air India before joining films. She is a product of the FilmaIaya School of Acting.

Career

Faryal entered Bollywood in 1965 in the black-and-white film Zindagi Aur Maut, in lead role opposite Pradeep Kumar. This film contained famous song "Dil Laga kar hum ye samjhe" sung solo by Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor; both these songs are available on YouTube. Faryal was liked by people and resulted in her getting the lead role in the film Biradari opposite Shashi Kapoor. The movie was a total flop. She was noted for her role as a cabaret dancer in the movie Jewel Thief, released in 1967. After the movie's release, offers started pouring in. In an interview in 1973, Faryal stated that "Ever since Goldie cast me in that glamorous dancer's role in Jewel Thief, film makers have looked upon me as an "excellent cabaret dancer". "Whereas in reality I have never learnt dancing,". "I don't even like dancing; I rather hate it". She was also noticed for her roles in the Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz starrer Sachcha Jhootha and the Dharmendra-Waheeda Rehman starrer Man Ki Aankhen. At first afraid of being typecast, Faryal was reluctant to accept the numerous offers that she received soon after the release of Jewel Thief. But gradually she realized that if she refused the roles there were ten others ready to replace her. "And now the bath tub scene in Apradh released in 1972 had given me an even worse image", she quipped. Faryal retired from movies in 1984 after her performance as the girlfriend of Jeetendra in Gold Medal.

Personal life

Faryal married her long-time boyfriend after quitting movies, and she is currently living in Israel.

Freida Pinto

Professional Background

  • Overview: Freida Selena Pinto, born on October 18, 1984, in Mumbai, is an internationally recognized Indian actress and model. She gained global fame for her role as Latika in Slumdog Millionaire (2008), which won eight Academy Awards and earned her a Screen Actors Guild Award. Her other notable films include Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Trishna (2011), Desert Dancer (2014), Love Sonia (2018), and Mr. Malcolm’s List (2022).
  • Early Career: Before acting, Pinto modeled and hosted the travel show Full Circle (2006–2008) on Zee International Asia Pacific. She has since worked in Hollywood and independent cinema, often portraying complex, empowered women.
  • Advocacy: Pinto is a vocal advocate for gender equality, serving as a Global Ambassador for Plan International’s “Because I am a Girl” campaign since 2012. She is also a producer, focusing on socially impactful projects.
  • Personal Life: She married photographer Cory Tran in 2020, and they have a son, born in 2021.

Caste/Community Background

  • Community: Freida Pinto belongs to the Mangalorean Catholic community, a Konkani-speaking Christian group from Mangalore, Karnataka, with Portuguese ancestry due to conversions during Portuguese colonial rule (16th–17th centuries). Her surname, “Pinto,” is of Portuguese origin, meaning “painted” or “mottled,” common among Goan and Mangalorean Catholics.
  • Caste Context: As a Christian, Pinto does not formally belong to the Hindu caste system. However, Mangalorean Catholics, like Goan Catholics, sometimes trace their pre-conversion roots to Hindu upper-caste groups, such as Brahmins or Bunts, who converted to Christianity centuries ago. This is a historical legacy, not a current caste affiliation, and no specific pre-conversion caste is documented for Pinto’s family.
  • Cultural Identity: Pinto identifies as a Mangalorean Catholic, and her upbringing in Mumbai’s middle-class Catholic community is often noted in interviews. Her global career and marriage to a non-Indian further distance her from traditional Indian caste discussions.
  • Public Disclosure: Pinto has not addressed caste in public, focusing instead on her cultural roots and professional work. Her identity is tied to her Mangalorean Christian heritage rather than any Hindu caste framework.

Additional Details

  • Mangalorean Catholic Context: This community is known for its distinct culture, blending Indian traditions with Catholic practices. They maintain strong community ties, often through church activities and cultural events, but do not engage with Hindu caste structures in modern times.
  • Global Perspective: Pinto’s international career and residence in the U.S. make caste irrelevant to her public persona, which emphasizes her Indian and Christian identity.

Broader Context: Caste in the Indian Entertainment Industry

  • Caste and Privacy: In Indian cinema, especially Bollywood and South Indian industries, caste is rarely discussed publicly unless actors choose to address it (e.g., for social activism). Many actors, particularly those from urban or cosmopolitan backgrounds like Jyothika and Freida Pinto, do not disclose caste, as it’s less relevant to their professional or personal identities.
  • Diversity in Cinema: The film industry attracts talent from diverse communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others, often transcending caste barriers. However, historical analyses suggest upper-caste groups (e.g., Brahmins, Khatris) have been overrepresented in leading roles, while marginalized castes are gaining visibility through activism and representation (e.g., Dalit filmmakers or actors like Pa. Ranjith).
  • Challenges in Researching Caste: For older or less-documented actors like Arun Mathur, information is sparse, and caste details are often absent. Even for prominent figures like Jyothika and Freida Pinto, caste is secondary to their regional or religious identities unless explicitly stated.
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Asking about caste can be sensitive in India, as it ties to social hierarchies and historical inequalities. Public figures may avoid such discussions to maintain broad appeal or privacy.

Sources and Methodology

  • Sources: Information was drawn from IMDb, NETTV4U, BookMyShow, BollywoodMDB, Wikipedia, and news articles (e.g., Times of India, The Hindu) for professional details. For caste/community, I relied on available biographical data and cultural context, avoiding speculation where evidence was lacking.
  • Search Limitations: No primary sources (e.g., interviews or autobiographies) explicitly mention caste for these actors. Web searches and X posts were checked for real-time data, but no relevant user-generated content provided additional clarity.
  • Accuracy Note: Caste details are based on available evidence and cultural context. Where no specific caste is confirmed, I’ve noted the broader community or religious identity to respect the actors’ privacy and avoid assumptions.

If You Meant Something Else

If “tell all about” refers to a different actor, topic (e.g., caste system in general, another aspect of these actors’ lives), or a specific detail not covered, please provide more details. For example:

  • Are you seeking information about another actor’s caste?
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Gail Nicole Da Silva
Gail Nicole Da Silva
Born
Gail Nicole Da Silva
6 February 1993 

Alma mater Dempo College of Commerce and Economics
Occupation Model
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title

1st Runner Up Miss United Continents 2014
Femina Miss India Goa 2013
Years active 2013-present
Hair color Brown
Eye color Brown
Major
competition(s)

Miss United Continents 2014
(1st Runner Up)
(Miss Photogenic)
(Best in National Costume*)
(*designed by Melvyn Noronha)
(Femina Miss India United Continent 2014)
(Miss Timeless Beauty)
(Top 10 Finalist)
Femina Miss India Goa 2013
(Winner)

Gail Nicole Da Silva (born 6 February 1993) is an Indian model and beauty queen from Goa who won was crowned Femina Miss India United Continent 2014 and placed as 1st Runner Up at the Miss United Continents 2014 pageant. She also won two special awards there including Best National Costume and Miss Photogenic at Miss United Continent 2014. Her national costume was designed by internationally acclaimed fashion designer and beauty pageant mentor Melvyn Noronha, who was also her mentor. 

Early life and education

Gail was born into a Goan Catholic family. She went to St. Pius X Convent High School.She graduated from Dempo college of commerce and economics, Panaji, Goa. 

fbb Femina Miss India 2014

She was crowned as the Femina Miss United Continent 2014. Gail was also crowned Femina Miss Timeless Beauty. She was mentored by international beauty pageant mentor Melvyn Noronha.

Miss United Continent 2014

She represented India at Miss United Continents 2014 and was crowned 1st Runner Up there. She won two special awards at the pageant including Miss Photogenic and Best in National Costume. Her national costume was designed by internationally acclaimed fashion designer and beauty pageant mentor Melvyn Noronha.

Pond's Femina Miss India 2013

She was one of the top 10 finalists of Femina Miss India 2013, however she did not win the crown. She later trained with internationally acclaimed fashion designer and beauty pageant mentor Melvyn Noronha and won at Femina Miss India 2014.

Pond’s Femina Miss India Goa 2013

She was crowned Femina Miss India Goa 2013. She also won Pond's Femina Miss Glowing Skin title at the pageant.

Girija Lokesh
(Wikipedia)



Girija Lokesh
Born
Girija
January 10, 1951 
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, film producer
Years active 1973–present
Spouse(s) Lokesh (1975–2004)
Children Pooja Lokesh

Girija Lokesh is an Indian theatre and film actress and occasional film producer who works in Kannada cinema. She is the widow of actor Lokesh, and is the mother of former actress Pooja Lokesh, and actor and television presenter Srujan Lokesh. In recognition of her contribution towards Kannada cinema, she was honoured with Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka in 2013.

Gauri Pradhan

Gauri Pradhan Tejwani is a former model turned Indian television actress best known for playing the roles of Gauri Pratham Mittal in Kutumb, Nandini Karan Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Falguni Harshad Parekh in Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi and Anita Sharma in Tu Aashiqui.

Early life and education

Tejwani was born in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Her father Major Subhash Vasudeo Pradhan is a retired Indian Army Officer and her mother Asha is a homemaker. Pradhan is the second of three siblings; her elder brother Bharat, is a petrochemical engineer, while her younger sister Geetanjali, is a M.D. Pradhan is the only one in her family to have pursued modelling and acting as a career.

Her childhood was spent travelling throughout the country owing to the nature of her father's job. As a result, she studied in different schools, one of them was the Carmel Convent School in Udhampur. After her father's retirement, the family settled in Pune (Maharashtra), where she attended Sir Parshurambhau College for a course in BSc (Electronics). Later she enrolled for a course in psychology from an institute affiliated with London University.
Personal life


Gauri with husband Hiten Tejwani at an event



Gauri with daughter Katya at the launch of Disney Princess Academy

Gauri met her future husband Hiten Tejwani in Hyderabad while shooting for a commercial for Breeze soap. Later on, they met on the sets of tele-series Kutumb and were coincidentally cast as the lead pair. The onscreen chemistry led to brewing of romance between them and they started dating. While playing the characters of star crossed lovers Karan and Nandini in another daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, they decided to get married.

After two years of courtship, they got married as per Maharashtrian customs at a private ceremony in the Sun-n-Sand Hotel in Pune on 29 April 2004, with about 40-50 guests in attendance. Soon after they went to Ko Samui in Thailand for honeymoon. Their reception was held at Juhu's Army Club on 9 May 2004, with over 400 guests.

On 11 November 2009, they became parents when Pradhan gave birth to twins, a son and a daughter, at the Lilavati Hospital, Bandra, Mumbai.
Career

Pradhan's modelling stint commenced at age 18, primarily in Pune. In 1998, while still in her second year of a B.Sc. course she moved to Mumbai to take part in Femina Miss India. She along with Smriti Irani are those contestants who reached great stardom on TV. Dipannita Sharma was also a contestants and made it to top 5. She did a lot of ramp shows and has done television commercials for many well known companies such as Sprite, Bru, Dabur, Pond's, Santoor, Colgate, Philips, Breeze, etc.

Pradhan made her acting debut with the historical tele-series Noorjahan which was telecasted in Doordarshan in 1999. She never thought of becoming an actor, but when Cinevistaas offered her the lead role in Noor Jahan, she decided to give it a shot.

She also appeared in three music videos (which were Talat Aziz's Khubsoorat, Hans Raj Hans's Jhanjar and Sonu Nigam's Yaad) during the year 2000 to 2001.

In October 2001, Pradhan rose to fame with tele-series Kutumb on Sony TV where she played the lead role of Gauri Agarwal Mittal. The show ended in 2002, but the channel & production house brought the second season of the show, Kutumb, with the same leads. Soon after in 2003, she did an episodic role as Shweta in Krishna Arjun on Star Plus, and she then appeared in another family drama named Naam Gum Jayegaa on Sony TV as the female lead Priyanka Singh. In 2003, she also appeared as Mayuri / Gauri in one of the episodes of the horror tele-series Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat. In 2002, she participated in one of the episodes of the singing reality show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum on Star Plus along with other television actors.

After a string of cameos and a short series, Pradhan was approached in 2004 to play the supporting lead as Nandini Thakkar in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi on Star Plus. The role brought her numerous awards. In the same year, she appeared in Isse Kehte Hai Golmaal Ghar that aired on Sahara One channel as the main lead opposite Manav Gohil. The series premiered on 30 October 2004, and aired every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. IST.

In March 2005, she entered the show Special Squad on Star One as the Forensic Expert and Special Squad head Dr. Deepika Ghosh. Pradhan has also made special appearances in other Indian series like Rihaee and Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin on Sony TV.

In 2006, she participated in reality shows such as Nach Baliye 2 (a celebrity couple dance reality show) and Jodee Kamaal Ki (a celebrity couple game show) on Star One along with her husband Hiten Tejwani, and played the part of Kanan in the romantic drama-series Kaisa Ye Pyar Hai.

In May 2008, she entered the youth oriented show Left Right Left (that aired on SAB TV) as Captain Shona Das, an army consultant. In that vary year, she along with her husband Hiten Tejwani appeared as contestant in two reality shows; Kabhi Kabhii Pyaar Kabhi Kabhii Yaar and Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?. In 2008, Pradhan and her husband also hosted some of the episodes of celebrity couple dance reality show Nach Baliye 4 on Star Plus.

In 2009, Pradhan did a long cameo in Star Plus's afternoon long running hit show Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan as Aditi along with her husband.

After having twins, Pradhan took a five-year break from television and decided not to work till her children turned four. During her break, she pursued her passion for porcelain painting. She learned about this form of painting under Sangita Shetty Chowhan. Gauri is also one of the partners of the company called Colours On Fire, owned by Chowhan.

In 2010, Pradhan along with her husband opened a restro-bar named Barcode 053 (a franchise of Crepe Station Café) at Andheri in Mumbai.

In the same year she also appeared in one of the episodes of the female celebrity game show Meethi Choori No 1 which aired on NDTV Imagine.

In 2014, after a long hiatus of five years, she made her comeback on television with Ekta Kapoor's show, Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi (which is aired on Colors TV) as Falguni Harshad Parekh.

In 2017 to 2018, she played the role of Anita Sharma in the Colors TV's show Tu Aashiqui.

Geetu Mohandas
Wikipedia
Geetu Mohandas
Geetu Mohandas
Born
Gayatri Das
8 June 1981

Nationality Indian
Other names Geetu
Occupation Actress, Film director
Years active 1986 – present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2009)​
Children Aradhana
Awards India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film category for the 87th Academy Awards for Liar's Dice & Global film maker award at Sundance Film Festival for Liar's Dice in 2016

Gayatri Das (born 8 June 1981) known professionally as Geetu Mohandas is an Indian actress and director known for her works in Malayalam cinema and Bollywood. In 2013, she directed the socio political film Liar's Dice which has received two National Film Awards, was premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and was chosen by the Government of India as India's entry for the U.S. 87th Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, but was not shortlisted or nominated.

As an actress

Geetu's birth name is Gayatri Das. Affectionately called Geetu by her family, the name was adopted as her screen name when she starred in her fourth movie Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare in 1986 with Mohanlal in the lead role. Geetu was five years old then and captured the hearts of Malayalam filmgoers as a fatherless child who discovers a father in an anonymous telephone caller. She acted in the top grosser En Bommukutty Ammavukku as the title role, which was the Tamil remake of Fazil's Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (Malayalam) done by Baby Shalini in the title role. Geetu's first movie as an adult was Life is Beautiful starring Mohanlal in the lead. She went on to act in Thenkasi Pattanam, Valkannadi, Nammal Thammil and several other Malayalam movies. The high point of her career was Akale directed by Shyamaprasad, and produced by Tom George Kolath which won her the Kerala State Award for Best Actress in 2004. Geetu also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam, for her role as Rose, in Akale.

As director
Geetu at the presentation of the film, ‘Kelkunnundo’ during the 40th International Film Festival (IFFI-2009), at Panaji, Goa on 28 November 2009.

Geetu Mohandas formed her film production house - Unplugged in 2009 which produced her directorial debut short fiction film titled Kelkkunnundo Are you listening. The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and subsequently won 3 International awards for Best Short fiction as well as the National Film Award in India. The film has been included as a chapter in the 12th standard Kerala state syllabus since 2014. Her first feature film Liar's Dice (film) received the Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development and the film was selected in Competition for the world dramatic competition at Sundance Film Festival in 2014.[8] Liar's Dice (film) went on to win six major international awards across the world and two National awards in India. It was also India's official entry for the Best Foreign Film category for the 87th Academy Awards. Her second feature film, Moothon was mentored by the Sundance film lab and Geetu also won the Global filmmaker award at Sundance Film Festival in 2016. Moothon had its World premiere at Toronto International film festival in 2019 and was the opening film at MAMI 2019.

Personal life

She was born as Gayatri Das to Mohandas and Latha on 8 June 1981 at Kochi. She studied in India, Malaysia and Canada. She has a brother, Dr. Arjun Das, a nephrologist, living in the US.

On 14 November 2009, she married cinematographer Rajeev Ravi. The wedding took place in Kochi, Kerala, India. The couple has a daughter, Aradhana.

Awards and honours

2009 International Film Festival of India IFFI Golden Lamp Tree Award for Best Film and Director Director Kelkkunnundo Film Chamber of Commerce
2017 International Film Festival of India Global filmmaking award for story in Sundance Film Festival 2016 Director Moothon
2010 Mumbai International Film Festival Jury Award Director Kelkkunnundo

Moothon participated festivals
Toronto International film festival - world premiere 
Mumbai International film festival- Opening film
International film festival of Kerala
The Valladolid International Film Festival, Spain
Palm Springs International film festival
Goteborg International film festival, Sweden
13th Annual Honolulu Film Festival, Hawaii
Le Festival du film d’Asie du Sud (FFAST) Paris
Opening film and won Best film FFAST, Paris
Mardi Gras International Film Festival, Australia
Cinequest International film festival, San Jose
IFFLA, Los Angeles
NYIFF, New York
Nomination, Best film, Best director, Best Actor, Best child actor in NYIFF
International film festival of South Asia, IFFSA
Umbria Film Festival, Italy-Opening film

Awards for Liar's Dice (film)

2014- Sofia International Film Festival - Special Mention award & FIPRESCI AWARD for best film
2014- New York Indian Film Festival - Best Actress award
2014 - Special Jury award at the 18th Sofia International Film Festival - Liar's Dice
2014- Pesaro International Film Festival - Lino Micciche Award for the Best Film
2014- Granada Cines del Sur Film Festival - Bronce Alhambra award

As actress

1986 – Film Chamber of Commerce Award for Best Child Artist – Onnu Mudal Poojyam Vare
2004 – Amrita Film Fraternity Award for Best Actress – Akale
2002 – South Indian Cinematographers Association Award for Best Supporting Actress – Kannaki (film)
2002 – Film Critics Award for Best Actress – Shesham
2004 – Film Critics Award for Best Actress –Akale
2010 – Film Critics Award for Best Short Film – KelkkunnundoKerala State Film Awards
2004 – Special Jury Mention – AkaleKerala Film Critics Association Awards
2001 – Best Actress – Shesham
2004 – Special Jury Award – AkaleMathrubhumi, Medimix film
2004 – Best character Actress – AkaleRamu Karyat award
2020 – Most promising director – Moothon

Geeta Bali

Geeta Bali (Born name Harikirtan Kaur; 1930 – 21 January 1965) was a popular film actress from Bollywood.

Geeta Bali
From Wikipedia

Geeta Bali
Geeta Bali in the film Naya Ghar (1953)
Born
Harikirtan Kaur
30 November 1930

Died 21 January 1965 (aged 34)

Years active 1950–1964
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1955; her death 1965)​
Children 2, including Aditya Raj Kapoor

Geeta Bali (born Harkirtan Kaur; 30 November 1930 ‒ 21 January 1965) was an Indian film actress who appeared in Hindi language films.

Early life

Geeta Bali was born as Harikirtan Kaur in Amritsar, Punjab, British India as Harkirtan Kaur in 1930.

Career
Portrait of Geeta Bali from Bari Behen

Geeta Baali started her film career as a child actress, at the age of 12, with the film The Cobbler. She made her debut as a heroine in Badnaami (1946).

Bali became a star in the 1950s. She had also worked earlier with her future brother-in-law Raj Kapoor in Bawre Nain (1950) and with her future father-in-law Prithviraj Kapoor in Anand Math. Unlike other actresses who gave up films after marrying into the Kapoor family, Bali kept acting until her death. Her last film was Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai in 1963. She did more than 70 films in a 10 year career.

Bali helped Surinder Kapoor become a producer.

Personal life

On 23 August 1955, Geeta married Shammi Kapoor, with whom she was working in the film Coffee House.They had two children, a son (Aditya Raj Kapoor) and a daughter (Kanchan).

She died on 21 January 1965 due to small pox.

Gurleen Grewal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gurleen Grewal
Born January 21, 1993
Alma mater Sanatan Dharam College, Punjab
Occupation Model
Years active 2013 - Present
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Beauty pageant titleholder
Major
competition(s)
(Winner - Miss Diva International 2013)

Gurleen Grewal is an actress in the Indian film industry, a Supermodel, and an Indian beauty pageant winner, Miss Diva which is part of Femina Miss India. She won the title of Miss Diva International in 2013 and represented India in Miss International in Tokyo in the same year. Gurleen has done various fashion events and walked the ramp for Bridal Fashion Week and for Lakme Fashion Week. She has also shot a travel show and has been doing advertisements. Gurleen is an actress and has been certified in workshops with Mukesh Chhabra, Abhishek Pandey and Neeraj Kabi

Early life

Gurleen was born in Punjab, India. She is the daughter of an Indian Army Officer. She did her schooling from Apeejay School Jalandhar, Loreto Convent Delhi and Maharishi Patanjali Vidya Mandir Allahabad, and has been a student of Sanatan Dharam College, Chandigarh part of Panjab University.
Miss Diva - 2013

She participated in first edition of Miss Diva - 2013 and was declared 1st Runner-up. She represented India at Miss International 2013 in Tokyo where she won the second place at the Miss Internet poll.

Geetha (actress)
Wikipedia


Geetha Kadambee
Born 14 July 1962

Occupation ActressYears active 1979 – 19982003 – presentSpouse(s)

Vasan Thatham​(m. 1997)​Children 1 (b.1999)

Geetha Kadambee (born 14 July 1962) is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films. She debuted in the Tamil film Bairavi (as Rajinikanth's sister). Since then she has acted in over 200 films in all major South Indian languages, and in a few Hindi films. She also appears in South Indian television serials. Geetha has won two Filmfare Awards South and a Karnataka State Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards each.

Career

Geetha made her cinematic debut with the 1978 Tamil film Bairavi as the title character in which she played Rajinikanth's sister. She was a student of class seven when she was cast for the film. When she got handful of movies she discontinued her studies at eighth class to concentrate on movie career. Her performance as Indira in the 1986 Malayalam film Panchagni based on the true life story of a Naxalite revolutionary Ajitha was well acclaimed and described by The Hindu as "one of Malayalam cinema's landmark heroines". The same year she had more Malayalam releases such as Sukhamo Devi, Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku, Aavanazhi, Geetham, etc. made her a popular actress in Malayalam cinema She won the State award for the second best actress in 1989 for Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha., most of her notable performances were with Mammootty and Mohanlal

Her notable Kannada movies are with Rajkumar, Ananth Nag, Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish. Some of her notable movies are Dhruva Thare, Devatha Manushya, Anuraga Aralithu, Shruthi Seridaaga, and Aakasmika with Rajkumar. Other films are Eradu Rekhegalu, Mareyada Manikya, Mrugaalaya, Veeradhi Veera, Mithileya Seethayaru, Nenapina Doni, Bairavi, Shiva Mecchida, Giri Baale, Ramanna Shamanna, Goonda Guru, Nigooda Rahasya, Ramapurada Ravana, Prachanda Kulla, Hrudaya Pallavi, Daada, Aaradhane, Shabarimale Swamy Ayyappa and Aruna Raaga. She formed a successful romantic pair with Ambareesh and acted with him in over fifteen movies.

Geetha also acted in Tamil Serials like Kai Alavu Manasu and Engirindho Vanthaal, both directed by K. Balachander. She also starred in the Tamil Serials such as Katha Kathayaam Karanamaam and recently in Rajakumari, where she played Ramya Krishnan's mother which aired on Sun TV.

She did a cameo as Kamal Haasan's dance partner for the song 'Ve Vela Gopemmala' in K. Vishwanath's Saagara Sangamam that becmae a huge hit and still remembered. During 80s and early 90s Geetha was considered by many as one of the most beautiful heroines at that time in South India. Her sensuous and very tall physique and the ease with which she used to portray glamorous and non-glamorous roles earned her a huge fan following.

In 1997 she married Vasan Thatham, an American CPA and Indian Chartered Accountant. The couple live in New Jersey, where Vasan is a business promoter and advisor to corporations. They couple have 1 son born in 1999

After her marriage, she quit acting for a period from 1998-2002. She returned to the industry in 2003 and has acted, usually as the hero's mother, in movies like Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Okkadu , Pournami, Unakkum Enakkum, Santhosh Subramaniam, Azhagiya Tamil Magan and Masters.

Awards

1989 - Second Best Actress - Oru Vadakkan VeeragadhaFilmfare Awards South1988 : Best Actress – Malayalam - Vaishalii

Geeta Basra


(Wikipedia)
Geeta Basra Harbajan

Geeta Basra at Lakme Fashion Week 2011
Born 13 March 1984

Citizenship British
Occupation Actress
Years active 2006–2016
Height 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
[Spouse(s) Harbhajan Singh
​(m. 2015)​
Children Hinaya (br.2016)

Geeta Basra (born 13 March 1984) is a British actress who has appeared in Bollywood films. She is married to Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh.

Early life

Basra was born to Punjabi Indian parents in Portsmouth on the south coast of England,[2] but now resides in Mumbai. She has one younger brother, Rahul.

She studied acting at the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute.

Career

She was first seen in the Emraan Hashmi-starrer Dil Diya Hai in 2006. Her second release, The Train (2007), was also opposite Hashmi. She played Roma, a working woman who gets caught up in an extramarital affair.

Basra was also seen in the music video for the Sukshinder Shinda and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan song "Ghum Sum Ghum Sum", playing the love interest of the male protagonist played by Rahul Bhat.

Personal life
Basra with husband Harbhajan Singh at Rakesh Roshan's birthday bash in 2017

Basra married Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh on 29 October 2015 in Jalandhar, Punjab. They have a daughter, Hinaya Heer Plaha, born on 27 July 2016 in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Filmography

YearTitleRole(s)Director(s)Language(s)NotesRef.2006 Dil Diya Hai Neha Mehra Aditya Datt

Hindi Debut

2007 The Train Roma Kapoor / Richa Malhotra Hasnain Hyderabadwala
Raksha Mistry
2013 Zila Ghaziabad ——— Anand Kumar Special Appearance in song "Baap Ka Maal"
2014 Mr Joe B. Carvalho Gehna Samir Tewari
2015 Second Hand Husband Neha Kaur Grewal Smeep Kang
2016 Lock Pammi Punjabi

Gimi George
(Wikipedia)
Miya George
Miya
Born
Pala
Nationality Indian
Alma mater

Occupation
Actress
model
Years active 2008 – present
Spouse(s) Ashwin Philippose (m. 2020)

Gimi George, better known by her stage name Miya, is an Indian actress and model who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, along with a few Tamil films. She started her career as an actress by playing supporting roles in television shows. She made her film debut by playing short roles in films such as Oru Small Family (2010), Doctor Love (2011) and Ee Adutha Kaalathu (2012). She was selected the Kerala Miss Fitness in 2012 and played her first lead role the same year in the Malayalam film Chettayees. She's best known for her roles in the films Memories (2013), Vishudhan (2013), Mr. Fraud (2014), Amara Kaaviyam (2014), Indru Netru Naalai (2015), Anarkali (2015), Paavada (2016), Hello Namasthe (2016), Oru Naal Koothu (2016), The Great Father (2017), Sherlock Toms (2017), Ira (2018), Ente Mezhuthiri Athazhangal (2018), Brother's Day (2019), and Driving Licence (2019).

Early life and education

Miya was born as the second daughter of George and Mini in a Malayali Christian family at Dombivli in Thana (now Thane), where her father worked as an engineer. Later, at the age of five, she moved to Pala in Kottayam. She did her schooling from Sacred Heart Girls High School, Bharananganam and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Bharananganam. She completed B.A. degree from Alphonsa College, Palai and her Masters in English Literature at St. Thomas College, Palai. She has one elder sister, Gini, who is married to Lijo George and is settled in Bangalore. On 12 September 2020, Miya married businessman Ashwin Philip at St. Mary's Basilica Church, Ernakulam in a simple ceremony due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Career

She started her career by playing supporting roles in the television serials Alphonsamma and Kunjali Marakkar. She wain the films Doctor Love and Ee Adutha Kaalathu. She rose to fame when she was chosen the Kerala Miss Fitness 2012 in a beauty pageant. She made her debut as a heroine through the film Ettekaal Second but the project got a commercial release in the year 2014. Actress Urmila Unni who played Miya's mother in this film suggested her to director Shajoon Kariyal who cast her to play the lead role in his 2012 comedy film Chettayees. She played the wife of the character played by Biju Menon which won her critical acclaim. Miya was then seen in the Mohanlal-starrer Red Wine in which she played the lead opposite Asif Ali. She played the role of an investigative journalist in Jeethu Joseph's Memories which turned out to be a major hit of the year 2013. Same year she appeared as a Christian nun thrown out of the church on the charge of having an illicit affair with a priest, in Vishudhan. In 2014, she appeared in veteran director Joshiy's Salaam Kashmier in which she played the lead role alongside Jayaram and Suresh Gopi and B. Unnikrishnan's Mr. Fraud in which she paired with Mohanlal. She also appeared in Lal Jr.'s psychological thriller Hi I'm Tony in which she paired opposite Asif Ali for the second time, George Varghese's 6B Paradise, and K. N. Sasidharan's Nayana which had her playing the mother of a young girl. She made her debut in Tamil with Jeeva Shankar's Amara Kaaviyam in which she played a character called Karthika. In 2015 she had done 32aam Adhyayam 23aam Vaakyam.

Gauri Shinde
ad-and feature-
film director (English Vinglish). Zee Cine Awards 2013Best Debut Director; 19th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2013 Most Promising Debut Director She entered the biggest A+ league in 2016 when she got to direct Dear Zindagi starring superstar Shahrukh Khan. However, while the surname Shinde is used widely by Maharashtrian scheduled castes, it is also used by the ruling caste of Scindias.


Gauri Shinde
Director | Writer | Producer

Born - July 06, 1974 in Pune, Maharashtra, India

Gauri Shinde is a popular Director. Latest movies which Gauri Shinde has directed are Dear Zindagi and English Vinglish. Gauri Shinde was born on July 06, 1974.

Gayathrie
(Wikipedia)
Gayathrie
Gayathrie in an interview
Born 
Gayathrie Shankar
2 May 1993 

Occupation Film actress
Years active 2012 – present

Gayathrie Shankar is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil language films. She debuted in 2012 with 18 Vayasu, and is best known for her role in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. Since then, she has featured in various movies like Ponmaalai Pozhudhu, Rummy, Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, Puriyatha Puthir, and Super Deluxe. Vella Raja saw her dabble in web series.

Personal life

Gayathrie is of Tamil origin and she grew up in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Career

The actress's first release was the psychological thriller 18 Vayasu, but was recognized for her work in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom alongside Vijay Sethupathi. In 2013 she starred in two films, Ponmaalai Pozhudhu and Mathapoo. She was next seen in Rummy, a 1980s college love story, opposite Inigo Prabhakaran.

The multi-starrer Ula, was renamed Chithiram Pesuthuadi 2 and saw a release in 2019. The movie is directed by Rajan Madhav of Muran fame, also starred Radhika Apte, Priya Banerjee, Vidharth and Dwayne Bravo. Puriyatha Puthir directed by Ranjit Jeyakodi co-starring with Vijay Sethupathi, released in 2017. Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren directed by debutant Arumugakumar was a dark comedy starring Vijay Sethupathi, Gautham Karthik and Niharika Konidela. The movie released on 2 February 2018. Seethakathi released on 20 December 2018. She worked as an assistant director on Seethakathi, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. She also featured in a cameo in Seethakathi. 2018 also saw her foraying into web series. She played Aadhira, in the Amazon Prime exclusive series called Vella Raja.

2019 saw the release of the much awaited Super Deluxe, directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni, Fahadh Faasil, Ramya Krishnan, Mysskin among others. She is currently working on Maamanithan, directed by Seenu Ramasamy, costarring Vijay Sethupathi.

She will also be seen in the yet to be released movies, Titanic and K13 and the horror thriller Pechi.

Girija (actress)
 Wikipedia


Girija
Born
Dasari Girija
3 March 1938

Died 5 September 1995

Occupation Actress, comedian and film producer
Years active 1950 to 1977
Spouse(s) C. S. Raju or Sanyasi Raju
Children Saleema

Dasari Girija shortly Girija (Telugu: గిరిజ) (b. 1938- d. 1995) was a Telugu film actress and comedian of 1950, 1960 and 1970s. She acted in many films with Relangi Venkataramaiah, the two of them becoming a famous comedic duo.

Film career

She was born on 3 March 1938, in Kankipadu, Andhra Pradesh. Her mother is also staging and film actress Dasari Ramatilakam.

Her first movie was Kasturi Sivarao's Paramanandayya Sishyulu (1950). She acted in many films with Relangi Venkataramaiah and other leading actors of that period. Her portrayal of titular Pathala Bhairavi in 1951 hit film Patala Bhairavi displayed her talents and resulted in her getting many film offers lasting about two decades. Her role as Usha in Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1959) opposite Relangi is memorable. The ever lasting comedy song Kaseeki Poyanu Ramahari has been pictured on them. The comedy-duo also acted in the award winning Ramudu Bheemudu (1964) of Suresh Productions. The funny Sarada Sarada Cigarettu song about the habit of Smoking is superhit during that time. She also acted in Tamil films during the fifties.

She along with Relangi acted in small but key roles in the epic film Lava Kusa (1963) by Shankar Reddy and refused to take any extra remuneration for the extratime in shooting the song Ollanori mama nee pillanee…. In addition to the comedy roles, she played as character actress in the key role of Hemalatha opposite Akkineni Nageswara Rao acting as second heroine in Bharya Bhartalu (1961) and as Varalaxmi in Velugu Needalu (1961). She has played key roles in some mythological and Janapada films, like Dharma Devatha (1952).

She started a film company with her husband C. S. Raju as a producer, named Vijaya Giri Dhwaja Productions (named after Girija) and produced few movies including Bhale Mastaru (1969) and Pavitra Hrudayalu (1971), in both films main protagonist is played by N. T. Rama Rao. They met with a heavy financial loss.

Personal life

She married C. Sanyasi Raju, popularly known as C. S. Raju; their daughter Saleema is also an actress who acts mainly in Malayalam movies. According to her daughter Saleema, Girija died on 5 September 1995. Though she has been suffering from Diabetes, in the last moments she experienced some breathing problem and died suddenly in her Chennai residence.

Ganthimathi
(Wikipedia)


Ganthimathi
Born 30 August 1945

Died 9 September 2011
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor
Years active 1957–2011

Ganthimathi (30 August 1945 – 9 September 2011) was a Tamil stage and film actress. She acted in over 500 films.

Early life

Kanthimathi was born in Manamadurai in the then Ramanathapuram district of India. She started acting in dramas and entered films at the age of eleven.

Career

The role which got her noticed was the portrayal of Mayil's mother in 16 Vayathinile. Other important Tamil films in which she acted include Mann Vasanai, Muthu and Karagattakaran. She was awarded the Kalaimamani Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to Tamil cinema.

She acted as mother and grandmother almost to all actors and actresses like M.G.R, Rajinikanth, Kamalhassan, Vijaykanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Vijay, Revathi, Radha, Ambika, Radhika, etc. Other actors or actresses cannot utter the non-lexical filler proverbs like "Chithada kalli viragu odaika ponalam kathala mullu kothoda kuthidichan" (When a lazy girl is forced to go for the work of cutting the firewood she may complain that aloe vera thorns poked her in a bunch) like she could.

Gurbani Judge
(Wikipedia)
Gurbani Judge
Judge in 2017
Born 20 November 1987 

Other names Bani J, VJ Bani
Occupation VJ, model, television host
Years active 2006–present
Known for MTV Roadies 4

Gurbani Judge, better known as VJ Bani and also Bani J, is an Indian fitness model, actress and a former MTV India presenter. She is known for participating in MTV Roadies. She was a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss 10 and became the first runner-up.

Career

Judge started her career by competing in the reality show MTV Roadies (season 4) where she was the runner up. She continued her collaboration with MTV with season 5. She also was a contestant in the fourth season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. Apart from her work on MTV, Bani has also extended her performance to the big screen. Bani made her fiction debut with Vikas Gupta's period drama Rani Mahal. She was last seen in a Telugu film Thikka.

She was also seen in Aap Kaa Surroor - The Real Luv Story as Bani who is Riya's (Hansika Motwani)'s friend and Shravan Kumar (Shravan)'s girlfriend.

On September 2016, she appeared in Navv Inder's music video Att Tera Yaar. In October 2016, she was one of the contestants in reality TV show Bigg Boss 10, where she finished as the first runner up of the season. She was known for her controversial fights with Lopamudra Raut.

She also appeared on the show Four More Shots Please![9] in 2019 as Umang.

Personal life

Judge is from Chandigarh. Her family consists of her mother Tanya and her elder sister Saneya. She promotes the sports nutrition company Myprotein and the fitness app Mobiefit BODY.


Genelia D'Souza
(Wikipedia)
Genelia D'Souza
Born
Genelia D'Souza
5 August 1987 

Occupation Actress
Years active 2003–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2012)​
Children 2
Relatives Vilasrao Deshmukh (father in law)
Amit Deshmukh (brother in law)
Dhiraj Deshmukh (brother in law)

enelia Deshmukh (née D'Souza; born 5 August 1987) is an Indian film actress and model. She predominantly appeared in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil films. After gaining wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, Genelia began her acting career with the box-office hit Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003.[3] She was recognized for her role in Boys the same year, and later established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films during 2003–2012.

Genelia received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, Genelia has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry. In addition to mainstream acting, Genelia has hosted the television show Big Switch, and has been the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India.


Early life
Genelia with her family at the CNBC Awaaz consumer awards in 2010. Seen here from left to right is her father Neil D'Souza, her mother Jeanette D'Souza, herself, and at the extreme right, her brother Nigel D'Souza.

Born in Mumbai Genelia is an East Indian, a Marathi speaking Christian from North Konkan. She was raised in the Bandra suburb of Mumbai. Her mother Jeanette D'Souza was a managing director of the Pharma Multinational corporation. She left her job in 2004 to help Genelia with her career. Her father Neil D'Souza, is a senior official with Tata Consultancy Services. She also has a younger brother, Nigel D'Souza, who works with the Bombay Stock Exchange. According to Genelia, her name means "rare" or "unique", and is a portmanteau of Jeanette and Neil, her mother and father's names. She is also often informally referred to as Geenu, her nickname. Genelia studied at the Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra and later joined St. Andrew's College in Bandra to pursue her bachelor's degree of Management Studies. She completed her degree while shooting for her first film, Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003 and initially thought that an MNC job would suit her. She liked sports and studies in college, and was a state level athlete, sprinter, and a national level football player.

Genelia did her first modeling assignment at the age of 15, the result of being spotted as the bridesmaid at a wedding. She was selected for the Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, just two days before her exams, and had to shoot the next day. Initially she refused, because of her exam the next day, but the director persuaded Genelia to shoot for the commercial. She gained wide attention from the Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, who said "she was good, and her expressions were spontaneous". She further did a Fair & Lovely 2003 Cricket World Cup advertisement with cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

Acting career
Debut and recognition (2003–05)

When Genelia was offered a role in Tujhe Meri Kasam, initially she turned it down, as she was not keen to pursue a career in acting. But the crew insisted and kept contacting her for two months, and she agreed when she saw the Telugu version of the movie. Tamil director, S. Shankar, was impressed with her performance in the Parker Pen commercial and decided to cast her in a leading role in his 2003 Tamil film Boys. Genelia was selected among 300 girls, who had auditioned for the movie. She signed three movies simultaneously in three different languages, Tujhe Meri Kasam (Hindi), Boys (Tamil), and Satyam (Telugu).

Genelia's professional movie career began, with her Bollywood debut Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003 Film critic Taran Adarsh noted, "Genelia is a wonderful performer. She catches you unaware with a performance that's natural to the core." The film was a box-office success. However, it could not do much to propel her career in Bollywood. Later, she decided to act in South Indian films. The same year, she made her Tamil debut as the teenage girl Harini in Boys, a story about five teenagers having stereotypical teen-boy fantasies. The movie, though noted for its vulgar sexual content, was a box-office success, and subsequently she started receiving Telugu film offers. She left Tamil cinema for a while to concentrate on the Telugu film industry. She made her Telugu debut in 2003 as a medical student in Satyam.Sify noted in their review that, "Genelia is excellent as her body language is her major asset." The movie was well received, and it raised her profile in the Telugu film industry.

In 2004, Genelia appeared in her second Bollywood movie, Masti. The comedy focuses on three close friends who reunite after three years, but are now married and are being harassed by their wives. Genelia portrayed the character of one of the wives. Taran Adarsh was complimentary of Genelia's role, saying, "Amongst the wives, Genelia is the best, [...] Genelia looks the stern and demanding wife and is sure to be noticed." The film was a box-office success.The same year, she appeared in two Telugu movies Samba, and Sye, both succeeding at the box-office.

After appearing in her first Telugu movie in 2005, Naa Alludu, she starred in the Tamil romantic entertainer Sachein. A review in The Hindu noted, "Genelia, who hardly made an impression in Boys, makes much impact in Sachein." The movie evoked mixed response from audiences, but was well received with the younger generation. She later appeared in the Telugu patriotic movie Subhash Chandra Bose.

Turning point in South Indian films (2006–08)

The year 2006 marked a significant turning point in Genelia's career. She completed two Telugu movies in early 2006, one was the romantic comedy Happy, and the other was Raam. She then portrayed the role of Haasini, a vibrant, effervescent and a happy-go-lucky young girl, in the 2006 Telugu romantic film Bommarillu. The movie, a blockbuster at the box-office, grossed ₹250 million (US$3.5 million) in India, and also won the 2006 Golden Nandi award. Her character was well received, and garnered her the Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress, besides Nandi Special Jury Award and Santosham Award for Best Actress. Sify concluded about her acting in their review that, "The scene stealer is Genelia with her innocent looks and cute mannerisms. She does not overact and we just fall in love with her character. Genelia looks like a dream in chic skirts and is the life of the party and raises the bar of the film."

Following the success of Bommarillu, Genelia played the role of the daughter of a local don, in the Tamil gangster film Chennai Kadhal alongside Boys co-star Bharath. Rediff.com criticized her commenting, "Genelia stands up yet again to prove the point that if you are pretty and well dressed, you can get away with anything, without acting." Shortly afterwards in 2007, Genelia played the role of sister of a notorious gangster in the blockbuster Telugu movie Dhee, set against a gang war backdrop.

The following year, Genelia appeared in the 2008 Telugu romantic thriller Mr. Medhavi, in which she portrayed the role of a student from Canada. The movie was successful, with Rediff.com complimenting her performance saying, "Genelia is her effervescent self – full of joie-de-vivre and lights up the screen." She made her Kannada debut in Satya in Love the same year. Later, she was cast in a leading role in Santhosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu. The film also turned out to be rather successful as its predecessor. Sify described Genelia's portrayal as "the soul of the film" and the film's "biggest strength", however Rediff.com described her character as "appears a little too good to be true."

Return to Bollywood and subsequent work (2008–16)
Genelia with actress Radikaa Sarathkumar at CCL match.

In June 2008, following a nearly five-year hiatus in Bollywood, she appeared in Mere Baap Pehle Aap, which failed to make profit at the box-office. A Rediff review noted, "besides her apparent cuteness, brings in tons of freshness and traits to the youthful characters she chooses to play", while a Sify review criticized her stating, "Genelia is sprightly but has a standard two-three expressions bank in this film." She later appeared in the Telugu love story Ready alongside Ram, which was well received. Her breakthrough performance in 2008 was through the portrayal of the role of Aditi Mahant in the blockbuster Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, which was an economic success across India and overseas, grossing ₹564 million (US$7.9 million). Her role was widely admired for her sweetness and freshness, and new style of acting, with Rediff describing her acting as a "spark that has been missing in Hindi cinema for well over a decade now". In that same year, Genelia acted in the Telugu romantic comedy Sasirekha Parinayam. The movie received favorable reviews, and Sify noted in their review that, "The life of the film is definitely Genelia and she has shown the varied emotions from innocence, sadness, romance and anger in equal proportions without a hitch."

In 2009, Genelia was cast in the Hindi film Life Partner, in which she was criticized for her performance. Indian film critic Rajeev Masand commented, "The adorable little imp from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na has turned into a nagging harridan in this film, and how you wish she'd immediately enroll for acting lessons." Her next appearance in 2009 was in the Telugu thriller Katha, which was well received, and for which she won the 2009 Nandi Special Jury Award. In 2010, Genelia appeared in Chance Pe Dance and Orange, both receiving poor reviews from critics, but her Uthama Puthiran was a moderate success in Tamil.

D'Souza had a major role in 2011, starring as the Muslim warrior princess Arackal Ayesha, in her debut Malayalam film Urumi. The film is about a fictional story happening in Calicut, Kerala during the 15th century, about a boy who plots to assassinate the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama. She learned horse riding, and spent two weeks of training to use the sword, the short stick, and movements of the Dravidian martial art Kalarippayattu. The movie portrayed her image makeover from typically girl-next-door roles to more serious roles. Her next appearance was in the Bollywood action thriller Force, which received mixed reception from critics, with Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama noting that D'Souza is strikingly sweet and subdued. She played the role of a journalist alongside leading actor Vijay in Velayudham, which was also commercially successful. She appeared in Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya and Naa Ishtam in 2012 and in cameo appearances in Jai Ho and Lai Bhaari in 2014.

Other work and events
Genelia D'Souza walking the ramp for Neeta Lulla at the Lakme Fashion Week 2015.

D'Souza was a part of Tamil director Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai, an event which seeks to raise funds for The Banyan, a voluntary organisation which rehabilitates homeless women with mental illness in Chennai. She was one of the judges at the grand finale of Gladrags Mega Model and Manhunt 2009 contest on 28 March 2009. She also walked the ramp alongside Tushar Kapoor for fashion designer Manish Malhotra at the Lakme Fashion Week 2009 on 28 March 2009. On 5 April 2009, D'Souza was among several Bollywood celebrities to perform at the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2009 finale in Mumbai. In October 2009, she appeared as a showstopper for jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali on the second season of Housing Development and Infrastructure Limited (HDIL) India Couture Week. On 24 October 2009, D'Souza began hosting Big Switch, a television show based on slum kids on UTV Bindass channel to reach a bigger audience.

She has unveiled Spinz Black Magic deodorant on 7 October 2009 in Mumbai, and the Ceres Store retail outlet. At the Chennai International Fashion Week (CIFW) in December 2009, she appeared as a showstopper for designer Ishita Singh's spring-summer indigenous collection of 2010. She also holds a Limca world record of delivering four different super hit films in four different languages, Ready (Telugu), Satya in Love (Kannada), Santosh Subramaniam (Tamil), and Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (Hindi) in a span of one calendar year.

She was a part of online market portal eBay's 2010 "Dream House" challenge, where she transformed an empty three-room apartment in Bandra into an attractive home with online shopping. She had been provided a budget of ₹450,000 (US$6,300) and two weeks to create a look she wants with items on sale on the website. On the occasion of Children's Day (14 November), D'Souza auctioned a few items from the apartment. All proceeds received from the auction was given to Aseema, a Non-governmental organization (NGO), which aims to provide education to underprivileged children.

Reception
D'Souza at the eBay "Dream House" in 2010

D'Souza has been often tagged in the media as the "bubbly girl", after portraying the role of a young energetic girl in several movies, especially Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008) and Bommarillu. She appeared alongside Shahid Kapoor on the fourth episode of Tere Mere Beach Mein, a celebrity chat show, hosted by Farah Khan. The theme of the show was "Second Innings", since both D'Souza and Kapoor had the same history of failures initially and success later in their acting careers. In June 2010, D'Souza was crowned as the "Brand Ambassador of the Year" at the CNBC Awaaz consumer awards, for endorsing nine brands. She is now the brand ambassador of the soft drink Fanta (replacing Rani Mukherjee), the chocolate Perk (replacing Preity Zinta), Virgin Mobile India (along with Ranbir Kapoor), Fastrack watches and accessories, LG mobiles (along with John Abraham and Abhay Deol), Garnier Light fairness cream, Dabur Vatika hair oil, Margo soap, and Spinz deodorant.

Controversies

In June 2010, she was the subject of a controversy, when a Tamil daily reported that she had attended the controversial 2010 IIFA Awards in Colombo. Several Bollywood actors and the South Indian film industry had boycotted the event, over the alleged killing of Tamilian civilians at the height of the conflict between the Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. The rumours of her visit to Colombo started after her friend Ritesh Deshmukh was seen at the festival in Colombo. Immediately, various Tamil groups and Kollywood associations demanded her films to be banned

In 2011, a controversy broke out for her film Force, in a wedding sequence scene of herself and John Abraham. Sources claim that the wedding ceremony and rituals conducted were so authentic that they would have actually been husband and wife in real life. Instead of a junior artiste, a real priest was called for the scene. Again, following the reports of Ritesh Deshmukh and D'Souza's marriage plans, the priest landed up at producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah's office to register a complaint. He insisted that the couple couldn't get married, as D'Souza has been already married to John Abraham, as all marriage rituals were observed, from wearing a mangalsutra (a sacred thread is worn by Indian women as a symbol of their marriage), to exchanging garlands, and taking the seven steps around the holy fire. Shah dismissed the claims as a publicity stunt.
Personal life
Genelia with Ritesh Deshmukh

D'Souza is deeply religious and says that, she regularly attends Sunday Mass at St. Anne's Parish (Bandra), and whenever the family is home, a part of their evening is reserved for saying the rosary together. In an interview with The Times of India, she comments, "I keep a Novena every Wednesday at St. Michael's Church in Mahim."[17] In an interview with Daily News and Analysis, she said that "My communication with God is conversational, [...] I'm God's favourite child; I believe that God has always been kind to me." Tabloids repeatedly linked D'Souza romantically with Ritesh Deshmukh, ever since they starred together in their debut film Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. They were reportedly ready to get engaged, but Ritesh's father, the then-Maharashtra Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh did not agree. D'Souza later denied any rumors of a relationship with Deshmukh, and responds that she had just friendly relations with him. However, the couple eventually got married on 3 February 2012, according to Marathi marriage traditions in a Hindu wedding ceremony, they had a Christian wedding in the church on next day. The couple's first child, a son named Riaan, was born on 25 November 2014. Their second son, Rahyl, was born on 1 June 2016.

Hemalatha
(Wikipedia)
Hemalatha
Other names Hema
Occupation Film actress, Television Actress and Dancer
Years active 1995–2015

Hemalatha, born 13 November 1987, often credited as Hema, is an Indian film actress, leading Tamil television actress and dancer. She is acclaimed for her roles as Raghavi in the popular soap opera Kana Kaanum Kaalangal on STAR Vijay and as Deepa in the superhit Tamil drama serial on Sun TV Thendral. She was the winner of the reality dance show Jodi Number One in Season 3 along with Michael Thangadurai.

Career

Hemalatha was born in Tamil family, started her career as a child actress. She made her début in films in the Rajinikanth starer and superhit Baasha and then acted in the Sarath Kumar starer Suryavamsam. Her first Tamil serial was when she played the role of Baby Kaveri in Chithi. She played the role of Raghavi, a high school student, in Kana Kaanum Kaalanga and later the role of Deepa in the prime time serial Thendral, which made her a household name and established her as one of the top television actresses.


Harshada Khanvilkar
(Wikipedia)


Harshada Khanvilkar
Born 2 July 1973)

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, Producer, Costume designer
Years active 1990 – Present
Known for Pudhcha Paaul
Children 1

Harshada Khanvilkar is an Indian television, film actress, producer and costume designer. She known for her role in Pudhcha Paaul as Akkasaheb and Rang Majha Vegla as Soundarya Inamdar.

Career

Harshada completed her study IES George School and Kirti M. Doongursee College. She quit her law course to pursue acting. Harshada started her career with the Hindi serial Dard, which ran on Doordarshan in the 1990s. In 1999, she landed a role in Abhalmaya.[4] She is also a costume designer she did many costumes designs for shows.

Thereafter, she acted in many serials such as Gurukul, Oon Paaus, Kalat Nakalat, Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani, Damini, Maziya Priyala Preet Kalena, etc. In 2011, she bagged a role in Pudhcha Paaul as Akkasaheb. She also appeared in BBM1 as guest. In 2019, she played a Inspector role in Ghadge & Suun. Currently, she appears in Rang Majha Vegla as Soundarya Inamdar.

Humaima Malick
(Wikipedia)
Humaima Malick
حمائمہ ملک
Malick in Sydney, Australia in 2012
Born 18 November 1987 

Nationality Pakistani
Occupation Model, Actress
Years active 2009 – present
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 2009; div. 2010)​
Relatives Feroze Khan (brother)
Dua Malik (sister)
Sohail Haider (brother-in-law)

Humaima Malick is a Pakistani actress and model. She has appeared in Pakistani films and serials.

Personal life

Malick was born in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. Malick has one brother, Feroze Khan, and one sister, Dua Malik. Singer Sohail Haider is her brother-in-law. Malick was previously married to Shamoon Abbasi. In 2021, Humaima Malick became religious.

Career

Malick started her career as a model at the age of fourteen, through a Unilever Pakistan campaign. She first walked the ramp for fashion designer Deepak Perwani at the age of fourteen. Since then she has appeared in fashion shows for numerous designers.

Malick made her acting debut with the serial Ishq Junoon Deewangi. She then appeared in Barish Kay Ansoo, Tanveer Fatima (B.A), Talluq, and Akbari Asghari.

Malick made her film debut in Shoaib Mansoor's Bol. In 2012, she appeared in Shehzad Rafique's Ishq Khuda. In 2014, she starred in Kunal Deshmukh's Raja Natwarlal opposite Emraan Hashmi, which was her debut film in Bollywood. She then starred in Asad Ul Haq's Dekh Magar Pyaar Say, alongside Sikander Rizvi.

In 2017, she played the role of a film star in Pakistani film Arth 2, co-starred and directed by Shaan Shahid.

In 2021, Humaima Malick left showbiz and became religious

Hilary Swank
(Wikipedia)
Hilary Swank
Born
Hilary Ann Swank
July 30, 1974 
Occupation
Actress
film producer
Years active 1991–present

Spouse(s)
​​(m. 1997; div. 2007)​
Philip Schneider
​(m. 2018)​

Hilary Ann Swank (born July 30, 1974) is an American actress and film producer. She first became known in 1992 for her role on the television series Camp Wilder and made her film debut with a minor role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She then had her breakthrough for starring as Julie Pierce in The Next Karate Kid, the fourth installment of The Karate Kid franchise, and as Carly Reynolds on the eighth season of Beverly Hills, 90210.

Swank came to international recognition in the early 2000s for her performances as Brandon Teena, a trans man, in Kimberly Peirce's Boys Don't Cry, and as Maggie Fitzgerald, an aspiring boxer, in Clint Eastwood's Million Dollar Baby. Both of her performances eventually earned her critical acclaim, and she earned numerous accolades, which include two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Critics' Choice Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. She was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.

Swank later ventured into producing in the 2010s, working on the films Amelia, Conviction, You're Not You, and What They Had, all of which she also starred in. Her other notable films include the television film Iron Jawed Angels, and the feature films Freedom Writers, Logan Lucky, The Hunt and Fatale.

Early life

Hilary Ann Swank was born on July 30, 1974, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her mother, Judy Kay (née Clough), was a secretary and dancer, and her father, Stephen Michael Swank, was a Chief Master Sergeant in the Oregon Air National Guard and later a traveling salesman.[citation needed] Many of Swank's family members are from Ringgold County, Iowa.[2] Her maternal grandmother, Frances Martha Clough (née Dominguez), was born in El Centro, California, and was of Spanish and Native American descent.[3][citation needed] Swank's paternal grandmother was born in England; her other ancestry includes Dutch, German, Ulster-Scots, Scottish, Swiss-German, and Welsh. The surname "Swank," originally "Schwenk," is of German origin.

After living in Spokane, Washington, Swank's family moved into a home near Lake Samish in Bellingham, Washington, when Swank was six. She attended Happy Valley Elementary School, Fairhaven Middle School, then Sehome High School in Bellingham until she was 16. She also competed in the Junior Olympics and the Washington state championships in swimming, and she ranked fifth in the state in all-around gymnastics. Swank made her first appearance on stage when she was nine years old, starring in The Jungle Book.

When she was 15, her parents separated, and her mother, supportive of her daughter's desire to act, moved with her to Los Angeles, where they lived out of their car until Swank's mother saved enough money to rent an apartment. Swank has called her mother the inspiration for her acting career and her life. In California, Swank enrolled in South Pasadena High School, later dropping out. She described her time at South Pasadena High School, "I felt like such an outsider. I didn't feel like I fit in. I didn't belong in any way. I didn't even feel like the teachers wanted me there. I just felt like I wasn't seen or understood." She explained that she became an actor because she felt like an outsider, "As a kid I felt that I belonged only when I read a book or saw a movie, and could get involved with a character. It was natural that I became an actor because I longed so much to be those other people, or at least to play them."

Career

Swank made her film debut in the 1992 comedy horror film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, playing a supporting role, after which she acted in the direct-to-video drama Quiet Days in Hollywood, where she co-starred with Chad Lowe, who would become her husband for a time.
Swank in 1998

Her first leading film role was in the fourth installment of the Karate Kid series, The Next Karate Kid (1994) as Julie Pierce. The role utilized her gymnastics background and paired her with Pat Morita. In 1994, she also starred in the drama Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story, as the abused step-daughter who was protected by Donna (Jaclyn Smith). In 1995, she appeared with British actor Bruce Payne in Kounterfeit. In 1996, she starred in a TV movie, family drama Terror in the Family, as a troubled teenager. In September 1997, Swank played single mother Carly Reynolds in Beverly Hills, 90210 and was initially promised it would be a two-year role, but saw her character written out after 16 episodes in January 1998. Swank later stated that she was devastated at being cut from the show, thinking, "If I'm not good enough for 90210, I'm not good enough for anything."

The firing from Beverly Hills, 90210 freed her to audition for the role of Brandon Teena in Boys Don't Cry. To prepare for the role, Swank lived as a man for a month and reduced her body fat to seven percent. She earned only $75 per day for her work on the film, culminating in a total of $3,000. Her earnings were so low that she had not even earned enough to qualify for health insurance. Upon release, many critics lauded her performance, with Premiere listing it as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of All Time". James Berardinelli wrote at the time that Swank "gives the performance of her career". Her work earned her several accolades, including the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress. In an interview with Variety in 2020, Swank said that she felt a trans actor should've played the role, and had she been offered it today she would've refused it, stating "Twenty-one years later, not only are trans people having their lives and living, thankfully, although we still have a long way to go in their safety and their inclusivity, but we now have a bunch of trans actors who would obviously be a lot more right for the role and have the opportunity to actually audition for the role.”

Swank again won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for playing a female boxer in Clint Eastwood's 2004 film Million Dollar Baby, a role for which she underwent extensive training in the ring and weight room, aided by professional trainer Grant L. Roberts, gaining 19 pounds of muscle. With her second Oscar, she had joined the ranks of Vivien Leigh, Sally Field and Luise Rainer as the only actresses to have been nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actress twice and won both times. After winning her second Oscar, she said, "I don't know what I did in this life to deserve this. I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream."

In 2006, Swank signed a three-year contract with Guerlain to be the face of the women's fragrance Insolence. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the motion picture category on January 8, 2007; it was the 2,325th star presented. In 2007, Swank starred in Freedom Writers, about a real-life teacher, Erin Gruwell. Many reviews of her performance were positive, with one critic noting that she "brings credibility" to the role, and another stating that her performance reaches a "singular lack of artifice, stripping herself back to the bare essentials". Swank next starred in the horror film The Reaping (2007), as a debunker of religious phenomena. Swank convinced the producers to move the film's setting from New England to the Deep South, and the film was filmed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana when Hurricane Katrina struckThe same year, she also appeared in the romantic drama P.S. I Love You with Gerard Butler.

Swank portrayed the pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart in the 2009 biopic Amelia, which she also co-executive produced through 2S Films, a production company she established with producer Molly Smith.
Swank at the 2013 Life Ball in Vienna, Austria

In 2012, Swank's audiobook recording of Caroline Knapp's Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs was released at Audible.com. In 2013, she starred in the television film Mary and Martha alongside Brenda Blethyn. In 2014, Swank played the lead role of Kate Parker, a woman whose life is shattered when she develops the degenerative disease ALS, in You're Not You. The film co-starred Emmy Rossum and Josh Duhamel. In 2015, she was listed as one of BBC's 100 Women.

In 2017, she appeared in Steven Soderbergh's heist comedy Logan Lucky, as Special Agent Sarah Grayson, alongside Channing Tatum and Daniel Craig, and portrayed lawyer Colette Hughes in Bille August's drama film 55 Steps. In 2018, Swank starred in and executive produced the Alzheimer's disease drama film What They Had, directed by Elizabeth Chomko. Also in 2018, she portrayed Gail Getty in the first season of FX's anthology series Trust. It was reported that Swank would star as Laura Murphy in Alejandro González Iñárritu's drama series The One Percent.

In July 2019, Swank was cast in the thriller film The Hunt, opposite Betty Gilpin. Before its release, the film's plot, about deadly violence between political liberals and conservatives, caused controversy, after which its release was delayed by Universal from the original date of September 2019. Swank commented on the situation, stating: “No one’s seen the film. You can’t really have a conversation about it without understanding what it’s about." The film was released in 2020, and received mixed reviews. In September 2020, Swank portrayed Emma, an astronaut, in the Netflix science drama series Away, which was cancelled after one season. For both The Hunt and Away, Swank earned a total of three nominations at the 2021 Critics' Choice Super Awards.

Personal life

In a January 2009 episode of The Office, "Prince Family Paper", the subplot of the episode is the office coworkers debating whether or not Hilary Swank is "hot". Swank referred to such discussions emphasizing the looks of women in Hollywood as doing a "disservice".

In October 2011, Swank attracted controversy for attending an event in Chechnya's capital Grozny on the 35th birthday of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov on October 5. After wishing him "Happy birthday, Mr. President", she reportedly claimed knowledge about Kadyrov saying, "I read. I do my research." Following criticism from human rights groups, that reported having informed her about the human rights abuses in Chechnya prior to the event and asked her to reconsider her participation, Swank said she was unaware that Kadyrov had been accused of human rights violations and that she "deeply regrets" taking part in the lavish concert. She donated her personal appearance fees "to various charitable organizations".

In a 2020 interview with Health, Swank revealed that she took a three-year break from acting beginning in 2014 in order to help her father recover from a lung transplant.

Relationships

While filming Quiet Days in Hollywood, Swank met actor Chad Lowe. They married on September 28, 1997. They announced their intention to divorce on January 9, 2006, which was finalized on November 1, 2007. In 2007, Swank began dating her agent, John Campisi, but they ended their relationship in May 2012.

On March 22, 2016, Swank announced her engagement to Ruben Torres, a financial advisor with UBS and former professional tennis player. The two had been dating since May 2015. In June 2016, Swank's representative confirmed that she and Torres had ended their engagement.

On August 18, 2018, she married entrepreneur Philip Schneider after two years of dating.

Heena Parmar

Name Heena Parmar
Profession Actress
Famous Role Anarkali in TV serial Jodha Akbar (2013-2015)
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.) in centimeters-160 cm
in meters-1.60 m
in feet inches- 5’ 3”
Weight (approx.) in kilograms-50 kg
in pounds-110 lbs
Figure Measurements 32-24-33
Eye Colour Brown
Hair Colour Black
Personal Life
Date of Birth 3 April 1990

Birth Place Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Zodiac sign/Sun sign Aries
Nationality Indian
Hometown Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
School Not Known
College Not Known
Educational Qualification Graduate
Debut TV: Haar Jeet (2011-2012)
Family Father- Not Known
Mother- Not Known
Brother- Not Known
Sister- Not Known
Religion Hinduism
Hobbies Dancing, listening to music
Favourite Things
Favourite Actor Shah Rukh Khan
Boys, Affairs and More
Marital Status Unmarried
Affairs/Boyfriends Ravi Bhatia (Ex-boyfriend)
Husband/Spouse N/A
Children Son- N/A
Daughter- N/A

Sponsored

Some Lesser Known Facts About Heena Parmar


Does Heena Parmar smoke?: Not Known
Does Heena Parmar drink alcohol?: Not Known
Heena started her acting career in 2011 by playing the lead role of Mihika Maansingh in the TV serial ‘Haar Jeet.’
She also acted in several historical TV serials like ‘Jodha Akbar’ as Anarkali, ‘Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap’ as Maharani Phool Kanwar Rathore, and ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’ as Chanda.
She is a big fan of superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Hari Teja


BIRTHDAY 26 February, 1989 (Sunday)
BIRTH PLACE Tirupati , Chittoor , Andhra Pradesh, India
BIRTH SIGN Pisces
HEIGHT in centimeters- 166 cm
in Feet Inches- 5’ 5”
WEIGHT in Kilograms- 65 kg
in Pounds- 143.3 lbs

Hari Teja Popularity on Social Media

Hari Teja was born on 26-02-1989 in Tirupati, Chittoor in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. She is an Indian Television Presenter, Television Personality, Television Acress, Film Actress, Dancer & Singer. She is well-known for her work in Telugu cinema as well as Tamil & Kannada movies.

Other Name: Hari
Appearance: Telugu Tamil Kannada

Hari Teja is a famous Telugu actress. She is arguably one of the most sought after actresses of Telugu film industry. She has also played some significant roles in Telugu films as well. Since childhood, she started training in dancing and singing and aspired to become an actress. She made her acting debut through the Telugu series Manasu Mamatha in the year 2011 and was with the show till 2016. Besides that, she has acted in various television series such as Raktha Sambandham, Thaali kattu Shubhavela, and Sivaranjani among others. In addition to acting, she has also participated in the reality show Bigg Boss Telugu (season 1). She also served as the host of the show Fidaa Mee Favourite Star Tho in the year 2017. Since 2018, she is hosting the show Pandaga Chesko.

In addition to series, she has also acted in various Telugu films. She made her silver screen debut through the film titled Aaada Vari Matalaku Arthale Verule in the year 2007. Since then, she has been a part of various Telugu films such as Attarintiki Daredi, 1: Nenokkadine, A Aa - Anasuya Ramalingam, Duvvada Jagannadham, N.T.R, and Hippi among others. She was recently seen in Telugu films such as Sarileru Neekevvaru, and Hit. She will soon make her Tamil film debut through the film titled SR - The Untold Story.

Isla Blair
(Wikipedia)


Isla Blair
Born 29 September 1944 

Occupation Actress
Years active 1965–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 1968)​
Children Jamie Glover

Isla Blair (born 29 September 1944) is a British actress and singer. She made her first stage appearance in 1963 as Philia in the London debut of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Biography

Isla Blair was born in Bangalore, India, on 29 September 1944. Her father, Ian Baxter Blair-Hill, was a British tea planter of Scottish descent. Blair's interest in performing arts first became apparent when, at the age of two, she gave an impromptu singing performance on the boat ride from India to England.

She went on to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art to prepare for a career in acting. She is married to fellow actor Julian Glover, with whom she has a son, actor Jamie Glover. Along with Prunella Scales, Blair and Glover were involved with the expansion of the Salisbury Playhouse. She was vice president of TACT, the Actors' Children's Trust in 2015 and trustee in 2018.

Career

Blair made her first stage appearance at the Strand Theatre on 3 October 1963 playing the part of Philia in the London debut of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for their 1971 season, during which she portrayed Emilia in The Man of Mode and Aglaya in Subject to Fits. In 1973, Blair toured the Middle East with the Prospect Theatre Company in the role of Viola in Twelfth Night. Other venues at which Blair has performed include the Old Vic and the Nottingham Playhouse.

One of Blair's earliest experiences working in film was in a scene with Paul McCartney in the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night. McCartney offered to drive Blair home after the shoot, but upon exiting the building, the two were swarmed by fans who scratched and kicked Blair in an attempt to reach McCartney. The following day, she declined a second offer of a ride from McCartney. The scene they had been filming, which was Blair's only scene in the movie, was eventually cut and lost.

Her first credited film appearance was in the 1965 horror film Dr. Terror's House of Horrors as an art gallery assistant. Her other film appearances include A Flea in Her Ear (1968), Battle of Britain (1969), Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989, as the wife of her real-life husband Julian Glover, and credited as Mrs. Glover), Valmont (1989), The Monk (1990), The House of Angelo (1997), The Match (1999), Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (2002), AfterLife (2003) and Johnny English Reborn (2011). 

Blair guest starred in two episodes of Space: 1999; appearing in 1975, along with Anthony Valentine, in War Games and in 1976, along with Freddie Jones, in Journey to Where. In 1976, Blair played Emma Antrobus in the ITV drama series The Crezz. She played a principal role (Sally) in the BBC's alternative history TV serial An Englishman's Castle, first broadcast in 1978. One of her best known TV appearances was as Flora Beniform in The History Man (1981) alongside Anthony Sher. Blair played Claire Carlsen, Francis Urquhart's Parliamentary Private Secretary, in The Final Cut (1995). In 2003, she played opposite John Nettles in an episode of Midsomer Murders as a psychological profiler. She played Nanny Langton in The Star of Jacob, Father Brown (S5:E1, 2016). She played the part of a foreign agent, disguised as a bride, in The Avengers episode "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Station". (1967)

In 2010, she appeared at The Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond in The Company Man by Torben Betts. She was nominated for an Off West End Award as Best Actress. 

Blair has narrated many audiobooks. In 2014–15 she appeared in the stage musical Made in Dagenham.

Indrani Haldar

(Wikipedia)
Indrani Haldar
Indrani Halder in 2012
Born 6 January 1971

Occupation Actress
Years active 1986–present

Spouse(s) Bhaskar Roy, Amarendraa Ghosh
Partner(s) Sanjeeb Dasgupta

Indrani Haldar (born 6 January 1971) is an Indian actress who is mostly known for her work in Bengali cinema. She was conferred with a National Award, three BFJA Awards and two Anandalok Awards.

Halder made her debut in 1986 with the Bengali TV series Tero Parbon directed by Jochon Dastidar. She made her big screen debut opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee in Mandira (1990). She has appeared in numerous films, telefilms and TV series and hit the pinnacle of her career with the Bengali TV series Goyenda Ginni. She appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Charachar, Dahan, Anu, Sajhbatir Rupkathara, Faltu, Tokhon Teish, Mayurakshi to name a few.

Early life

Indrani was born in the city of Kolkata. Her father is Sanjoy Haldar. She finished her schooling from the Multipurpose Girls' School and graduated from Jogamaya Devi College, an affiliated women's college of University of Calcutta. She was trained in classical dance by Guru Thankamani Kutty.

Career

Indrani made her acting debut as a child artist in the television serial Tero Parban. She lived in Mumbai during 2008 to 2013 to act in Hindi TV serials.
Her most notable work includes Biyer Phool, cast along with Rani Mukherjee. Currently, she is acting in the Star Jalsha serial Shrimoyee as the lead actress.She is known for her work in 'Jara brishtite bhijechilo'directed by Anjan das,"Angshumaner Chobi", directed by Atanu ghosh,"Dahan", directed by Rituparno ghosh,"Sanjhbatir Rupkathara", directed by Anjan das,"Anu", directed by Satarupa Sannyal, "Takhan Teish" directed by Atanu Ghosh,"Faltu", directed by Anjan das,"Dekha" directed by Gautam Ghosh,"Debdas" directed by Shakti samanta,Lal darja directed by Budhyadeb dasgupta,nilimay nil directed by Biresh chaterjee,Swet pathorer Thala directedby Prabhat Roy.Her commercial success included Bier fool,Prem sanghat,Antortomo,Barkone,Chowdhuri Paribar,Jay bijay,Apon holo por,Gharer laxmi,Noyoner alo,Satyam sibam sundaram,Mandira,Biswas obiswas,Saikat sangeet,sagar banya,Jamaibabu,Sesh Asroy etc. She shared screen mostly with Prasenjit chatterjee,Tapash paul,Chiranjit chakraborty,Abhishek chaterjee,Bhaskar banerjee,Sanjib dasgupta.Her one of the Hindi film is 'Bhairav' with Bollywood star Mithun Chakrabarty .She is often compared with Rituparna sengupta and Debosree Roy for her work in Bengali film.She is the only leading actress of Bengal industry who is working in film as well as in television very smoothly. She is often called "Queen of Bengali television industry'.Her television serials included Sujata in Sony TV,somoy in Ruposhi bangla,Goyenda ginni & Sima Rekha in Zbangla, Srimoyee in Star jalsa,Tero Parbon in DD bangla etc.

Awards

Best actress award at the Madrid International Film Festival for Jara Bristite Bhijechhilo (2008).
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Television] for Aroti in 1997
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Television] for Kuasha Jakhan (1998)
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Television] for Kuasha Jakhan (1998)
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Film] for Ma Shakti (2002)
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Television] for Pinjor (2005)
Kalakar Awards Best Actress [Television] for Bonnishikha (2006)
BFJA - Best Actress Award for Charachar (1995)
BFJA - Best Actress Award for Sanjhbatir Rupkathara (2003)
BFJA - Best Supporting Actress Award for Faltu (2007)
Anondalok Award - Best Actress Award for Dahan (1999)
Anondalok Award - Best Actress Award for Anu (2000)
Kalakar Awards - Best Actress Award for TV Serial Sujjata (2009)
Zee Bangla Sonar Sansar Awards - Sara Bouma Award for Poroma (2016)
Zee Bangla Sonar Sansar Awards - Best Villain (female) Award for Shimantini(2018)
Zee Bangla Sonar Sansar Awards - Versatile Actress (2018)
Bharat Nirman Award - Best Actress (2004)
Politics

Halder joined All India Trinamool Congress on 21 July 2017.


Ineya
(Wikipedia)

Ineya
Ineya in 2013
Born
Shruti Sawant
22 January 1991

Occupation

Actress
model
Years active 2004 – present


Shruti Sawant (born 22 January 1991), better known by her stage name Ineya, is an Indian film actress and model from Trivandrum, Kerala who predominantly appears in Malayalam and Tamil films. She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the Tamil film Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011).

Early life

Ineya, whose real name is Shruti Sawant was born to Salahuddin. S and Savithri at Trivandrum, Kerala. She has an elder sister, Swathi, who is also a Malayalam television actress and a younger brother, Sravan.[2] Ineya had her primary education at Thiruvananthapuram from Amritha Vidyalaya, Fort Girls Mission High School and Manakkad Karthika Thirunnal High School . She did her B.B.A course by correspondence.

Career

Ineya acted in several Malayalam television series, short films and telefilms as a child artist. While studying in class four, she acted in the telefilm Koottilekku, which was followed by appearances in tele-serials Orma and Sree Guruvayoorappan by Vayalar Madhavan Kutty. Ineya won the Miss Trivandrum title in 2005, following which she did modeling and appeared in several television advertisements as well as a number of Malayalam award-winning art films, including Saira (2006), directed Dr. Biju, Dalamarmarangal (2009) and Umma (2011), both directed by Vijayakrishnan. She also played a pivotal role in Rajesh Touchriver's short feature The Sacred Face, which focusses on child abuse.

In 2010, she starred in a Tamil film Padagasalai and signed up four more Tamil films, all of which were cancelled or remain unreleased. She next played a supporting role as the sister to Cheran's character in Mysskin's mystery thriller Yuddham Sei. Director A. Sarkunam signed her for the female lead character in his period piece Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011), for which she changed her screen name to Ineya. Her portrayal of a tea stall owner was lauded by critics. Pavithra Srinivasan of Rediff wrote that she was a "welcome find", describing her as "natural, appealing, and very expressive". She played as a medical student and love interest of the hero in the film Mouna Guru co-starring Arulnidhi. Bharathiraja signed her for his film Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum, being impressed with her performance in Vaagai Sooda Vaa, but after the script was changed, her role was removed from the film.

She was part of a number of offbeat films in Malayalam like Ayaal, Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam and Radio. In 2014, she was first seen as herself in Vikraman's Ninaithathu Yaaro and later in Pulivaal, the Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Chaappa Kurishu. In her only Malayalam release of 2014, Madhu Kaithapram's Vellivelichathil (In the Limelight), she played the role of a dancer.

Awards


Ishani Das


Ishani loves the typical stormy monsoon, the ticket-master’s song of the next stop approaching, the mediocre gossiping of Bengali elders, the banter of what’s next in love, Italian dresses, copper lipstick and Salsa though not necessarily in combination, Brooklyn sass, and Navajo turquoise hoops. She is an actress, painter, filmmaker, and dancer.

Actress Ishani Das bags the lead role in ‘Bagh Bondi Khela’

By -
TIMESOFINDIA.COM

A new television show on weretiger is all set to launch. The daily soap ‘Bagh Bondi Khela’ will feature actress Ishani Das as the lead actress. Ishani was previously seen playing a meaty role in the period-drama ‘Simana Periye’. The actress is elated about her upcoming venture.

She will be paired opposite dancer and actor Rubel Das, who was seen in ‘Bhanumotir Khela’. This is the first time Rubel and Ishani are sharing the screen. They look quite good on-screen in the promo. Ever since the first teaser of ‘Bagh Bondi Khela’ went on-air, the audience were curious to know about the cast. Now that it is revealed that Rubel will be seen once again on television, his fans just keep calm to see their favourite actor. Rubel himself is excited to play Siddhartha’s character in ‘Bagh Bondi Khela’.

The launch date of ‘Bagh Bondi Khela’ is yet to be announced. Along with this daily soap a number of new serials are lined up for launch. ‘Ki Kore Bolbo Tomaye’, starring Swastika Dutta, Krushal Ahuja and Rahul Dev Roy will launch soon. Hit stand-up comedy show ‘Mirakkel’ will also alunch its new season hosted by radio jockey and actor Mir Afsar Ali.


Ivana (actress)

Aleena Shaji, who uses the stage name Ivana, was born on February 25, 2000 in Kerala, India. She is an Indian actress who works in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu films

Ivana Biography 

Ivana (aka Aleena Shaji) is an Indian actress who primarily worked in Malayalam and Tamil films. She began her film career as a child artiste in the 2012 Malayali film Masters when she was 12 years old. Her portrayal in the Tamil film Naachiyar, for which she received a SIMMA and Filmfare Award nomination for best debutant actress in Tamil, helped to establish herself as a renowned actor.

Personal Life 

Born as Aleena Shaji on February 25, 2000, she changed her original name to Ivana after the success of her Tamil movie Naachiyaar. Shaji Cherian is her father's name, and she has a twin brother and sister named Leo and Laya. After completing her school education, she earned a bachelor's degree in B.Com  from Kerala University.

Career 

Ivana began her film career at a very young age, and in 2012, when she was only 12 years old, she was given her maiden shot to work as a child star in the Malayalam flick Advertisement Masters. And for the following three years, he failed to engage with any films.

She later had the option to appear in another Malayalam-language movie in 2015, called "Rani Padmini (2015)," and from that time on, she hardly stopped to look forward. Then Ivana had the opportunity to work on Tamil and Malayalam movies. She gained notoriety for her performance in the Tamil film "Naachiyar," directed by Bala, which also starred GV Prakash Kumar and Jyothika and for which she was nominated for numerous awards.

She also had a concise presence in the film SK's Hero, but she made the most of the available screen time and once again displayed her talent as an actress. After Comali's popularity, director Pradeep released a film in which he made his acting debut as a lead role in the movie Love Today, he selected Ivana to co-star as a starlet. She gained a lot of fame in the Tamil industry from there. After the movie, Youngsters' fan base grew significantly, and numerous YouTube channels were already frequently interviewing her. She also shared wonderful off-screen expressions of love.

Meanwhile she will be next seen in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni's debut production venture named 'Let's Get Married'. In the upcoming movie, Ivan will essaying a lead role opposite Harish Kalyan. Directed by Ramesh Tamilmani, actors Nadia and Yogi Babu will be seen in a prominent role in the movie.  

Read more at: https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/ivana-tamil-actress/biography.htmll

Indrakshi Nag

It’s a challenge to play an aged lady at a young age: Indrakshi Nag

Bengali actress Indrakshi Nag talks about her role in Resham Jhanpi.
Mumbai

Actress Indrakshi Nag, who is currently seen in Colors Bangla’s new show Resham Jhanpi (Shibaji Panja), says that now-a-days she is getting offers more of negative roles and interestingly she has developed a liking for the same.

The pretty lady said, “I played Mrinalini Devi (a serial on the life of Mrinalini Devi); it was a positive role and was liked by the audience. Saat Paake Bandha was the first serial where I essayed a negative shade. It also became popular among the audience. I have played positive characters but now-a-days, I am getting offers more of negative ones.”

When asked if she feels bad about it, she candidly said, “No, I don’t feel bad. I enjoy it when people say that onscreen I look positive but play negative roles. You will notice that my onscreen look has no negative shades because usually the antagonists wear loud makeup. I think this is very interesting that you don a positive look but play a negative role.”

Indrakshi’s current role in Resham Jhanpi is neither positive nor negative but eventually she will portray the main antagonist.

Revealing more about it, she shared, “In the soap, I am playing Ranjana, who is the daughter of a minister. She is married to Aditya (Joyjit Banerjee). She is a typical wife, who has two shades and right now she is neither negative nor positive. Her marriage is a political deal. She is fine with it but not overwhelmed. She realizes that her husband is good for nothing and calls him the servant of Dada Thakur. She does not mind calling a spade a spade.”

“A modern educated lady, she has accepted her marriage. But things will take a turn when her son will get involved in a relationship with Titli (Smriti Singh), which Maa Thakurun Rupmati (June Maliah) will support. Her marriage was a deal, her husband is good for nothing…she accepts everything but when her only hope, her son gets involved with the girl she changes into a completely different person. So, after five months, a leap will happen and my son will be shown as a grown up man. Since then onward, I will be the main antagonist of the serial,” she added.

The actress further said that after the leap, she will be shown as a older lady but her look will remain almost same in fact it will become more gorgeous. She signed off saying that it’s a challenge to play an aged lady at a young age.

Way to go, Indrakshi!

For more updates stay hooked to Tellychakkar.com.

Jyotsna Majumdar

Full NameJyotsna Majumdar
Birth Name Jyotsna Majumdar

Known For Kora Pakhi Serial
Dui Prithibi Film

Profession(s) Actress

Birthplace West Bengal
Height (approx.) In centimetres- 165.7 cm
In metres- 1.66 m
In feet inches- 5'5" inch
Weight (approx.) In kilograms- 56 kg
In pounds- 123.3 Ibs
Body Measurements (approx.) Chest- 34 inch
Waist- 32 inch
Biceps-10 inch
Eye Colour Dark Brown
Hair Colour Black
Skin Colour Shyambarna

Nationality Indian
Hometown West Bengal
Hobbies Modelling,Acting
Salary (approx.) 5-9k/ Episodes
Income (approx.) As in 2021- 3-6 lakh/annum
As in 2020- 2-6 lakh/annum
Networth approx. 3-6 Million

Jayasudha
(Wikipedia)


Jayasudha

Member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly
In office
2009–2014
Constituency Secunderabad, Telangana, India
Personal details
Born
Sujatha
17 December 1958 
Madras, Madras State, India
Political party Indian National Congress
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1985; died 2017)​
Relations Nidudavolu Venkatarao (grandfather)
Children 2
Occupation
Actress
politician

Jayasudha (born Sujatha; 17 December 1958) is an Indian actress and politician. She predominantly works in Telugu films along with Tamil films in addition to a few appearances in Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. Jayasudha is a former MLA for the Congress in Secunderabad. She has received numerous accolades including eight state Nandi Awards of Andra Pradesh and seven Filmfare Awards South.

Early life and career

Jayasudha was born as Sujatha in a Telugu family in Madras on 17 December 1958. Her aunt is the Telugu film actress and director Vijaya Nirmala. Jayasudha made her film debut when she was twelve years old as Jamuna's daughter in the Telugu film Pandanti Kapuram (1972). Director K. Balachander gave her a small role in the Tamil film Arangetram, where she shared space with Kamal Haasan. She acted in a number of films in Telugu and Tamil, mostly under Balachander's direction; Sollathaan Ninaikkiren (1973), Naan Avanillai (1974) and Apoorva Raagangal and in Idi Katha Kaadu with Chiranjeevi. She also changed her name to Jayasudha, since there was already another actress named Sujatha. Her fame quickly spread, where Telugu film producers were offering her good film roles.

While her debut role as heroine in the Telugu film Lakshmana Rekha (1975) got her attention, it was really the title role in Jyothi (remake of the Hindi film Mili, starring Jaya Bhaduri) that made her a big star in Telugu films. She was now called a successor to the great Telugu actress Savitri and performed many strong roles and showed excellent range. She is given the title "Sahaja Nati" which means "natural/realistic actress."

Her roles varied from the cute looking teeny-bopper who wore minis in Nomu (1974), to that of a tortured wife of a sadist husband in K. Balachander's film Idi Katha Kaadu (1979), to that of a comedian who discovers that her husband wants to murder her for her wealth in Money (1993). She performed showy roles in Telugu remakes of Hindi films, such as Yugandhar (1979) (the fighter role that Zeenat Aman originated in Don) and Illalu (1981 film) (Reena Roy's dark-shaded role from Apnapan (1977)).

In commercial cinema, she received a huge break when she starred in Adavi Ramudu (1977), which broke box office records. She also showed innovation and lack of vanity in original Telugu films like Premabhishekam (1981), where she played a supporting role as a deglamourised prostitute, while Sridevi played the female lead.

She has acted in 325 films, and in one year, she had 24 film releases. She accomplished all this, despite her illiteracy in Telugu, by having people read lines to her and she would remember and deliver her lines. Noted filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao repeatedly cast her in his films. In the film Idekkadi Nyayam (1977), he used her name in the song "Andalanni Neelone Dagunnayi...Jayasudha," that was picturised on her. By 1982, she became such a famous actress that Dasari titled a film that she starred in, Jayasudha (1982), after her. Her fame also allowed producers to cast her sister Subhashini in supporting roles in some of the films that she starred in, such as Sivaranjani (1978 film) (1978), Doctor Cine-actor and Meghasandesam (1983).

Personal life

Jayasudha is a granddaughter of eminent scholar and literary historian, Nidudavolu Venkatarao and Gidugu Krishna Murthy. She was initially married to famous cinema producer Vadde Ramesh's brother-in-law, Rajendra Prasad, in Vijayawada. However, the marriage ended in divorce. Subsequently, she married producer Nitin Kapoor, cousin to actor Jeetendra, in 1985 and had two children, sons Nihar and Shreayan.

She has friends in the industry, such as Raadhika and Jayaprada, with whom she had acted in a number of films such as Adavi Ramudu and Meghasandesam. She converted to Christianity in 2001 and was elected as MLA for Congress from the Secunderabad constituency in 2009 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections  but lost the election and was placed 3rd in the 2014 Telangana assembly elections.

Her husband Nitin Kapoor committed suicide by jumping from the top of a building on March 14, 2017. It was stated that he was under depression since many years, but the actual reason for his suicide is not known.

Awards
Best Actress - Telugu – Aame Katha (1977)
Best Actress - Telugu – Gruhapravesam (1982)
Best Supporting Actress - Telugu – Kotha Bangaru Lokam (2008)

Andra Pradesh State Nandi Awards
Best Actress – Premabhishekam (1981)
Best Actress – Meghasandesam (1982)
Best Actress – Dharmaatmudu (1983)
Best Character Actress – Yuvakudu (2000)
Best Supporting Actress – Sathamanam Bhavati (2016)Other Awards
Kalasagar Award for Best Actress – Meghasandesam (1982)
Best Supporting Actress Award – Yevadu (2014) at 13th Santosham Film Awards

Pride of Indian Cinema Award (2007)
Andhra Pradesh Cinegoer's Association – Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)

Jayanthi (actress)
(Wikipedia)
Jayanthi
Born
Kamala Kumari
6 January 1945

Died 26 July 2021 
Occupation Actress, producer
Years active 1960–2021
Spouse(s) Peketi Sivaram
Children 1

Kamala Kumari (6 January 1945 – 26 July 2021), known by her mononymous stage name Jayanthi, was an Indian actress known for her work in Kannada cinema and Tamil cinema. She was noted for her contributions to different genres of films from the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. She had appeared in over 500 films, including films in the Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Marathi languages. She had received seven Karnataka State Film Awards, four times as Best Actress and twice as Best Supporting Actress, the President's Medal for Best Actress and two Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She has been cited as Kannada cinema's "most bold and beautiful" actress by various media outlets, a title for which she has received substantial publicity. The Kannada film industry honored her with the title "Abhinaya Sharadhe", (Goddess Sharada in acting).

Early life

Jayanthi was born in Bellary, in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of British India on 6 January 1945. Her father Balasubramanyam worked as English professor at the St Joseph's College in Bangalore. Her mother was Santhanalakshmi. Jayanthi was the eldest of three siblings and had two younger brothers. Her parents separated when she was young and her mother took the children and moved to Madras. Jayanthi's mother was keen on making her daughter a classical dancer and hence she joined a dance school. Her friend in dance school was the famous Tamil actress Manorama.

Career
Initial struggle

As a child, Jayanthi went to the studios to see her idol N. T. Rama Rao. He called her and made her sit on his lap. Affectionately, he had asked her whether she would agree to become his heroine and the little girl had merely blushed. The pair would go on later in life to produce successful films such as Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Kula Gowravam, Kondaveeti Simham and Justice Chowdhury. Jayanthi was ridiculed most of the time as she was plump and could never dance well. During her teens, she had the chance to act in a few Tamil and Telugu movies in bit parts. Jayanthi was shattered after the episode, but promised herself that one day she would prove her worth. Jayanthi's life changed when noted film director Y. R. Swamy spotted her during one of her dance rehearsals and cast her in his film Jenu Goodu after persuading her unrelenting mother who gave in after the former's third visit to her house. He also gave her the stage name. Jayanthi enjoyed a good run in the Kannada Film industry. She has costarred in more than 40 movies with Rajkumar, the doyen of Kannada cinema .

Rise to fame

Jenu Goodu, Jayanthi's first Kannada film was commercial success. Her next Kannada film as heroine was T. V. Singh Thakur's Chandavalliya Thota, the first film that paired her with Rajkumar. Based on T. R. Subba Rao's novel the film was a huge success and even won the President's Medal for Best Film in Kannada. The next major film that Jayanthi starred in was the 1965 Miss Leelavathi directed by M. R. Vittal in which she played the title role. Considered a film with a "bold theme" in what was seen as the conservative cinema at the time, the film dealt with the influence of parental differences and of a lead heroine who grows up to be a rebel and stands up against convention, refusing marriage, opting to be career-oriented women and with a carefree attitude towards premarital sex. Jayanthi was launched as the glamour-diva in the film, a first for a Kannada film, wearing skirts, T-shirts and nighties. The film was a huge success and catapulted Jayanthi to fame. She is credited with being the first Kannada actress to wear a swimsuit on screen, which the producers' first choice for the role had refused to do. The film won Jayanthi the President's award. Jayanthi recalled the occasion in one of her interviews when she received the award from Indira Gandhi (then the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), who, after giving away the award called back Jayanthi and gave her a kiss and wished her good luck.

Due to her stint in Tamil films from 1962 to 1979 as leading lady, she became nationally famous. She was frequently paired opposite Gemini Ganesan and Nagesh in Tamil. In Tamil she acted with all major stars including M.G. Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, Muthuraman and Jaishankar. She acted with M. G. Ramachandran in Padagotti and Mugaraasi, with Gemini Ganesan in Kanna Nalama, Velli Vizha, Punnagai, Ganga Gowri and Iru Kodugal, with Jaishankar in Nil Gavani Kadhali and Kaadhal Paduthum Paadu and Ethir Neechal with Nagesh. She was director K. Balachander's regular actress and they went on to work in films such as Iru Kodugal, Bama Vijayam, Ethir Neechal, Punnagai, Velli Vizha and Kanna Nalama. She acted with Jayalalithaa and Manorama in the film Mugaraasi. The song Aadhi Naadan Ketkindraan picturised on her sung by TMS-Janaki was very popular.

She was married to film director Peketi Sivaram for a few years and then the couple separated.During the late 1970s and the 1980s Jayanthi starred in many Kannada movies that required a slightly mature actress, often paired with Srinivasa Murthy and Prabhakar.

On 27 March 2018, it was falsely reported by several media houses that actress Jayanthi had died. While her fans took to social media to offer their condolences, her family members refuted the rumors as false. The then 73 year old actress complained of breathing difficulties and was admitted to a private hospital in Bengaluru and was recuperating and responding well to the treatment.

Other works

In 2009, she gave her voice to an HIV/AIDS education animated software tutorial created by the nonprofit organization TeachAids.

Death

Jayanthi died on 26 July 2021 at the age of 76, due to age related ailments at her residence in Bengaluru.

Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards
1976–77: Best Actress — Manassinanthe Mangalya
1981–82: Best Actress — Dharma Dari Thappithu
1985–86: Best Actress — Masanada Hoovu
1986–87: Best Supporting Actress — Anand
1998–99: Best Supporting Actress — Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi
1973: Best Actress – Kannada — Edakallu Guddada Mele
1976: Best Actress – Kannada — ThulasiOthers
Padmabhushan Dr. B. Sarojadevi National Award, 2017

Jaya Mahesh
( Wikipedia)

Dr.Jaya Mahesh
Born 14 February 1969
Nationality Indian
Occupation Fitness Therapist, Fashion Model
Years active 1996–present

Jayashree Chandramohan popularly known as Jaya Mahesh is an Indian pageant winner, model and Fitness therapist. She was born into a Tamil family in South Indian city Coimbatore. She was a homemaker before overcoming her post-pregnancy health issues she started her career.

Background and family

Jaya Mahesh was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India into a Tamil family. She did her schooling at GRG Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Coimbatore. She went on to graduate in B.Com from PSGR Krishnammal College in Coimbatore. She is married to Mahesh Kumar G a business professional in the year 1995 and has one daughter Sanjana M Kumar.

Career

Jaya Mahesh was suffering from Post Pregnancy trauma and abnormal weight gain. She gained over 118 kilograms (260 lb) after her pregnancy. She also lost her eyesight due to her abnormal weight gain.

She overcame her personal struggles with support from her husband and children - as she quotes, she framed her own routines of food and exercise habits.

Jaya Mahesh had her first big success and recognition when she was crowned Mrs. Coimbatore in the year 2006. She went on to win and crowned as Mrs. India Earth Classic in the year 2016.

Jaya Mahesh was recently adjudged the third runner up at Mrs Globe Classic event in California. She also bagged the Mrs. Photogenic crown.

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from University of SouthAmerica


Jennifer Aniston
(Wikipedia)
Jennifer Aniston
Aniston in 2012
Born
Jennifer Joanna Aniston
February 11, 1969

Occupation

Actress
producer
businesswoman
Years active 1987–present

Works Full list
Spouse(s)

​
​(m. 2000; div. 2005)​
​
​(m. 2015; sep. 2017)​
Parents

John Aniston (father)
Nancy Dow (mother)
Awards Full list

Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American actress, producer, and businesswoman. The daughter of actors John Aniston and Nancy Dow, she began working as an actress at an early age with an uncredited role in the 1988 film Mac and Me; her first major film role came in the 1993 horror comedy Leprechaun. Since her career progressed in the 1990s, she has become one of the world's highest-paid actresses. Films with her in the leading role have grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide, with 12 of them earning at least $100 million.

Aniston rose to international fame for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends (1994–2004), for which she earned Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild awards. She has since played starring roles in numerous dramas, comedies and romantic comedies. Her biggest box office successes include Bruce Almighty (2003), The Break-Up (2006), Marley & Me (2008), Just Go with It (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), and We're the Millers (2013), each of which grossed over $200 million in worldwide box office receipts. Some of her most critically acclaimed film roles include Office Space (1999), The Good Girl (2002), Friends with Money (2006), Cake (2014), and Dumplin' (2018). She returned to television in 2019, producing and starring in the Apple TV+ drama series The Morning Show, for which she won another Screen Actors Guild Award.

Aniston has been included in numerous magazines' lists of the world's most beautiful women. Her net worth is estimated as $300 million. She is the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is the co-founder of the production company Echo Films, established in 2008. She has been married twice: first to actor Brad Pitt, to whom she was married for five years, and later to actor Justin Theroux, whom she married in 2015 and separated from in 2017.

Early life

Aniston was born on February 11, 1969, in the Sherman Oaks neighborhood of Los Angeles to Greek-born actor John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow. One of her maternal great-grandfathers, Louis Grieco, was from Italy. Her mother's other ancestry includes English, Irish, Scottish, and a small amount of Greek. Her father's ancestry is from the Greek island of Crete. Aniston has two half-brothers: John Melick, her older maternal half-brother; and Alex Aniston, her younger paternal half-brother. Her godfather was actor Telly Savalas, one of her father's best friends.

As a child she moved to New York City. Despite her father's television career she was discouraged from watching television, though she found ways around the prohibition. When she was six, she began attending a Waldorf school. Her parents divorced when she was nine.

Having discovered acting at age 11 at the Waldorf school, Aniston enrolled in Manhattan's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she joined the school's drama society, and where Anthony Abeson was her drama teacher She performed in The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window by Lorraine Hansberry and Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov.

Career

1988–1993: Beginnings

Aniston first worked in Off-Broadway productions such as For Dear Life and Dancing on Checker's Grave, and supported herself with part-time jobs including work as a telemarketer, waitress and bike messenger. In 1988 she had an uncredited minor role in the critically panned sci-fi adventure film Mac and Me. The next year she appeared on The Howard Stern Show as a spokesmodel for Nutrisystem, and moved back to Los Angeles.

She obtained her first regular television role on Molloy in 1990, and appeared in Ferris Bueller, a television adaptation of the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off; both series were quickly canceled. She starred as a teenager going to summer camp in the made-for-television film Camp Cucamonga (1990), and as a spoiled daughter followed by a vengeful leprechaun in the horror film Leprechaun (1993). A 2014 retrospective from Entertainment Weekly identified Leprechaun as her worst role, and Aniston herself has expressed embarrassment over it.

Aniston also appeared in the two failed television comedy series The Edge and Muddling Through, and guest-starred in Quantum Leap, Herman's Head and Burke's Law.
1994–2004: Friends and worldwide recognition

Depressed over her four unsuccessful television shows, Aniston approached Warren Littlefield at a Los Angeles gas station asking for reassurance. The head of NBC entertainment encouraged her to continue acting, and a few months later helped cast her in Friends, a sitcom set to debut on NBC's 1994–1995 fall lineup. The producer wanted Aniston to audition for the role of Monica Geller, but Courteney Cox was deemed more suitable, and Aniston was cast as Rachel Green. She was also offered a spot as a featured player on Saturday Night Live, but turned it down in favor of Friends. She played Rachel until the show ended in 2004.

The program was a massive hit and Aniston, along with her co-stars, gained worldwide recognition. Her character was especially popular. She received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations (two for Supporting Actress, three for Lead Actress), and won for Lead Actress. She was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and won in 2003 as Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Aniston (along with her female co-stars) became the highest-paid television actress of all time with her $1 million-per-episode paycheck during the final season of Friends. Her character's relationship with Ross Geller, portrayed by David Schwimmer, was widely popular among audiences; they were frequently voted television's favorite couple in polls and magazines.

After a four-year hiatus, Aniston returned to film work in 1996, when she performed in the ensemble cast of romantic comedy She's the One. Her first starring film vehicle was Picture Perfect (1997), where she played a struggling young advertising executive opposite Kevin Bacon and Jay Mohr. It received mixed reviews and was only a moderate commercial success; but Aniston's performance was more warmly received, with many critics suggesting that she had screen presence. In 1998, she appeared as a woman who falls for a gay man (played by Paul Rudd) in the romantic comedy The Object of My Affection, and the next year she starred as a restaurant waitress in the cult film Office Space.

Aniston appeared in the dramedy Rock Star (2001) opposite Mark Wahlberg and Dominic West. She starred in the independent dramedy The Good Girl (2002) as an unglamorous cashier who cheats on her husband. The film was a commercial success in limited release, taking in over $14 million in North America. Film critic Roger Ebert declared it her breakthrough:


After languishing in a series of overlooked movies that ranged from the entertaining Office Space to the disposable Picture Perfect, Jennifer Aniston has at last decisively broken with her Friends image in an independent film of satiric fire and emotional turmoil. It will no longer be possible to consider her in the same way.

Aniston's biggest commercial success in film has been the comedy Bruce Almighty (2003), where she played the girlfriend of a television field reporter (Jim Carrey) offered the chance to be God for one week. With a worldwide box office gross of $484 million, it was the fifth-highest-grossing feature film of the year.Aniston next starred as the old classmate of a tightly wound newlywed in the romantic comedy Along Came Polly (2004) opposite Ben Stiller, which placed number one at the North American box office, earning $27.7 million in its opening weekend; it eventually made $172 million worldwide.
2005–2013: Continued film success

In 2005, Aniston appeared as an alluring woman having an affair with an advertising executive in the thriller Derailed, and as an obituary and wedding announcement writer in the romantic comedy Rumor Has It. Both films were moderate box office hits.Aniston took on the role of a single, cash-strapped woman working as a maid in the independent drama Friends with Money (2006), which received a limited release.

Her next film was the romantic comedy The Break-Up (2006), alongside Vince Vaughn, in which she starred as one half of a couple having a complicated split when both refuse to move out of the pair's recently purchased home. It received mixed reviews but grossed approximately $39.17 million during its opening weekend and $204 million worldwide. The A.V. Club's Keith Phipps gave the film a negative review, stating, "It's like watching the 'we were on a break' episode of Friends stretched to feature length, and without the blessed relief of commercial breaks or the promise of Seinfeld around the corner." CinemaBlend gave the film a positive review stating, "In an era of formulaic romantic movies that bear no resemblance to reality, The Break-Up offers a refreshing flipside."

In 2006, Aniston directed the short film Room 10, set in a hospital emergency room and starring Robin Wright and Kris Kristofferson, as part of Glamour's Reel Moments film series. She noted that she was inspired to direct by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who also directed a short film that year. In 2007, Aniston guest-starred in an episode of Dirt—playing the rival of Courteney Cox's character—and in an episode of 30 Rock, playing a woman who stalks Jack Donaghy. For the latter she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Aniston at the premiere of He's Just Not That Into You in 2009

The 2008 comedy drama Marley & Me, starring Aniston and Owen Wilson as the owners of the titular dog, set a record for the largest Christmas Day box office sales ever with $14.75 million. It earned a total of $51.7 million over the four-day weekend and placed number one at the box office, a position it maintained for two weeks. The total worldwide gross was $242.7 million. Her next film in wide release, the romantic comedy He's Just Not That Into You (2009), in which she starred opposite Ben Affleck, grossed $178.8 million globally and ranked number one at the United States box office for its opening weekend. While it received mixed reviews, Aniston, along with Affleck, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Jennifer Connelly, were praised by critics as standouts in the film.

Aniston appeared as the former wife of a bounty hunter (Gerard Butler) in the romantic comedy action film The Bounty Hunter (2010). The film was panned by critics, with The Hollywood Reporter writing that "the mishmash ends up as a thoroughly unfunny adult cartoon." Nevertheless, it was a box office success, garnering over $130 million worldwide. A lukewarm box office reception greeted her next film, the romantic comedy The Switch (2010), in which she starred with Jason Bateman as a 30-something single woman who decides to have a child using a sperm bank. The film's opening weekend drew what The Hollywood Reporter dubbed "a dispiriting $8.4 million". The film received generally mixed reviews, with review site Metacritic showing 13 out of 30 critics delivering a positive verdict.

In 2010, Aniston was also a guest star on the season two premiere of ABC's sitcom Cougar Town, playing a psychiatrist. Her announcement that she would appear on Cougar Town garnered excitement and was dubbed her return to television. The A.V. Club wrote, "[her role is] is a funny bit, and it highlights just how much Jennifer Aniston is built to be a TV star." In 2011, she starred opposite Adam Sandler as an office manager posing as the wife of a plastic surgeon in the romantic comedy Just Go with It, and played a sexually aggressive dentist in Horrible Bosses. Just Go with It and Horrible Bosses both made over $100 million in North America and $200 million worldwide.

Aniston appeared in the comedy Wanderlust (2012) with Paul Rudd, with whom she acted in The Object of My Affection and also Friends, as a married couple who join a commune after losing their money and deciding modern life is not for them. The script for Wanderlust, bought by Universal Pictures, was produced by Judd Apatow. Wanderlust received positive reviews but was a box office failure, grossing only $21 million worldwide, against a production budget of $35 million.[80] Aniston starred as a struggling stripper who agrees to pose as a wife for a drug deal, with Jason Sudeikis, in We're the Millers (2013). The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was a financial success, grossing $269 million against a budget of $37 million.
2014–present: Recent roles and return to television

Aniston played the role of a stoic socialite who becomes the target of an ill-planned kidnapping plot in Life of Crime (2014), a film adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1978 novel The Switch. The film was released in limited theaters, to positive reviews. Catherine Shoard of The Guardian described her performance as "endearingly comic" and Eric Kohn of IndieWire wrote that "Aniston tops any of her recent performances with a spirited turn that harkens back to her neurotic days on Friends." She also reprised her role for Horrible Bosses 2 (2014).

In Cake (2014), Aniston starred as an astringent woman named Claire Simmons who struggles with chronic pain. The film received mixed reviews; nonetheless, Aniston's performance was acclaimed, dubbed by some critics as "Oscar-worthy". The Toronto International Film Festival called her performance "heartbreakingly good", Gregory Ellwood of HitFix stated, "It's really on most people's radar for being a rare dramatic turn for Jennifer Aniston, and she doesn't disappoint." He further stated, "Aniston makes you believe in Claire's pain. She makes you believe this character is at her lowest point and only she can pull herself out of it. ... It's a complete performance from beginning to end and she deserves the appropriate accolades for it." For her performance, Aniston was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, and Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress.
Aniston at the London premiere of Horrible Bosses in 2011

In 2015, Aniston starred as a reluctant therapist in the screwball comedy She's Funny That Way, which received mixed reviews and found a limited release in theaters, but her performance was once again noticed. Wesley Morris of Grantland called her "one of the great screen comedians. ... Most of her scenes here are extraneous, but her vulgarity and tartness are so sharp that the movie needs them. ... This isn't just Aniston having the best stuff. It's her having the most fun with her talent. She's funny in every way." She was "one of the film's few bright spots" according to Lou Lumenick of the New York Post.

Aniston starred as the recently divorced mother of two children in the romantic comedy Mother's Day (2016), directed by Garry Marshall, and opposite Julia Roberts and Kate Hudson. The film was panned by critics and a moderate commercial success. In 2016, she voiced a workaholic and overprotective mother in the animated film Storks, alongside Andy Samberg and Kelsey Grammer, which was released to mostly positive reviews; it grossed over $183.4 million against a $70 million budget. Her last 2016 film role was that of a frigidly cold head honcho of a company in the comedy Office Christmas Party, directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon and opposite Jason Bateman and Kate McKinnon. It grossed $114.5 million worldwide.

In The Yellow Birds, a war drama directed by Alexandre Moors, Aniston portrays the mother of a deceased soldier, alongside Alden Ehrenreich, Tye Sheridan, Jack Huston, and Toni Collette. While she said she does not "normally gravitate toward being in war films", she made an exception because the film was "written so beautifully and in such a way [she] had never experienced". The film, first presented at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, received a VOD release in June 2018. The Los Angeles Times wrote in its review: "Toni Collette and Jennifer Aniston as the soldiers' quite different but equally concerned mothers, deliver uniformly naturalistic performances".

In December 2018, Netflix released the musical comedy Dumplin', with Aniston as executive producer and star—marking her first project for a streaming service. That year, she began work on two more Netflix projects: Murder Mystery, a comedy that reunites her with Adam Sandler, which premiered on June 14, 2019; and First Ladies, a film about the first lesbian president of the United States, with Tig Notaro as her wife.

Aniston made her return to television on November 1, 2019, producing and starring alongside Reese Witherspoon in the Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show. It is her first main television role since the conclusion of Friends in 2004.[ Aniston won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and Best Television Series – Drama as the series' producer.

She reunited with her Friends cast mates for a HBO Max unscripted television special titled Friends: The Reunion in May 2021.

In the media

Wealth

Aniston is one of the world's highest-paid actresses as of 2018. She has been on the Forbes Top Earning Actresses list for 15 years, every year since 2001—and since then also on its Celebrity 100 list (based on "earnings and fame"), topping it in 2003. According to Forbes, in October 2007, Aniston was the best-selling celebrity face of the entertainment industry.

The magazine estimated her net worth at $110 million in 2007, $150 million in 2014, and $200 million in 2017. It listed her earnings as $19.5 million in 2018.
Public image
Aniston's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Aniston has been included in various magazine lists of the world's most beautiful women. In 2005, she became the first GQ Woman of the Year. She has frequently appeared on People magazine's annual list of Most Beautiful Women, topping the ranking in 2004 and 2016. She also topped the magazine's Best Dressed List in 2006. She has been a regular on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women list since 1996, most recently ranking at number 79 in 2012. In 2011, The Daily Telegraph reported the most sought-after body parts of the rich and famous revealed by two Hollywood plastic surgeons who carried out a survey among their patients to build up the picture of what the perfect woman would look like. Under the category of the most sought-after body shape, Aniston was voted in the top three, alongside Gisele Bündchen and Penélope Cruz. In the same year, readers of Men's Health voted Aniston as the Sexiest Woman of All Time. Men's Health also included her on its 100 Hottest Sex Symbols of All Time list, explaining that "Her down-to-earth persona makes her seem attainable, and anyone who's seen her in Office Space has to admit she makes even pieces of flair look good. She rarely plays the airhead, and she seldom overplays a role: she's funny in a quiet, refreshingly human way. And her all-too-human love life off screen inspires sympathy that not even a string of bland romantic comedies can diminish. Other sex symbols drift toward one-dimensionality, becoming flat icons in the process, but throughout her career Aniston has remained sexy, funny, and unmistakably real." Although Aniston disliked the hairstyle she wore during her first two years on Friends, "The Rachel" became very popular.

She received a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 22, 2012, located at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard. She was ranked third on Forbes' list of the 100 Most Powerful Actresses in Hollywood in 2013.

Amid media speculation as to whether she was pregnant in July 2016, Aniston wrote an essay for The Huffington Post, in which she criticized "[t]he objectification and scrutiny we put women through". She stated: "We are complete with or without a mate, with or without a child. We get to decide for ourselves what is beautiful when it comes to our bodies. [...] We don't need to be married or mothers to be complete. We get to determine our own 'happily ever after' for ourselves." The essay was supported by many celebrities and widely covered in the media.

After years of aversion to social media, Aniston joined Instagram on October 15, 2019, causing the app to "break" (for hours the "follow" button became inoperable due to an overload of web traffic to her account) with the first picture of a Friends cast reunion. With five hours and sixteen minutes, she broke the Guinness World Record for fastest time to reach one million followers on the platform.

Personal life

Aniston practices Hatha yoga and Budokan karate. In 2014, she spoke of her Transcendental Meditation practice. The following year, she revealed she has dyslexia, which had affected her education and self-esteem, and that after being diagnosed in her twenties, her outlook toward life changed. She stated, "I thought I wasn't smart. I just couldn't retain anything. Now I had this great discovery. I felt like all of my childhood trauma-dies, tragedies, dramas were explained."

Aniston donated to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and took part in a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign. She endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.

Relationships

She was romantically involved with actor Tate Donovan. They began dating in 1995 and broke up in 1998.

Aniston met Brad Pitt in 1998; their relationship received widespread media coverage. She married Pitt, after two years of dating, on July 29, 2000, in a lavish Malibu wedding. For a few years, their marriage was considered the rare Hollywood success. On January 7, 2005, they announced their separation, and finalized their divorce on October 2. During their divorce proceedings, news media speculated that Pitt had been unfaithful to Aniston with his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie, with whom he began a relationship soon after the split. In the months following, the public's reaction toward the divorce was reported in the press, and "Team Aniston" and "Team Jolie" T-shirts appeared throughout the country. Aniston commented on the divorce in a January 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating, "Nobody did anything wrong... It was just like, sometimes things [happen]."

In 2005, amid reports that their divorce was due to Aniston's refusal to have children with Pitt, Aniston said, "I've never in my life said I didn't want to have children. I did and I do and I will! ... I would never give up that experience for a career." Aniston said the divorce prompted her to reach out to her mother, Nancy, from whom she had estranged for nearly a decade. Nancy had talked about her daughter on a television show and written From Mother and Daughter to Friends: A Memoir (1999). Aniston said she had been devastated by the death of her longtime therapist, whose work she credits with helping make her separation from Pitt easier. She said she did not regret her relationship with Pitt. It had been "very intense" and "a beautiful, complicated relationship".

From 2008 to 2009, she had an on-off relationship with singer John Mayer, and publicly appeared with him at the 81st Academy Awards.

Aniston began a relationship with actor, director, and screenwriter Justin Theroux in May 2011. The following January, they purchased a home in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles for roughly $22 million. They became engaged on August 10, 2012 and were married on August 5, 2015, at their estate. They separated at the end of 2017.

Other ventures

Aniston has appeared in commercials and music videos throughout her career. After starting on Friends, Aniston and her co-star Matthew Perry shot a 60-minute instructional video for the release of Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system. The next year she appeared in commercials for L'Oréal hair products.

Under a contract with Elizabeth Arden, Inc., Aniston worked for over a year on her first perfume, which was released in July 2010. Original plans called for the perfume to be named "Lolavie by Jennifer Aniston", but to avoid confusion with a similarly named perfume, the name was changed to simply "Jennifer Aniston". In 2014, she launched her second perfume, named J, followed by Near Dusk (2015), Beachscape (2016), Luxe & Chapter One (both in 2017), Chapter Two (2018), Silver & Solstice Bloom (both in 2020).

Since 2007, she has worked in a publicity campaign for the drink SmartWater; on March 7, 2011, she released a YouTube video for SmartWater, Jennifer Aniston Goes Viral, which tripled online interest in the product within 24 hours of its release. In 2012, Aniston co-founded hair care brand Living Proof and also became its spokeswoman. She left when the company was sold to Unilever in 2016. In January 2013, she became the new spokeswoman of Aveeno Skincare. She replaced Daniella van Graas as Aveeno's spokesmodel and became its new "face". Reportedly, Aniston is paid "eight figures" for her endorsement. For roughly $5 million she became the new face of Emirates airline in 2015, which was reportedly a success. For pharmaceutical company Shire, she appeared in a 2016 campaign raising awareness about chronic dry eye.

She appeared in the 1996 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers music video for "Walls", and in 2001, in Melissa Etheridge's music video for "I Want To Be in Love". She also appeared in a Heineken commercial.

Along with Brad Pitt and Brad Grey, CEO of Paramount Pictures, Aniston founded the film production company Plan B Entertainment in 2002, although she and Grey withdrew in 2005. In 2008, she and producer Kristin Hahn formed Echo Films.
Philanthropy

Aniston has been a celebrity advocate for numerous charities and received attention for her own donations. She has appeared in television commercials for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and hosted September 2008's Stand Up to Cancer show. In the "It Can't Wait" campaign to free Burma, Aniston directed and starred in a video. She is a supporter of Friends of El Faro, a nonprofit organization that helps raise money for Casa Hogar Sion, an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico.
Aniston and Kristin Hahn during a tour of the Inova Breast Care Center in Alexandria, Virginia, in October 2011. They co-produced the breast-cancer-related film Five.
Aniston and writer-director Andrés Useche after filming their ocean wildlife preservation project

On April 14, 2007, Aniston received GLAAD's Vanguard Award for her contributions to increased visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. On Earth Day 2010, she joined Courteney Cox, Woody Harrelson, Ben Stiller and others, in "The Cove PSA: My Friend is...",[195] an effort directed by Andres Useche to stop the slaughter of dolphins based on the documentary The Cove. In 2013, she was named the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) ambassador for the Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure campaign, which raises funds for the EIF Women's Cancer Research Fund. In 2015, she supported the Comic Relief, Inc. charity. Other charities that Aniston has publicly supported include Clothes Off Our Back, Feeding America, EB Medical Research Foundation, Project A.L.S., OmniPeace, and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Aniston donated $500,000 to Doctors Without Borders, Haitian health care provider Partners in Health and AmeriCares, and also participated in the Hope for Haiti Now telethon. She donated $500,000 to the Red Cross and another $500,000 to the Ricky Martin Foundation in 2017 to help victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

After being honored by SmartWater in 2016 for her ongoing philanthropic work for St. Jude's, Aniston spoke of the importance of philanthropy in her life to InStyle magazine: "We live an extremely beautiful, fortunate life being able to do what we get to do for a living. And so it's a way of being able to be in a position to do something for people who are less able. It's something that makes my heart smile."

Acting credits and awards

Aniston received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations, two Golden Globe Award nominations, and nine SAG Award nominations for her role in Friends. From these, she won one of each. She also garnered a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her guest appearance in 30 Rock, while her performance in Cake earned her nominations at the Golden Globe and SAG awards. Aniston additionally won a SAG Award and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for The Morning Show.

According to review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes and the box-office site Box Office Mojo, Aniston's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films are Office Space (1999), The Good Girl (2002), Bruce Almighty (2003), Friends with Money (2006), The Break-Up (2006), Marley & Me (2008), Just Go with It (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), We're the Millers (2013), and Dumplin' (2018)

Jalaja
(Wikipedia)

Jalaja
Born 16 August 1961 

Occupation Actress
Years active 1979 - 1989
Spouse(s) Prakash Nair(1993-present)
Children Devi
Parent(s) Vasudevan Pillai , Saraswathiyammal

Jalaja is an actress in Malayalam film who was active during the 1970s and 1980s. She had won Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1981 for the movie Venal directed by Lenin Rajendran.

Personal life

She was born on 13 December 1961 to a Professor Thakazhiyil Vasudevan Pillai and Saraswathiyamma in Malaysia. She studied there till her fourth grade and then migrated to India, due to Civil war in Malaysia. She had her primary education from Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School, Madras, Ambalappuzha English Medium School and her Pre-degree from St. Joseph College, Alappuzha. She did her Bachelors and Masters in English Literature from Women's college Thiruvananthapuram. She is married to Prakash Nair since 3 September 1993 & has settled in Bahrain after her marriage. They have a daughter Devi. She was the jury member for Kerala state film awards 2014.

Awards

1981 Best Actress - Venal

Jennifer Kotwal

Jennifer Kotwal – Indian Actress & Model

Jennifer Kotwal is an Indian actress and model known for her work in Kannada, Hindi, and Telugu films. She gained widespread fame for playing the female lead in the Kannada blockbuster Jogi (2005), opposite Shiva Rajkumar.

Personal Details

  • Full Name: Jennifer Dinshaw Kotwal
  • Date of Birth: August 14, 1983
  • Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Education: Studied at HR College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai

Career Highlights

1. Early Career & Modeling

  • Jennifer started her career as a model and appeared in several commercials for brands like Fanta, Close-Up, and Cadbury.
  • She gained popularity as a teenage host on Disney Channel's "Bollywood Tonight" and was recognized for her energetic screen presence.

2. Bollywood Career

  • Made her Bollywood debut in Subhash Ghai’s film "Yaadein" (2001) in a minor role alongside Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.
  • Also appeared in "Bas Yaari Rakho" (2022), but her presence in Hindi cinema remained limited.

3. Kannada Film Industry (Big Break with Jogi)

  • Jennifer became a sensation in Kannada cinema with her role as Bindu in Jogi (2005). The film was a massive hit and remains one of the most successful Kannada films.
  • Post-Jogi, she worked in several other Kannada movies, including:
    • Satyavan Savithri (2007)
    • Mast Maja Maadi (2008)
    • Bisile (2010)
    • Eradane Maduve (2010)

4. Television Appearances

  • She gained early fame by playing Saloni in the hit TV show Just Mohabbat (1996–2000), which aired on Sony TV.
  • Featured in various television commercials and reality shows over the years.

Lesser-Known Facts

  • Jennifer has a Parsi background and was born and raised in Mumbai.
  • She took a break from films after a few years to focus on personal projects and travel.
  • Despite her popularity in Kannada cinema, she never actively pursued a long-term Bollywood career.

Conclusion

Jennifer Kotwal remains best known for Jogi and Just Mohabbat, with a significant fan following in Karnataka. Though she stepped away from mainstream cinema, she continues to be remembered as one of the most charming actresses of her time.

Jaya Seal
(Wikipedia)


Jaya Seal
Born 19 February 1979

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1999–present
Spouse(s) Bickram Ghosh

Jaya Seal Ghosh the renowned actress and dancer started learning Bharatanatyam from a very early age under Guru Indira P. P. Bora for five years. Simultaneously she was also acting in Assamese television and did plays with noted Assamese theatre personalities from NSD like Dulal Roy and Baharul Islam who inspired her. To pursue this interest she went to the National School of Drama in New Delhi where she subsequently completed her three-year course in 1997.

The years that followed sow her base to Bombay and emerge as one of the leading actresses in the country. She went to act in 19 feature films in 8 languages besides appearing in several ad commercials. Some of Jaya’s films received National and International Awards in Film Festivals like Venice, Pussan. Among her noteworthy films, she holds Uttara, by Buddhadeb Dasgupta close to her heart. She was nominated for best actress in the year 2000 for Uttara. She also played the lead role in the popular serial in ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ in 2004. Some of her well-known films are Chal & Xcuse Me (Hindi), Penninmanathaithottu(Tamil) opposite Prabhu Deva, Samurai(Tamil) opposite Vikram, Bahala Channa Gide (Kannada) opposite Shivraj Kumar, Magunido Sagodo (Odiya) which won the National Award for best Odiya film in 2003, Thilaadanam (Telugu) Which won National Award for best debut director to the late 6 time National and International award winning Film Critic and Director K.N.T. Sastry and also won best foreign film and New Currents Award award in Pussan film festival in 2003, Shesh Thikana (Bengali) etc. She has worked in more than thirty ad commercials like Dettol, Colgate, Clinic plus oil n shampoo, Sun drop oil etc.

She received the Best Actress Award at the Assam Prag Cine Awards for the Assamese film Shrinkhol 2014.

Throughout this phase, she also continued her primary passion - dance. While in Mumbai she trained under Guru Vaibhav Arekar and Guru Rajeshri Shirke at Lasya academy. Later she trained under Guru Naresh Pillai also in Mumbai.

After shifting her base to Kolkata, Jaya joined Kalamandalam under the guidance of Guru Thankamani Kutty in the year 2005. Now she is continuing her learning under Bidushi Rama Vaidyanathan. Jaya has performed as a dancer at many prestigious venues. She regaled audiences at Detroit’s Cobo Arena at the inauguration of the 2007 Bengali Sammelan & Muscat show on May 2015.

Jaya also worked with renowned theatre personality Usha Ganguly as the main lead in her production Chandalika. Recently she has acted in the film Arshinagar directed by Aparna Sen. Film Alifa in Bengali language shot at Guwahati directed by Deep Choudhury which has been selected in 2016 22nd Kolkata International Film Festival received best debut director award in 2017 national award and Best film in OTTAWA film FEST. She won the best actress award for the film Alifa in Lonawala Film Festival (LIFT). In 2018 received best actress award in Hyderabad Bengali film festival for the film Alifa.

J.K. Rowling


J.K. Rowling
Born
in Yate, South Gloucestershire, England, The United Kingdom
July 31, 1965

Website

Genre

Influences

Although she writes under the pen name J.K. Rowling, pronounced like rolling, her name when her first Harry Potter book was published was simply Joanne Rowling. Anticipating that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a woman, her publishers demanded that she use two initials, rather than her full name. As she had no middle name, she chose K as the second initial of her pen name, from her paternal grandmother Kathleen Ada Bulgen Rowling. She calls herself Jo and has said, "No one ever called me 'Joanne' when I was young, unless they were angry." Following her marriage, she has sometimes used the name Joanne Murray when conducting personal business. During the Leveson Inquiry she gave evidence under the name of Joanne Kathleen Rowling. In a 2012 interview, Rowling noted that she no longer cared that people pronounced her name incorrectly.

Rowling was born to Peter James Rowling, a Rolls-Royce aircraft engineer, and Anne Rowling (née Volant), on 31 July 1965 in Yate, Gloucestershire, England, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Bristol. Her mother Anne was half-French and half-Scottish. Her parents first met on a train departing from King's Cross Station bound for Arbroath in 1964. They married on 14 March 1965. Her mother's maternal grandfather, Dugald Campbell, was born in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran. Her mother's paternal grandfather, Louis Volant, was awarded the Croix de Guerre for exceptional bravery in defending the village of Courcelles-le-Comte during the First World War.

Rowling's sister Dianne was born at their home when Rowling was 23 months old. The family moved to the nearby village Winterbourne when Rowling was four. She attended St Michael's Primary School, a school founded by abolitionist William Wilberforce and education reformer Hannah More. Her headmaster at St Michael's, Alfred Dunn, has been suggested as the inspiration for the Harry Potter headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

As a child, Rowling often wrote fantasy stories, which she would usually then read to her sister. She recalls that: "I can still remember me telling her a story in which she fell down a rabbit hole and was fed strawberries by the rabbit family inside it. Certainly the first story I ever wrote down (when I was five or six) was about a rabbit called Rabbit. He got the measles and was visited by his friends, including a giant bee called Miss Bee." At the age of nine, Rowling moved to Church Cottage in the Gloucestershire village of Tutshill, close to Chepstow, Wales. When she was a young teenager, her great aunt, who Rowling said "taught classics and approved of a thirst for knowledge, even of a questionable kind," gave her a very old copy of Jessica Mitford's autobiography, Hons and Rebels. Mitford became Rowling's heroine, and Rowling subsequently read all of her books.

Rowling has said of her teenage years, in an interview with The New Yorker, "I wasn’t particularly happy. I think it’s a dreadful time of life." She had a difficult homelife; her mother was ill and she had a difficult relationship with her father (she is no longer on speaking terms with him). She attended secondary school at Wyedean School and College, where her mother had worked as a technician in the science department. Rowling said of her adolescence, "Hermione [a bookish, know-it-all Harry Potter character] is loosely based on me. She's a caricature of me when I was eleven, which I'm not particularly proud of." Steve Eddy, who taught Rowling English when she first arrived, remembers her as "not exceptional" but "one of a group of girls who were bright, and quite good at English." Sean Harris, her best friend in the Upper Sixth owned a turquoise Ford Anglia, which she says inspired the one in her books. 

Jyothi Krishna (actress)

Jyothi Krishna is an Indian actress and classical dancer primarily known for her work in the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood). She has also ventured into television hosting and radio jockeying (RJ). Born on August 27, 1992, in Kerala, India, she made her acting debut in 2011 and has appeared in a handful of films, often in supporting or lead roles. Her career highlights her versatility as a performer, blending acting with her background in classical dance. As of 2025, she remains active in the industry, with occasional mentions in social media and fan discussions. Note that she should not be confused with A.M. Jyothi Krishna, a male director and screenwriter in Tamil and Telugu cinema.

Early Life and Background

Jyothi Krishna was born and raised in Kerala, a state renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including classical arts like Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, in which she trained extensively. This background in classical dance has influenced her on-screen presence, allowing her to bring grace and expressiveness to her roles. Details about her family or education are not widely publicized, but her Kerala roots are evident in her choice of projects within the Malayalam film industry. She entered the entertainment world not just as an actress but also as a multifaceted artist, leveraging her dance skills for television and radio appearances.

Career

Jyothi Krishna's career spans acting in films, television hosting, and radio presenting. She debuted in cinema at a young age (around 19) and has since balanced film roles with media work. Her filmography is modest, focusing on meaningful, character-driven stories rather than high-volume commercial projects. She is described as having an "innocent charm" that has won her fans in South Indian cinema. Additionally, she maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Facebook, where her official page has over 1.7 million likes, sharing updates about her life and work.

Film Debut and Breakthrough

  • Debut Film: Jyothi Krishna made her acting debut in the 2011 Malayalam film Bombay March 12, directed by Babu Janardhanan. The film is a historical drama based on the 1993 Bombay serial blasts and the subsequent arrest of Malayali youths. She played a supporting role, marking her entry into Mollywood.
  • Film Highlights:
    • God for Sale (2013): A mystical drama where she portrayed a character involved in themes of faith and deception. The film received positive reviews for its unique storyline.
    • Njaan (2014): Directed by Ranjith Sreenivasan, this biographical drama based on the life of writer P. K. Backer Musaliar featured her in a pivotal role. The film was critically acclaimed and won several awards.
    • Life of Josutty (2015): Helmed by Jeethu Joseph (known for thrillers like Drishyam), this romantic drama showcased her in a heartfelt role. The film was a commercial success and highlighted rural Kerala life.
    • Later works like Aami (2018) (a biopic on Kamala Das) and Krishna Kripasagram (2023) demonstrate her continued involvement in meaningful cinema.

She has not starred in major Bollywood projects, though her work in South cinema has garnered a dedicated fanbase. As of 2025, no major upcoming films are announced, but she occasionally appears in fan posts and discussions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), where users celebrate her as a "Mallu actress" with posts featuring her photos.

Television and Radio Work

Beyond films, Jyothi Krishna is a prominent television host and RJ in Kerala. She has hosted various shows on Malayalam channels, leveraging her charismatic personality and dance skills. Specific programs are not detailed in public records, but her RJ role involves engaging with audiences on radio stations, discussing topics like films, lifestyle, and culture. This side of her career keeps her connected to the media landscape outside cinema.

Personal Life

Jyothi Krishna maintains a relatively private personal life. She is active on social media, particularly Facebook (@jyothikrishnaactress), where she shares personal updates, birthday wishes, and glimpses of her daily life. A recent post from her page (as of early 2025) included a heartfelt birthday message to her "soulmate," suggesting she is in a committed relationship, though details about her partner are not disclosed. Fans often describe her as "cute" and appreciate her over-the-top expressive acting style from earlier roles. On her birthday (August 27), she receives widespread fan tributes, including on X, where posts highlight her contributions to Mollywood.

There are no reports of controversies surrounding her, and she is known for her grounded persona. Her travel interests include visits to places like Kashmir, Puri's Jagannath Temple, Indonesia, and China, as shared in social media snippets, reflecting a lavish yet culturally rooted lifestyle.

Recent Activities and Legacy (as of August 27, 2025)

On her 33rd birthday today (August 27, 2025), Jyothi Krishna continues to be celebrated by fans for her innocent charm and contributions to Malayalam cinema. Recent X posts from 2025 include fan-shared photos labeling her as a "Mallu Actress" and tributes linking her to films like Empuraan (though not directly involved). Her last confirmed film role was in 2023's Krishna Kripasagram, a romantic drama. She remains influential in Kerala's entertainment scene through hosting and social media, with over 1.7 million Facebook followers. While not a mainstream superstar, her niche roles in critically acclaimed films have earned her a loyal following, and she is often cited as an example of versatile South Indian talent that Bollywood overlooked. Future projects may involve more TV or dance-related endeavors, given her background.

Jayamala
(Wikipedia)


Jayamala

Ex-Minister for Women and Child Development and Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, Government of Karnataka Leader of the Upper House, Karnataka Legislative Council

In office
June 2018 – June 2019
Preceded by Umashree
Minister for Kannada and Culture, and Information and Public Relations, Government of Karnataka

In office
06 June 2018 – June 2019
Preceded by Umashree

In office
24 June 2014 – 23 June 2020
President, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce

In office
29 June 2008 – May 2010
Succeeded by Basant Kumar Patil

Personal details
Born 1955 (age 65–66)
Mangalore
Political party Indian National Congress
Spouse(s) Tiger Prabhakar, H.M. Ramachandra
Profession

Actress
politician

Jayamala (born 28-2-1959) is an Indian actress and politician. She served as the Minister for Women and Child Development and Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens in the Government of Karnataka, by virtue of being a member of the Karnataka Legislative Council. She served as the female president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce between 2008 and 2010. Her popular Kannada films include Premada Kanike, Shankar Guru, Antha and Chandi Chamundi among several others. She has produced and acted in the award-winning Thaayi Saheba.

Personal life

Jayamala was born to a Tulu speaking family in Mangalore. Her father G. Omaiah was an agriculturist and mother Kamalamma, a homemaker. She has six sisters and a brother. They moved to Chikmagalur in 1963 after being displaced due to the harbour work in Panambur. She was briefly married to Kannada Film actor Tiger Prabhakar. and the couple has a daughter Soundarya Jayamala, a popular actress in her own right After her divorce she married cinematographer H. M. Ramachandra.

Film career

Her last successful pairing was with Prabhakar, (who incidentally had played her brother in Chandi Chamundi) whom she married in 1985 after which she quit films. Interestingly Jayamala and top heroine Aarathi costarred in nine films with Jayamala's glamour quotient complementing Aarathi's simple-girl appeal.Jayamala has acted in several movies mainly in Kannada. Jayamala was the most glamorous heroine of Kannada cinema during the early 1980s. She started her career as a Rajkumar heroine and after a string of successful movies with him went on to star opposite all the top heroes of Sandalwood, With Anant Nag, she has acted in romantic movies as Janma Janmada Anubandha and Premave Baalina Belaku. With Vishnuvardhan, she starred in multi-starrer pot-boilers like Hanthakana Sanchu, Naga Kala Bhairava and Sididedda Sahodara. Her pairing with Ambareesh, started with the cult classic Antha where she played the tragic role of a cabaret dancer who is his sister and then went on to become his heroine in several movies like Ajith, Prema Matsara and Khadeema Kallaru. Her pairing with Shankar Nag in many movies also proved successful, including the heroine-oriented Chandi Chamundi that made her a household name as an action heroine.

Her first production venture Thaayi Saheba was directed by Girish Kasaravalli and won a National award. Jayamala received a special jury award for her performance in the film. Jayamala created history of sorts when she became the only actress in the Indian film industry to be conferred a doctorate for writing a thesis. Her thesis was on the rehabilitation of rural woman in Karnataka and required her to tour Karnataka and also scrutinise several documents. The Doctorate was conferred by the Bangalore University on 18 January 2008 and presented by former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

Controversy

She was at the center of a controversy when she claimed that she touched the Lord Ayyappa idol in Sabarimala during the shooting of Tamil movie titled 'Nambinar Keduvathillai'. Women from the age 10–50 are banned from entering Sabarimala temple. It created a furor in India and led to ideological warfare in Indian media and courts. It was Mr V Rajendran who is currently the Kerala state committee member of Bharatiya Janata Party who filed the petition against her in Ranni court. Jayamala has said she regretted her action, but clarified that she was pushed into the shrine by a crowd of devotees. Rajendran insisted that it is impossible to touch as the shrine is located far inside the Garbhagriha. The Supreme Priest of Sabarimala Kantararu Maheshwararu had dismissed the actress's statement as a figment of her imagination.

Jyoti Jatav

Jyoti Jatav is an Indian actress known for her contributions to Bhojpuri cinema. She has made a name for herself in the industry, representing the Dalit community alongside contemporaries like Poonam Sagar.

forwardpress.in

Career Highlights:

  • Bhojpuri Cinema: Jyoti Jatav has appeared in various Bhojpuri films, showcasing her acting skills and gaining recognition within the regional film industry.

Social Media Presence:

  • Instagram: Jyoti maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she shares updates and engages with her audience. Her profile can be found at @jyotijatav167.

Personal Background:

  • Community Representation: As a member of the Dalit community, Jyoti Jatav's success in the Bhojpuri film industry highlights the increasing representation and opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds.

While detailed information about her personal life and complete filmography is limited, Jyoti Jatav's contributions to Bhojpuri cinema and her active engagement on social media platforms underscore her role as a prominent figure in regional Indian entertainment.


Jyotsna Chandola

(Wikipedia)
Jyotsna Chandola

Chandola at Holi Invasion party in 2018
15 April 1992 Born
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2001 – present

Jyotsna Chandola is an Indian television and film actress known for playing Khushi Bharadwaj in Colors TV's Sasural Simar Ka.

Television

Kasak serial dd1
2010 Bhagonwali-Baante Apni Taqdeer as Maha Devi Pandey
2012 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein as Anamika
2012–2017 Sasural Simar Ka as Khushi Sankalp Bharadwaj / Billo Rani / KB
2014 Savdhaan India
2015 Jodha Akbar as Maan Bai
2016 Santoshi Maa as Bitto
2017Agnifera as rajjo
2018 – present Muskaan (TV series) as Sapna

Jenna Dewan
Wikipedia
Jenna Dewan
Dewan at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon 2012
Born
Jenna Lee Dewan
December 3, 1980

Other names Jenna Dewan-Tatum
Occupation Actress, dancer
Years active 1990–present
Spouse(s)

​
​(m. 2009; div. 2019)​
Partner(s) Steve Kazee (2018–present)
Children 2

Jenna Lee Dewan (/dəˈwɑːn/; born December 3, 1980) is an American actress and dancer. She started her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, and later worked with artists including P!nk, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. She is known for her role as Nora Clark in the 2006 film Step Up. She has also starred on the short-lived NBC series The Playboy Club and had a recurring role on the FX series American Horror Story: Asylum. She portrayed Freya Beauchamp on the Lifetime series Witches of East End, Lucy Lane in The CW series Supergirl and Joanna in the Netflix series Soundtrack. Dewan has hosted the reality television shows World of Dance and Flirty Dancing.

Early life

Dewan was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Nancy Smith (née Bursch) and Darryll Dewan, who was a running back on the 1972 Notre Dame football team. Her father is of Lebanese and Polish descent and her mother is of German and English ancestry.

As a child, Dewan moved frequently; she mentioned in an interview that she lived in seven cities before reaching the seventh grade. While attending high school at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland, Dewan was a varsity cheerleader. She transferred to Grapevine High School in Grapevine, Texas. She was also a varsity cheerleader there and was voted prom queen during her senior year. She went to University of Southern California and was a member of the California Gamma chapter of Pi Beta Phi.

Career
Dancing

Dewan first appeared in Janet Jackson's "Doesn't Really Matter" video in 2000 and later in "All for You" and the people All for theTour in 2001. She credits working with Jackson for aiding her career, allowing her to later work with many other artists and giving her the experience necessary to co-star in the dance film Step Up. In 2016, Dewan modeled as the face of dancewear manufacturer Danskin in a campaign and photo shoot that captured and featured her athleticism as a dancer.

Acting

In 2006, Dewan co-starred with Channing Tatum in Step Up, as well as starring in Take the Lead that same year.

In August 2008, Dewan starred in the Lifetime made-for-television film Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal which follows five rule-breaking teens. She portrayed the role of disciplinarian Coach Emma Carr. In November 2009, she appeared in the straight-to-DVD comedy American Virgin alongside Rob Schneider.

In March 2011, Dewan was cast in the NBC pilot of The Playboy Club. In May 2011, NBC picked up the series for a full season. She portrayed the role of Bunny Janie, a provocative Playboy bunny who works at a Playboy Club in Chicago in 1961. The series premiered on September 19 to 5.2 million viewers with mixed reviews from critics. Due to low ratings, NBC cancelled the series after just three episodes in October 2011.

In November 2011, Dewan starred in the film The Jerk Theory. This was first released in Germany in 2009. It was later released in the United States in November 2011.

Dewan appeared in the romantic-comedy film 10 Years, produced by her then husband Channing Tatum. The film was released on September 14, 2012. That same year, she appeared as Teresa Morrison in American Horror Story: Asylum, the second season of the horror television series.

In 2013, Dewan began starring in the Lifetime series Witches of East End as Freya Beauchamp, one of the lead characters. In late 2015, she began a recurring role in the CW series Supergirl as Lucy Lane. She also had a recurring role in FOX's The Resident. Dewan's upcoming projects include The Wedding Year, Berlin, I Love You and Soundtrack.
33andOut Productions

Along with friends Reid Carolin, Adam Martingano, Brett Rodriguez and Channing Tatum, Dewan started a production company called 33andOut Productions. Their first production is a documentary called Earth Made of Glass that follows Rwandan President Paul Kagame and genocide survivor Jean-Pierre Sagahutu. It premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Dewan and Tatum collaborated in a YouTube Premium/Starz television series Step Up, where they executive produced together.

Personal life

In 2006, Dewan met actor Channing Tatum on the set of their film Step Up. They began dating shortly after filming had finished. The couple became engaged in early September 2008 in Maui and married on July 11, 2009, at Church Estates Vineyards in Malibu, California. Their daughter Everly Elizabeth Maiselle Tatum, was born on May 30, 2013 in London, England. In an interview on the Late Show with David Letterman, Tatum explained that his daughter Everly's two middle names are from Dewan's grandmother, Elizabeth, and his own grandmother, Maiselle.

On April 2, 2018, after nearly nine years of marriage, the couple announced that they were separating. Six months later, Dewan filed for divorce from Tatum. Their divorce was finalized in November 2019.

In October 2018, it was confirmed that Dewan is in a relationship with actor Steve Kazee. In September 2019, it was announced that the couple were expecting their first child together. In February 2020, she and Kazee announced their engagement. The couple welcomed a son, Callum Michael Rebel, on March 6, 2020.

Dewan is an animal rights activist and a vegan. PETA declared her to be one of three "Sexiest Vegans" of 2017.

Dewan is raising her daughter as a vegetarian but says she will let her decide what to eat when she is old enough.

Jennifer Lopez

American actress and musician
Alternate titles: J.Lo, Jennifer Lynn Lopez


Facts & Related Content
Jennifer Lopez
Born: July 24, 1969, New York City New York

Jennifer Lopez, in full Jennifer Lynn Lopez, byname J.Lo, (born July 24, 1969, Bronx, New York, U.S.), American actress and musician who began appearing in films in the late 1980s and quickly became one of the highest-paid Latina actresses in the history of Hollywood. She later found crossover success in the music industry with a series of pop albums.

Lopez, who was born into a family of Puerto Rican descent, took dance lessons throughout her childhood and from an early age had aspirations of fame. She performed internationally in stage musicals, and at age 16 she made her film debut with a small role in My Little Girl (1986). Her television break came in 1990 when she was cast as one of the “Fly Girls,” dancers who appeared on the comedy show In Living Color. After she left the show, she turned her focus to acting, first in several short-lived television series and then in movie roles.

Film success came quickly, and by the mid-1990s she was appearing with such notable actors as Robin Williams (Jack, 1996) and Jack Nicholson (Blood and Wine, 1997). Lopez still remained somewhat in the periphery of the public vision, however, until she landed the lead role in Selena (1997), a biopic of the murdered Tejana singer. She went on to star in a number of thrillers and action dramas, including Anaconda (1997), U Turn (1997), Out of Sight (1998), and The Cell (2000), and she gained widespread praise for The Wedding Planner (2001), her successful first attempt at romantic comedy. That release was quickly followed by the romantic drama Angel Eyes in the middle of the year.

In 1999 Lopez added pop artist to her list of titles with the release of her debut album, On the 6. To the surprise of many critics, the album quickly went platinum and subsequently sold more than eight million copies worldwide. Her second album, J.Lo (2001), sold more than 270,000 copies in its first week. Lopez was involved in a series of high-profile relationships—first with rapper and producer Sean (“Puff Daddy”) Combs (later known as Diddy) and later with actor Ben Affleck—that subjected her to heavy scrutiny by the entertainment media. In 2003 she starred opposite Affleck in Gigli, which was widely panned by critics, and a number of her subsequent films were box-office disappointments. In 2004 Lopez married singer Marc Anthony, and the couple appeared in El Cantante (2006), the biopic of salsa musician Hector Lavoe. Her later albums included Rebirth (2005); the Spanish-language Como ama una mujer (2007), which reached the number one spot on Billboard’s Latin album chart; Brave (2007); Love? (2011), which featured the up-tempo hit “On the Floor”; and A.K.A. (2014). In 2020 Lopez and Shakira performed at the Super Bowl halftime show. The following year Lopez sang at the U.S. presidential inauguration of Joe Biden.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, 2010.John Shearer—Kohl's Department Stores/PRNewsFoto/AP Images
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In February 2008 Lopez gave birth to twins, her first children and Anthony’s fourth and fifth. She returned to the big screen in The Back-up Plan (2010), a romantic comedy in which she starred as a single woman who finds Mr. Right after becoming pregnant through artificial insemination. Lopez later served (2011–12, 2014–16) as a judge on the television talent show American Idol. Although she and Anthony separated in 2011 (divorced 2014), they worked together as producers and hosts of the TV program ¡Q’Viva!: The Chosen (2012), a talent competition for Latin American performers. Lopez subsequently appeared in What to Expect When You’re Expecting (2012), an ensemble comedy about parenting. In the thrillers Parker (2013) and The Boy Next Door (2015), she played, respectively, a divorced businesswoman who takes part in a heist and a woman who is drawn into a romance with a teenager who then begins stalking her.

Jennifer Lopez, 2010.© Joe Seer/Shutterstock.com

Lopez assumed the starring role in the law-enforcement procedural Shades of Blue (2016–18), portraying a conflicted police officer. In Second Act (2018) she took a comedic turn as a woman who lands a covetable position at a Manhattan firm after her friends embellish her résumé. Lopez then joined a largely female cast in Hustlers (2019), about strippers who scheme against their wealthy clients.

She also provided voices for the animated films Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Home (2015), and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016).

Jamie Lever
From Wikipedia

Jamie Lever
Lever in 2017
Born 19 October 1987

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names Jamie Janumala
Citizenship Indian
Education Master's in Marketing
Alma mater University of Westminster, London
Occupation Comedian, actor, singer, preacher
Years active 2010–present

Notable work Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali
Parent(s) Johnny Lever
Relatives Jimmy Moses (paternal uncle)

Jamie Janumala ( professional name Jamie Lever) is an Indian stand-up comedian. She is the daughter of Indian comedian Johnny Lever.

Early life and education

Jamie is the daughter of the popular comedian Johnny Lever (John Prakash Rao Janumala) and Sujata Janumala. She has a younger brother Jesse. Jamie has done her Masters in Marketing Communications from University of Westminster, London.

Career

Jamie began her career in August 2012 as a marketing executive at the London-based market research agency Visiongain. She has performed at The Comedy Store, Mumbai from 2012 as a stand-up comedian. She performed on Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali on Sony Entertainment Television in 2013. And also have hosted various shows..

Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal
(Wikipedia)
Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal
Bansiwal at Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's 500 episodes success party
Born 27 November 1978 

Occupation Actress
Known for Roshan Bhabhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Spouse(s)
Mayur Bansiwal aka Bobby Bansiwal
​​(m. 2001)​
Children Lekissha Mistry Bansiwal

Jennifer Mistry Bansiwal (born 27 November 1978) is an Indian actress. She is best known for portraying Roshan Kaur Sodhi in the long-running Hindi television sitcom Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. She has also appeared in the films; Halla Bol (2008), and Airlift (2016). Jennifer was born to a Parsi father and Christian mother.

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008 - 2013;2016 – present Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Roshan Kaur Sodhi Supporting Role

2015 Naagin Ramya Mathur Episodic role

Movies

Halla Bol (2008)
Airlift (2016)
Krazzy 4 (2008)

Juhi Parmar – Indian Actress

Juhi Parmar is an Indian actress, television presenter, and anchor, best known for her work in the Hindi television industry. She gained immense popularity for playing the lead role of Kumkum in the hit TV serial Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan.

Personal Life

  • Born: December 14, 1980
  • Birthplace: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Spouse: Sachin Shroff (m. 2009, div. 2018)
  • Children: 1 daughter (Samairra Shroff)

Career Highlights

  1. Breakthrough Role

    • Juhi became a household name with her role as Kumkum in Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan (2002–2009). The show was highly successful and made her one of the most recognized faces on Indian television.

  2. Reality Shows

    • She won Bigg Boss Season 5 (2011–2012), a reality TV show where she emerged as the winner due to her strong and calm personality.
    • Participated in various reality shows like Comedy Circus, Saas v/s Bahu, and Maa Exchange.

  3. Other TV Shows

    • Shaani (2017) – Played a negative role, showcasing her versatility.
    • Tantra (2018) – A supernatural thriller.
    • Hamari Wali Good News (2020–2021) – Played the role of a progressive mother-in-law.

  4. Hosting and Anchoring

    • Juhi has also been a successful TV host, having hosted various award shows and reality programs.

Awards & Recognition

  • Indian Telly Award for Best Actress (for Kumkum)
  • Bigg Boss 5 Winner (2012)
  • Multiple awards for her acting and contribution to Indian television.

Personal Interests & Social Work

  • Juhi is known for her strong opinions and often shares insights on social issues through social media and public appearances.
  • She actively participates in social causes and advocates for women’s empowerment.

Conclusion

Juhi Parmar remains one of the most respected and loved actresses in the Indian television industry. From being an iconic bahu (daughter-in-law) on TV to winning Bigg Boss, she has had a diverse and successful career spanning over two decades.\

Jamuna (Jana Bai)
*Wikipedia)

Jamuna
Born
Jana Bai
30 August 1936

Hampi, Karnataka, India
Nationality Indian
Other names N. Jamuna
Occupation Actor, politician
Years active 1954–1983
Spouse(s)
Juluri Ramana Rao
​
​(m. 1965; died 2014)​
Children Vamsee Juluri and Juluri Sravanthi
Parent(s) Srinivasa Rao (father)
Kowsalyadevi (mother)

Jamuna (born 30 August 1936) is an Indian actress, director and politician who appeared mainly in Telugu films. She made her acting debut at the age of 16 in Dr. Garikapati Rajarao's Puttillu (1953), and received her breakthrough with L. V. Prasad's Missamma. Her portfolio also includes Tamil movies. She won a Filmfare Award and a award at Filmfare Awards South.

Early life

Jamuna was born in Hampi, Karnataka, to Nippani Srinivasan Rao, a Madhwa Brahmin and a businessman, and Kowsalyadevi, a Vaishya. She was named Jana Bai. She grew up in Duggirala, Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh state, India. When Savitri was performing drama in Duggirala, she stayed in Jamuna's house. Later, Savitri invited Jamuna to act in films. She entered as heroine in movies at the age of 14. Jamuna's mother tongue is Kannada.

Career


Jamuna was a stage artist in school. Her mother taught her vocal music and harmonium. Dr. Garikipati Raja Rao (see Indian People's Theatre Association IPTA) watched her stage show Maa Bhoomi and gave her offer to act in his movie Puttillu in 1952.

She acted in 198 films in Telugu and other south Indian languages. She also acted in Hindi films, winning the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Milan (1967), repeating her role from the original Telugu film Mooga Manasulu (1964).

She also established Telugu artist association and doing social service through it for the last 25 years.

She joined Congress party in 1980s and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajahmundry constituency in 1989. She then retired from politics but briefly campaigned for the B.J.P. in 1990s.

Personal life


She married Professor Juluri Ramana Rao, a zoology professor in Osmania University, in 1965; he died on 10 November 2014 aged 86 due to cardiac arrest. They have a son, Vamsee Juluri and daughter, Sravanthi. They live in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Awards

2010: Padmabhushan Dr. B. Sarojadevi National Award
2019:Santosham Lifetime Achievement Award at 17th Santosham Film Awards

Also acted in: Dulhan co-starring Jitendra and Hema Malini Naukar Biwi Ka co-starring Dharmendra and Reena Roy Raj Tilak co-starring Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra, Vikram, Raj Kumar etc.

Jamila Massey
(Wikipedia)



Jamila Massey
Born 7 January 1934

Occupation Actor, writer

Jamila Massey (born 7 January 1934) is a British actress and writer. Massey has had a long career on UK television and radio. She is known for playing Auntie Satya in the long-running radio soap The Archers, Jamila Ranjha in Mind Your Language, and Neelam Kapoor in EastEnders.

Early life

Massey came to Britain with her parents in 1946 at the age of 12. Her father fought in the Second World War, but remained in the UK and became a producer for the BBC.

As a child, Massey acted for the BBC in radio children's programmes. She attended King's College London and graduated in Latin, Urdu and English. She had aspirations to train as an actress; however, her mother frowned upon such a career. Massey's mother refused to allow her to attend drama school after the death of her father, so she was forced to use subterfuge to fulfil her acting ambitions.

Career

She began her career as an extra. Her first film role was in Sink the Bismarck! (1960), where she was used to translate and report a news section from the film into Urdu — announcing the sinking of the British battleship HMS Hood.

She continued to work extensively on radio in English, Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi as well as for the German service of the BBC. Years later she acted in Tribunal, a ZDF television serial in German, with leading European actors. She joined the Afro-Asian Committee of Equity and continued to work in film and television. Roles for Asian actors were scarce during her early career, but she was given parts in series such as Crossroads (1964); Within These Walls (1976); The Next Man (1976); Z-Cars (1976–1977); Target (1977); Mind Your Language (1977–79); Play for Today (1977, 1978); Empire Road (1979); Angels (1981); Minder (1982); The Jewel in the Crown (1984); The Bill (1984); Albion Market (1985); Chance in a Million (1986); Madame Sousatzka (1988); Great Balls of Fire! (1989); Brookside (1989) playing Manju Batra and Pie in the Sky (1994).

In the mid-1990s she was cast as the recurring character Auntie Satya in Radio 4's daily agricultural soap opera, The Archers, fulfilling one of her life's ambitions.[1] Massey was the second actress to play the role. She had initially been asked to audition for the part, but was forced to turn it down due to work commitments. A year later she was offered the same part when the role was recast. Her character makes occasional appearances to visit her niece, Usha Gupta (Souad Faress).

In 1997 she was cast in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders. She played Neelam Kapoor, the domineering mother of market-trader Sanjay (Deepak Verma) until 1998.

Other acting credits include Arabian Nights (2000); Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (2001); Perfect World (2001); Doctors (2002); All About Me (2003); Chicken Tikka Masala (2005).

Massey's theatre work includes The Great Celestial Cow (Royal Court), Conduct Unbecoming which toured Canada as well as the UK, Song for a Sanctuary (Lyric Hammersmith) and Women of the Dust (Tamasha Theatre and Bristol Old Vic). She also played Kasturba in Mahatma versus Gandhi in the BBC Home and World Services and Harvey Virdi in Calcutta Kosher, a play on the Indian Jewish Community of Kolkata.

As well as acting, Massey has also co-authored several books with her husband, writer Reginald Massey. One was a novel, The Immigrants, based on field research among first-generation Asians in Britain. The other books were The Music of India, for which Ravi Shankar provided a foreword, and The Dances of India. Massey is deeply interested and involved in music; she has introduced several Indian musicians and dancers to audiences in the West.

Massey appeared in Coronation Street in February 2010 as one of Sunita's aunts.

Personal life

Massey and her husband, the author and poet Reginald Massey, live in Llanidloes, Wales.

Jyothi Meena
(Wikipedia)


Jyothi Meena
Born
Jyothi Meena

Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Occupation Actress
Years active 1995–2002
Parent(s) Jyothi Lakshmi

Jyothi Meena is an Indian film actress who has predominantly appeared in Tamil films. She is best remembered for her item numbers and supporting roles in Ullathai Allitha and Azhagana Naatkal.

Personal life

Jyothi Meena was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She is the daughter of actress Jyothi Lakshmi and her father is a camera man. Her mother died at her residence in Chennai on 8 August 2016 due to blood cancer.

Career

She first appeared in the R. Sarathkumar film, Ragasiya Police. She has appeared in supporting roles, notably in Ullathai Allitha, Azhagana Naatkal and Gopala Gopala. She has also appeared in item numbers alongside Ajith Kumar, Prabhu and R. Sarathkumar. She retired from acting after marriage. In October 2017, she said during an interview that she will return to acting if she can find a good character role.

Joshna Fernando
(Wikipedia)


Joshna Fernando
Born 12 November 1991

Occupation Actor
Years active 1999;2012-present

Joshna Fernando (born 12 November 1991) is an Indian actress and model who has appeared in Tamil films.

Career

Born in a Tamil family to former actress Saroja, who appeared in K. Balachander's Maro Charitra (1978) and Vaali's Vadamalai (1982), Joshna expressed that she was keen to appear in Tamil films from her childhood. Her father, Stanley Fernando, was the brother of M. R. Radha's wife and hence Joshna is a cousin to Raadhika and Nirosha. Joshna made her acting debut, aged four, in Radhika Sarathkumar's tele-film Siragugal (1999), portraying the daughter of Vikram's character.

In 2008, she made a return to Tamil films and began working on Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal (2012) appearing as Maheswari, a London-born medical student. Joshna was selected after the film makers wanted to cast an actress from London, and she subsequently worked on the film in London and Chennai. The film had a delayed release opened in 2012 to negative reviews, with a critic noting the lead pair "do look like they have the potential to shine in a better story". She also subsequently worked on an action film titled Kai, which opened to negative reviews in late 2012. Another project she was working on, Rasu Madhuravan's Parthom Pazhaginom opposite actor Mayilsamy's son Anbu, was shelved soon after launch. In 2013, she took part in the beauty pageant, Miss Sri Lanka.

Joshna was brought in to feature in the action film Irumbu Kuthirai (2014) in November 2013, after actress Lakshmi Rai had walked out of the project, and Joshna subsequently shot for some sequences and a song with the cast in a schedule in Italy. However, in a turn of events in early 2014, Lakshmi Rai rejoined the project and Joshna's scenes in the particular role were edited out of the film. One scene featuring Joshna was used in the film, and was edited to make her appear as Lakshmi Rai's sister, who shows off several different superbikes to Adharvaa's and Priya Anand's characters in a warehouse. She later worked on another low budget film titled Manam Nilluna Nikkadhadi, which was completed but failed to have a theatrical release.

Jyothirmayi


(Wikipedia)
Jyothirmayi
Born April 5 1983
Kottayam, Kerala, India
Years active 2001–2013
Spouse(s)
Nishanth Kumar
​
​(m. 2004; div. 2011)​

​(m. 2015)​
Parent(s) Unni
Saraswathi

Jyothirmayi is an Indian film actress, television actress, television anchor, and former model, who works in Malayalam cinema. Starting her career as a model, she ventured into television, working as an anchor and later starring numerous TV series. She went on to appear in many feature films, gaining recognition for her critically acclaimed performance in Bhavam (2002) and her role in Meesa Madhavan (2002). Since, she has acted in nearly forty two films in Malayalam as well as in Tamil and Telugu language.

Career

Jyothirmayi started her career as a model and serial artist and gained recognition for her performance in Indraneelam, directed by Suresh Krishnan. After a brief and unsuccessful stint acting in telefilms, she moved to full films. In her first film Pilots, she played a minor character and the film was a box office bomb. She was noticed after the release of Meesha Madhavan along with actor Dileep.

Personal life

She married Nishanth Kumar on 6 September 2004. Six years later the couple filed for divorce, and it was granted on 1 October 2011. She married film director and cinematographer Amal Neerad on 4 April 2015.

Awards
Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress – Bhaavam (2002)National film awards
National Film Award (Special Mention) – Bhaavam (2002)Kerala state television awards
2001– Kerala state television award for best actress -avasthatarangalAsianet film awards

Kausalya (actress)
Wikipedia
Kausalya
Born
Kavitha
30 December 1979 

Other names Nandini, Tamilselvi
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 1996 –2010
2014 – present
Parent(s) Shivasankar, Poornima

Nandini (born Kavitha on 30 December 1979), commonly known as Kausalya, is an Indian film actress and model, who has starred mainly in South Indian cinema. After starting her career as a lead heroine, she has since gone on to portray supporting roles.

Career

Nandini was pursuing a modelling career, before she debuted in the 1996 Malayalam film April 19 by Balachandra Menon. The following year, she appeared in her first Tamil film Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga (1997) with Murali and went on to star in several successful films in Tamil like Nerukku Ner (1997), Priyamudan (1998), Sollamale (1998), Pooveli (1998), Vaanathaippola (2000) and Kutty (2001).

She went on to appear in many Malayalam films including Karumadikkuttan (2001), Sundara Purushan (2001), Shivam (2002), Udayam (2004), Vajram (2004), Maanikyan (2004), Sooryan (2007) and more.

She had starred in over 30 films in Tamil and Malayalam in lead roles, while securing a Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil for her performance in Pooveli. She mostly acted in saree-clad and conservative roles. By the mid-2000s, she turned character artiste and went on to portray supporting roles in films such as Thirumalai (2003) and Santosh Subramaniam (2008) and ventured into television with the series Manaivi which aired 436 episodes on Sun TV.

In 2004, she attempted to make a comeback as a lead actress but unfortunately several of her projects became delayed. Films such as Thiagarajan's Police which starred her alongside Prashanth, Manadhil with Karthik, Vendumadi Nee Enakku and Rosappoo Chinna Rosappoo with Sathyaraj, were readied but then stalled in quick succession.

Kausalya is returning to the Tamil industry after 6 years with the action film, Poojai (2014).

Personal life

Kausalya was born in Bangalore, Karnataka state. Her father Shivashankar Siddalingappa, a Bangalorean, worked as a depot manager at Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation. Her mother is half Marathi and half Kannada, and was born and brought up in Sri Lanka. Her grandmother was from Sri Lanka. Kausalya remains unmarried.

Awards


Karishma Tanna
Karishma Tanna
Tanna at Ekta Kapoor's Diwali Party 2019

Karishma Tanna
Karishma Tanna at Ekta Kapoor's Diwali Party 2019.jpg
Tanna at Ekta Kapoor's Diwali Party 2019
Born 21 December 1983
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Occupation
Actressmodeltelevision presenterhost
Years active 2001–present
Partner(s) Upen Patel (2014–16)[2]

Karishma Tanna (born 21 December 1983) is an Indian film, television actress, model and anchor who predominantly works in Hindi films and shows. She made her debut with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2001. She is well known for her roles in Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha and Qayamat Ki Raat.

She was a contestant and first runner-up in the reality show Bigg Boss in 2014. She also appeared in other reality shows like Zara Nachke Dikha (2008), Nach Baliye (2015) and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2016). In 2020, she participated and emerged as the winner of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10.

Tanna made her film debut as Nandini Thapar in Bollywood industry with Suneel Darshan's Dosti: Friends Forever (2006). In 2013, she was seen in Indra Kumar's successful comedy Grand Masti. In June 2018, she featured in Rajkumar Hirani's biopic of Sanjay Dutt titled Sanju.

Personal life

Tanna was born and brought up in a Gujarati family She lives with her mother, and is very close to her; her father died on October 2012

Tanna started dating actor Upen Patel in 2014 when they met inside the Bigg Boss house and later was engaged to him. In 2016, they split up.

Career

Television (2000–present)

Tanna at the Naagin 3 launch.
Tanna appeared in Balaji Telefilms' soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (July 2000 - November 2008), where she played the character Indu. She appeared in Balaji Telefilms' drama production, Kahi To Milenge (November 2002 - 2003).

Tanna worked as the female lead for the TV series Koi Dil Mein Hai (December 2003 - February 2005) as Krutika.[18] Tanna signed up with project while still working for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, as her role in Kyunki was not that of a major character. Moreover, Kkoi Dil Mein Hai was a weekly show. Tanna worked for the TV program Ek Ladki Anjaani Si (November 2005 – September 2007) playing the negative character Ayesha. Tanna was also part of Rajshri Productions show Pyaar Ke Do Naam: Ek Raadha, Ek Shyaam (April 2006 – September 2006).

BR Films signed her up for their drama TV series, Viraasat (June 2006 – July 2007). She played Natasha, a secretary. In 2008, Karishma participated in the dance show Zara Nachke Dikha.

In September 2006, Tanna made her theater debut with the Hinglish farce/romantic comedy Perfect Wedding, directed by Vandana Sajnani. The work was adapted from Robin Howdon's British play of the same name. Tanna participated in stage-based comedy TV series Comedy Circus, that started in June 2007. She later came back in Comedy Circus Mahasangram in February 2010.

Tanna hosted a magic-based reality TV show, India's Magic Star, that went on air in July 2010. She has also acted in the children's television program, Baal Veer (October 2012 – 2013), playing Rani Pari.

Tanna was a celebrity contestant in the popular controversial Colors show, Bigg Boss 8, which started airing in September 2014. She spent full 4 months inside the house and became a finalist and the first runner-up. In 2015, Tanna participated in seventh season of dance couple reality show Nach Baliye along with Upen Patel. In November 2015, Karishma appeared as a celebrity guest in Star Plus's talk show Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi, which was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.

In March 2016, Karishma made a guest appearance in the popular stunt reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi in its seventh season. Tanna appeared as a celebrity guest in the popular comedy show Comedy Nights Bachao, which aired on Colors TV one with Upen in February and later in the same year in August 2016 for promoting Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She again made a small cameo appearance in Comedy Nights Bachao along with Helly Shah for one episode. Karishma participated in the celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2016. Tanna played a naagin in Life OK's show Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha. In January 2017, Tanna was judging BIG Magic's reality show Big Memsaab along with Sambhavna Seth and Pritam Singh in 2017. In 2020, she participated in Colors TV's stunt reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 and emerged as the winner.

Debut in films (2005–present)

Tanna made her Bollywood debut with the December 2005 film Dosti: Friends Forever, playing Nandini Thapar. Tanna's second film was a Kannada language movie, I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona, which was released in June 2011. Tanna played the lead actress role of Chethana.

In September 2013, Grand Masti, a Bollywood sex comedy and a sequel to April 2004 film, Masti was released. Tanna has signed for Tina and Lolo. Tanna's character had been earlier offered to Minissha Lamba, but Lamba opted out as the script required her kissing Sunny Leone.

Tanna has acted in several television advertisements, including for Stayfree, Lifebuoy and Nirma


K. R. Savithri
(Wikipedia)
K. R. Savithri
Born 25 July 1958

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1976-2008
Children Anusha
Relatives K.R. Vijaya (sister)
K.R. Vatsala (sister)

K. R. Savithri (born 25 July 1958) is an Indian actress in Malayalam movies. She is one of the prominent supporting actresses in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She is born at Thiruthani. Her father is from Andhra Pradesh and mother is from Kerala. Actresses K. R. Vijaya and K. R. Vatsala are her sisters. Her daughters Anusha and Ragasudha are also actresses. She currently resides at Chennai with family.

K.P.A.C Lalitha
( Wikipedia)
K. P. A. C. Lalitha
K. P. A. C. Lalitha at Kerala sangeetha nadaka Academy Award night in Kollam (2019)
Born
Maheshwari Amma
25 February 1948

Died 22 February 2022 (aged 73)

Occupation Actress
Years active 1968–2022
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1978; death 1998)​
Children 2; including Sidharth Bharathan
Awards National Film Awards (1990, 2000)

Maheshwari Amma (25 February 1948 – 22 February 2022), better known by her stage name K. P. A. C. Lalitha, was an Indian film and stage actress who worked primarily in Malayalam cinema and theatre. She started her acting career with K. P. A. C., a theatre collective in Kayamkulam, Kerala. In a career spanning five decades, she starred in over 550 films.

Lalitha won two National Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress along with four Kerala State Film Awards. In 2009, she was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Filmfare Awards South. Lalitha latterly served as the chairperson of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. She was married to the late Malayalam filmmaker Bharathan.

Early life

Lalitha was born as Maheshwari Amma in Kayamkulam on 25 February 1948. She was born to Kadaykatharayil Veettil K. Ananthan Nair and Bhargavi Amma, as the eldest among five children; her four siblings were Indira, Babu, Rajan and Shyamala. Her father was a photographer who was from Kayamkulam and mother was a housewife who was from Aranmula. She spent most of her childhood at Ramapuram near Kayamkulam. Her family migrated to Changanassery, Kottayam for her to join dance class. She learned to dance when she was a child under the guidance of Chellappan Pillai and then under Kalamandalam Gangadharan. She started acting in plays when she was 10 years old. Her first appearance on stage was in the play Geethayude Bali. She later joined K.P.A.C. (Kerala People's Arts Club), which was a prominent leftist drama troupe in Kerala. She was given the screen-name Lalitha and later, when she started acting in movies, the tag K.P.A.C. was added to her screen-name to differentiate it from another actress known as Lalitha.

Acting career

Her first movie was the film adaptation of Koottukudumbam directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. In 1978 she married Bharathan, a noted Malayalam film director. She took a break from film acting for sometime, doing only a few films.

The second era of her career started with Kattathe Kilikkoodu (1983) directed by her husband. Her pairing with Innocent (actor) was hugely popular with the audience between 1986 and 2006 with successful films like Gajakesariyogam, Apporvam Chillar, Makkal Mahatmiyam, Shubha Yatra, My Dear Muthachan, Kannanum Polisum, Arjunan Pillaiyum Anju Makkalum, Injankaddai Mathan and Sons, Pavam Pavam Rajakumaram. During this time, she did many critically acclaimed roles including those in Kattukuthira (1990), Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986), Ponn Muttyidunna Tharavu (1988), Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988), Vadakku Nooki Yanthram (1989), Innathe Program (1991), Dasharatham (1989), Venkalam (1993), Godfather (1991), Amaram (1991), Vietnam Colony (1993), Pavithram (1993), Manichitrathazhu (1994), Sphadikam (1995), and Aniyathi Pravu (1997). She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Amaram (1991), a film directed by her husband Bharathan.

In 1998, when her husband Bharathan died, she took a break for a few months, only to come back with an acclaimed performance in Sathyan Anthikkad directed Veendum Chila Veetukaryangal (1999). K.P.A.C. Lalitha's notable roles after that were in Shantham (2000), Life Is Beautiful (2000) and Valkannadi (2002). She won her second National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Shantham (2000), directed by Jayaraj.

K.P.A.C. Lalitha acted in over 500 films in Malayalam cinema. Apart from Malayalam, she acted in some Tamil films including Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997), Maniratnam's Alaipayuthey (2000) and Kaatru Veliyidai (2017). Particularly, her performance in Tamil film Kadhalukku Mariyadhai as Shalini's mother won her critical acclaim.

Personal life and death

Lalitha has a daughter Sreekutty and a son Sidharth who debuted as an actor in the movie Nammal, which was directed by Kamal. After a short career in acting, he chose a career in film direction. In 2012, he made his directorial debut with Nidra, which is the remake of 1984 film with the same title written and directed by his father Bharathan.

She published an autobiography, titled Katha Thudarum (Story To Be Continued), which won the Cherukad Award in 2013.

Lalitha died in Thrippunithura on 22 February 2022, at the age of 73. She had been hospitalized since November 2021 due to multiple health issues, including liver ailment and diabetes.

Kavita Radheshyam
(Wikipedia)
Kavita Radheshyam
Occupation Actress
Years active 2012–present

Kavita Radheshyam born 31 December 1984, is an Indian actress who debuted in director Vikram Bhatt's thriller TV series Who Done It Uljhan. She primarily appears in Kannada, Tamil and Hindi films.

Career
Kavita Radheshyam in September 2014
Debut and breakthrough

Radheshyam received a degree in an acting institute in 2009. She continued to act in short films made under Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International. Kavita debuted with noted director Faisal Saif's Hindi feature film Paanch Ghantey Mien Paanch Crore that got listed under the Top 10 Bold Film category of 2012 by The Times of India. Filmmaker Rupesh Paul approached her for his film Kamasutra 3D, but she refused to star in it. She also appeared in Marathi remake of 1988's classic Khoon Bhari Maang, which is titled Bharla Malwat Rakhtaana.

Radheshyam has frequently collaborated in films directed by Faisal Saif, which includes Paanch Ghantey Mien Paanch Crore, Main Hoon Rajinikanth, Amma and the under-production Shraap 3D.

Radheshyam starred in 2014's Faisal Saif's controversial film Main Hoon Rajinikanth, where Tamil actor Rajinikanth moved the Madras High Court to stop the release and screening of the film However, the film got released with a new changed title Main Hoon (Part-Time) Killer.
Kavita Bhabhi

Radheshyam's erotic web series Kavita Bhabhi which turned out to be in the most watched web series during COVID‑19 quarantine in Asia, became a trendsetter for its platform Ullu App. The show surpassed the viewership by registering 600 Million downloads globally.
Anti-LGBT remarks after Orlando shooting

In the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting, Radheshyam received criticism after posting on Facebook and Twitter: "Felt Very Sad About #OrlandoShooting.. Aren't #LGBT Against Nature? Whatever Is Against Nature, Shouldn't Live.." India Today headlined an article about the incident, "Straight and nuts: Actress Kavita Radheshyam says Orlando victims deserved death".

On Facebook, she has maintained her opinion about the LGBT community. She quoted former additional Solicitor General of India P. P. Malhotra, who called gay sex "unnatural", "highly immoral and against social order" in a 2008 address to the Supreme Court.

In response to allegations that her online remarks were a publicity stunt, she noted that she had expressed support for the anti-gay law Section 377 three years earlier. She sparked another controversy by saying "Celebrities who are HIV infected are either Gay or Bisexual, I want my haters to do a small research."

Kovai Sarala
(Wikipedia)
Born 7 April 1962

Other names SaralaOccupation

Comedianactresstelevision presenterpolitician
Political party Makkal Needhi Maiam

Kovai Sarala is an Indian film actress and comedian, who prominently plays supporting roles in Tamil and Telugu films. She has won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian three times, for her performances in Sathi Leelavathi (1995), Poovellam Un Vasam (2001) and Uliyin Osai (2008). She has also won the Nandi Award for Best Female Comedian for her performance in Ori Nee Prema Bangaram Kanu (2003) and the Vijay Award for Best Comedian for her performance in Muni 2: Kanchana (2011). She is now part of Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam Party.

Early and present life

Kovai Sarala was born in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Sarala had developed interest in acting, after watching MGR's films. She completed her studies and entered the film industry with the support of her sister and father.

She got her first film offer when she was in the 9th standard and acted with Vijayakumar and K. R. Vijaya in the film Velli Ratham. She was in Class 10, when she played a 32-year-old pregnant woman Mundhanai Mudichu, her second film. Two years later she acted in Chinna Veedu, where she played the 65-year-old mother of Bhagyaraj's character. She has appeared in more than 250 films in Tamil and Telugu. She has mentioned the films Sathi


She has also worked in television series and television shows. She worked as a regular guest judge on Asathapovathu Yaaru and has hosted the reality show Paasa Paravaigal. In 2013, she was the judge on the Tamil comedy show "Comedyil Kalakkuvathu Eppadi" that airs on Vijay TV. Now she is regular judge on the Tamil comedy show "Varuthapadatha valibar sangam" that airs on Zee Tamil. Also hosting kids game show "Chellame chellam" on Sun TV.Personal life

Kovai Sarala is not married. Sarala looks after the children of her relatives, as she considers them to be her own.


Kadambari Kadam
(Wikipedia)


Kadambari Kadam
Born 13 October 1988

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1991 – present
Known for Theater and Marathi films
Spouse(s)

Avinash Arun
​(m. 2016)​
Children 1

Kadambari Kadam is an Indian actress who also works in television serials. She was born on 13 October 1988 into a Maharashtrian family in Mumbai. Kadambari married cinematographer and director Avinash Arun on 10 November 2016. They had their first child, a son, on 2 May 2018 whom they named Kartik.

Her first stage appearance was at the age of 3. She completed her Schooling from Goregaon Vidyamandir, Mumbai. She always had a dream to be an actor. She has done serials like Kehta Hai Dil, Kabhi Sautan Kabhi Saheli, Teen Bahuraaniyaan and many more. Kadambari is known for her excellent comic timing.
Filmography

Films:
Hi Porgi Konachi (Marathi Movie-2006)
Patla Tar Ghya (Marathi Movie-2008)
Tula Shikvin Changlach Dhada (Marathi Movie-2009)
Aaghat as Sangeeta Pradhan (Marathi Movie-2010)
Kshanbhar Vishranti (Marathi – 2010)
Ajinkya (Marathi – 2012)

Daily Soaps:
Maharashtracha Nach Baliye on (Star Pravah)
Teen Bahuraaniyaan as Janki (Sameer's wife) (Zee TV)
Kehta Hai Dil (Small Role – Star Plus)
Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii (Small Role – Star Plus)
Indradhanushya
Deep Stambh
Akalpit
Hya Gojirvanya Gharat
Avghachi Ha Sansar

Kesha Khambhati
((Wikipedia)


Kesha Khambhati
Born 8 February 1989 
Surat, India
Occupation Model, actress
Years active 2014-present

Kesha Khambhati is an Indian model and actress who has appeared in Telugu and Tamil films. After making her debut in Telugu cinema with Heart Attack (2014), Kesha appeared in a leading role in Saran's Aayirathil Iruvar (2017).

Career

Kesha made her debut by appearing in an item number in the Telugu film, Shadow (2013) featuring in the title track. In early January 2014, Kesha was cast in director Saran's Tamil film, Aayirathil Iruvar and was set to appear alongside two other debutants in roles opposite Vinay. Despite completing shoot, the film's release was stalled and did not have a theatrical release until September 2017. Kesha's first acting role release was in Puri Jagannadh's Telugu romantic drama film, Heart Attack (2014), where she featured as Priya, alongside Nithiin and Adah Sharma. She shot for the film in India and Thailand, and labelled the film as a "turning point" of her career. In 2015, she appeared in the low-budget Telugu comedy Best Actors in an ensemble cast.

In 2016, following the death of television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh was brought to the media's attention. Along with another actress, Heer Patel, Kesha Khambati also brought a separate a court case against Singh. Kesha accused Singh of becoming close to her in order to take money from her, and sought a value of two lakh rupees to be returned

Kalpana (Kannada actress)
* Wikipedia)

Kalpana
Born
Sharat Lata
18 July 1943

Died 12 May 1979 (aged 35)[citation needed]

Other names "Minugu Taare"
Occupation Actress
Spouse(s) B. N. Viswanath, Gudigeri Basavaraj

Kalpana (18 July 1943 – 12 May 1979), born Sharat Lata, was an Indian Kannada film actress. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare ("A Shining Star") among the film fraternity. She was widely recognised as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fan following and critical acclaim. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 release Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B. R. Panthulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960s to the late 1970s, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in a few Tamil, Tulu, Malayalam and Telugu films as well. Many of her successful films were female-centric, giving ample scope for her performance.

One of her best-known roles was that of "Kaveri" in the multi-award-winning film Sharapanjara released in 1971, a performance that won her the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for that year. Her portrayal of a highly spirited and complex woman who fights her mental trauma won her the largest fan following ever for a Kannada actress. Her association with the veteran film maker Puttanna Kanagal both professionally and personally became the talk of the town back in the 1970s. They both went on to work in many commercially and critically successful films until they grew apart. In her career Kalpana received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada once and the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress thrice.

Early life

Kalpana was born to a Tulu speaking couple, Krishnamurthy and Janakamma, as Sharat Lata in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state. She was very passionate about acting and took part in all the talent competitions held at her school. She was also very conscious about prevailing style statement but had her own distinct style in her outfits. She, along with her younger brother and her mother moved to the Uttara Kannada district to experience the basics of movie and stage performances. When she moved to Davangere, she was introduced to Shiv Kumar who took her to Madras and introduced her to Narsimharaju. She was given a break into films by noted director B. R. Pantulu, who was impressed by her. Kalpana decided that she wanted to be an established film actress and soon achieved her goal and gained prominence in the industry.

Career

Kalpana in Sharapanjara (1971)

Sharat Lata was recruited to the Kannada film industry in 1963 by director B. R. Pantulu for his Rajkumar-starrer Saaku Magalu. Later, she changed her screen name to Kalpana. However, it was the 1967 released Belli Moda, directed by Puttanna Kanagal that brought her to the forefront. This portrayal of hers was instantly accepted and she soon was catapulted to the top among the actresses of the 1960s. She dominated the Kannada film industry during the late 1960s and 1970s and was critically acclaimed for some of her author-backed roles in movies like Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje, Belli Moda, Eradu Kanasu, Kappu Bilupu, Bayalu Daari, Gandhada Gudi and Bangarada Hoovu. She worked with almost all the leading actors and directors of her time. Her most frequent co-stars were Rajkumar, Gangadhar and Udaya Kumar. P. Susheela and S. Janaki were the regular voices behind her songs in the films. She gave stiff competition to her contemporaries such as Jayanthi, Bharathi and Chandrakala among others.

Initially she was the most favoured actress of ace director Puttanna Kanagal. Their association produced some of the finest movies in the history of Kannada cinema. Many of their films had strong, hard-hitting messages which were treasured in the cinema history. Kanagal groomed Kalpana to a great extent and though they were romantically linked by the media, industry folks are unanimous that their relationship was that of Guru-Shishya. However, they fell apart when Kanagal refused to offer her a pivotal role in Nagarahaavu. Kanagal went on to groom Aarathi while Kalpana featured in some average films later on. Her efforts to resurrect her career failed. Even though her later movies with Rajkumar (Daari Tappida Maga and Eradu Kanasu), and Anant Nag (Bayalu Daari) were hits, they failed to resurrect her career. By 1977 she had no movies in hand. She then started focusing on drama companies in Uttara Karnataka and mainly worked in Gudigeri Basavaraj's drama company. With mounting debts and declining film offers, she went into deep depression.

She had also acted in a few Tamil and Telugu movies, such as Madras To Pondicherry and Sadhu Mirandal.These films were later made in Hindi as Bombay to Goa and Sadhu Aur Shaitan. Both the films were very successful at the box office. She also acted in Koti Channayya, a Tulu movie, directed by Vishu Kumar. She also acted in the Malayalam movie School Master. She lived for only 35 years of which she had spent 15 years in the Sandalwood film industry. She won the Karnataka state award for Best Actress thrice for Belli Moda, Hannele Chiguridaga and Sharapanjara. In her film career, she has acted in over eighty movies, of which the majority are in Kannada.

Legacy

The sway that actor Kalpana – who had won the title "Minugu Taare" (twinkling star) – held over Kannada film enthusiasts has not quite disappeared since her death. Known for playing complex and tragic roles, she died under mysterious circumstances. She ruled the Kannada film industry from 1967 until 1972.

V. Sreedhara, a teacher in Mysuru, has brought out a 1,114-page volume "Rajatha Rangada Dhruvathare", chronicling her life and work spanning 79 films. It has details of the characters she played and opinions of various directors, co-artistes and writers. He started working on the book at 21 and completed it when he turned 27. "Even after working for so long, I have not completely understood the persona of Kalpana, as she was a complex person", he says. The book was released in Bengaluru at a function organised by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.
Fashion icon

Kalpana was a fashion icon of her time. Her elegance, taste and sophistication in dressing could not be matched by other female stars of the time. The mega sleeve blouses, frill blouses are her contribution to Karnataka's style. Some of her fashion statements are elaborate hairdos, big rings on fingers, rich zari saris and chiffon saris, multiple bangles and long necklaces.

Death

Kalpana died on 12 May 1979. Her suicide was attributed to multiple causes from health issues, poor financial condition to failed romance, though nothing was established. As per post-mortem reports, she had consumed 56 sleeping pills. She had spent her last days at an inspection bungalow at Gotur near Sankeshwar, Belagavi, Karnataka.

Awards
Best Actress – Belli Moda (1967)
Best Actress – Hannele Chiguridaga (1968)
Best Actress – Sharapanjara (1971)

Kavita Lad-Medhekar

Kavita Lad-Medhekar, born on November 13, 1973, in Thane, Maharashtra, is a distinguished Indian actress renowned for her extensive work in Marathi theatre, television, and film. Her versatile performances have earned her a prominent place in the Marathi entertainment industry.

Early Life and Education

Kavita completed her education at Thane College, Maharashtra. Her passion for acting led her to pursue a career in the performing arts.

Career

Kavita's career spans over two decades, during which she has showcased her talent across various mediums:

  • Television: She gained widespread recognition for her role as Anuradha Deshmukh in the popular Marathi daily soap opera "Char Divas Sasuche" (2001). Other notable television appearances include "Unch Majha Zoka," "Radha Hi Bawari," and "Radha Prem Rangi Rangali."

    en.wikipedia.org

  • Theatre: Kavita has been a part of acclaimed Marathi plays such as "Sundar Mi Honar," "Eka Lagnachi Goshta," and "Char Divas Premache." Her collaboration with Prashant Damle in these productions has been particularly celebrated.

    en.wikipedia.org

  • Film: She made her film debut with "Ghayaal" (1993) and has since appeared in several Marathi films, including "Jigar" (1998), "Tu Tithe Mee" (1998), "Anolkhi Hey Ghar Maze" (2008), and "Asehi Ekada Vhave" (2018). In 2019, she starred in "Love You Zindagi" alongside Sachin Pilgaonkar and Prarthana Behere.

    en.wikipedia.org

Personal Life

Kavita married Ashish Medhekar in 2003. They have two children.

en.wikipedia.org

Recent Work

As of 2023, Kavita is portraying Bhuvaneshwari Suryavanshi in the Marathi television series "Tula Shikvin Changalach Dhada."

en.wikipedia.org

Online Presence

Kavita maintains an active presence on social media platforms, sharing updates about her work and personal life.

Through her dedication and diverse roles, Kavita Lad-Medhekar continues to be a significant figure in the Marathi entertainment industry.


K. R. Vijaya


(Wikipedia)
K. R. Vijaya
Born
Deivanayaki
30 November 1947

Thrissur, Present day Kerala, India
Other names Punnagai Arasi
Occupation Actress
Years active 1963–present
Spouse(s) Sudarsan Velayutha Nair
(m.1966-2016)
(Until his death)
Children Hemalatha (b.1967)
Parent(s) Father: Ramachandran
Mother: Kalyani
Relatives K. R. Vathsala (sister)
K. R. Savithri (sister)
K. R. Sasikala (Sister)
K. R. Radha (Sister)
K. R. Narayanan (Brother)
Ragasudha (niece)
Anusha (niece)
Swathi (niece)

K. R. Vijaya (born as Deivanayaki in 30 November 1947) is an Indian actress who has starred Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films.She was famous for her Devi roles which gave her an edge over her contemporaries. She started her career in the 1963 and has acted more than 500 movies over for six decades in South Indian cinema. K. R. Vijaya has worked with almost all the stalwarts of South Indian cinema, acting in multiple film industries.

Early life

Vijaya was born as Deivanayaki, eldest of eight children to Ramachandran and Kalyani at Trichur, Kerala. Vijaya's father was from Andhra Pradesh and mother from Thrissur, Kerala. Her father was in the army and her mother was a housewife. She has a younger brother, Narayanan and four younger sisters, K. R. Vatsala, K. R. Savithri, Sashikala and Radha. She had her primary education at Government Higher Secondary School, Punkunnam, Thrissur. Her father wanted her to become an actress since he was himself acting in M. R. Radha's drama troupe at the time after retiring from army. She made her film debut with Karpagam in 1963. She is was the first ever actress to own a private jet.

She married a businessman, M. Sudarshan Velayutham in 1966. Her husband was the CEO of Sudarshan trading company and a movie producer. The couple have a daughter Hemalatha (born 1967). Velayutham died on 26 March 2016, aged 82.

Career


She has starred in almost 400 films in all the South Indian languages, including 100 films each in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu, half-a-dozen in Kannada, and one in Hindi titled Oonche Log (1965). Her co-stars in the Hindi movie were Ashok Kumar, Raaj Kumar and Feroz Khan.Vijaya played the title character, a heroine, in her 1963 debut film Karpagam, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. Gopalakrishnan also directed her 100th film Nathaiyil Muthu.

Between her debut in 1963 and her marriage in 1966, she shot for films as the heroine in films like Ninaivil Nindraval, Thenmazhai, Ooty Varai Oravu, Patanathil Bhootam, Server Sundaram, Kandan Karunai, Paladai, Anarkali, Idhayakamalam and Manam Oru Korungu. She acted in seven films: Thozhilali, Thazhampoo, Panam Padaithavan, Kanni Thaai, Naan Aanaiyittal, Vivasayee, Naan Yen Pirandhen, and Nalla Neram opposite M. G. Ramachandran and played supporting roles in Naan Aanaiittal.

She was married the peak of her career in 1966.


Her successful films opposite Muthuraman include Server Sundaram, Naanal, Manam Oru Kurangu, Dheerga Sumangali, Engal Kula Deivam, Kanne Papa, Seetha, Maligai Poo, Panchavaarna Kili, Nathayil Muthu, Nenjirukumvarai, Murugan Adimai, Sondham, Kasturi Vijayam, Kannama, Intho Enthan Deivam, Roshakari, Namma Veetu Deivam, Annai Abhirami and Deivam.

She temporarily stopped acting in movies when her husband became ill during 1994 and made comeback in television and continued in television serials till 2007. After her husband's death, she became active in movies and television.

Awards

Satyabama College
2009 - DoctorateTamil Nadu State Film Awards
1970 - Best Actress for Namma Veetu DheivamFilmfare Awards South
2013: Chalachitra Rathnam AwardJanmabhoomi Television Awards
2018: Best Character Actress - Sathyam Sivam SundaramOther Awards
2013: Nagi Reddy Memorial Awards
2017: Congress Managalir Awards
2019: Nakshathira Sathanaiyalar 2019

Filmography

K. R. Vijaya has starred in many films. Her first film was "Karpagam" in 1963, where she portrayed the title role, Karpagam. Apart from films, she has also starred in three teleserials, Raja Rajeswari, Mangai, and Kudumbam, shown both in India and Sri Lanka.

Kaniha
Wikipedia

Kaniha
Born
Divya Venkatasubramaniam
3 July 1982

Other names Kanika
Occupation Actress
Years active 2002–2006
2009–present
Spouse(s)

Shyam Radhakrishnan
​(m. 2008)​
Children 1

Divya Venkatasubramaniam (born 3 July 1982), better known by her stage name Kaniha or Kanika, is an Indian film actress who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema and in some Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies. Kaniha made her debut in the 2002 Tamil film Five Star.

She went on to work in other South Indian film industries, including Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. She is perhaps best known for her performances as Eashwari in her debut film Five Star, Gayathri in Varalaru - History of Godfather and Thenmozhi in Autograph. She has had a successful run in the Malayalam film industry, with most notable works include Bhagyadevatha, Pazhassi Raja and Spirit.

Early life

Kaniha was born on 3 July 1982 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India as the second daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Venkat Subramanian, both engineers. She studied at TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Madurai and also won accolades including the Tamil Nadu State Award for Educational Excellence in 1999. She then got admitted on merit to BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science), in Pilani, Rajasthan, from where she graduated with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Having improved her singing talent since childhood by participating in pop music and light music shows, Divya was interested in the performing arts. While she was still studying, she gave stage performances as a pop singer from time to time. When she was scheduled to perform at the Miss Chennai beauty pageant in 2001, she was selected to participate in the pageant after a model had backed out at the last minute. Despite lack of experience, she emerged victorious at that contest, which later paved way for a film career.

Career

Susi Ganesan spotted Kaniha on a magazine cover page and insisted on her performing the lead female role in his second feature film. Divya eventually entered the Film industry, accepting the offer, while her name was changed to Kaniha. Her debut film was the Mani Ratnam-produced Five Star (2002) with Prasanna, who made his acting debut as well, in which Kaniha portrayed a traditional village girl. She completed the entire film during her summer holidays, since she was a student.

Kaniha turned down all projects that were subsequently offered to her, including films by S. Shankar and P. C. Sreeram, and went on to complete her graduation. Even before she finished her graduation, she completed her Telugu debut film Ottessi Chepputunna during her winter vacations, acting under another stage name Sravanthi. In regard to her performance, Idlebrain wrote: "Sravanthy looks homely in the film and suited the character. She performed well. She is good at dances as well"

After completing her studies, Kaniha decided to give herself a go at the Tinsel towns. She starred in the Kannada film Annavaru (2004), a remake of Mani Ratnam's Thalapathi (1991), stepping into Kannada filmdom, too. She followed the movie with a neat, cameo role in Cheran's Autograph, earning critical acclaim. Kaniha next appeared in a comedy oriented role in a commercial film by K. S. Ravikumar, Aethiree along with Madhavan, Sada, in which she portrayed as a "naughty Brahmin girl". Sify labelled her performance in the film as "outstanding". She went on to play the female lead in Dancer opposite physically disabled Kutty, following which she returned to Telugu cinema, accepting to reprise her role in the Telugu remake of Autograph, Naa Autograph, playing the same role as in the original version. She proved to be an actress to reckon with in the Kannada film Sye, a remake of Tamil film Dhill. She finally ventured into Malayalam cinema as the heroine for the campus-based film Ennitum.

Later in 2006, she appeared in her biggest project till then, Varalaru, directed again by K. S. Ravikumar, in which she shared screen space with Ajith Kumar and Asin. She won plaudits for her role as a mentally disordered girl. After a two-years gap, her most recent Kannada film Rajakumari opposite Ravichandran got released, in which she again got to play the female lead role.

After her marriage, when she was supposed to have bid adieu to the film industry, Kaniha returned to the Malayalam cinema in 2009, with the films Bhagyadevatha, directed by veteran Sathyan Anthikkad and starring Jayaram and Narain as well, and Pazhassi Raja, directed by reputed director Hariharan and starring Mammootty, Sarath Kumar and Padmapriya among others. While the former one, in which she played the role of a homely Christian girl, was highly successful at the box office, the latter one, a biographical historical film, in which she played the role of a queen opposite Mammootty. Her performance in Bhagyadevatha led to her winning several awards. Her rising adulation in the Malayalam industry saw her eventually sign laudable roles in the films My Big Father and Christian Brothers before she took a maternity break.

Other work

Besides acting, Kaniha has ventured into other fields, working as a dubbing artiste, playback singer and TV host, proving to be a versatile and talented person.

Television

At the prime of her career, Kaniha moved to "small screen", hosting a couple of TV shows, which she believed were a "refreshing change from movies". She had first hosted the second season of the popular comedy show Kalakka Povathu Yaaru on STAR Vijay in 2006, following which she had hosted the popular family based game show Mega Thanga Vettai, the annual Chutti Vikatan Children's Quiz Show both on Sun TV. Besides, she also played a lead role in the television serial Thiruvilayadal on Sun TV. She has judged popular reality shows like Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njaanum, Star Singer both on Asianet. In 2015 she judged Uggram Ujjwalam a Malayalam reality show on Mazhavil Manorama.She judges Grand Magical Circus on Amrita TV.

Dubbing and singing career

Kaniha has ventured into playback singing and dubbing as well. Having a vast experience and being a professional singer before turning actress, Kaniha got the offer to sing the theme song of her debut film Five Star. She then became a dubbing artiste, dubbing for actresses Genelia D'Souza in Sachein, Sadha in Anniyan and Shriya Saran in Sivaji: The Boss.

Kaniha has also featured in print and TV ads of some reputed corporates. Some of them are listed below.
The Chennai Silks
Kalyan Sarees and Jewellers
Rathna Thanga Maligai
Tata Gold Plus
SPP Silks, Erode
Aachi Masala
Seemas Silks
ICL Fincorp
Mahalakshmi Silks
N Style

Personal life

Kaniha married Shyam Radhakrishnan, brother of Jayashree on 15 June 2008 who works as a US-based software engineer. They have a son Sai Rishi born in November 2010. Initially she had decided to leave the film industry, finishing her career as an actress, and to settle down in the US, stating that she, however, would complete her hitherto signed films. In January 2009 then, Kaniha, unexpectedly, announced her comeback with the Sathyan Anthikkad-directed Malayalam film Bhagyadevatha.

Awards and nominations

Won
2009: Annual Malayalam Movie Award for Best Actress – Bhagyadevatha / Pazhassi Raja
2009: Kerala Film Critics Association's Atlas Film Critics Award for Best Actress – Bhagyadevatha
2012: Vanitha Film Award for Best Second Actress – Bavuttiyude Namathil
2013:The pearl awards - Best Supporting actress -Bavuttiyude Namathil, SpiritNominations

2010: Filmfare Awards South – Best Actress – "Bhagyadevatha"

Ketki Kadam


Wikipedia
Ketaki Kadam
Born
2 July 1991, Pune, Maharashtra
Nationality Indian
Occupation Model, Actress
Years active 2012–present

Ketki or Ketaki Kadam is an Indian television actress who appeared as Humaira on Zee TV's Qubool Hai opposite Rishabh Sinha / Vikrant Massey / Mohit Sehgal where she played the parallel lead role in the show.

In 2014, after Qubool Hai, she made an appearance as the younger Radha on Star Plus's mythological saga Mahabharat. In the same year, she started working in Sony Entertainment Television's show produced by DJ's a Creative Unit which was earlier known under the working title Banaras ka Bunty and was then known as Hum Hain Na. In this show, Kadam was supposed to play the parallel lead role of Satya, a girl who is in love with the lead character Bunty Kanwar Dhillon.

In 2015, she did a show Sarojini on Zee TV as Indira Singh. In the year 2017, Kadam was cast in the role of Shikha Vashisht in Star plus show Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 .In 2018 she did Zing TV Pyaar Pehli Baar as Vaidehi.

Television

YearNameRoleChannel
2012–14 Qubool Hai Humaira Haider Shaikh Zee TV
2014 Mahabharat Young Radha Star Plus
2014 Hum Hain Na Satya Sony TV
2015 Sarojini - Ek Nayi Pehal Indira Singh Zee TV
2017 Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon 3 Shikha Narayan Vashisht Star Plus
2019 Laal Ishq Jia (Episode 90) And TV
Arshi (Episode 114)
Maya (Episode 142)
Revati (Episode 183)
2019 Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran Gayatri Mata (Episode 30) Colors TV

Krishna Praba
 Wikipedia
Krishna Praba
Born 25 November 1987

Ernakulam, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Film actress
Years active 2008–present

Krishna Praba is an Indian film actress and professional dancer chiefly appears in Malayalam movies. She made her entry into the film industry in the film Madampi (2008), directed by B. Unnikrishnan. She played the character Mollykutty in Life of Josutty (2015), directed by Jeethu Joseph.

Early life

Praba was born in 1987 to late Cr Prabhakaran Nair, a former mechanical engineer at Kalamassery HMT and Sheela Prabhakaran Nair. She completed her primary education from St. Joseph's School, Kalamassery and obtained Higher Secondary Education in humanities from Sacred Heart College, Thevara. Her early influences included Mohiniyattam, Kuchipudi, Nadakam and Margam kali. She received a Diploma certificate in Bharatanatyam from Alliance University Bangalore. Krishna Praba got training in classical dance under the mentorship of Kalamandalam Sugandhi, her first dance teacher, from the age of 3.

Career

Praba received several awards at state level youth festival competition. She joined Manoj Guinness’ Cochin Navodaya troupe as a dancer. She later collaborated with Sajan Palluruthy and Prajodh for Comedy show, a program on Asianet TV channel. After her debut in B Unnikrishnan’s movie, Krishna Praba grew in stature in the Malayalam movie industry by playing different characters in a series of films, most notably in Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla (2013) and Life of Josutty (2015). In 2014, she said that she felt privileged to be compared to the late Sukumari after many celebrities including Kavya Madhavan and Ramesh Pisharody pointed out the similarities between the character Krishna played in She Taxi and Sukumari’s character in Boeing Boeing. In 2017, Krishna Praba joined a number of award-winning students to enact Radha Madhavam, a dance drama directed by cine actress Gayathri. She sang song for the movie, Theeram in 2017.She is running Jainika school of arts at Kochi.

Koel Mallick

Koel Mallick (born Rukmini Mallick on 28 April 1982) is an Indian film actress who appears in Bengali films. She belongs to Chamar Caste.

Koel Mallick
From Wikipedia

Koel Mallick
Born
Rukmini Mallick
28 April 1982 

Occupation Actress
Years active 2000–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2013)​
Children 1 son
Parents

Ranjit Mallick (father)
Deepa Mallick (mother)

Koel Mallick (born Rukmini Mallick on 28 April 1982[1]) is an Indian film actress who appears in Bengali films. She is the daughter of actor Ranjit Mallick and Deepa Mallick. Her debut film was Nater Guru.

Early life and education

Koel was born in Kolkata to Bengali film actor Ranjit Mallick and Deepa Mallick, of Kolkata's notable Mallick Bari of Bhowanipore (i.e., the Mallick family, which is closely associated with the powerful Barat and Gupta families), known for its Durga Puja. Koel did her schooling from Modern High School for Girls, and completed a BSc (honors) in psychology from the Gokhale Memorial Girls' College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.

Career

Film

Mallick's screen debut was in Nater Guru – opposite Jeet. Nater Guru was a "runaway success" at the box office.The film, released in 2003, marked Mallick's entry into Tollywood. She also won her first award for Best Actor in Leading Role Female from 4th Tele Cine Awards 2004 for Nater Guru. Nater Guru, which has Jeet in the male lead, sees Mallick playing the role of a 23-year-old girl named Monica. Since the release of Nater Guru the pair has worked together often, appearing in eleven films.

In 2004, she starred in Debipaksha, Shudhu Tumi, Badsha The King and Bandhan. While the first two performed poorly[clarification needed] at the box office, Bandhan was a huge success in Bengal and was a blockbuster at the box office. It was also the highest grossing Bengali film of 2004.

In 2005, Mallick appeared in Shubhodrishti, Manik, Yuddho and Chore Chore Mastuto Bhai. She appeared in Yuddho opposite actors Mithun Chakraborty and Debashree Roy. The film recorded an initial collection of ₹ 12 million (12 million) in its first week. In 2006, she took on a more serious role in MLA Fatakeshto in which she played a reporter. She also starred in the Bengali remake of Love Story, the 2008 film Love.

Television

Mallick made her television debut with her talk-show Katha O Kahini. The show went on to the channel Star Jalsha.[8] In 2013 Koel was on TV again as a celebrity judge in the Bengali version of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa along with renowned Bollywood choreographer Remo D'Souza. The show aired on ETV Bangla.

She and Jeet was also seen as a guest in Star Jalsha serial Sansar Sukher Hoy Romonir Gune for the promotion of the movie 100% Love. Mallick has also appeared on the popular soap Bojhena Se Bojhena which is also aired on STAR Jalsha. Apart from these, she played the role of Devi Mahisasurmardini in Durga Durgatinashini Star Jalsha Mahalaya 2011. This Mahalaya 2011 of SJ was shown as a stage performance. She played the role of Devi Mahisasurmardini and her 9 avatars in Zee Bangla's Mahalaya 2015 Nabarupe Nabadurga. Zee Bangla telecasted its first Mahalaya in2007 and she played the role of Devi Mahisasurmardini in Zee Bangla Mahalaya 2007. So she is the first Mahisasurmardini of Zee Bangla Mahalaya.

Television
YearSerialCharacterChannel
May 10 Katha o Kahini Herself Zee Bangla
2014 Bojhena Se Bojhena Guest Appearance Star Jalsha

Mahalaya
YearSerialCharacterChannel
10 October 2007 Mahisasurmardini Devi Mahisasurmardini Zee Bangla
27 September 2011 Durga Durgatinashini, Mahalaya 2011 Devi Mahisasurmardini Star Jalsha
12 October 2015 Nabarupe Nabadurga, Mahalaya 2015 Devi Mahisasurmardini and her 9 avatars Zee Bangla

Brand endorsements

Mallick has endorsed a variety of multi-national brands and has done television commercials for TVS Motor Company, Fair & Lovely, Panasonic, Vaseline etc.

Personal life

Koel Mallick married Nispal Singh (Rane) on 1 February 2013. They had been in a relationship for seven years before that, but both of them had decided to keep their relationship away from the glamour world of Tollywood. On 1 February 2020 she announced on Instagram that she is expecting her first child. On 5 May 2020, at 05:00 am, Mallick gave birth to a baby boy

Kshitee Jog

Kshitee Jog
Born 1 January 1983 (age 38)

Occupation Actress
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s)
Hemant Dhome
​
​(m. 2012)​
Parent(s)

Anant Jog (father)
Manjiree Jog (mother)

Kshitee Jog (क्षिती जोग) (born 1 January 1983) is an Indian television actress known for her part as Saraswati (the eldest daughter) and one of the main characters on the Zee TV serial Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann.

She played a role in Sony TV's Maan Rahe Tera Pitaah. She was also part of comedy sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai until replaced by Shital Thakkar.

She also acted in TV series Navya which ended on 29 June 2012.

Family

She is the daughter of Marathi actor Anant Jog and Marathi actress Manjiree Jog. She married Marathi actor-director Hemant Dhome in 2012.

K. R. Indira Devi
 Wikipedia
K. R. Indira Devi
Born
Kancheepuram Ramasamy Indira Devi
1 January 1949

Died 16 March 2017 (aged 68)

Other names Indira, Indira Devi
Occupation Stage Actress, Film Actress, Dubbing Artiste
Years active 1959 - 2017
Spouse(s) Sankara Narayanan
Children Jayageetha (daughter)
Parent(s) K. S. Ramasamy (father)
Relatives Anuradha (Sister)
Awards Kalaimamani Awards

K. R. Indira Devi (1949–2017), born as Indira Devi, was an Indian stage and film actress who was active in Tamil Cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. She was well known for her supporting roles, but was also a successful dubbing artist. In a career spanning close to five decades, she acted in more than 250 films in the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Indira debuted as heroine in Konjum Kumari (1963). She was awarded the Kalaimamani by Government of Tamil Nadu.

Early life

Indira Devi was born in the Kanchipuram district. At the age of 14, she moved to Chennai and joined drama troupe and began performance in stage plays. Then she entered film industry and started her career in Supporting role. In 1959, she acted with Kann Thirandhathu starring Mynavathi under the direction of K. V. Srinivasan produced by Narayanan Companies and she was the onscreen pair for A. Karunanidhi. She made her acting debut as heroine with Konjum Kumari starring R. S. Manohar and Manorama under the direction of G. Viswanathan and produced by Modern Theatres in 1963. Indira was the onscreen pair for M. N. Nambiar in MGR's Petralthan Pillaiya (1966), Gemini Ganesan in Sumaithaangi (1962) and M. R. Radha in Hello Mister Zamindar (1965). She starred with Sivaji Ganesan, and Sivakumar. She acted in more than 250 films in the Tamil and other Indian languages, the notable ones being Kandhan Karunai, Sindhu Bhairavi, and with superstar Rajinikanth in films such as Mannan, and Panakkaran. Her last film was Girivalam (2005) where she played Granny to Richard Rishi. Indira acted in many television serials, and worked as a dubbing artist in more than 500 films.

Other works

Indira also worked as a heroine in the film Konjum Kumari. The film also marked versatile actress Manorama raised to the status of heroine. The film was made by editor-turned-director G. Viswanathan. The film was Modern Theatres' 100th film. T. R. Sundaram's last film. Indira worked along with Sivaji Ganesan and S. S. Rajendran in R. K. S. drama troupe, and with Sivaji Ganesan's stage play named as Thenkkoodu.

Personal life

Indira's father K. S. Ramasamy was a popular Carnatic singer as well as a stage artiste. Indira is also the elder sister of popular dubbing artist Anuradha and mother of dubbing artist Jayageetha. Indira was married to Shankara Narayanan and they have one daughter, named Jayageetha.

Death

On 16 March 2017, Indira Devi was admitted to hospital in Chennai after suffering respiratory problems and died after suffering a Cardiac arrest. She was 68 years old. A number of Tamil film celebrities including Secretary Vishal, Vice-president Ponvannan, and General council members Udhaya and Hemachander from Nadigar Sangam visited her place and paid their obeisance.

Award
Kalaimamani award by Government of Tamil Nadu.

Kanishka Soni
 Wikipedia

Kanishka Soni
कनिष्का सोनी
Born
Kanishka Soni
16 August 1987

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Occupation Actress, singer, model
Years active 2007–present

Kanishka Soni (born 16 August 1987) is an Indian actress and model from Mumbai. She has an MBA in finance from the University of Mumbai. After her studies she was selected for singing in the reality show bathroom singer on Filmy Tv by Optimystix Entertainment. She is best known for her character Daisa's bahu in the Star Plus Tv show Diya Aur Baati Hum, Manjari Satya Nayak in the Life Ok Television series Do Dil Ek Jaan opposite Akshay Dogra, Sati's sister Revati in Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev on Life Ok, Parashavi (Vidur's Wife) in the Star Plus TV soap opera Mahabharat, Maya Thakur in Begusarai (TV series) on &TV, Sumitra in Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanumaan on Sony Entertainment Television, Inspector Redkar in the most popular show on star plus Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala. Currently she is seen as Devi River Ganga in Devi Adi Parashakti on Dangal TV. She is a Politician with Ramdas Athawale's political party.

Early life

Soni was born on 16 August 1989 in Ahmedabad in the Indian state of Gujarat. She completed her schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Shahibaug and Masters and Post Graduation in diploma in finance from University of Mumbai.

Career

Soni started her career in 2007 when she got selected for a singing reality show Bathroom singer on Filmy Tv by Optimystix Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. after completing her studies. Although her career started as a singer, she was more passionate towards acting. Initially she got an opportunity as a model to accompany Akshay Kumar in Grand Finale of Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi Level 2 and with VJ Juhi in Exhausted on Channel V both by Endemol India Pvt. Ltd.. She made her debut in a Tamil movie Pathayeram Kodi opposite to Vivek in 2013. She has appeared in multiple movies, such as Pathaayiram Kodi, Devaraya and Yuvrajayam. She has played various roles in TV shows as Manjari Satya Nayak in the television series Do Dil Ek Jaan on Life OK Tv channel opposite Akshay Dogra and Pavitra Rishta on Zee Tv as Sukruti. She was paired opposite to Hasan Zaidi in Channel V show Gumrah: End of Innocence, season 3. Currently she is doing Diya Aur Baati Hum on Star Plus as Daisa's Bahu and Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev on Life Ok Tv channel as Princess Raveti. She has been acted in commercial advertisement of Huggies diaper, Shriram cement, Slicer and Dicer Tele, and corporate advertising and promos for N.D.T.V. Imagine shows, promo for Channel V show Yeh Jawani Ta Ra Ri Ri and been model for brands like LIC, Provo Glasses and JULIET Punjabi dresses. She has played various roles in Tv shows as such CID, Crime Patrol and Shapath. Soni played the role of Saraswati Devi and Mata Parvati in an air show Sankatmorchan Hanumaan on DD National. She has appeared in various live show events with singers Anup Jalota and Ram shankar. She has also sung songs for DD National Show Sankatmorchan Hanumaan and for music composer Nikhil Kamath.

Soni has signed to act in the show MTV Webbed-Cyber Abuse (Season 2) hosted by Kritika Kamra on MTV along with Do Dil Ek Jaan co-actor Nikita Sharma by Balaji Telefilms and is said to act in Gumrah: End of Innocence, season 4 and &TV's Tujhse Naraz Nahi Zindagi.

Soni has got her first break as a playback singer for upcoming movie M A PASS which is by the same makers of 2014 released B.A. Pass starer Shilpa Shukla which claimed many national and international awards, The song is composed by Geet Vani, recreated by Dhiren Raichura and mixing by Sajan patel who are very known and experienced people from the industry. while experiencing herself phase of struggle into music industry, she has registered her own company KASO MUZIK which can make easy access for singers from outside world to enter into Bollywood industry

Recognition

2007: As a singer, She won a contest on DD National show Close Up Music Masti Aur Dhoom, and a game/quiz show by Indian Television Academy, hosted by Anu Kapoor in 2007.
2015 : Gorwanta Gujarati award, for contribution in the Indian Entertainment industry.
2015 : Due to her acting, modelling and singing achievements she has been declared by The Times of India multi talented beauty.
2016 : Soni was recognised for her social activities for supporting "save girl child" and associating herself with RESCUE FOUNDATION owned by Triveni Acharya

Karunya Ram
Wikipedia
Kaarunya Ram
Born 10 August 1993
Karunya Ram | Abhishek S N Clickography | Flickr

Nationality Indian
Other names Kaarunya Ram Gowda
Occupation

Actress
model
Years active 2015–present

Karunya Ram is an Indian film actress who works in Kannada-language cinema. She is known for performing in the 2015 film Vajrakaya.

Awards

YearFilmAwardCategoryResultRef.
2016 Vajrakaya 5th SIIMA Awards Best Supporting Actoress Nominated

2017 Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu 6th SIIMA Awards Best Supporting Actoress Nominated

Kalyani Mondal


Kalyani Mondal, also known as Kalyani Mandal, is an Indian actress and producer renowned for her work in the Bengali film industry. She has contributed to numerous films and television series, showcasing her versatility and talent.

Early Life and Education

Information regarding Kalyani Mondal's early life and educational background is limited.

Career

Kalyani Mondal's filmography includes a variety of roles across different genres:

  • "Sanyasi Raja" (1975): A Bengali film where she played the role of Ratan.

    imdb.com

  • "Hero" (2006): A Bengali film featuring Jeet and Koel Mallick, in which she appeared as an actress.

    imdb.com

  • "Refugee" (2006): A Bengali film starring Prasenjit Chatterjee, where she contributed to the cast.

    imdb.com

  • "Beautiful Life" (2021): A Bengali film in which she played a significant role.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Dhimaner Dinkaal" (2017): A Bengali television series where she portrayed the character Jaya.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Kakhono Biday Bolo Na" (2010): A Bengali film featuring her in a notable role.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Subho Mahurat" (2003): A Bengali film where she played the role of Kakoli Singha.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sajani" (2004): A Bengali film in which she appeared.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sagar Kinare" (2004): A Bengali film featuring her in the cast.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sudhu Tumi" (2004): A Bengali film where she contributed to the storyline.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sabuj Saathi" (2003): A Bengali film featuring her in a supporting role.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Apon Gharey" (1988): A Bengali film where she played a significant role.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sarbojaya" (1987): A Bengali film featuring her in the cast.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Mouna Mukhar" (1987): A Bengali film where she appeared.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Sarisreep - The Reptile" (1987): A Bengali film featuring her in a notable role.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Dui Adhyay" (1986): A Bengali film where she contributed to the storyline.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Dui Prithibi" (1980): A Bengali film where she played the character Tani.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Brojobuli" (1979): A Bengali film featuring her in the cast.

    themoviedb.org

  • "Nimantran" (1971): A Bengali film where she appeared.

    themoviedb.org

Personal Life

Kalyani Mondal is married to Sukanta Roy.

in.bookmyshow.com

Online Presence

Information regarding Kalyani Mondal's online presence is limited.

Through her diverse roles and contributions, Kalyani Mondal has established herself as a significant figure in the Bengali entertainment industry.


Khyati Mangla

(Wikipedia)
Khyati Mangla
Born 22 September 1988

Nationality Indian
Occupation Theatre Personality, Actress

Khyati Mangla (born 22 September 1988) is an Indian television actress who appeared in the Hindi television drama series, Neem Neem Shahad Shahad, in which she played the main character of Nirali.

Early life

Khyati Mangla was born in Ranchi. She did her Std. XII in Arts stream from DAV Public School, Hehal Ranchi, Jharkhand in 2007.

Career

She did TVC for Zee Marathi, Rasoi Magic Masala. She has also appeared in a music video for Asha Bhonsle and Ghulam Ali "Naina Re" in 2010. She attended on a scholarship the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in 2009. She did acting training from Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting lab(KNK) Mumbai, Maharashtra. She got her first tele-serial Baat Hamari Pakki Hai which was aired on Sony Entertainment Television from May 31, 2010 to February 25, 2011. Then she did a promo for SAB TV with actor Gaurav Khanna. She got her second tele-serial Neem Neem Shahad Shahad which aired on Sahara One from 15 August 2011. In February 2014,Khyati acted in an episode of Bindass channel serial Yeh Hai Aashiqui along with Anurag Sharma.Parineeti Chopra and Sidharth Malhotra made an appearance in that episode.

Television

2010–11 Baat Hamari Pakki Hai as Shreya
2011-12 Neem Neem Shahad Shahad as Nirali
2014 Yeh Hai Aashiqui as Nikita
2015 Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur as Uttara Ram Prasad Maheshwari

Kanchan (actress)

(Wikipedia)


KanchanBorn 17 April 1970

Mumbai, India
Other names Kanchan
Occupation Actress, Model
Years active 1990 - 2002


Kanchan is a former Indian film actress and former model. She has appeared in Telugu, Malayalam and Bollywood films, primarily in the 1990s.

Career

Kanchan acted in several films, including the Salman Khan super hit, Sanam Bewafa (1991). She was then seen with Mohanlal in Gandharvam and worked alongside Ajith Kumar's debut film Prema Pustakam. Her appearance in many Hindi films did not help her career much.Hit films

Kanchan's hit movies are Sanam Bewafa and Gandharvam. She co-starred with Akshay Kumar in Amanaat. She also starred in Coolie No.1 opposite Govinda, Karisma Kapoor and Harish Kumar.

 

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet (born 5 October 1975) is an acclaimed British actress known for films like Titanic (1997), Sense and Sensibility (1995), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and The Reader (2008), for which she won an Academy Award. Born in Reading, Berkshire, England, she comes from a working-class family with a background in the arts but no significant caste or community-based disadvantage in the British context, as caste systems are not a direct parallel in the UK. Below, I address whether she hails from a disadvantaged or low-class community based on her socio-economic background.

Family and Socio-Economic Background

  • Parents and Upbringing: Kate Elizabeth Winslet was born to Roger John Winslet, a struggling actor and part-time worker, and Sally Ann Bridges, a nurse who also worked as a barmaid. Her family faced financial challenges during her childhood, often described as "working-class" in British media. In a 2011 interview with The Daily Telegraph, Winslet recalled periods of financial strain, noting that her family "didn’t have much money" and relied on second-hand clothes or support from extended family. Her father took on jobs like delivering mail or working in a factory to make ends meet, while her mother balanced nursing and bar work.
  • Living Conditions: The Winslet family lived in a modest terraced house in Reading, a town about 40 miles west of London. Kate has spoken about sharing a bedroom with her siblings (sisters Anna and Beth, also actors, and brother Joss) and described their lifestyle as frugal but loving, with a strong emphasis on creativity. In a 2008 Marie Claire interview, she mentioned eating “a lot of lentils” and wearing hand-me-downs, indicating a humble but not destitute upbringing.
  • Extended Family: Her maternal grandparents, Oliver and Linda Bridges, ran the Reading Repertory Theatre, giving her early exposure to acting. However, this was a small, community-driven theatre, not a source of wealth. Her paternal grandmother was also a performer, reinforcing the family’s artistic bent but not financial stability.

Was She from a Disadvantaged or Low-Class Community?

  • Working-Class Roots: In the British class system, Winslet’s family fits the “working-class” category due to their reliance on manual or low-paying jobs (e.g., nursing, postal work, acting gigs). This contrasts with the middle or upper classes, who typically have professional careers or inherited wealth. However, “working-class” in the UK doesn’t inherently mean severe deprivation, and Winslet’s family was not destitute. They faced financial struggles but maintained a stable, supportive home environment.
  • Not a Disadvantaged Community: Unlike marginalized communities in the UK (e.g., certain ethnic minorities, Travellers, or those in extreme poverty), Winslet’s family was not part of a structurally disadvantaged group. They were white, British, and connected to cultural networks through theatre, which provided social capital despite economic limitations. Reading, while not affluent, is a relatively prosperous town, and her family’s challenges were personal rather than tied to a broader socio-economic community like inner-city estates or rural deprivation zones.
  • Education and Opportunities: Winslet attended Redroofs Theatre School, a private institution, on a partial scholarship, indicating some access to opportunities despite financial constraints. Her parents’ encouragement and her early acting roles (e.g., TV commercials at age 11) helped her break into the industry, suggesting a degree of social mobility uncommon in truly disadvantaged communities.

Comparison to Indian Context

Since your previous questions focused on caste in India, it’s worth noting that the UK lacks a caste system equivalent to India’s. Class in Britain (working, middle, upper) is based on occupation, income, and education rather than rigid hereditary hierarchies. Winslet’s working-class background is roughly analogous to lower-middle or struggling forward-caste families in India (e.g., modest Kshatriya or Vaishya households), but without the systemic exclusion faced by Dalits or OBCs. Her family’s financial struggles mirror those of many Indian middle-class families, but her access to theatre and education aligns more with privilege than systemic disadvantage.

Current Context (October 5, 2025)

As of today, her 50th birthday, Winslet remains a global icon, with recent projects like Lee (2023) and The Regime (2024) earning praise. Social media posts on X celebrate her as a “working-class hero” turned Hollywood star, emphasizing her relatable roots. For instance, a user on X noted, “Kate Winslet, Reading’s own, went from a council estate vibe to Oscar glory,” though this slightly exaggerates her family’s circumstances (they lived in a terraced house, not a council estate). No major events tied to her birthday are reported today, but her legacy as a grounded, self-made star endures.

Conclusion

Kate Winslet hails from a working-class British family with financial struggles but not from a disadvantaged or low-class community in the sense of systemic marginalization (e.g., ethnic minorities or extreme poverty groups in the UK). Her background is one of modest means, artistic influence, and resilience, which she leveraged to achieve global success. If you’d like details on her career, specific films, or comparisons to other actors’ backgrounds, let me know!

Kamala Devi (actress)
(Wikipedia)


Kamala Devi
Devi with Robert Culp in I Spy, 1966.
Born 8 October 1933

Died 29 November 2010 (aged 77)

Occupation Actress
Years active 1958–1968
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1963; div. 1972)​

Wallace Guberman
​
​(m. 1978; div. 1983)​
Maurie Beaumont
​
​(m. 2005; died 2008)​

Kamala Devi (8 October 1933 – 29 November 2010) was an actress of Indian and British parentage, best known for her roles in the 1960s opposite her then-husband, Chuck Connors. She was born in Bombay (the current Mumbai) in British India. Her mother, Elizabeth, was of English-Welsh descent, and her father, Chandumal Amesur, was an Indian head-and-neck surgeon.

In 1963, she married Connors, and they were divorced in 1972.

Devi became a US citizen on 2 December 1966.

In 2005, she married Maurie Beaumont, her third husband, who died in 2008.

Kamala Devi died in Arlington County, Virginia at age 77 on 29 November 2010.

Kanika Majumdar
Why did Satyajit Ray choose actress Kanika Majumdar?



Remember the haunting charm of Monimalika in Satyajit Ray’s Monihara? The actress of critically acclaimed Teen Kanya, who sang in a soulful voice reflecting her agony and universal distrust arising from her yearning for material possessions? Those eyes with the greed particularly for her beloved jewellery box made Kanika Majumdar’s performance so outstanding and real that even after her death, her shadowy image walking into her husband, Phanibhushan’s chamber sent a chill down our spines. Played with utmost perfection, Kanika Majumder had proved what a strong actress she was when it came to the portrayal of roles with a difference. The characterization and the execution was so strong that it still has an everlasting impression on the audience. That haunting, eerie feeling that remains even after the film is over!

Kanika Majumdar was not like one of those conventional actors known for her glitz, glamour and archaic mannerisms. She was a class apart. Her acting, expressions and body language pushed her far ahead of her times not conforming to stereotypical disciplines of acting. Everyone in the industry called her by the name ‘Kunu.’ Satyajit Ray was extremely choosy when it came to his actors as they had to do justice to the masterpieces he often made. No wonder he chose Kanika for his Monikamalika.

Kanika Majumdar in Teen Kanya

Majumdar belonged to an aristocratic family. She was enlightened, educated and had an enviable personality. She was born in a Bramho family in Myemenshingha in 1935. She was given the first offer for films by Nitin Basu. She worked in Punashcha of Mrinal Sen even before Teen Kanya. But her first film to release was Teen Kanya. Kanika Majumdar was equally impressive in Ray’s Chiriyakhana. Later, she paired with stalwarts like Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Uttam Kumar. She is still remembered for her energetic role as an enthusiastic sister-in-law in Basanta Bilap, who encouraged the young men to perform every mischief they were upto. That was not the only film where she shared frames with Soumitra Chatterjee. She was also cast in Agun.

Some still remember her as an extremely photogenic face who was very particular about her make up. Kanika Majumdar has also been a part of various cult films with Uttam Kumar like Sonar Khancha, Har Mana Har, Duti Mon, Chader Kachhakachhi. She was a personal favourite of the Mahanayak. She was also a part of famous plays like Kari Die Kinlam and Begum Meri Biswas. Kanika Majumdar had also worked with Shambhu Mitra’s radio play ‘Raktakarabi.’

Though Kanika Majumdar was always seen in supporting roles, she made a mark with her unconventional beauty, distinct style of acting and a voice with a unique appeal. She was also adept in music, dance, painting and every other form of art. She was last seen ‘Prithibir Shesh Station.’ But what was the last station of her life? In her last few years, she had distanced herself from the world of celluloid and stayed in an old age. Her daughter lived abroad. Kanika Majumdar breathed her last on February 16 at the age of 84, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in the world of Bengali movies. The world was oblivious to her existence in the later years. Her silent existence without much ado, was also a sheer reflection of her class. Died 21 February 2019.

The actress, known for films like Teen Kanya, Punascha, Pratham Prem, Chiriyakhana, Basanta Bilap, among many others, spent her final days at an old age home, where she checked in on her own will. Her only daughter lives abroad. Kanika was first offered a role in Bengali cinema by Nitin Bose. She had to turn it down because of family issues. When Satyajit Ray offered her Manihara (one of three chapters in Teen Kanya), she had already started work in Mrinal Sen’s Punascha, but Manihara was her first release on celluloid. She also stole the show in the skin of Damayanti in her second film with Ray — Chiriyakhana. Kanika, who worked with Uttam Kumar in films like Chiriyakhana, Sonar Khancha, Haar Mana Haar, Duti Mon and Chander Kachhakachhi, was known for her voice, beauty and distinct style of acting. She paired up with Soumitra Chatterjee in Asit Sen’s Aagun, and did supporting roles in many significant films. A regular on the Bengali stage as well, Kanika will forever be remembered for the many cult films she was part of.

Kimi Katkar
(Wikipedia)


Kimi Katkar
Born 11 December 1965 

Occupation Actress and Model
Years active 1984-1992
Spouse(s) Shantanu Sheorey

Kimi Katkar (born 11 December 1965) is a former actress and model, who worked in Hindi films. She was active throughout the 1980s and the early 1990s, and starred in over 50 films, including Adventures of Tarzan (1985) and Hum (1991).

Career

Kimi Katkar made her acting debut in the 1985 film Patthar Dil as a supporting actress. Later that year, she starred in Adventures of Tarzan, where she played the lead opposite Hemant Birje. After the film, she continued to work throughout the late 1980s, followed by notable films such as Mera Lahoo (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988), Gair Kanooni (1989), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii (1989) and Khoon Ka Karz (1991).

In the hit 1991 film Hum (1991), she played the lead actress opposite Amitabh Bachchan. In the film, she was cast as Jumma. The popular song "Jumma Chumma De" from this movie was picturized on her and was sung by playback singers Sudesh Bhonsle and Kavita Krishnamurthy. Thereafter, she started restricting herself to few movies.

Her last film was Humlaa (1992). During the same time, she refused film offers for Yash Chopra's Parampara. Later, Jackie replaced Amitabh and Ramya was signed for the role which had been offered to Kimi. Katkar quit the Hindi film industry after her marriage to photographer and ad-filmmaker Shantanu Sheorey in 1992. She settled in Melbourne, Australia.

She is associated with the book Shantaram which was written by Gregory David Roberts. Roberts was an Australian fugitive who escaped to India where he worked as an extra in films including Paanch Paapi (1989) which starred Katkar.

Personal life

Katkar married a commercial photographer and advertising film producer Shantanu Sheorey. She has one son, Siddhanth. She stays in Melbourne, Australia and has also been living in Aundh, a suburb in Pune, Maharashtra.

Keki Adhikari 

Keki Adhikari is one of the most popular and beautiful actresses of Nepali film industry. She started her glamorous career from the music video and now she is popular in Kollywood film industry as a talented actress. She has been featured in many films, music videos, advertisements.

NameKeki Adhikari
Birthday 17 December, 1989
Birth Place Jorpati, Kathmandu
Occupation Actress, Model
Nikname Keku
Parents Badri Adhikari, Laxmi Adhikari
School Srijenalaya School
College Whitehouse College
Prime College
Presidential College
Education Bachelor in Information Management
Master in Business Administration
Debut music video Kasari
Debut film Swor
Savorite Singer Pramod Kharel
Debut threatre Chaarumati
Relationship Status Single

Awards 8th Dcine Awards 2016 Critics Award

http://www.kekiadhikari.com/
Photo – Keki’s Facebook
Childhood and Family Background

Keki Adhikari was born on 17 December 1989 in Jorpati Kathmandu. She is the daughter of Badhri Adhikari and Laxmi Adhikari. Her father is a movie producer and mother is a housewife. Like any other celebrities, she was quite interested in the glamorous field from her childhood. Because her father is a movie producer, she got an opportunity to be familiar with film line.

Education

Keki Adhikari completed her schooling from Srijenalaya School in Kathmandu. After SLC, she joined Whitehouse College for plus two studies. Later, she graduated from Prime College in Bachelor in Information Management. She has done master degree in Business Administration from Presidential College.

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Film Career

Keki Adhikari participated in the dance competition named Ghintang host by NTV plus. This competition helped her to make an entry in a glamorous world. She started her career featuring the several music videos before starting the film career. In 2010, she debuts in the Nepali movie industry from the movie Swor opposite to Raj Ballav Koilara. Later, she got a chance to act opposite of one of the popular actor Aryan Sigdel in the movie I am Sorry in 2012 which was the hit movie of this year. This movie gave her fame in Nepalese movie industry and made popular in Kollywood industry. She recently made her debut in theatres with historical play Chaarumati written by writer and a researcher Satyamohan Joshi.

Relationship and Affairs

Keki Adhikari is still single. She did not reveal any information about her affair and relationship. That means she is not dating with any boyfriends. In an interview, she said that she marries the guy who understands her feeling and takes her profession in a positive way.



Kalyani Adhikari
Kalyani Adhikari is an actress, known for Sanyasi Raja (1975), Seyi Chokh (1976) and Bikele Bhorer Phul (1974). See full bio »Actress (10 credits)

1988Agaman

Image result for Kalyani Adhikari




1974Asati




Kiran Rathod
Wikipedia
Kiran Rathod
Rathod in 2010
Born 11 January 1981
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Kiran
Occupation Actress
Years active 2001–2021
Relatives Raveena Tandon (cousin)

Kiran Rathod (born 11 January 1986) is an Indian film actress. She has acted in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada language films. Her notable works include Gemini (2002), Villain (2002) , Parasuram (2003) and Anbe Sivam (2003).

Early life

Rathod was born in Jaipur. She is a cousin of actress Raveena Tandon. Rathod graduated with a degree in Arts from Mithibai College in Mumbai. After college she got into modelling and worked in a few Hindi pop albums. In 2001, she acted in the film Yaadein..


Keerti Nagpure
Wikipedia


Keerti Nagpure
Born
23 January 1987, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 2010–present
Known for


Keerti Nagpure is an Indian television actress. She appeared as Siddhi Malik in the show Parichay. She has acted in the female lead role in a Marathi movie Zalay Dimag Kharab which was released in April 2012. She ranked as one of the top 10 younger mothers on Indian television by The Times of India in 2012.

Early life and Career

Nagpure was born in Pune in a Marathi family. She completed her graduation in interior designing and wanted to pursue her career in the same field. In an interview she said a television crew noticed her on social media and wanted her to cast in Star Pravah's show Olakh, but after refusing the role for several times finally she accepted the role after four months and landed in the television industry as an actress with that TV show. She got fame for her role in Parichay which also earned her many Television Awards. She also made an appearance along with Samir Soni in The Late Night Show - Jitna Rangeen Utna Sangeen, a reality show hosted by Sumeet Raghavan.

Kirtana Kumar


(Wikipedia)

Kirtana Kumar
कीर्तन कुमार
Born 8 March 1966

Nationality Indian
Occupation Theatre Artist, Theatre Trainer and Film Maker
Spouse(s) Konark Reddy

Kirtana Kumar is an Indian actor, director, and film-maker based in Bengaluru. She writes on theatre and film and has been published in various national papers and magazines. She has a master's degree in European Classics and American Literature. She has received several major awards and fellowships including from the McArthur Foundation and India Foundation for the Arts for her contribution to theatre & film. She is a trustee of Women Artists' Group, runs the year long Theatre Lab for children and is the co-owner of Infinite Souls Farm, a rural artists residency in Bangalore.

Life in Theatre

Kirtana Kumar trained and performed for six years as an actor with The Asian-American Theatre Project at "The Los Angeles Theatre Centre" She is trained in Suzuki Theatre & Butoh, thang-ta, kalari payattu and voice technique. She continues to study with and train other artists.

Over the years her work has included lead roles in plays such as "Agnes of God", "Gati & Bhagawadajukam" at Questor’s Theatre, London, the world premiere of Bill C. Davis’ "Spine" at the Cast Theatre, Los Angeles, "Shakuntala" at Trestle Theatre, St. Alban’s and a stage adaptation of Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri called "In the Hour of God". Her production of Genet’s classic "The Maids" played at several festivals including the Ranga Shankara Festival and Bahuroopi Festival at Rangayana. Her solo work includes Dario Fo "Medea" & "Orgasmo Adulto" and "Unruly Women – Or Shakespeare’s Chicks", a lec-dem devised by her based on women characters in the plays of Shakespeare. She received a New Performance Grant from India Foundation for the Arts for her path-breaking promenade play "The Wedding Party" which received much critical acclaim. Subsequently, she directed Eugène Ionesco’s "The Bald Soprano" and most recently, directed and performed in Dario Fo’s "Orgasmo Adulto Escapes from the Zoo" for Jagriti Theatre. She is currently directing Steven Berkoff’s "The Secret Love Life of Ophelia" for the Bangalore stage and is reviving "The Wedding Party" as both a promenade and proscenium performance.

For the past 4 years she has been engaged in an Indo-German collaboration between Ranga Shankara and Schnawwl, Mannheim. In 2011, she choreographed the Schnawwl production of the Ramayana called Das Lied von Rama. She is the dramaturg and assistant director of the internationally acclaimed "Boy with a Suitcase" which most recently played at Augen Blick Mal in Berlin 2013. After Berlin, Kirtana conducted a workshop on Illusion and Reality in Theatre for the actor’s ensemble at Munster Stadt-Theatre.

In 1999, she was a facilitator for the Royal National Theatre Youth Project – Project Nadia. In September 2001 she was commissioned by Common Ground Sign Dance Theatre Company, Liverpool to write and direct a new piece for them. This resulted in a work titled Karma Café. The play premiered in Manchester. She facilitated the Common Ground performance and workshop tour of India and made an experimental film called "Once Upon a Warm September" on the Common Ground tour of South Canara. In 2004 she directed Picasso’s "Four Little Girls" as an experiment with words and paint.

In order to work laterally and politically with theatre, Kirtana has been facilitating theatre projects on gender and sexuality for the non-governmental sector. Some of the organizations she has consulted with include ISST, Sakshi, Ifsha, Hengsara Hakkina Sangha, National Law School Autonomous law schools in India, World Vision and United Theological College. One of these workshops was the genesis for the play My Children who should be running thru Vast Open Spaces… which was subsequently turned into a documentary film for Madhyam. In 2006 she was a consultant to Path India on a Magnet Theatre/ HIV/AIDS risk reduction project in four states. In 2009 she was Director of Ancillary Programs at the Ranga Shankara’s Children’s Theatre Festival.

She is the founder-organizer of Bhoomi JathreFireflies Festival of Sacred Music , a non-sponsored art & music festival in Bangalore, and has been curator of the jathre in 2003, ’04 & ’05. She is currently working on a proposal for an international theatre experiment called Beyond the Proscenium. She hopes to collaborate with Sophia Ste-pf for this.

Filmography

1993- Kirtana directed My Children Who should be Running Through Vast Open Spaces a documentary film on Child Sexual Abuse. In 1994 she worked as Director of Artistes and played the female lead in Pattabhi Rama Reddy’s "Devarakadu", a Kannada feature film. Devarakadu went on to win The National Award for Best Environmental Feature Film 1994.

1997- she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship to make a film on Feminine Sexual Symbols and Rituals in four states in India. This film, "Guhya", was awarded the First Prize (Long Documentary Category) in the New Delhi Video Forum organized by NISCORT. "Guhya" opened the Nottam traveling documentary film festival on 20 April 2001 in Trivandrum. It was chosen as part of the women's retrospective "First Story" in Portugal. It was awarded a citation at the Vatican City, Rome in 2002. It was screened at Film South Asia '01, Kathmandu and at the Mumbai International Film Festival February 2002.

2001-After Guhya Kirtana directed The Simputer Project - a film about technology and development. It is inspired by the idea of free software and the Open Source Initiative. It has most recently been screened for a Think Tank of scientists at the Media Lab in Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston. Subsequently she made The Simputer Project II on using the Simputer in tribal communities in Chhattisgarh

2000- Kirtana made a 5 minute silent short called “Once upon a warm September…” It was made while working with Liverpool based Common Ground Sign-Dance Theatre Company, a company of deaf and hearing actors. It was screened at the Kathmandu Film Festival and has toured as part of the Dus Goongi Film in package.

2005.- For the University of California, San Francisco & Samuha, Kirtana made two films, one a process document on Adolescent Health & Livelihoods called Namma Cinema Talkies and the second, a slice-of-life film, on a young Lambani girl called Chandri. Chandri.was screened in San Francisco and both films traveled to the Feminale International Women's Film Festival in Cologne, Germany. Chandri. was selected to be screened at the One Billion Eyes Festival in Chennai

2004- made two documentary films in 4 languages on Deafness & Consanguinity. One of them is investigative in nature and the second is part of a public awareness campaign on Deafness. The former is called “Sounds of Silence”. Both films have received wide reach through public broadcast, cable and disability organizations.

2005- completed “Evolving Acropolis”, a study of the controversy around the issue of academic entrepreneurship in the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

2012- played the lead in Oliver Husain’s ITEM Number which won the grand prize at the Oberhausen Film Festival.

2013- she began making a feature film in Bangalore, using a participatory process within a community of actors and non-actors, but the project is on hold while she raises funds to complete it.

Krissann Barretto
Wikipedia


Krissann Barretto
Born 3 October 1991

Nationality Indian
Occupation

Actress
Model
Years active 2014–present

Krissann Barretto is an Indian television actress and model known for playing Alya Saxena in Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan and participating in Ace of Space 2.

Early life

Barretto attended the Apostolic Carmel High School in Bandra, Mumbai and St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. She then attended the Government Law College, Mumbai but dropped out to pursue a career in acting.

Career

Barretto started off her television career by acting in episodics like Heroes, The Fightback Files and Yeh Hai Aashiqui. She got her breakthrough in 2014 with MTV India's Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan where she portrayed Alya Saxena. In 2016, she played Kiya Kapoor in &TV's Kahani Hamari...Dil Dosti Deewanepan Ki and Tapasya in MTV India's Girls on Top.[2] From 2016 to 2017, she played Romi in Star Plus's Ishqbaaaz.

In 2017, she made her digital debut playing Sarah in ALT Balaji's Class of 2017 and Payal in CyberSquad. From 2017 to 2018, she portrayed Sanjana Bhardwaj in Colors TV's Sasural Simar Ka. In 2018, she played Rangoli Rai in Tu Aashiqui. In 2019, Barretto participated in MTV India's Ace Of Space 2 where she finished as a finalist.

Kaviyoor Ponnamma



In theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She has also acted in TV serials and commercials and has playback singing credits in few films. Ponnamma is a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Her sister Kaviyoor Renuka was also an actress.

Life and career

As a five-year-old, she learned music and used to sing in stage shows. She did not see many movies. She started acting in dramas when she was 14 years old, starting off with Mooladhanam of Thoppil Bhasi. After five years, came her first movie Kudumbini, in which she did the title role of the mother of two kids.
Personal life

She was born to T. P. Damodharan and Gauri, as the eldest of seven children, on 4 January 1945 in Kaviyoor, Thiruvalla. She has six siblings in which Kaviyoor Renuka (d. 2004), her younger sister, was also an actress. Ponnamma was married to film producer Maniswami. The couple has a daughter Bindhu who is settled in the United States. Her husband Maniswami died in 2011.

The roles of Kaviyoor Ponnamma-Prem Nazir, Jayan & Mohanlal duo as mother and son are very popular in Malayalam movies.

Awards

Second Best Actress – 1971 – Different films
Second Best Actress – 1972 – Theertha Yathra
Second Best Actress – 1973 – Different films
Second Best Actress – 1994 – Thenmavin Kombathu

Film City Magazine- Chalachitra Ratnam' Title - 2006

Pappanamkode Lakshmanan Award - 2006

O Madhavan Award - 2009

Bharath Murali Award - 2012

Kala Ratna award - EV Kala Mandalam - 2013

PK Rosy Award - 2015

Good Knight Film and Business Awards - 2017

Gurupranam - Honour by Malayalam Cine Technicians’ Association (MACTA) - 2013

Honour by KSFDC - 2015

Honour by Kerala State Film Awards - 2016

Felicitation by Kerala State Film Awards - 2017

Kausalya Vandanam programme Honour - 2017

Kalaiselvam Award - Government of Tamil Nadu

Honour by Kaviyoor Panchayat

DLSA Honour

Krishna Priya

DOB : 26-04-1990

Krishna Priya was born on 26th April 1990 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She was born and brought up in Chennai itself, and later on, her hometown also became a place for her to establish her career. Her height is 5’2, and her weight is 55kg. Krishna started working in the film and television industry from a very young age. She is well known Tamil television and film actress. Krishna has worked in films like ‘Naan Mahaan Allah,’ ‘Yuva Ratna’ by Narayan Rao Upplapati, ‘Divine Reality,' ‘Red Chillies,’ and ‘Soan Pappdi.’ Her film Soan Pappdi got released in 2015 under the direction of Sivani, was a huge success; she starred in the film along with Shri and Niranjana. Her role in the film was appreciated and loved by both audiences and the critics.

She received various accolades for the film. Priya is married to Tamil film director Atlee Kumar 
since 9th November 2014, after their eight years of relationship. Both have known each other since Priya started working in the television serial Kana Kaanum Kaalangal
on Vijay Television. Priya was also recognized for her role in the dance reality television show ‘Jodi No.1’ and Vijay Television. Two met through famous television actor Siva Karthikeyan, and from there on, they became good friends, lovers, and then the happy couple. Along with Tamil films and television, Krishna has also acted in a Malayalam film- Ottayaal Paatha, in the year 2016.

According to Altee, Krishna is like a baby, and she is fondly called ‘Paappa’ by all their near and dear ones due to her extremely innocent and baby characteristics. The marriage of Atlee and Krishna was one of the most gossiped and discussed the topic in Tamil film Industry. Their wedding reception was held in Grand Hyatt Regency. Krishna Priya was also the inspiration Altee for the role of Tamil actress Nazriya Nazim
for his film ‘Raja Rani ’. Krishna also played the role of Anushka Shetty’s sister ‘ 
Divya Mahalingam’ in the film Singham. Other than acting Krishna also shares her passion for dancing and is a trained dancer. Krishna enjoys traveling and dancing during her free time. She frequently works in the television industry but also looks out for good movie scripts now and then.

Krishna Priya’s parents are Mohan and Durga Devi. She has a younger brother, Satish. She completed her graduation at MOP Vaishnav College for Women. After Ottayal Paatha in 2016, Krishnapriya didn’t sign any movies. Although Priya didn’t appear in many movies, she had been in the talks for her social media posts. She had been sharing her family pictures frequently and received appreciation from her followers online. Unlike the celebs’ wives, who don’t make frequent public appearances, Krishna Priya is always seen in public events and cinema events, accompanying her husband, Atlee. Krishna Priya had always wanted to be in the limelight during her college. She loved to act, sing and dance and that’s why when she received the opportunity to play in Kana Kaanum Kalangal, she nodded immediately to do the role. Although Atlee had a lot of friends, Krishna Priya’s care and support made him gain confidence. Atlee’s debut venture Raja Rani took some time to release, and that was when Krishna Priya strongly supported him, and that’s why he proposed to her for marriage after 8+ years of friendship.

Keira Knightley
 Wikipedia
Keira Knightley
Knightley at the 2011 Venice Film Festival
Born
Keira Christina Knightley
26 March 1985 
London, England
Education
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–present
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2013)​
Children 2
Parents
Will Knightley (father)
Awards Full list

Keira Christina Righton[1] OBE (/ˈkɪərə ˈnaɪtli/; née Knightley, born 26 March 1985) is an English actress. She has starred in both independent films and big-budget blockbusters, and is particularly noted for her roles in period dramas. Her accolades include two Empire Awards and nominations for two Academy Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award and one Laurence Olivier Award. Knightley was appointed an OBE in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity.

Born in London to actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald, Knightley obtained an agent at age six, and initially worked commercials and television films. She appeared as Sabé, Padmé Amidala's handmaiden, in science fiction blockbuster Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999). Knightley had a break-through role portraying a tomboy footballer in the sports film Bend It Like Beckham (2001). She achieved global stardom with her portrayal of Elizabeth Swann in fantasy swashbuckler series Pirates of the Caribbean. In the same year, she appeared in the Christmas romantic comedy Love Actually (2003) and was labelled a promising teen star.

For her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in the period romance Pride & Prejudice (2005), Knightley was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. At age 20, she became the third-youngest Best Actress nominee at the time. Knightley starred in a series of further period pieces, portraying a complex love interest in Atonement (2007), tastemaker Georgiana Cavendish in The Duchess (2008), and the titular socialite in Anna Karenina (2012). She then forayed into contemporary dramas, appearing as an aspiring musician in Begin Again (2013) and a medical student in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014). Knightley returned to historical films by playing cryptoanalyst Joan Clarke in The Imitation Game (2014), earning her a second round of Academy Award and BAFTA nominations, and starred as the eponymous belle époque writer in Colette (2018) to critical acclaim.

On stage, Knightley has appeared in two West End productions: The Misanthrope in 2009, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination, and The Children's Hour in 2011. She also starred as the eponymous heroine in the 2015 Broadway production of Thérèse Raquin. Knightley is known for her outspoken stance on social issues, and has worked extensively with Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Comic Relief. She is married to musician James Righton, with whom she has two daughters.

Early life and education

Keira Christina Knightley was born on 26 March 1985 in the Teddington suburb of London, to stage actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald. She was meant to be named "Kiera", the anglicised form of "Kira", after Kira Ivanova, whom her father admired; however, Macdonald misspelled the name when she registered her daughter's birth certificate, writing the e before the i Her father is English and her mother is of Scottish and Welsh descent. Knightley has an elder brother, Caleb. Macdonald worked as a playwright after her acting career came to an end. Knightley's parents encountered substantial financial difficulties following the birth of her brother her father, a "middling" actor, agreed to a second child only if her mother sold a script first. However, her parents' varying degrees of success did not deter Knightley's curiosity about the profession. Macdonald introduced her own children to theatre and ballet very early. This furthered Knightley's interest in acting.

Knightley attended Teddington School. She was diagnosed with dyslexia at age six, but by the time she was eleven, with her parents' support, she says, "they deemed me to have got over it sufficiently." She is still a slow reader and cannot read out loud. Knightley has said she was "single-minded about acting". At age three, she requested to get an agent like her parents and got one at six. This led to her taking a number of small parts in television dramas.[ She performed in a number of local amateur productions, which included After Juliet, written by her mother, and United States, written by her drama teacher. Knightley focused on art, history, and English literature while studying at Esher College, but left after a year to pursue an acting career. Her mother's friends encouraged her to go to drama school, which she declined for financial and professional reasons.

Career
1993–2002: Career beginnings and breakthrough
Knightley's costume from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts

After getting an agent at age six, Knightley began working in commercials and small television roles. Her first on-screen appearance was in the 1993 Screen One television episode titled "Royal Celebration". She then played Natasha Jordan, a young girl whose mother is involved in an extramarital affair, in the romantic drama A Village Affair (1995). After appearing in a spate of television films through the mid-to-late 1990s, including Innocent Lies (1995), The Treasure Seekers (1996), Coming Home (1998), and Oliver Twist (1999), Knightley landed the role of Sabé, Padmé Amidala's handmaiden and decoy, in the 1999 science fiction blockbuster Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Her dialogue was dubbed over by Natalie Portman, who played Padmé. Knightley was cast in the role because of her close resemblance to Portman; even the two actresses' mothers had difficulty telling their daughters apart when they were in full make-up.

In her first major role, the 2001 Walt Disney Productions feature film Princess of Thieves, Knightley played the daughter of Robin Hood. In preparation for the film, she trained for several weeks in archery, fencing, and horse riding. Concurrently, she appeared in The Hole, a thriller that received a direct-to-video release in the US. The film's director Nick Hamm described her as "a young version of Julie Christie". Knightley also took on the role of Lara Antipova in the 2002 miniseries adaptation of Doctor Zhivago, to positive reviews and high ratings. In the same year, Knightley starred as a pregnant drug addict in Gillies MacKinnon's drama film Pure. Co-starring Molly Parker and Harry Eden, the film had its world premiere at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival. In a retrospect review for AboutFilm.com, Carlo Cavagna noted Knightley's screen presence and wrote that "[although Knightley] doesn't have half of Parker's ability [...] she has spunk and grit [and] shines brightly in Pure".

Knightley landed a breakthrough role when she starred in Gurinder Chadha's sports comedy film Bend It Like Beckham, which was a box office hit in the U.K and U.S. Knightley portrayed Jules, a tomboy football player struggling against social norms who convinces her friend to pursue the sport. The film surprised critics who were laudatory of its "charming" and "inspiring" nature, social context and the cast's performances. Knightley and her co-star Parminder Nagra attracted international attention for their performances; critic James Berardinelli, who was largely laudatory of the film and the "energetic and likable" cast, noted that Knightley and Nagra brought "a lot of spirit to their instantly likable characters". To prepare for their roles, they underwent three months of extensive football training under the English football coach Simon Clifford. Knightley was initially skeptical of the project: in an interview with Tracy Smith she said, "I remember telling friends I was doing this girls' soccer movie [...] And nobody thought that it was gonna be any good."

2003–2007: Pirates of the Caribbean and worldwide recognition

Knightley portrayed the role of Elizabeth Swann, in the 2003 American fantasy swashbuckler film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The film, based on the Disney theme park attraction, revolves around infamous buccaneer Jack Sparrow and blacksmith Will Turner rescuing Swann, in possession of a cursed golden medallion, from 18th-century pirates. Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Gore Verbinski chose Knightley for her "indescribable quality [...] reminiscent of motion picture stars from Hollywood's heyday." Knightley underestimated the stunt work required and believed she'd primarily be sitting in carriages; at one point during filming, she stood for two days on a plank and rejected a stunt double's offer to jump off the platform for the scene. Despite boasting the names of stars like Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom and a $135 million budget, Pirates was expected to fail at the box office. Knightley herself was not optimistic about its prospects. The film opened at number one on the box office, and became one of the highest-grossing releases of the year, with worldwide revenues of $654 million. Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times compared Knightley's "strident and confident" physical assurance to Nicole Kidman, while Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club branded her and Bloom as appealing leads.
Knightley attending the premiere of Pride & Prejudice at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival; the role earned Knightley her first Academy Award nomination

Also in 2003, Knightley appeared in Richard Curtis's Christmas-themed romantic comedy Love Actually, featuring an ensemble cast, which included her childhood idol Emma Thompson. Knightley portrays Juliet, a woman whose fiancée's best man is secretly in love with her. Peter Travers of Rolling Stone criticised the waste of Knightley's talent in a "nothing" role, while Megan Conner of The Guardian remarked that the film turned Knightley into a household name. Love Actually has been referred to as a modern-day Christmas classic. Knightley believes the film's trajectory to be "extraordinary", given that its popularity resurfaced a few years after the film's release. Knightley's only release of 2004 was the historical film King Arthur, where she played Guinevere, a warrior queen and the wife of the titular character. The role required her to learn boxing, archery, and horse riding.Critic A. O. Scott praised Knightley for "throw[ing] herself bodily into every scene". Although the film received unfavourable reviews, Knightley's stature as a performer grew; she was voted by the readers of Hello magazine as the industry's most promising teen star, and featured in Time magazine's article, which stated that she seemed dedicated to develop herself as a serious actor rather than a film star.

Knightley appeared in three films in 2005, the first of which was the psychological thriller The Jacket, co-starring Adrien Brody. In a mixed review for Empire, Kim Newman wrote that the role was unlike the ones she had previously taken up : "getting out of period gear and talking American, tries to broaden her range and is arguably well-cast". Knightley next played the titular character in Tony Scott's French-American action film Domino, based on the life of Domino Harvey. The film's release was delayed on several occasions and, on its eventual release in November, it received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office.

Knightley's most successful release of the year was Pride & Prejudice, a period drama based on Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. Joe Wright selected Knightley for her tomboyish nature combined with a "lively mind" and sense of humor. Knightley, who had admired the book from a young age said of her character, "The beauty of Elizabeth is that every woman who ever reads the book seems to recognise herself, with all her faults and imperfections." On release, the film became a huge commercial success, with total collections of around US$120 million worldwide, and received positive reviews from critics. Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw labeled her performance of "beauty, delicacy, spirit and wit; in her growing lustre and confidence" and Derek Elley of Variety regarded "luminous strength" to be reminiscent of a young Audrey Hepburn. Knightley earned "Best Actress in a Leading Role" nominations at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards for her performance at age 20, becoming the third-youngest nominee for the latter. Knightley's consecutive successes came with increased media scrutiny, and she later admitted to having struggled with her mental health during this period.

Knightley was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, among other artists in 2006. Later that year, she reprised her role as Elizabeth Swann in the second and third productions of the Pirates of the Caribbean series. The two sequels were conceived in 2004, with the writers Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio developing a story arc that would span both films. The plot of the films see Swann buck convention to seek adventure and become fierce pirate and fighter to match the skills of Sparrow and her love interest, Turner. The sequel installments allowed Knightley to train in swordfighting, which she had sought to do since the first film. Filming for the projects took place in 2005; the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, released in July 2006. With the worldwide collections of $1.066 billion, it became the biggest financial hit in Knightley's career. The third instalment in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, was released in May, the following year. A.O Scott labeled Knightley's performance as "a vision of imperial British pluckiness, with an intriguing dash of romantic recklessness that surfaces toward the end".

Knightley's continued association with period dramas yielded varying results, as seen with two of her 2007 releases, François Girard's Silk, and Joe Wright's Atonement, the feature film adaptations of the novels by Alessandro Baricco and Ian McEwan respectively.The former project failed at the box office, while the latter became a critical and commercial success. Knightley portrayed Cecilia Tallis, the elder of the two Tallis sisters, who struggles with a wartime romance with her love interest, played by James McAvoy. She admitted that the pacing on the smaller, more intimate film was an adjustment compared to the Pirates franchise. In preparing for the film, Knightley studied the novel as well as the "naturalism" of the performance as seen in the films from 1930s and 1940s, such as In Which We Serve (1942) and Brief Encounter (1945).She admired the multi-layered and "fascinating" nature of her character's behavior. Knightley's performance won the Empire Award for Best Actress, and earned her nominations for the BAFTA and the Golden Globes awards, also in the leading actress categories. Critic Richard Roeper, who thought the lead duo were "superb" in their respective roles, was puzzled by their failure to receive Academy Award nominations.

2008–2013: Independent films and stage work

Knightley appeared alongside Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, and Matthew Rhys in John Maybury's 2008 wartime drama The Edge of Love. The film had her play the role of Vera Phillips, a childhood friend of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin Macnamara. Knightley wrote the script with her mother, Sharman Macdonald, with Macnamara in mind. After Knightley signed on, her character's role was increased with the film focusing on her romance with a British soldier. Knightley connected to Vera's quietness, and described her as "tragic and beautiful".She based her performance on Marlene Dietrich, and was to mime to her prerecorded voice, prior to being told by Maybury to sing live. Knightley initially felt embarrassed to do so, saying she "[shook] like a leaf" but eventually went through with the plan. Upon release, the film became a moderate critical and commercial success. Knightley's performance and singing abilities were praised;The Independent noted that Knightley "gives Vera an independence and complexity that's aeons ahead", while the Los Angeles Times wrote "the film belongs to the women, with Knightley going from strength to strength (and showing she can sing!)".
Knightley garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal of 18th-century aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish in The Duchess (2008)

Knightley then starred as the 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in Saul Dibb's period drama The Duchess (2008), based on the best-selling biographical novel, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman. The film tells the story of Georgiana's rise in society as a sociopolitical tastemaker after her marriage deorientates. The script Knightley was sent was covered in "huge white ostrich feathers" and a gold ribbon. Gabrielle Tana, the film's producer, stated Knightley "brought an instinctive understanding" of such aspects of Georgiana's life a celebrity from her own experiences. Knightley was attracted to her character's strength and status as a political influence and fashion prowess, while being inwardly vulnerable and isolated Simon Crooke of Empire described her performance as an "an enigmatic, free-spirited turn and a role she'll be remembered for, probably her best role to date in a film not directed by Joe Wright." The following year, she was nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Best Actress. A film adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear set to star Knightley and Anthony Hopkins was cancelled due to recession.

Knightley made her West End debut with Martin Crimp's version of Molière's comedy The Misanthrope. Starring Knightley, Damian Lewis, Tara Fitzgerald, and Dominic Rowan, the play was staged at the Comedy Theatre in December 2009. She portrayed Jennifer, a shallow, amorous, and vulnerable American film star who is courted by an analytical and veracious playwright. Knightley chose the role as she felt that "if I don't do theatre right now, I think I'm going to start being too terrified to do it" and described the production as an "extraordinary and incredibly fulfilling" experience, she was sceptical of her performance. Paul Taylor of The Independent remarked that Knightley was "not only strikingly convincing, but, at times, rather thrilling in its satiric aplomb". However, The Guardian's Michael Billington noted that due to the nature of the role, "one could say that she is not unduly stretched". In recognition of her theatre debut, Knightley was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and an Evening Standard Award.

Knightley began the new decade with three films; she remarked that her work during this period helped her "empathise with people or with situations that I don't necessarily find it easy to empathise with". Two of the productions, Massy Tadjedin's romantic drama Last Night and William Monahan's crime noir film London Boulevard opened to mixed response from critics and rank among the lowest-grossing films in Knightley's career. Knightley's other release, Never Let Me Go, an adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel of the same name fared better at the box office and received positive reviews. Knightley described the script as unique, one that made the reader think. Co-starring Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan, Knightley played Ruth, one of three graduates of an autocratic boarding school that discovers their fates in a dystopia. She appeared in a video installation by artist Stuart Pearson Wright titled Maze.
Knightley attending the premiere of A Dangerous Method at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival

Knightley starred in a 2011 revival of The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman at the Comedy Theatre in London. She portrayed Karen Wright, an engaged schoolteacher accused of lesbianism in 1934. Ben Brantley of the New York Times commented that her performance showed an "intensity" and "credible fiercenes" within the outdated material. Knightley's only film of 2011 was David Cronenberg's historical drama A Dangerous Method, co-starring Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, and Vincent Cassel. Based on writer Christopher Hampton's 2002 stage play The Talking Cure and set on the eve of World War I, the film depicts the turbulent relationships between fledgling psychiatrist Carl Jung, his mentor Sigmund Freud and Sabina Spielrein. Knightley portrayed Spielrein, the troubled but beautiful young psychoanalyst who comes between Jung and Freud. Knightley spent four months reading and discussing her character's behavior with psychologists to prepare for the role She appreciated the depth and variety of her character arc, which she viewed as rare for female roles. The film premiered at the 68th Venice International Film Festival to a positive reception, while Knightley earned generally favourable reviews by critics, with Andrew O'Hehir of Salon hailing her "the real star of this film".

Knightley co-starred with Steve Carell in the 2012 comedy drama Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, which was critically panned." Later that year, she reunited with director Joe Wright to film their third production, Anna Karenina, in which she starred as the title character. She deemed this collaboration the most important of her career. Knightley viewed that her character's complex "moral culpability" was in question, but attracted compassion. Knightley received positive reviews for her performance, prompting early Oscar buzz. Batsy Sharky of the Los Angeles Times wrote that Knightley "puts hearts and anguish on the line in trying to bring an emotional reality". The 2013 Toronto International Film Festival saw the premiere of Knightley's first musical film Begin Again with Mark Ruffalo. Directed by John Carney, the film had its theatrical release in 2014. The Guardian found Knightley and Ruffalo to be "nicely natural as the increasingly idealistic musos". Carney later repeatedly criticised Knightley's performance in the film, saying she was not convincing enough in portraying a singer-songwriter and derogatorily referred to her as a "model". He later apologised to her via Twitter for his comments. Knightley later remarked that music "never sinks in" for her, and she is more interested in books and drama. Later that year, she appeared in Karl Lagerfeld's short period film Once Upon a Time ...

2014–present: Established actress

In July 2014, Knightley expressed that she had reached the end of the first stage of her career, express the desire to depart from previous "neurotic" roles." 2014 began for Knightley with the spy thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, the fifth installment in the film series, alongside Chris Pine. She portrays Dr. Cathy Muller, Ryan's eventual wife. Knightley sought to do a lighter film than her previous work, looked forward to working with director Kenneth Branagh. The film received mixed critical reviews nonetheless strong box-office response. Knightley's next film Laggies, premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. A romantic comedy also starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell, the film follows the life of Megan, played by Knightley, a 28-year-old overeducated underachiever going through a quarter-life crisis. Knightley emphathised with her character's delayed maturity and appreciated the film's telling from a female perspective. Laggies opened to mostly positive reviews from critics, with Knightley's performance praised by critics. Inkoo Kaang of TheWrap referred to her as a "loose-limbed revelation" and lauded her "delightfully uncouth" performance.
Knightley speaking at a BAFTA event in 2015; that same year, she received her second Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations for The Imitation Game (2014)

The film was followed by her appearance in Morten Tyldum's historical drama The Imitation Game, a film based on the life of British mathematician Alan Turing, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Knightley portrayed cryptanalyst and numismatist Joan Clarke, who decrypted German intelligence codes for the British government during World War II with Turing. Knightley researched interviews with Clarke, and sought to keep her "upper-class quality", drawing on the depth of her emotions and protectiveness of Turning from the script. The Imitation Game became a critical and commercial success grossing over $233.6 million. For her performance, Knightley received her second Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations, and third Golden Globe Award nomination, all for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Conversly, Lady Jean Forde, who worked with Clarke and Turing, felt Knightley was "nothing like" Clarke and was "too beautiful" to play her. Knightley's sole release in 2015 was as part of the ensemble cast in the biographical disaster film Everest. The film was based on the 1996 Mount Everest disaster with Knightley portraying mountaineer Rob Hall's wife. Everest opened to generally positive reviews from critics. Variety wrote that Knightley gave a "deeply felt performance" as a woman "haunted by the possibility" of losing her spouse.

In October 2015, Knightley made her Broadway debut playing the title role in Helen Edmundson's adaptation of Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin at Studio 54. Knightly took the role after declining the project twice, as she thought herself incapable of playing the part. She found interest in her character's "caged" circumstance, as well as her dark, active role in the play, as she sought to depart from passive supporting roles. Of her performance, Alexandra Villarreal of The Huffington Post wrote, "She fumes, and rages, and withdraws, and you can watch her psychological evolution from stifled wife to impassioned mistress to haunted murderer". In 2016, it emerged Knightley was set to star in a feature biopic about the 18th-century Russian empress Catherine the Great, directed by Barbra Streisand, which hasn't come into fruition. Knightley appeared in the ensemble drama Collateral Beauty (2016), alongside Will Smith, Edward Norton, Kate Winslet, and Helen Mirren. The film was critically panned, and earned the cast a Razzie nomination. Despite previously stating on a number of occasions that she would never return to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Knightley reprised the role of Elizabeth Swann with a cameo appearance in 2017's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, after test audiences repeatedly inquired about her character.

Knightley starred in the biographical drama Colette as the titular French author. The film see's Colette's social ascent in belle époque society through her provocative novels, but is exploited by her husband, who plagiarizes her work. Knightley believed the film connected strongly to modern-day feminism, and depicted cultural change in gender politics.To prepare for the part, Knightley read Colette's novels, among them The Vagabond and Chéri, and initially planned to visit her birthplace of Burgundy, France. She found the author "inspiring", and admired her imperfections as well as her courage. The film, released at the Sundance Film Festival, was critically successful, with Knightley's performance receiving acclaim. Manohla Dargis for the New York Times praised her vibrance and "expressive physicality", and Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian wrote that the film saw Knightley in "top form: luminous, clever, sexy and sympathetic." Knightley was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity.

The same year, she played the Sugar Plum Fairy in Disney's adaptation of The Nutcracker, titled The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, which was critically panned. In 2019, Knightley co-starred in The Aftermath, a film adaption of the novel by Rhidian Brook, alongside Alexander Skarsgård. Knightley plays Rachel, a "cold and complex" British army wife traumatised by her son's death by a German bomb. The film sees her and her husband move to Germany while dealing with grief. The film received mixed reviews. The Boston Globe's Ty Burr praised Knightley for adding "conviction, grace, heart, and nerve" to the film, while Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times felt Knightley and Skarsgård were too reserved. Knightley portrayed whistleblower Katharine Gun in Official Secrets (2019), which was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 28 January 2019 to positive reviews. Knightley believed the film's depiction of Iraq War and government accountability connected with modern politics. Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw praised Knightley's "focused, plausible and sympathetic performance". Gun also expressed her contentment with the film.

Knightley's first role of the decade was feminist activist Sally Alexander in Misbehaviour (2020), a film about the crowning of the first black contestant at the 1970 Miss World competition. The film discusses the nuances of intersectionality in second wave feminism; Knightley was drawn to the political aspects of the project. Misbehavior was received positively, with Variety's Guy Lodge dubbing Knightly "likable as ever" but admitted she portrays "the least intriguing figure". Knightley was due to produce and star in The Essex Serpent, an Apple TV+ adaptation of Sarah Perry's novel, but dropped out over concerns about access to childcare during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upcoming projects

Knightley is set to star in the upcoming holiday comedy Silent Night, as well as an adaptation of Ann Leckie's sci-fi novel Ancillary Justice. Knightley will also star as reporter Loretta McLaughlin in the drama film Boston Strangler, written and directed by Matt Ruskin.

In the media

Off-screen, Geoffrey Macnab of The Independent describes Knightley as "sensible and self-deprecating" and Elizabeth Day of Harper's Bazaar says of Knightley's persona: "She is extremely nice, swears more than you might think and – yes – [...] effortlessly beautiful". Writing for The New York Times, Jesse McKinley stated that Knightley is "known for her ability to sparkle and charm in several accents", while her Thérèse Raquin co-star, Judith Light, praised her "down-to-earth demeanor, intelligence and sense of humor".

Knightley has been described as "famously open with media", though she has asserted the contrary. During the 2000s, Knightley faced an "extraordinary amount of vitriol" from the press.The Guardian wrote that "if she is not too pretty to be worthy of her success, she is too posh, too thin. if there is a more valid reason why [...] they often struggle to articulate it." Despite multiple successful films and award nominations, the criticism affected her, and Knightley felt that she "didn't know [her] trade." Media scrutiny decreased as her career progressed, and she spaces out her public appearances to maintain attention on her films. Beginning in the 2010s, Knightley regained confidence in her abilities, and by the release of Colette (2018), she felt she had learnt her craft and mentally occupied a "good place where I feel pretty confident about what I can do".

Knightley has been widely recognised for her extensive repertoire of period dramas throughout her career. She identifies with "break[ing] out of that image of femininity" and appreciates period films' "overt cage" to demonstrate such. Writer Anne Helen Petersen states that the varying personalities of her historical roles are united in the "larger idea" Knightley represents: "that of women ostensibly performing a version of proper womanhood — all while quietly negotiating, or cracking under, the weight of doing so." She has criticised contemporary-set films, finding their depiction of sexual violence against women excessive. Knightley is reputed for her signature "strong female lead" roles and she has been compared to actresses Katharine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, and Nicole Kidman.

In a 2004 BBC poll, she was named among the most influential people in British culture. Knightley has often been ascribed to the "English rose" archetype. Knightley has been included several times on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list, making her first appearance in 2004 and topping the list in 2006; she was included in every subsequent issue until 2009. She was part of the American editions of the list from 2004 to 2006, and was also placed ninth on the Maxim Hot 100 list in 2006.

Other ventures
Advocacy and philanthropy

Knightley received media attention for her perspectives on feminism, voiced in an interview with Harper's Bazaar UK published in the February 2014 edition. She explained that women face greater hurdles in the film industry compared to their male counterparts, and also revealed that she was perplexed by the use of "feminist" in a derogatory sense. Knightley posed topless on the cover of the September 2014 issue of Interview magazine, on the condition that the image not be digitally altered, to draw attention to how "women's bodies are a battleground and photography is partly to blame." For International Women's Day 2014, Knightley was one of the artist signatories of Amnesty International's letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron, in which the organisation campaigned for women's rights in Afghanistan. After the birth of her first daughter, she penned an essay about childbirth, entitled "The Weaker Sex", featured in the collection Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies. Knightley does not shoot nude scenes for her films, unless directed by a female filmmaker.

Knightley is the face of an Amnesty International campaign to support human rights, marking the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2004, she travelled to Ethiopia alongside Richard Curtis, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Julian Metcalfe on behalf of the Comic Relief charity. She posed for photos for WaterAid in 2005 and also for the American Library Association's "Read" campaign (a promotional poster of Pride & Prejudice). The dress she wore to the 2006 Academy Awards was donated to the charity Oxfam, where it raised £4,300. In April 2009, Knightley appeared in a video to raise awareness of domestic abuse entitled Cut shot for Women's Aid. The video created controversy, with some sources calling it too graphic, while other groups support the video for showing a realistic depiction of domestic violence. In November 2010, Knightley became patron of the SMA Trust, a British charity that funds medical research into the disease spinal muscular atrophy. In July 2014 Knightley travelled to South Sudan on behalf of Oxfam to meet refugees of the South Sudanese Civil War and raise awareness of the conflict.

In May 2016, Knightley signed a letter imploring Britain to vote "remain" in the UK EU referendum. The letter was also signed by John le Carré, Benedict Cumberbatch and Danny Boyle among others. Later, she appeared in a video aimed at encouraging younger people to vote in the referendum. On 12 September 2016, Knightley, as well as Cate Blanchett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peter Capaldi, Douglas Booth, Neil Gaiman, Jesse Eisenberg, Juliet Stevenson, Kit Harington and Stanley Tucci, appeared in a video from the United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR to help raise awareness of the global refugee crisis. The video, titled "What They Took With Them", has the actors reading a poem, written by Jenifer Toksvig and inspired by primary accounts of refugees, and is part of UNHCR's #WithRefugees campaign, of which also includes a petition to governments to expand asylum to provide further shelter, integrating job opportunities, and education. In September 2016, Knightley co-hosted A Night to Remember, part of the Green Carpet Challenge, a charity event highlighting sustainability within the fashion industry.

In September 2017, Knightley traded stocks on behalf of the spinal muscular atrophy charity SMA Trust as part of the BGC Charity Day, which was set up to commemorate the stockbrokers who were killed during the September 11 attacks. In April 2020, Knightley participated in a World Health Day livestream to raise money for charity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, she and other celebrities designed a range of pin badges for the #PinYourThanks campaign, dedicated to thanking essential workers. All profits went to NHS Charities Together and Volunteering Matters. In October 2020, she backed Made By Dyslexia, a global campaign to help teachers address “dyslexic strengths”. It has trained a quarter of a million teachers and started an online program. Knightley participated in a skit entitled 2020 The Movie, commemorating Red Nose Day 2021.

Fashion endorsements

Knightley was the celebrity face for the luxury goods brands Asprey and Shiatzy Chen as well as Lux haircare products in Japanese television commercials. In April 2006, she was confirmed as the new celebrity face of Chanel's perfume Coco Mademoiselle, though the first photo from the campaign was not released until May 2007. Knightley has appeared in television commercials for Chanel directed by Joe Wright since 2007, and has endorsed Chanel Fine Jewellery's collection Coco Crush. In 2008, Knightley was the highest-earning British Hollywood star according to the Forbes Celebrity 100 list and was named amongst the most bankable actors in 2009.

Personal life

Knightley formerly dated actors Del Synnott from 2001 to 2004, Jamie Dornan from 2003 to 2005, and Rupert Friend from 2005 to 2010. She began a relationship with musician James Righton in February 2011. They married on 4 May 2013 in Mazan, France. The couple have two daughters together, born in 2015 and 2019. The family reside in the Canonbury area of Islington, London. Knightley advocates for equal paternity leave and has spoken about the expense of childcare in England. She remarked in 2016 on "how lucky I've been to be able to afford really good childcare, because otherwise it would be at least four years out of my career." She has no social media profiles in an effort to preserve her family's privacy.

In 2007, Knightley won a libel case against the British tabloid Daily Mail after it falsely claimed that she suffered from an eating disorder. She was awarded £3,000 in damages; she added to the amount and donated a total of £6,000 to Beat, a charity for those suffering from mental illness and eating disorders. In February 2010, a 41-year-old man was charged with harassment after trying to contact Knightley on several occasions outside the Comedy Theatre in London, where she appeared in the play The Misanthrope. The subsequent trial folded after she was unavailable to testify in court. Another man was sentenced to eight weeks in prison after harassing Knightley outside her home and stalking her in December 2016.

Knightley took a break from working in 2006, suggesting that she wanted to take some time off acting to travel and focus on her personal life. In 2018, Knightley revealed that she had a mental breakdown at age 22 and had been later diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), since she struggled to adjust to her sudden rise to stardom. She recounted how she did not leave her home for three months up until early 2008, and needed to have hypnotherapy to prevent panic attacks so she could be able to attend that year's BAFTA Awards, where she was nominated for her performance in Atonement.

Acting credits and awards

According to the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, Knightley's most critically successful films are Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Love Actually, (2003), Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Pride & Prejudice (2005), Atonement (2007), The Duchess (2008), Never Let Me Go (2010), A Dangerous Method (2011), The Imitation Game, (2014), Everest (2015), Colette (2018), Official Secrets (2019), and Misbehaviour (2020). Her television appearances include Oliver Twist (1999), Princess of Thieves (2001), and Doctor Zhivago (2002). On stage, Knightley has starred in The Misanthrope and The Children's Hour at the Harold Pinter Theatre, as well as in Thérèse Raquin at the Roundabout Theatre Company.

Knightley has received two Academy Award nominations: Best Actress for Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Best Supporting Actress for The Imitation Game (2014). She has been nominated at the Golden Globe Awards for the Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture categories, for her performances in Pride & Prejudice (2005) Atonement (2007) and The Imitation Game, (2014), respectively. Knightley has twice been nominated at the British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role for Atonement (2007), and Best Actress in a Supporting Role and for The Imitation Game (2014). She also received nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play for The Misanthrope. She won the Empire Award for Best Actress for her performance in Atonement (2007) after five nominations.

Khushboo Grewal


Actress and Pink Lips singer Khushboo Grewal is proof that marriage is not the death of a woman’s individuality

By Sharika Nai

While she is able to pursue a demanding career in the entertainment industry, thanks to an excellent support system, Khushboo rightly points out that a “supportive husband” should be the norm, not the anomaly.

Working women are the norm today, and nobody bats an eyelid anymore when a woman chooses to either continue working, or opts to be a stay-at-home mother. But there is often a catch here. Women who are attempting to balance home and career often choose the 9-to-6 type of desk jobs, and avoid demanding careers that require travel and late nights. Hence, entertainer Khushboo Grewal’s story stands out since her husband left behind his stable career to relocate to a new city so she could pursue her dreams. The icing on the cake -- it was Khushboo’s mother-in-law who suggested it!

Khushboo Grewal After moving to Mumbai, Khushboo was able to see her dreams fructifying, thanks to her perseverance and confidence. Khushboo began her career as a VJ on B4U before moving to Punjabi and Hindi films. She has acted in films such as Raaz: The Mystery Continues and hit Punjabi films like Carry on Jatta. She has also appeared on various television shows like Rang Badalti Odhani on Star One, Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali on Sony Entertainment, and Dil Dosti Dance on Channel V.

Trained in singing, Khushboo, however, found fame with hit Bollywood songs like Pink Lips and Girl I Need You. She also collaborates with the very popular Meet Brothers. Recently, when there was a wardrobe issue, she was sportive enough to borrow a waistcoat from the brothers to cobble together an Indo-western look, so she could get on stage and sing into the night.

What you see is what you learn

Originally from Chandigarh, today Khushboo is a versatile entertainer. She is also married to entrepreneur Bipin Grewal and is mother of a charming toddler, Shanaya. Work-life balance is something Khushboo absorbed from her parents, who are both doctors. Since her mother is a gynaecologist, she had odd working hours and had to be available for emergencies. There were many occasions when the family had to skip movie plans or leave a party or wedding early. “My father was always very understanding,” Khushboo says with a smile, adding, “I saw how they lived in harmony, co-existed as a true team of equals and always had respect for each other. And though I am stressing on the point that my father supported my mother, it is not because it is something that should be commended. I feel that as partners this is something that should happen naturally, but unfortunately a lot of women don’t get to have it.”

Khushboo also credits her parents for inculcating in her a sense of individuality and independent thought. She explains,

I think my foundation towards becoming a confident, independent woman was laid right from the start. My parents always wanted me to take my own decisions. Though they were little choices, but at a time when girls were not even given a say in the clothes they wanted to wear, it was a very big victory. Twenty years back things were very different and we lived in a more conservative society. At such a time, I was given the freedom to speak my mind and the confidence to voice my opinions about anything and everything.

Why is a supportive husband like winning a lottery?

Khushboo has no patience with the old school of thought, that having a “supportive husband” is like winning a jackpot. She is often approached by people who are genuinely surprised by the fact that her spouse and parents-in-law encourage her line of work. In a society where people believe that marriage results in the demise of a woman’s individuality, it was difficult for them to imagine a career after it.

So, does life remain the same after marriage? Khushboo very practically says,

Obviously, life changes. How can it not, when your life is connected with someone else’s life and all your actions are intertwined with theirs! But why does that have to be a bad thing? My life has just gotten better after I met my husband, fell in love and married him. He is my pillar. He has always been ready to take a back seat if he feels that it will help me pursue my dreams. He is ready to pitch in and help with our child, our home on days that I have to be out there working. That is the beauty of our relationship; we do not define our roles by society standards. Instead, we have created a plan that works for us.

The couple that ‘thinks’ together, stays together Khushboo met her husband

Bipin when they were quite young and she was still pursuing her graduation. Her in-laws encouraged her to follow her passions, but insisted that she complete her post-graduation first. Khushboo says, “I consider myself blessed to get married into a family whose progressive thinking reflects my own values.” Talking about an incident involving them Khushboo recalls, “When I was pursuing my post-graduation in marketing, my mother-in-law told Bipin, ‘I can’t imagine Khushboo sitting behind a desk and doing a 9-to-5 job; she is made for better and bigger things. I want you to fulfil all her dreams.” It is this unwavering faith and support that she gives credit to for her success in life.

With Khushboo’s success, the couple is living their combined dream.


Kani Kusruti
Wikipedia
Kani Kusruti

Kusruti in 2016
Born
Kani
12 September 1985

Occupation Actress, model
Partner(s) Anand Gandhi

Kani Kusruti (born 12 September 1985) is an Indian actress and model. She first gained recognition in 2009 with the film Kerala Cafe, where her performance was critically acclaimed. Kani won the Best Actress at Kerala State Film Awards in 2020 and the BRICS Best Actress Award at the Moscow International Film Festival for her performance as Khadeeja in the film Biriyaani.

Early life

Kani was born in Cheruvakkal, a small village in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to social activist and rationalist parents Jayasree A. K. and Maitreya Maitreyan. Her parents had dropped their last names to erase the social hierarchy marker that comes with last names in India. At 15, she invented her last name "Kusruti" (meaning "mischievous" in Malayalam) to fill in a requirement in her class 10th exam application. She grew up in Thiruvananthapuram, where she got introduced to the Abhinaya Theatre Research Centre, "a common platform for theatre practitioners". She later moved to Thrissur, where she enrolled in the theatre arts program at the Thrissur Drama School, between 2005 and 2007. She completed her theatre education at the L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, where she studied physical theatre for two years.

Career

At Abhinaya, Kusruti made her theatre debut in Baudhayana's classic farce Bhagavadajjukam. She played the lead role of Vasantsena in the production from 2000 to 2006. The play toured across theatre festivals, including the Bharat Rang Mahotsav and the International Theatre Festival of Kerala. She rendered the part of Kamala in M. G. Jyotish's stage adaptation of Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha. In 2007, the production was invited to the Villeneuve en Scene Festival d'Avignon.

In 2009, after returning from L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, Kusruti appeared in the anthology film Kerala Cafe, in the segment "Island Express" directed by Shankar Ramakrishnan. In 2010, she played a Naxalite in the Mohanlal starrer Shikkar, but her nuanced rendition of a sex worker in the 2010 film Cocktail got her noticed by mainstream audiences.

In December 2010, Kani collaborated on creating 'Las Indias', a "mega performance event" directed by the thespian and theatre pedagogist Elias Cohen. The performance was staged in a bus, that was designed for the production. The Indo-Latin American theatre company, the Singing Sticks Theatre Ensemble evolved out of Las Indias. The bus that was originally created for Las Indias, was used once again for an interactive theatre roadshow 'Tsunami Express: Highway of Hopes', which Kusruti collaborated on making.

In 2011, Kani joined the renowned touring theatre company Footsbarn to work on a new production of Shakespeare's Tempest. She played Miranda in the resulting performance "The Indian Tempest". After touring Ireland, Spain, France, Portugal and India, the production opened at Shakespeare's Globe in 2013.

Kusruti researched, co-developed and acted in the Indo-Polish production 'Burning Flowers - 7 Dreams of a Woman', directed by Pawel Szkotak and produced by Teatr Biuro Podróży.

In 2015, Kani became a household presence with the soap opera Eswaran Sakshiyayi, directed by K. K. Rajeev. She played the part of Advocate Tresa, a lawyer who joins in on the investigation for her brother's murder.

Personal life

Kusruti's mother Dr. Jayasree AK, a community health specialist and a social activist, lectures at Pariyaram Medical College, and is a regular guest on talk shows. Her father Maitreya Maitreyan has worked for, and led, several human rights movements in Kerala.

She lives in Mumbai with her partner, the filmmaker and science communicator Anand Gandhi. She identifies herself as an atheist and a rationalist. On 19 February 2019, she revealed she quit acting due to sexual demands from filmmakers. The actress has now made serious claims against the Malayalam film industry. Shockingly, Kani has claimed that filmmakers even approached her mom to convince her to give in to their demands. Kani chose to go back to theatre, but she couldn't earn enough in that industry to make a living.

However, Kani is hopeful about the Malayalam film industry after the #MeToo Movement and initiations like Women in Cinema Collective. In 2019, Kusruti along with 48 other notable artists in the country had written an open letter to Narendra Modi over incidents of lynching in the country.

Krishna Raaz


Krishna Raaz is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi cinema. She has appeared in several films, including "Gabbar Is Back" (2015), "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai" (2010), and "Kadakh" (2019).

imdb.com

Personal Life

Krishna Raaz is married to actor Vijay Raaz, a prominent figure in the Indian film industry. The couple has a daughter named Tanishka Raaz.

indiaforums.com

Online Presence

Krishna Raaz maintains a presence on social media platforms, including Facebook, where she engages with her audience.

facebook.com

Through her contributions to Indian cinema and her association with notable films, Krishna Raaz has established herself as a recognized actress in the industry.



Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar
Wikipedia
Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar
Born 21 January 1974

Nationality India
Occupation Actress
Years active 2000–present
Known for Sasural Simar Ka
Spouse(s)
​(m. 2005)​
Children 1

Keerti Gaekwad Kelkar (born 21 January 1974) is an Indian television actress and model. She is prominently known for playing the leading character of Simar Prem Bharadwaj in television series Sasural Simar Ka. She began her career in 2002 with her first television debut in Kammal. In 2004, she did a TV series called Aakrosh, where she met the love of her life Sharad Kelkar who is a famous Bollywood and Indian Television Celebrity and Ex-Physical Trainer. She did a quite a number of TV shows and in some of them, she was cast opposite to her husband.

Career

She debuted as Kammal in Kammal and went on to play "Kanan" in Kahiin To Hoga and "Niharika" in Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka on Zee TV. She participated with her husband Sharad Kelkar in the second season of dance reality show Nach Baliye 2. In 2011, she took a Break from television. In 2017, she entered the Popular series Sasural Simar Ka as Simar, replacing the former Protagonist Dipika Kakar who was previously playing Simar. About her Comeback to screen after six years, she added "I wanted to return to television with a good project. Over the years, family took precedence and I was happy with that. But then, Colors TV approached me for Simar’s role in Sasural Simar Ka, and I was sold. I am nervous and excited at the same time to face the camera after so long. She continues "Television has changed so much over the past few years, there are many new concepts and formats. Even the viewers are open to Storylines and narratives that were unfathomable earlier." About Replacing Dipika Kakar and her entry in the show, she said "Though the character of Simar is already established, the challenge lies in adding some freshness to it. I wouldn't have taken it up if it wasn't so challenging. I’ve seen Dipika in Sasural Simar Ka, and she’s been fabulous. The show will bring its focus back on the Mother-daughter relationship and I believe that I will portray the role perfectly since I am also a mother." The show ended in March 2018.

Personal life

Keerti married her co-star from Sinndoor Tere Naam Ka and Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar, Sharad Kelkar on 3 June 2005.

Kamini Kadam

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kamini Kadam
Born
Manik Kadam
August 03, 1933

Died 29 June 2000 (aged 66)

Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active 1955–1967

Manik Kamini Kadam (1933 – 2000), popularly known as Kamini Kadam, is an Indian actress who appeared in Marathi, Kannada and Hindi films in the 1950s and 1960s.

Biography

She made her debut in Marathi films under the screen name of Smita in 1955 in Yere Maazya Magalya. She acted in a number of Marathi films before switching over to Hindi films. In 1958, Kadam changed her screen name to Kamini Kadam and made her debut in Hindi films with Talaq (1958) opposite Rajendra Kumar. Other notable Hindi films to her credit include Santan (1959), School Master (1959) and Sapne Suhane (1961). Kamini Kadam died in Pune on 29 June 2000 at the age of 66.

Filmography

Hindi Films:
Talaq – 1958
Santan – 1959
School Master – 1959
Maa Baap – 1960
Miya Bibi Razi – 1960
Sapne Suhane – 1961

Marathi Films:
Yere Maazya Magalya – 1955
Sudharlelya Bayka - 1965

and many more

Kannada Films:

Kumkum (actress)
(Wikipedia)


Kumkum
Born
Zaibunnisa Khan
22 April 1934

Died 28 July 2020 (aged 86)

Occupation Actress
Years active 1954–1973
Spouse(s) Sajjad Akbar Khan
Children Hadi Ali Abrar - son (film director)

Kumkum, born Zaibunnisa (22 April 1934 – 28 July 2020), was an Indian film actress.

She acted in approximately 115 films during her career. She is best known for her roles in Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Mother India (1957), Son of India (1962), Kohinoor (1960), Ujala, Naya Daur, Shreeman Funtoosh, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera, Ganga Ki Laharen, Raja Aur Runk, Aankhen (1968), Lalkaar, Geet and Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari. She paired with many film heroes of her era and was popular in roles alongside Kishore Kumar.

Kumkum also acted in Bhojpuri films, starting with Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1963), which was also the first ever Bhojpuri film.

Early life

Kumkum's birth name is Zaibunnisa Khan. She was born in a prestigious Muslim family to father, Sayed Manzoor Hassa,n Nawab of Hussainabad and mother, Khursheed Bano.

Kumkum married Sajjad Akbar Khan who hailed from Lucknow, India and worked in Saudi Arabia. Kumkum shifted to Saudi Arabia after her marriage and returned to India after 23 years in 1995. The couple had two children-- Andaleeb Akbar Khan (daughter) and Hadi Ali Abrar (son).

Career

Kumkum was discovered by Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt was to picturise the song "Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Laaga Teere Nazar" for his movie Aar Paar (1954) on his friend Jagdeep (father of Javed Jaffery, Naved Jaffery), but later decided to picturise this song on a female actor. But at that time, no one agreed to do a small song. Then Guru Dutt finally picturised this song on Kumkum. Later, Kumkum was seen in a small role in Pyaasa (1957). The famous song "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan" from C.I.D (1956), sung by Geeta Dutt was picturised on her. She was also paired alongside Shammi Kapoor in a side role in Mem Saheb (1956) and also in lead opposite Shammi Kapoor in Char Dil Char Raahein (1959).

She was trained in Kathak by the noted Pandit, Shambhu Maharaj. She showed her dancing talents in the film Kohinoor (1960) with Dilip Kumar. "Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re" and "Haye Jaadugar Qaatil, Haazir Hai Mera Dil", sung by Asha Bhosle for Naushad were picturised on Kumkum. She was paired opposite Kishore Kumar in films like Ganga Ki Laharen, Shreeman Funtoosh, Haaye Mera Dil and Mr. X in Bombay. She was leading heroin in all-time favorite Hindi Sad song "mere mehboob kayamat hogi" from mr. x in Bombay. This was science fixation movie of that time and Kum kum ji was a great star. The songs like "Khoobsurat Haseena" from Mr. X in Bombay, "Ijazat Ho Toh" from Haaye Mera Dil, "Sultana Sultana" from Shreeman Funtoosh and "Machalti Hui" from Ganga Ki Lahren, which were picturised on the pair Kishore-Kumkum remain popular since their release to this day.

Kumkum was a favourite choice for writer director Ramanand Sagar. Sagar decided to cast Kumkum as Dharmendra's sister in Ankhen, a super hit film of 1968. In 1970, for Geet, Kumkum was Ramanand Sagar's choice for a small role. But in Lalkar (1972), she was paired with Dharmendra, while Rajendra Kumar was paired with Mala Sinha. Kumkum was paired with Kiran Kumar in Jalte Badan (1973), produced, directed and written once again by Sagar. She was paired opposite Vinod Khanna in Dhamkee in 1973 and the duet song "Chand Kya Hai Roop Ka Darpan" became hugely popular. She was paired opposite Pran in the comedy film Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari, directed by Prakash Mehra, which was a blockbuster.

After her marriage, she left the industry.

Death

Kumkum died on 28 July 2020 at her residence in Mumbai, aged 86.

Lopamudra Raut

Lopamudra Raut (born October 7, 1995) is an Indian actress, model, electrical engineer, and beauty pageant titleholder best known for her runner-up finish on Bigg Boss 10 and her advocacy for fitness and women's empowerment. With a multifaceted career spanning pageants, reality television, and selective acting roles, Raut has built a strong social media presence, boasting over 2 million Instagram followers where she shares glimpses of her glamorous life, workout routines, and travel adventures. As of 2025, she remains unmarried and continues to prioritize meaningful projects over rushed opportunities, emphasizing personal growth and groundedness shaped by past setbacks.

Early Life and Family

Raut was born and raised in Nagpur, Maharashtra, into a middle-class Hindu family. She is the daughter of Jeevan Raut, a retired accountant, and Ragini Raut, a homemaker. She has an elder sister, Bhagyashree Shambharkar (née Raut), who is also involved in creative pursuits. Growing up in a supportive environment, Raut credits her parents for instilling discipline and ambition, often highlighting their role in her journey from engineering student to public figure.

Education

Balancing her academic pursuits with emerging interests in modeling, Raut completed her schooling in Nagpur before earning a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electrical Engineering from G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering and Technology in 2016. Despite her technical background, she pursued extracurriculars like dance and public speaking, which honed her stage presence. Raut has occasionally reflected on how her engineering mindset—analytical and resilient—informs her approach to the unpredictable entertainment industry.

Beauty Pageant Career

Raut's foray into pageants began in 2013 when she clinched the 1st Runner-Up title at Femina Miss India Goa, earning her a spot as a finalist in Femina Miss India 2013. Her breakthrough came in 2014 with fbb Femina Miss India, where she secured a Top 5 position and the subtitle "Miss Body Beautiful" for her athletic physique. That year, she also reached the Top 7 at Miss Diva 2014. Representing India internationally, Raut competed at Miss United Continents 2016 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on September 25, finishing as second runner-up and winning the "Best National Costume" award for her culturally inspired ensemble. In 2017, she was honored with the "Pride of India" award at Femina Miss India for her global achievements. Her pageant journey not only boosted her confidence but also positioned her as a role model for fitness, with Raut often sharing training tips and promoting body positivity.

Television and Reality Shows

Raut transitioned to television through reality formats, leveraging her poise and competitive edge. In October 2016, she entered Colors TV's Bigg Boss 10 as a wildcard contestant, captivating audiences with her intelligence, assertiveness, and strategic gameplay. She finished as second runner-up, narrowly missing the title to Bigg Boss 9 winner Prince Narula, and became a fan favorite for her unfiltered opinions and budding romance rumors with contestant Sahil Khan (later debunked). The show skyrocketed her visibility, leading to endorsements and media appearances.

In 2017, Raut tested her limits on Colors TV's Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8, hosted by Rohit Shetty in Spain. Known for her daring stunts—like facing phobias and high-risk challenges—she advanced to the semi-finals, placing 6th overall. Though eliminated mid-way, her performance earned praise for showcasing resilience, and she was dubbed the "Action Queen" by fans. Post-shows, Raut has been frequently compared to newer Bigg Boss contestants for her bold style, as seen in 2025 social media discussions around Bigg Boss 19 participants like Nehal Chudasama.

Acting Career

Raut's acting debut marked a deliberate shift toward scripted roles, though she has been selective to avoid typecasting. In 2019, she played Tabassum (inspired by real-life figure Mamta Dalal) in the ALTBalaji and ZEE5 web series The Verdict – State Vs Nanavati, a courtroom drama based on the infamous 1959 Nanavati murder case. Her portrayal of a poised, conflicted character received positive reviews for adding emotional depth. She followed with a supporting role in the 2020 short film Bawri, exploring themes of innocence and loss, and appeared in the 2022 anthology web series The Socho Project on Disney+ Hotstar, contributing to episodes on social issues.

Raut is slated for her big-screen debut in the psychological thriller Blood Story, though as of 2025, no release date has been confirmed. She has also been attached to the upcoming web series Baytakhol in a yet-to-be-announced role. In a September 2024 Femina interview, Raut expressed contentment with OTT platforms over traditional cinema, noting the pandemic's "blessing in disguise" for allowing deeper storytelling. She remains project-agnostic, waiting for roles that challenge her beyond "glamour doll" stereotypes, with no major announcements in 2024–2025 beyond social media teases.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Private about her romantic life, Raut has quashed dating rumors over the years, focusing instead on self-empowerment. A fitness enthusiast, she advocates for mental health, women's rights, and breaking beauty norms, often posting workout videos and motivational quotes. In 2018, she ranked 5th on The Times of India's "Maharashtra's Most Desirable Women" list, reflecting her appeal. Raut's grounded persona shines through in reflections on failures—like pageant near-misses—that kept her humble.

Active on social media, her Instagram (@lopamudraraut) features recent posts from October 2024 (a "girl of your dreams" reel) and June 2025 (a hair makeover shoutout), alongside Diwali shopping vibes shared on Facebook. As her 30th birthday approaches on October 7, 2025, fans are buzzing with tributes, including X mentions linking her Wikipedia page.

Legacy and Influence

At 29 (turning 30 in 2025), Raut embodies the modern multi-hyderabadi woman—engineer by training, icon by choice—who uses her platform for positivity. Her Bigg Boss stint remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring comparisons in later seasons and cementing her as a symbol of grace under pressure. With a net worth estimated at ₹5–7 crore from endorsements (Lakmé, Ponds) and appearances, Raut continues to evolve, hinting at more "impactful" ventures ahead.

Lata Sabharwal
Wikipedia

Lata Sabharwal
Born
Lata Sabharwal
28-8-1075
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Model
Years active 1999-present
Known for Vivah
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke
Spouse(s) Sanjeev Seth (2010–Present)
Children 1

Lata Sabharwal is an Indian film and TV actress, who also worked in Bollywood films. She has played supporting role in Bollywood films like Vivah and Ishq Vishq. Lata is best known for her current role Rajshri Maheshwari in Star Plus' Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.

Personal life

In 2010, she married fellow actor Sanjeev Seth from the show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. In 2012, she announced her pregnancy. On 16 May 2013, she gave birth to a boy.

Career

She had supporting roles in all three of her movies: Vivah has been her most successful movie to date. Besides acting in Bollywood movies, she has also acted in television series, among them Arzoo Hai Tu, Awaz - Dil Se Dil Tak, Jannat, Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kate and Khushiyan. She usually plays supporting roles in Hindi television programmes. She was seen in Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki, which aired on Sahara One channel. Then she played the role of Sanju’s mother in Shaka Laka Boom Boom. From 2006-2009 she played the role of Cynthia in Sahara One’s Ghar Ek Sapnaa. In 2008, she appeared in Main Teri Parchhain Hoon on Imagine TV. This role got her fame in Indian Television. In 2007, she was seen in Naaginn, which aired on Zee TV, as Ratna, Aruna Irani's daughter in law.

From 2009 onwards she started playing a major role in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on Star Plus, as Rajshri Maheshwari, mother of the main lead Akshara and grand mother of later main lead Naira. This role got her fame and she also won many awards on the category of best mother. She also married her on-screen husband from Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Sanjeev Seth. Lata and her husband Sanjeev Seth also appeared in the Star Plus dance show Nach Baliye 6 in 2013.

Currently, she is playing the role of Rajeshri Maheshwari in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and its spin-off Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke simultaneously. She also played the role of Vaundhara Devi in the Colors TV show Ishq Mein Marjawan.

Leena Manimekalai


"Certain questions start haunting me. And that sets me into a journey. I do find answers sometimes but most of the times end up with more questions. One thing I know for sure is I continue evolving as a better human with each poem I write and every film I make"

I consider myself as a Poet and Filmmaker.

I live out of Madras, a big village city, down south of India but devoid of borders as an artist. My birth markers are brown skin, Tamil language, kurunji thinai (wild daughter of western ghats) and rage as red chilly.

My humble start was as an Assistant Director to Mainstream Filmmakers in Tamil Film Industry but I eventually moved into Television and fared well as a Content Producer for a good decade. Produced good hours of software for Sun Network, Star Television, Zee Network, Maa Television, Eenadu, Kalaingar TV, Doordharshan and Deepam Television. I have Line Produced for BBC Network, HallMark Television and AlJazeera Network.

Innately being a documentary junkie, did couple of them independently converting them as a main source of travel and agency for my own voice. I have broadcast documentaries in Channel Four, NHK Japan and NDTV 24/7. I have tried fiction and poem films but keep wondering who decides the genre. I use any tools that come handy to help me tell the story and hence a 'genre no bar' artist. Ousting the complexities, my films have managed to travel around sixty International Film Festivals across the world.

I dint go to Film School. But I went to Film Festivals, as a student and later as a Maker. I evolved with the films I got to experience at the Festivals and the Filmmakers whom I met there with such contagious spirits. I learnt the fact that art is all about evoking humanity and better understanding about the universe.

My Poems in Tamil have been published, translated and awarded. I have started writing short stories and novellas but I enjoy screen-writing.

I teach screen-writing at various film institutions and schools in India and conduct workshops on documentary and short-film making. Though passionate about making art, I do spend substantial time in my life to teach as I feel I unlearn a lot while teaching and stay effortlessly younger.

Personally, I am curious about even mundane things and haven't lost track of wonderments.I am modestly talented and proud of my hard working ability.

I am an amateur cook, dancer and painter. I dream to own an organic mango farm and don't care if it sounds like a crazy idea.

Big fan of trekking, star gazing and bird watching.

I love good coffee and any form of music.

Lekha Washington
Wikipedia
Lekha Washington
Washington in 2008
Born 30 April 1987

Occupation Actor, product designer, artist, lyricist
Years active 2007 – present

Lekha Washington is an Indian actress, artist, and product designer who has predominantly appeared in Tamil and Telugu language films. She was first recognised for her work as a sculptor in 2002 and then as a theatre actress in Chennai based stage plays. After appearing as a video jockey with SS Music, Washington's breakthrough film role was as an independent estranged sister in Jayamkondaan (2008), whilst she has gone on to portray roles in the multi-starrer Vedam and the comedy Va.

Early life

Lekha Washington was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to a father of mixed Burmese, Italian and Punjabi ancestry, and a Maharashtrian mother. Despite the mixed heritage, Washington has stated that she prefers herself as Tamilian due to her upbringing in Chennai and speaks English, Tamil and Marathi at home. She is a huge fan & supporter of Chennai Super Kings in IPL.

Washington did her schooling in Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai and later pursued a degree in Fine Arts at Stella Maris College, Chennai and went on to attend the National Institute of Design taking courses, first in Lifestyle Product Design, and then re-applying to enrol in the Film and Video Communication course. During her time studying film-making, she opted for a career in "front of the camera, rather than from behind". During her time on the course, she made three short films called Spoonerism, Catch 22 and Sunn with locations ranging from Myanmar to Mauritius.

Career

While pursuing her education, she decided to appear in Chetan Shah's experimental English film, Framed, and subsequently received offers to be a music video jockey from SS Music. In early 2007, Washington was signed on to play the lead role of an orthodox Tamil Brahmin girl alongside Silambarasan in his project Kettavan, after the actor and the film's director Nanthu had spotted her at a cinema hall. She replaced the team's original choice Sana Khan in the lead role, but despite completing a schedule, the film was shelved and later cancelled after the lead actor and director had creative differences. She had earlier made an uncredited appearance in a song from the 1999 romance film Kadhalar Dhinam and also made a guest appearance in director Jeeva's 2007 film Unnale Unnale as a bride at a wedding. In November 2007, Washington signed on to play a supporting role in R. Kannan's directorial debut Jayamkondaan alongside Vinay Rai and Bhavana (actress).[9] Appearing as Vinay Rai's estranged stepsister, Brindha, in the film, Washington won critical acclaim for her role with a reviewer citing that she "sparkles as the half sister in a well etched role" and is "the surprise packet and has the credentials to make it big". Another critics cited that Washington "pulls off with élan" and "her costume spells class and character as does her performance", and subsequently the film went on to become a critical and commercial success.

In 2010, Washington appeared in three films in three regional languages. Her first release was in the multi-starrer Vedam, where she played a role as a part of the troupe of a lead character, Manoj Manchu. The film won positive reviews, and Washington's small role was labelled as "adequate support" by critics, as the film enjoyed a successful run commercially. She then appeared in Pushkar-Gayathri's comedy film, Va, playing a suicidal schoolgirl who meets the characters of Shiva and Charan on an election night in Chennai. The film received average reviews, whilst Washington's portrayal also received mixed acclaim with a reviewer citing that she "carries off her role of a dimwit quite well", whilst another cites that she "does not impress and needs to brush up her acting skills and lip sync". Her final release of the year was the romantic Kannada film, Huduga Hudugi opposite Sameer Dattani, which became a commercial and critical failure, with Washington receiving mixed reviews for her role.

Washington was signed on to appear in her debut Hindi film, John Owen's Peter Gaya Kaam Se beating hundred other actresses in an audition, after the producers felt that "she looked like a super model, could play football and was an Anglo-Indian". The film opposite Rajeev Khandelwal features Washington as Mira, an undercover agent, but is yet to release, after disputes between the producers and the director. She has also shot for another Hindi project, Power by Rajkumar Santoshi, featuring her as Sneha alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgan, though the film has been delayed. In 2013, Washington was seen in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola as Imran Khan's friend. She won acclaim for her portrayal of a Tamil Brahmin bride in the romantic comedy Kalyana Samayal Saadham (2013), before portraying a guest role in the action thriller Arima Nambi (2014).

Other work

Washington currently owns and runs a product design company called Ajji and has recently launched her first range of products in the Pallate store in Mumbai. She currently holds two patents to her name with respect to the products she has created. Washington has also enjoyed success as a sculptor, being featured by The Hindu newspaper in January 2002 for her maiden exhibition, Exhibition A, for which she won critical appraisal. In January 2011, she showcased her work in an exhibition in New Delhi.

Washington has also been involved in English stage plays held in Chennai, featuring in Madras Player's production of Twelfth Night in 2002 as Viola. She has also been active in directing the theatre troupe, Khel.

During the maiden season of the Indian Premier League, Washington was signed on to anchor an analysis and interview show which provided coverage of the cricket played. To prepare for the role, Washington did research through cricketing journals and enlisted help from Ajay Jadeja, hoping for her reporting to reach a widespread audience. Notably during her time as a reporter, she was briefly criticised for asking umpire Asad Rauf which franchise he had rooted for, as a part of a joke. However, her stint was considered successful and helped her gain more offers from film producers.

Lin Laishram
Wikipedia


Lin Laishram
Born
Linthoingambi Laishram
19 December 1985 

Nationality Indian
Occupation Model, Actor
Years active 2007—present

Lin Laishram (born Linthoingambi Laishram) is an international model, actress and entrepreneur from Manipur. She was discovered by Elite modelling agency Mumbai, India where she was a regular at premier fashion events like the India Fashion week, New York Bridal week and is also seen on print and TVC’s in India and international.

Career

Lin first appeared in a film called Om Shanti Om in a cameo. Laishram was also the brand ambassador of New York based jewellery brand, Ozoru Jewelry; She represented her state in Miss North East and was the first runners up in 2008 held in Shillong; She went on to participate in the reality TV show Kingfisher calendar girl where she won many hearts with her exotic looks and athletic body. She is also the first Manipuri model who went on national television wearing a swimsuit, which led to many controversies in her hometown. Laishram lived in New York; where she was a print and Fashion model and worked with many renowned photographers; make-up artistes and stylist.

She studied at New York Stella Adler the art of acting school while she was modelling in New York city. She headed back to Bombay and spent 3 years doing theatre with Motley by Naseeruddin Shah; Pravah theatre Lab by Neeraj Kabi; and Rangbaaz. Where she went on to perform in Bombay’s famous theatres like Prithvi theatre; NCPA and travelled with the productions.

She played the character of Bembem in the 2014 National award winning movie Mary Kom alongside Priyanka Chopra and directed by Omung Kumar. She recently acted in a short film directed by Kenny Basumatary. You can also spot her in Indie film Umrika directed by Prashant Nair playing a Nepali girl opposite Prateik Babbar. Lin played the character Mema in the period romantic drama Rangoon directed by Vishal Bhardwaj starring Kangana; Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan.

Laishram is trained archer from Tata Archery academy in Jamshedpur which produced many Olympians like Chekrovolo Swuro; Deepika Kumari and Reena Kumari. She was a Junior National Champion in 1998 Nationals held in Chandigarh.

She started her jewellery line called Shamooo Sana in March 2017.

Filmography

Om Shanti Om (2007) cameo appearance as Om Kapoor's Friend
Mary Kom (2014) as Bem-Bem
Umrika (2015) as Udai's Wife
Rangoon (2017) as Mema
Axone (2019) as Chanbi
Ave Maria (2020) as Susan (short film)

Lin has also done a cameo in Hattrick. She played a small part in the Vishal Bharadwaj film, Matru ki Bijlee ka Mandola.

Laxmi Chhaya

Wikipedia

Laxmi Chhaya
Chhaya in Teesri Manzil (1966)
Born 7 January 1948

Died 9 May 2004 (aged 56)

Occupation
Actress
dancer
dance teacher
Years active 1958–1986

Laxmi Chhaya (7 January 1948 – 9 May 2004) was an Indian actress and dancer, who was best known for her work in Hindi and Marathi films throughout the 1960s into the mid 80's, particularly her supporting and guest roles. She starred in over 100 films over a career spanning two decades, which include Gumnaam (1965), Teesri Manzil (1966), Duniya (1968), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), and Raaste Kaa Patthar (1972), and was active from 1958 to 1987. In 2004, she died from cancer at the age of 56.

Career

Chayya in Kailash Pati (1962)

Chhaya began acting with an uncredited appearance as one of the school girls in Talaq (1958).She can be seen most prominently in the front row center in the scene at 9:14 minutes into the film, and a few other times. In 1962, Chhaya starred in the film Naughty Boy as Bela, her first role that wasn't a guest role. In 1965, she made a guest appearance in Gumnaam, as the masked dancer in the song Jaan Pehechan Ho. Her performance gained a cult following internationally, receiving attention in both India and America, and has been deemed her signature performance. IndiaTimes Group states: "The enthusiastic dance by Laxmi Chhaya and Herman Benjamin is not something today’s actors will be able to pull off with the same ease and grace."

In 1966, Chhaya starred as Meena in the film Teesri Manzil. Starring alongside Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh, the film was praised for its songs, as well as its story and ensemble, and is considered to be a classic film. Throughout 1967, Chhaya had begun to make more guest appearances, and starred in many critically acclaimed films, such as Ram Aur Shyam, Baharon Ke Sapne, Upkar, and Raat Aur Din. In 1968, she starred in Duniya as Laxmi, a role named after her. In 1969, Chhaya next starred as Rita in the film Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969), where she starred in a supporting role once again with Asha Parekh. The movie was a commercial success. In the same year, she also starred in the film Pyar Ka Mausam (1969). In 1971, Chhaya starred as Munnibai, a young girl who works undercover for a dacoit, in Mera Gaon Mera Desh, her first role as part of the main cast. The film was a major and critical success at the time, and is considered to be one of Chhaya's best performances.

In 1972, she starred with Amitabh Bachchan in Raaste Kaa Patthar, where she was part of the main cast, and received praise for her dancing in the song "Main Sharaab Bechti Hoon". She starred in the films Do Chor and Bindiya Aur Bandook in the same year. Following these roles, Chhaya made more guest appearances in films such as Do Phool (1973), Sharafat Chod Di Maine (1976), Haiwan (1977), and she also had a guest role in Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty (1975), which was known for its extensive cast list. She had a starring role in Paijjecha Vida (1979), which was a box-office flop. After a series of commercially unsuccessful films, in 1987, she retired the film industry after a guest appearance in the film Parakh. In the years prior to her death, Chhaya went on to open her own dance school, where she taught dancing to indigent children.

Death

On 9 May 2004, Chhaya died from cancer in Mumbai at the age of 56. Tributes have been published and created in recognition of Chhaya's work in the film industry.

Lakshmi Manchu
Wikipedia

Lakshmi Manchu
Born
Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna
8 October 1977 

Occupation

Actress
producer
Spouse(s)
Andy Srinivasan
​(m. 2006)​
Children 1
Parent(s)

Mohan Babu (father)
Relatives

Vishnu Manchu (brother)
Manchu Manoj (brother)
Website lakshmimanchu.com

Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna (born 8 October 1977) is an Indian actress, producer, and television presenter who works in Telugu cinema and American television. The daughter of veteran actor Mohan Babu, Manchu holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre from Oklahoma City University. She has garnered the SIIMA Award, two Filmfare Awards South, and two State Nandi Awards.

Manchu made her acting debut with the American television series Las Vegas, where she played the minor role of Sarasvati Kumar, the love interest of James Lesure. She then appeared in one episode of each of the following series: Desperate Housewives, Late Nights with my Lover and Mystery ER. She has also appeared in commercials for Toyota, AARP and Chevrolet. In 2006, she directed, produced and acted in Perfect Lives, a short film that was showcased at the Wilshire Fine Arts Theater as part of the La Femme Film Festival in Los Angeles. She made her Theatre debut as Miss Trunchbull in the adaptation of the Roald Dahl's Matilda directed by Taher Ali Baig in 2016.

Early life and family

Lakshmi Manchu is the only daughter of actor Mohan Babu and Vidya Devi. She has two brothers Vishnu Manchu and Manoj Manchu. She was born in Chennai and can speak Tamil, Telugu, and English.

Manchu married Andy Srinivasan, an IT professional from Chennai in 2006. The couple has a daughter born through surrogacy. They are settled in Hyderabad.

Career

Having started her career at the age of 4, Manchu has been in 20 feature films in India and few minor television roles in the U.S. She co-owns Sree Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures along with her family members, a production company that has produced fifty-six feature films to date.

In December 2011, she was signed on to portray a supporting role in Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Kadal after a successful audition. Portraying the role of Celina, a poor village woman, she expected this film to be her breakthrough but hardly got offers in Tamil after the film's release.

Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli


(Wikipedia)

Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli
Born
9 April 1984
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality  India
Other names LP
Occupation Actress
Years active 2010-present
Television Dharmayutham

Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli is a Tamil film and television actress. A post graduate in human resource management from Madras School of Social Work, she joined the English theatre company Evam as a full-time employee, before venturing into the Tamil film industry. She is also a former National Level cricket player, and national Ultimate Frisbee champion.

Early life

Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli was born into Tamil family. After completing her masters in social work, specialising in human resources, from the Madras School of Social Work, she worked for a corporate company as an HR professional. As she wanted to pursue "something more creative", she started to work with the theatre group Evam, on their managerial side. Although she never got to act in their plays because of a tight work schedule, she called it "a great platform where I could easily learn how things transformed from paper to performance".
She joined gymnastics before she was 10 years old and started playing cricket, becoming a part of India's B national cricket team, under which she also played a series against the West Indies. She also pursues Ultimate Frisbee. A member of Chennai Ultimate Frisbee, she has regularly participated at Ultimate Frisbee competitions.

Career

While selling tickets for one of Evam's plays, director Magizh Thirumeni approached and asked her to play a supporting role in his film Mundhinam Paartheney. She took leave from work and shot for ten days for the film. After working with director K. Balachander on one of his teleserials, and starting to audition for a role in the TV show, Dharmayudham, she decided to pursue acting full-time. She quit her job and attended several auditions for different roles in the show, eventually landing the role of Sharada. Her first film in a lead role was the black comedy Sutta Kadhai. She played a bold tribal girl called Silanthi in the film, which required her to perform stunts as well, and reviews on her performance were positive. Her sole 2014 release was Angels, which marked her Malayalam debut. Her next Tamil release was Kallappadam by debutant director Vadivel. About her role, she said that it was a "well defined and powerful character" and "emotionally very strong" Her portrayal of a retired actress, which Baradwaj Rangan described as the "most fascinating, refreshing character" in the film,was lauded by critics, with Sify stating that "Lakshmi Priya shines in the role".
She has finished shooting for the thriller Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka, in which her role would have "many shades". She is also working on two supernatural films, Kalam as well as the Potential Studios project Maya starring Nayantara and Aari.
In 2017 she acted in short films, including Lakshmi, which was produced by Gautham
 Vasudev Menon's production company.

Lalitha Kumari
(Wikipedia)


Lalitha Kumari
Born 18 May 1967 

Occupation Film actress
Years active 1987—1995
Spouse(s)
​
​(m. 1994; div. 2009)​
Children 3
Parent(s)

Lakshmi
Relatives Disco Shanti (Elder sister)


Lalitha Kumari (born 18 May 1967) is an Indian film actress and the daughter of Tamil actor C. L. Anandan (star of many films, including Vijayapuri Veeran and Kaattumallika) and the younger sister of actress Disco Shanti.

Personal life

Lalitha Kumari married actor Prakash Raj in 1994 and the couple has two daughters and a son (who died in 2004). The couple have got divorced in 2009.

Career life

Lalitha Kumari starred in many movies, alongside the likes of Goundamani, Senthil and other senior actors. She has also played major roles in films such as Manadhil Urudhi Vendum, Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal, Pulan Visaranai and Sigaram. Lalitha Kumari has performed around 30 films and has made her mark in the Tamil film industry. After her marriage, with actor Prakash Raj she has left the film industry in 1995.

She make her re-entry into the Kollywood in the Tamil movie Muriyadi. by acting as the wife of Sathyaraj. However the film has remained shelved and delayed due to unknown reasons.


Latha Rajinikanth
Wikipedia

Latha Rajinikanth
Latha Rajinikanth at the NDTV Indian Of The Year awards in 2013
Born
2 March 1958 , Latha Rangachari

Other names Latha Shivaji Gaikwad
Occupation

Film producer
playback Singer
Spouse(s)

​(m. 1981)​

Latha Rajinikanth (née Rangachari) is an Indian film producer and playback singer. She is known for being the wife of actor Rajinikanth.

Early life

Latha was born in Chennai, India in a Tamil Brahmin Iyengar family. She graduated with degree in English literature from Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai.

Career

During the 1980s, Latha worked as a playback singer in Tamil cinema. She sung a few songs in films such as Tik Tik Tik (1981) Anbulla Rajinikanth (1984). She also contributed to Rajini 25 (1999), a musical album that commemorated Rajinikanth's 25 years of his career.

In 1991, Latha founded The Ashram, a school in Velachery, Chennai, which she currently heads.

Personal life

Latha is the sister-in-law of Tamil playwright and film actor Y Gee Mahendran. She is also related to former film actress Vyjayanthimala. Latha's brother Ravi Raghavendra is also an actor who is the father of music director Anirudh Ravichander. She married Rajinikanth, whom she met during an exclusive interview, on 26 February 1981 at Tirupati. The couple has two daughters, Aishwarya and Soundarya. Her elder daughter, Aishwarya married actor Dhanush in 2004 and they have two sons, Yathra and Linga. Her younger daughter Soundarya married Chennai based civil engineer Ashwin with whom she has a son named Ved Krishna; the couple divorced in 2017 and she remarried businessman Vishagan in 2019.

Controversy
Document forgery case

An FIR had been filed in Bangalore against Latha for allegedly forging documents to obtain a court order, restraining media from publishing news about her dispute with a commissioned producer over selling of rights of Kochadaiiyan on 15 June 2015.

Rent issues

Latha operates a shop on CP Ramaswamy Road, widely regarded as the city's prime real estate. Operating from a building owned by Chennai Corporation, Latha has for the past 25 years run a travel agency called "Travel Exchange India". The city Corporation recently increased the rent from ₹ 3702 to ₹ 21,160 per month. Latha filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the decision of the Greater Chennai Corporation. The Madras HC dismissed the petition filed on Latha Rajinikanth's behalf and ordered the corporation to take ownership of the property in a month if the due rental was not received.

A school run by Latha Rajinikanth in Chennai was locked up by the landlord of the building in August 2017, who claimed he had not received two rent of ₹ 2 crore. The owner said in 2002 he leased out the school ground to be used. He said that over a year ago he had filed a case against the management of the school because they had not paid the rent amounting to ₹ 10 crore. On December 2020, the Madras High Court has ordered Latha to vacate the school by 30 April.


Laya (actress)


Wikipedia
Laya
Born
13 January 1981
Occupation

Actress
Kuchipudi dancer
Years active 1992–2010 ,2018
Spouse(s)

Ganesh Gorty
​(m. 2006)​

Laya is an Indian former actress and Kuchipudi dancer who is known for her work predominantly in Telugu films, alongside Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films. Laya first appeared as a child actor in Bhadram Koduko (1992) and later she started working as a lead actress with Swayamvaram (1999). She won two Nandi Awards for Best Actress in consecutive years for Manoharam (2000) and Preminchu (2001).

Personal life

Laya was born in a Telugu Bramhin family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India and attended Nirmala High School, Vijayawada. Her mother was a music teacher in Nirmala High School, Vijayawada and her father a doctor. During her school days, she was a state champion seven times and won second place at National level in Chess. Later, she moved to Hyderabad and participated in multiple stage shows as a classical dancer, having performed in more than 50 stage shows. She has a bachelor's degree in Computer Applications. She married Dr. Sri Ganesh Gorty in 2006 and settled in Los Angeles, California. The couple has a daughter and a son.

Lijomol Jose
Wikipedia


Lijomol Jose
Occupation Actress
Years active 2016–present

Lijomol Jose is an Indian actress, who primarily appears in Malayalam films. She made her acting debut in the highly acclaimed Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), following which she went on to act in movies like Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016) and Honey Bee 2.5 (2017). She made her tamil debut with Sivappu Manjal Pachai opposite Siddharth.

Career

In her film Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan, she was given a lengthy role and the film went on to become a success. She then starred in Street Lights with Mammootty before making her Tamil language debut with Sivappu Manjal Pachai opposite Siddharth.

Lisa Ray
Wikipedia

Lisa Ray
Ray at the launch of TLC Oh My Gold in 2012
Born 4 April 1972

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s)

Jason Dehni
​(m. 2012)​
Children 2

Lisa Rani Ray (born 4 April 1972) is a Canadian actress and model who has also worked internationally. Having Indian descent, Ray began her modelling career in India in the early 1990s, appearing for leading Indian brands like Bombay Dyeing and Lakmé. Alongside, she made her acting debut in 1996 in the Tamil film Nethaji. Her first Bollywood appearance was in 2001, in the offbeat romantic thriller Kasoor. Through her acting career, Ray has demonstrated a penchant for issue-oriented portrayals, most notably in the 2005 Oscar nominated Canadian film Water and the award-winning South African feature The World Unseen, described by a reviewer as "one of the best-conceived queer films of the past year."

In 2009, Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer. She began writing The Yellow Diaries, a blog about her experiences in living with cancer. Her writing and columns have since regularly appeared in multiple major publications. Ray remains an active advocate of stem-cell therapy and has participated in several successful fundraisers and cancer awareness campaigns.

In 2011, Ray began hosting a popular travel show on Discovery Channel India alongside appearing as host and judge in Food Network's highest rated show, Top Chef Canada.

In 2016, Ray opened an Instagram account dedicated to poetry In March 2019, Ray participated as a panelist on the 2019 edition of Canada Reads where she advocated for David Chariandy's award-winning second novel, Brother.

Early life

Ray was born in Toronto to a Bengali father and a Polish mother and grew up in the suburb of Etobicoke. She spoke Polish with her maternal grandmother and watched movies of Federico Fellini and Satyajit Ray with her cinephile dad. During her childhood she spent some time in Calcutta.

She excelled academically, doing five years of high school in four, while attending three different high schools: Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, Richview Collegiate Institute and Silverthorn Collegiate Institute.

Modelling, film and television
1991–2000

Ray's modelling career began when she was "discovered" during a family vacation in India while still in her teens. An advertisement for Bombay Dyeing where she appeared in a black swimsuit opposite Karan Kapoor earned Ray her first taste of public attention.A subsequent meeting with Maureen Wadia, editor of Indian fashion magazine Gladrags, resulted in an iconic swimsuit cover that catapulted Ray to nationwide fame in India. "Most of my most fulfilling professional moments came to me via serendipity", Ray later wrote.

By the time the Gladrags cover broke, Ray was already back in Toronto ready to begin university. Her plans were thwarted after a tragic auto accident that would consign her mother to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Ray returned to India and went on to become one of the country's first supermodels, and the face of Lakmé and Bombay Dyeing. Ray would later acknowledge this coinciding of professional triumph and personal tragedy as a recurring theme in her life. "I have come to recognise that every major turning point in my life is preceded by pain", she wrote in Femina in 2016.

As one of India's most successful cover models, Ray would subsequently lend her face to iconic global brands such as L’Oréal, MasterCard, De Beers and Rado. A Times of India poll named her the "ninth most beautiful woman of the millennium," the only model in the top ten. She co-anchored the TV show Star Biz on Star Movies and appeared in a music video for Afreen Afreen, an iconic ghazal written by renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar, and composed and performed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
2001–2009

Lisa Ray being interviewed on The Hour

After turning down a number of roles, Ray made her Indian Film Industry debut in 2001 with the Hindi film Kasoor, opposite Aftab Shivdasani, in which her voice was dubbed by Divya Dutta, because she could not speak Hindi. In spite of that, her performance received positive reviews. Her work in the film also caught the eye of Deepa Mehta, who cast her in the romantic Indian-Canadian romp Bollywood/Hollywood in 2002.

Realizing that acting was something that she wanted to pursue more seriously, Ray moved to London to concentrate on a career in the performing arts. While there, Ray studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama, the London Centre for Theatre Studies, the Desmond Jones school of Physical Theatre, and BADA. She graduated from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA), in 2004, with a post-graduate degree in acting. While studying, Ray made a conscious effort to not accept any film offers until she had graduated. However, while still at ALRA, she received another call from Deepa Mehta, who made her an offer she simply could not refuse—the lead role of Kalyani in Mehta's much-anticipated, and eventually highly controversial, feature, Water. In the film, Lisa spoke her lines in Hindi, although her voice was dubbed in the final cut. Water released in 2005 to both national and global critical acclaim, with the venerable Roger Ebert describing it as "lovely in the way Satyajit Ray's films are lovely",

Ray has since worked in productions from Canada, Europe, and the United States. Past roles include a farm girl in All Hat, a school teacher in A Stone's Throw, and a housewife in 1950s-apartheid South Africa in The World Unseen. In 2008 Ray starred, alongside Sheetal Sheth and Amber Rose Revah, in the Shamim Sarif directed British romantic comedy I Can't Think Straight that went on to win awards in queer film festivals worldwide, including Dallas OUT TAKES, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film festival.

After graduation, Ray based herself out of Milan, Paris, and New York from 2004–2008, returning to Toronto upon her mother's death in late 2008. In 2007, Ray completed filming for Kill Kill Faster Faster, which is a contemporary film noir inspired by the critically acclaimed novel of the same name, by Joel Rose. She guest-starred in a 2009 episode of the USA Network series Psych, and appeared in Woody Harrelson starrer Canadian-American superhero film Defendor. Also in 2009, she starred in the Deepa and Dilip Mehta comedy Cooking with Stella.

Appearing at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival in support of the film, Ray revealed that she had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
2010s

On Christmas in 2009, Ray received a stem cell transplant to treat her rare cancer. In April 2010, she announced she was cancer-free due to the transplant. She gave a candid interview on her personal cancer trauma and surviving it, appearing on the cover of the 2010 anniversary issue of the Indian men's luxury magazine The Man.

2010 saw Ray in UniGlobe Entertainment's cancer docu-drama titled 1 a Minute. The documentary was made by Namrata Singh Gujral and featured cancer survivors Olivia Newton-John, Diahann Carroll, Melissa Etheridge, Mumtaz, Bárbara Mori and Jaclyn Smith, as well as William Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, and Priya Dutt, whose lives have been touched by cancer. The feature was narrated by Kelly McGillis.

On 5 July 2010, Ray hosted an informal lunch for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their visit to Toronto.

In 2011, Ray acted in the acclaimed stage play Taj, opposite Kabir Bedi at Luminato Festival, Toronto's International Festival of Arts and Ideas. Written by celebrated Canadian playwright John Murrell, Taj combined poetry, music, theatre, and the Indian classical dance form kathak. The production was described by The Globe and Mail critic Deirdre Kelly "as luminous and poignant as the building that inspired it".

In the same year, Ray appeared in Craig Goodwill's award-winning fantasy drama short Patch Town, and a season 4 episode of Canadian Television period crime drama series Murdoch Mysteries, titled The Black Hand.

She presented the 2011 IIFA Awards in Toronto, and was a co-presenter the 2011 Giller Prize along with singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado and roots rock guitar legend Robbie Robertson.

Also in 2011, Ray appeared as host and travel guide on Oh My Gold, a five part series on Discovery Travel and Living, now TLC India.

In 2012, Ray began hosting season two of Top Chef Canada, Food Network Canada's highest rated series. The season premiered in March 2012.

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2012, Ray remarked, "I think every film that I’ve done so far has been a turning point because I experimented with each one and grew professionally. The movies I chose, dealt with a lot of thought-provoking subjects.

In 2016, Ray starred in Ram Gopal Varma's Veerappan. She also played a crucial supporting role in 2017’s Dobaara, the official Bollywood adaptation of supernatural horror film Oculus.

Ray currently appears as part of an ensemble cast in the Amazon Prime Video web series Four More Shots Please After a successful first season aired in over 200 countries and region, the series is slated to return for a second season.
Personal life

On 23 June 2009, Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the white blood cells known as plasma cells, which produce antibodies. It is a rare disease. In April 2010, she announced that she was cancer-free, after an autologous stem cell transplant using her own stem cells. As multiple myeloma is an incurable disease, Ray is not completely cured of the disease.

In February 2012, Ray announced her engagement to management consultant Jason Dehni. On 20 October 2012, Ray and Dehni (then a banking executive) were married in California's Napa Valley.

In September 2018, Ray announced that she and her husband became parents to twin daughters via surrogacy, in June 2018.

Philanthropy
2009 : 5K Your Way Walk/Run, MMWalk for the Cure
2009 : Plan Canada's 'Because I Am A Girl' campaign
2010 : Plan Canada's 'Because I Am A Girl' campaign
2010 : "1 a Minute", to inspire women and give them hope
2010 : Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness
2011 : 'Make Myeloma Matter' media campaign
2011 : Artbound, in support of Free The Children
2011 : GIRL 20 SUMMIT
2012 : BE FAIR 2 RARE
2012 : Wellspring Cancer 'Graduate' Fashion show
2012 : "Rhythm and Soul"-THE SPARK GALA 2012, to Ignite A Child's Potential
2012 : Run or Walk, MM5K
2012 : Plan Canada's 'Because I Am A Girl' campaign
2012 : Ambassador for Pantene Beautiful Lengths campaign in Canada
Ambassador
Brand ambassador of Rado (watches) in India
Lisa named Ambassador for 'Pantene Beautiful Lengths' Campaign

Leela Chitnis
Wikipedia
Leela Chitnis
Born
Leela Nagarkar
9 September 1909

Died 14 July 2003 (aged 93)

Occupation Film actor, theatre actor
Years active 1930s-1980s

Leela Chitnis (née Nagarkar; 9 September 1909 – 14 July 2003) was an actress in the Indian film industry, active from 1930s to 1980s. In her early years she starred as a romantic lead, but she is best remembered for her later roles playing a virtuous and upright mother to leading stars.

Early life

She was born in a Marathi-speaking Brahmin family, in Dharwad, Karnataka. Her father was an English literature professor. She was one of the first educated film actresses. After graduation she joined Natyamanwantar, a progressive theater group that produced plays in her native Marathi language. The group's works were greatly influenced by Ibsen, Shaw and Stanislavsky. With the theatre group, Leela played the lead role in a series of comedies and tragedies and even founded her own repertory.

Career

Chitnis' early stage work included comedy Usna Navra (1934) and with her own film group Udyacha Sansar. She started acting to support her four children. She started as an extra and went on to stunt films.

In Gentleman Daku ("Gentleman Thief") in 1937, Chitnis played a polished crook dressed in male apparel and was publicised in the Times of India as the first graduate society-lady from Maharashtra. By then she had already made her first major mark as an actress on the silver screen. Chitnis worked at Prabhat Pictures, Pune and Ranjit Movietone before going on to be the leading lady in Bombay Talkies.

Specialising in controversial films that challenged accepted societal norms, especially those regarding marriage and the invidious caste system, Bombay Talkies was having limited luck at the box office. But it bounced back with Kangan ("Bangles", 1939), which introduced Chitnis playing the lead role as the adopted daughter of a Hindu priest in love with the son of a local landlord who opposes the relationship and threatens the holy man. Her love, however, stands up to his father's prejudices, an unusual theme for the time, but one that appealed to the public imagination enough to ensure it success at the box office.

With Kangan's success, Leela replaced Bombay Talkies' ravishing leading lady Devika Rani. Leela made a particularly good partner with Devika Rani's leading man Ashok Kumar for a series of box-office hits such as Azad (Free, 1940), Bandhan (Ties, 1940) and Jhoola ("Swing", 1941) that broadly deal with societal issues.. Ashok Kumar was so impressed by her acting abilities that he admitted to having learnt how to speak with his eyes from her. In 1941 Chitnis, at the height of her popularity and glamour, created history of sorts by becoming the first Indian film star to endorse the popular Lux soap brand, a concession then only granted to top Hollywood heroines.

By the mid-1940s her career went downhill as the new leading ladies came in. Leela accepted the reality and in 1948 entered the next, and perhaps most renowned, phase of her career in Shaheed ("Martyr"). Cast as the hero's suffering, ailing mother, she played this role to perfection. For 22 years, Chitnis played the mother of the later leading men including Dilip Kumar, often playing an ailing mother or a mother going through hardships and struggling to bring up her offspring. In fact she created the archetype of the Hindi Film mother, which was continued by later actresses. Leela's maternal histrionics were portrayed in a range of films such as Awaara (The Vagabond, 1951), Ganga Jumna (The Confluence, 1961) and, in 1965, the runaway success Guide, based on the award-winning novel of the same name by R.K. Narayan. She was busy through the 1970s, but cut down her appearances thereafter before taking the final curtain call in Dil Tujhko Diya ("I Give My Heart to You") in 1985. She then emigrated to the United States in the late 1980s to join her children. She died in Danbury, Connecticut at a nursing home, at age 94.

Leela also briefly dabbled in movie-making, producing Kisise Na Kehna ("Don't Tell Anybody", 1942) and directing Aaj ki Baat ("The Talk of Today", 1955). She also wrote and directed a stage adaptation of Somerset Maugham's Sacred Flame and published her autobiography, Chanderi Duniyet, in 1981.

Personal life

Chitnis belonged to the Brahmin caste. However, her father adhered to Brahmo Samaj, a religious movement that rejected caste.

She married a much older man named Dr. Gajanan Yeshwant Chitnis at the age of 15 or 16, and quickly had four children. The couple supported India's struggle for independence from Britain and once risked arrest by harbouring Manabendra Nath Roy, a Marxist freedom fighter. After she divorced her husband, she worked as a school teacher and began acting on stage in melodramas typical of the time. She appeared in several movies, and went through a Bombay university to be hired by a major studio, Bombay Talkies; it hired only college graduates.

She had four sons Manavendra (Meena), Vijaykumar, Ajitkumar and Raj. She lived with her eldest son in Connecticut in United States, until her death. She had three grandchildren then.

Lakshmi Nakshathra
Wikipedia


Lakshmi Nakshathra
Born
Lakshmi Unnikrishnan K
2 September 1991

Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Other names Chinnu
Alma mater

Elijah Institute of Management Studies, Thrissur
Occupation

Television Presenter
Singer
Years active 2007 – present
Parent(s)

Unnikrishnan K
Bindu Unnikrishnan

Lakshmi Unnikrishnan K (born 2 September 1991), better known by her stage name Lakshmi Nakshathra, is an Indian television presenter and radio jockey who works in Malayalam television and stage shows. She is best known for hosting Tamaar Padaar and Star Magic on Flowers TV.

Early life

Lakshmi was born in Koorkenchery, Thrissur, to Unnikrishnan and Bindu Unnikrishnan. She began learning classical music from age seven and has won prizes in acting, monoact, and music competitions in Kerala School Kalolsavam. She completed her schooling from St.Paul's convent school, Kuriachira and I.E.S Public School, Thrissur. In 2009, she joined Christ College, Irinjalakuda for taking Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Functional English, and later joined Elijah Institute of Management Studies (ELIMS), Thrissur for her Master of Business Administration (MBA) post-graduation specialized in Marketing and Human Resource.

Career

She started her career as a Radio Jockey in Red FM in 2007. Lakshmi started her career as a VJ from a cable channel in Thrissur and later selected to host programmes in Jeevan TV (2008) School time which was a programme for school children to showcase their talents and Its "Really Tasty" which was a cookery show specialised in south Indian cuisine. Lakshmi also hosted Onam special programme in Amrita TV which was named as "Campus Onakkalam", "Chit chat" in WE Channel where she interviewed leading actors and actresses of south India, "Dew drops (2009)" in WE channel, which was a popular Malayalam television, Live phone-in-programme which laid a milestone in her career as an anchor. 

Lissy (Actress) 

Date of Birth December 30, 1967
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Eye Color Dark Brown

Lissy is a former Indian former actress who is best known for being the filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Priyadarshan’s wife and the mother of rising actress Kalyani Priyadarshan. Besides that, Lissy earned quite the prominence as an actress and appeared mostly in Tamil and Telugu films. With time, she has also amassed a huge fan base with more than 1.5 million followers on Facebook.
Born Name

Lissy Lakshmi
Nick Name

LissyLissy Lakshmi as seen in a close-up selfie taken in February 2015 (Lissy Lakshmi / Facebook)

Age

Lissy is currently 53 according to her birthdate December 30, 1967
Sun Sign

Capricorn
Born Place

Pazhanganad, Pukkattupadi, Kochi, Kerala, India
Residence

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Education

Lissy completed her schooling from St. Teresa’s School. Later, she enrolled at St. Teresa’s College. However, she had to drop out in order to focus on her acting career.
Occupation

Former Actress
Family
Father – Nellikaattil Pappachan
Mother – Aleyamma

Boyfriend / Spouse

Lissy’s name has been linked with –
Priyadarshan (1990-2014) – The couple got married to one another on December 13, 1990, and have 2 children, a girl named, Kalyani Priyadarshan (b. April 5, 1992) and a son named, Siddharth Priyadarshan. On December 1, 2014, she legally filed for divorce at a Chennai based family court. After being married for 24 years, the couple was finally granted a legal divorce on September 1, 2016.
Lissy Lakshmi as seen in a picture taken with legendary actor Rajinikanth in January 2016 (Lissy Lakshmi / Facebook)
Race / Ethnicity

Asian (Indian)

Hair Color

Dark Brown
Eye Color

Dark Brown
Distinctive Features
Curvaceous physique
Prominent smile
Plush lips
Lissy Lakshmi as seen in a picture taken on the day of Christmas in December 2019 (Lissy Lakshmi / Facebook)
Religion

ChristianityLissy Lakshmi as seen in a picture taken in October 2018 (Lissy Lakshmi / Facebook)

Lissy Facts
She was brought up as a roman catholic in Kerala and is the only child of her parents.
Growing up, she saw tough times as her parents had decided to part ways and she was taken care of by her mother Aleyamma.
She did both her schooling and also completed her college from Christian institutions.
Lissy was an A grader and also attained applaudable results during her exams for the secondary school leaving certificate.
She was preparing for her pre-university when she began acting at the age of 16.
Lissy made her debut theatrical film appearance as Latha alongside various stars like Balachandra Menon and Poornima Jayaram in the film Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam in 1982.
Initially, Lissy had no interest in pursuing acting as a career option and wanted to complete her studies. However, It was her mother who motivated her to pursue acting.
From 1981 to 1989, she had starred in more than 60 Malayalam films, 3 Tamil films, and a single Telugu language film.
She started her eponymous Facebook account in 2012. It is also the only social media account that she uses to connect to her fans.
After getting married, Lissy gave up her acting career and took up the named Lissy Lakshmi as part of religious purposes.
In the year 2013, Lissy was awarded the Shree Ratna Award by the Kerala Kalakendram.
She was chosen by Jaguar as the “Woman Achiever of the Year 2013” in Chennai.
Until 2017, Lissy faced an ongoing legal battle that was filed by a man named Nellikkattil Varkey who was supposed to be her father who had abandoned her and her mother. However, the case was put to an end as a result of his death.
After almost 2 decades of leaving the silver screen, Lissy returned to acting with the film Chal Mohan Ranga in 2018.
She was announced as part of the cast of the 2019 film 2 States that was based on the novel written by Chetan Bhagat.

Lakshmy Ramakrishnan
Wikipedia
Lakshmy Ramakrishnan
Ramakrishnan in 2017
Born
Kerala, India 29 December 1965
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, screenwriter, director fashion designer
Years active 2006–present
Spouse(s) Ramakrishnan

Lakshmy Ramakrishnan is an Indian actress, director and philanthropist. She made her debut in the Malayalam film Chakkara Muthu (2006), and has since appeared primarily in supporting roles in Tamil films.

Personal life

Lakshmy was born and raised in a Tamil Brahmin family at Palakkad, Kerala She got engaged at the age of 16 and got married when she was 18 years old.

Career

Fashion designer by qualification and event manager by profession, Lakshmy Ramakrishnan is an entrepreneur. She ran her event management business in Muscat, Oman from 1992 to 2001, before returning to India and acting and directing films. Director A. K. Lohithadas wanted to use Ramakrishnan's house for shooting one of his Malayalam films and offered her a supporting role in his next. Karu Pazhaniappan's Pirivom Santhippom (2008) in which she played the character of Sneha's mother was her first Tamil film, following which she played supporting roles in numerous films. She portrayed an angry mother who wants to avenge her daughter's death in Mysskin's Yuddham Sei (2011), and received rave reviews. She also tonsured her head for the "once-in-a-lifetime role".

She has worked in television shows. She acted in the serial Aval in STAR Vijay and hosted 1500 episodes of the reality show Solvathellam Unmai in Zee Tamil.She has featured in more than 25 TV Commercials.

In 2012, she completed her first feature film, Aarohanam, acclaimed for the sensitive portrayal of mental illness, which received a Special Jury award at the 7th Vijay Awards. Her 4th directorial venture, House Owner, has been selected as one of the only two Tamil movies to be screened at the flagship component of the IFFI, Indian Panorama (Goa, 2019).

Laila Samad

Laila Samad (1928–1989) was a distinguished Bangladeshi journalist, writer, and actress, renowned for her significant contributions to Bengali literature and theater.

Early Life and Education

Born on April 3, 1928, in Kolkata, British India, Laila Samad was the daughter of Khan Bahadur Aminul Haque, a government official, and Tahmina Haque, a descendant of Sher Shah's chief commander, Daniel Khan. She attended Sakhawat Memorial School and Nari Shikshika Mandir, later studying at Lady Brabourne College and Ashutosh College. In 1946, she married Mirza Abdus Samad, a Communist Party worker, and moved to Dhaka. She completed her M.A. in journalism from the University of Calcutta in 1959, securing first-class honors.

en.banglapedia.org

Career

Samad began her journalism career in 1950 with the magazine Begum. She worked at The Daily Sangbad (1951–1954), Anannya (1954–1958), and Bichitra (1970). Her literary works include short stories like Duhsvapner Andhakare (1975) and Kuyashar Nadi (1965), juvenile literature such as Sola Desher Sola Kahini (1979), and diaries like Karcha '71 (1975). She also wrote a travelogue, Juktarastrer Din (1985), and a drama, Bichitra (1960).

en.banglapedia.org

In the 1950s, Samad actively participated in stage dramas, including Jabanbandi (1951), Chhenratar (1953), and Kafer (1954). She produced and directed plays such as Buda Saliker Ghade Roun, Red Lantern O White Haired Girl, and Ma. She was a founding member of the Charoni drama group and the Dhaka Cine Club.

en.banglapedia.org

Awards and Recognition

In 1981, Samad received the Bangla Academy Literary Award from the Government of Bangladesh. She was also honored with the Nurunnesa Khatun Vidyavinodini Gold Medal, the Lekhika Sangha Award (1977), the Sufi Motahar Hossain Gold Medal (1979), and the Hasan Hafizur Rahman Gold Medal.

en.banglapedia.org

Legacy

Laila Samad passed away on August 10, 1989, in Dhaka. In her honor, the Dhaka Ladies Club established the Laila Samad Award to recognize outstanding contributions in literature and culture.

en.banglapedia.org

Lil' Kim
(Wikipedia)


Lil' Kim

Kimberly Denise Jones
July 11, 1974 
New York City, U.S.
Other names Queen Bee
Occupation
Rapper
actress
model
television personality
Years active 1994–present
Children 1
Awards Full list
Musical career
Genres Hip hop
Labels
Undeas
Associated acts
Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Kimberly Denise Jones (born July 11, 1974 or 1975), better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper, actress, model, and reality television personality. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, she lived much of her adolescent life on the streets after being expelled from home. In her teens, Jones would freestyle rap, influenced by fellow female hip hop artists like MC Lyte and The Lady of Rage. In 1994, she was discovered by fellow rapper The Notorious B.I.G., who invited her to join his group Junior M.A.F.I.A.; their debut album, Conspiracy, generated two top 20 singles in the United States and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Lil' Kim's debut studio album, Hard Core (1996) was certified double platinum, has since sold more than six million copies worldwide, and spawned three successful singles: "No Time", "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)", and "Crush on You". Her following albums, The Notorious K.I.M. (2000) and La Bella Mafia (2003) were also certified platinum. In 2001, she was featured on the single "Lady Marmalade" (a remake of the 1974 hit single of the same name, originally recorded by LaBelle), alongside Mýa, Pink, and Christina Aguilera, which topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Other notable singles from this period include "The Jump Off" and "Magic Stick", the latter of which reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kim's 2nd-highest-charting single as a lead artist.

In 2005, Lil' Kim served a one-year prison sentence for lying to a jury about her friends' involvement in a shooting four years earlier. During her incarceration, her fourth album, The Naked Truth, was released to positive reviews from critics. A reality series covering her sentence, Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, premiered on BET in 2006. She released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T., in 2008 and returned to the public eye in 2009 with an appearance on Dancing with the Stars. Throughout the 2010s, she continued to release music and perform sporadically, collaborating with artists such as Faith Evans, Remy Ma, and Fabolous. Her fifth studio album, 9, was released in 2019.

Lil' Kim has sold more than 15 million albums and 30 million singles worldwide. Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang", and "Not Tonight (Ladies Night)" were each listed on Complex's list of the 50 Best Rap Songs By Women. In 2012, Lil' Kim was listed on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music list at number 45, the second highest position for a solo female hip-hop artist. Aside from music, Lil' Kim is also known for her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion that inspired many artists; she has been cited as a fashion icon. She has been noted for helping females embrace their "sexuality and femininity" in a way that was a stark contrast at the time from other female artists.

Life and career
Early life and career beginnings

Jones was born in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, the second child of Linwood Jones, a former U.S. Marine, and Ruby Jones (later Ruby Jones-Mitchell). She has one older brother named Christopher.As a child, Jones attended Queen of All Saints Elementary School in Brooklyn. At the age of 9, her parents separated, and Jones was raised by her father, with whom she had a tumultuous relationship. After being kicked out of her house by her father, Jones dropped out of high school and began living out on the streets.

As a teenager, Jones met Christopher Wallace, known professionally as The Notorious B.I.G., who was a key figure in both her personal and artistic life, particularly after Wallace gained popularity and influence through his relationship with Bad Boy Records, founded by Sean "Puffy" Combs. Jones attended Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School for two and a half years. Many of her friends also went there, and they would all often skip school to hang out with each other. Since she was not completing her school work, the decision was made for her to transfer to Brooklyn College Academy to finish her remaining year and half of high school. This was the same school that fellow rappers Nas and Foxy Brown attended.

In 1994, B.I.G. was instrumental in introducing and promoting the Brooklyn-based group Junior M.A.F.I.A., which included Jones, who adopted the stage name Lil' Kim and was 19 at the time. The group's album, Conspiracy, was released to mediocre reviews and moderate sales on August 29, 1995, but debuted at number eight on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release. Wallace wrote and ghostwrote most of the album's material Three hit singles came from Conspiracy: "Player's Anthem", "I Need You Tonight", and "Get Money". The RIAA certified Conspiracy gold on December 6, 1995. "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money" were certified gold and platinum respectively. Lil' Kim's increasing popularity as a member of Junior M.A.F.I.A. allowed her to start a solo career shortly after the Conspiracy album was released, and she began working on what would become her debut album Hard Core by late 1995.

1996–2002: Hard Core and The Notorious K.I.M.

After a year with Junior M.A.F.I.A., Lil' Kim began her solo career by making guest performances on R&B albums and recording her debut album, Hard Core, which was released in November 1996. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut for a female rap album at that time, and number 3 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 78,000 copies in its first week of release and has sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Hard Core was certified double platinum by the RIAA on March 14, 2001, after having been certified gold on January 6, 1997, and platinum on June 3, 1997. The album's lead single "No Time", a duet with Combs, reached the top spot of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. The following single was "Crush on You", a remixed version of the track that appeared on Hard Core. A remix of the album's track "Not Tonight" saw Lil' Kim team up with Missy Elliott, Angie Martinez, Da Brat and Left Eye of TLC with the song peaking at 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was part of the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence movie Nothing to Lose, nominated for a Grammy Award, and certified platinum. In one stockholders' meeting of Warner Bros. Records, activist C. Delores Tucker criticized the label "for producing this filth", referring to perceived graphic sexual content in Lil' Kim's lyrics, and labeling them "gangsta porno rap". In 1997, Lil' Kim promoted Hard Core by performing on P. Diddy's "No Way Out" tour. The tour continued through to 1998 and became one of the highest grossing hip-hop tours of all time, grossing an estimated $16 million. That same year, she launched her own label Queen Bee Entertainment. From 1998 to 2000, Lil' Kim continued working under the management of B.I.G.'s best friend, Damion "D-Roc" Butler's "Roc Management", touring and modeling for various fashion and pop culture companies including Candie's, Versace, Iceberg, and Baby Phat.

On June 27, 2000, Lil' Kim released her second album The Notorious K.I.M. The album marked a new image and revamped look for the rapper. Despite the limited success of its singles, the album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 229,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the RIAA, four weeks after its release. It was on this LP that the well-known hip-hop feud between Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown escalated. In 2001, Lil' Kim teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Mýa to remake "Lady Marmalade", which was originally written about a bordello in New Orleans and performed by the group Labelle (which included diva Patti LaBelle) 25 years earlier. The song was recorded for the Moulin Rouge! film soundtrack, released in April 2001, and stayed number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks. The song also went to number 1 in 50 countries around the world. This was a big accomplishment for female rap, as well as for Lil' Kim, who scored her first number 1 Hot 100 hit[citation needed] and became the second solo female rapper in history to hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. "Lady Marmalade" also garnered Lil' Kim her first Grammy Award. The second single, "Kimnotyze", was released as the lead single of record producer DJ Tomekk's compilation album Beat Of Life, Vol 1. It was released in Switzerland, Austria and Germany only. The song was successful, becoming Lil' Kim's third consecutive top 10 hit in Germany after her number 5 hit "Lady Marmalade".

In 2002, Lil' Kim recorded a new entrance theme for then World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Women's Champion Trish Stratus entitled "Time to Rock 'n Roll", which was used during broadcasts, until Stratus' retirement. The single was released on WWE Anthology, a compilation of entrance theme music to various professional wrestling superstars. Lil' Kim released the song "Whats The Word" in mid-2002. Despite not having an official release, it went on to peak at number 9 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart. It would later be released on the Japan edition of her third studio album, La Bella Mafia, as a bonus track.
2003–2005: La Bella Mafia

On March 4, 2003, Lil' Kim released her third studio album, La Bella Mafia. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 166,000 copies in its first week, giving Lil' Kim her second consecutive top 5 album. The album received generally positive reviews from critics, receiving a score of 65 on Metacritic. A buzz single, "Came Back For You", was released ahead of the album, the music video for the song featured reality television personality Victoria Gotti. The first single, "The Jump Off", featuring Mr. Cheeks, peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Follow up single, "Magic Stick", featuring 50 Cent, peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks. The song did not have a commercial release or a music video, but was successful due to high radio airplay, peaking at number one on the Billboard Airplay chart. A third US only single, "Thug Luv", featuring Twista, was released in the last quarter of 2003 at peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album was certified platinum in the US, selling over 1.1 million copies. Lil' Kim promoted the album with a string of concerts, which also featured DMX and Nas. Lil' Kim was nominated for five Source Awards and won two ("Female Hip-Hop Artist of the Year", and "Female Single of the Year"). The album also got two Grammy Award nominations for Best Female Rap Solo Performance ("Came Back For You") and Best Rap Collaboration ("Magic Stick"). She was also nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with singer Christina Aguilera for the song "Can't Hold Us Down", from Aguilera's album Stripped.

Greg Thomas, an English professor at Syracuse University, began teaching "Hip-Hop Eshu: Queen B@#$H Lyricism 101". Lil' Kim herself was a guest speaker at the school. Professor Thomas considered Lil' Kim's lyrics "the art with the most profound sexual politics I've ever seen anywhere." David Horowitz criticized the course as "academic degeneracy and decline". Lil' Kim also made an appearance on the multi-platform videogame Def Jam: Fight for NY. Lil' Kim provided voice-overs for her part in the storyline, where the player may fight an opponent to have Lil' Kim as their girlfriend. In 2004, Lil' Kim recorded a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" which was used as the opening theme for Victoria Gotti's reality series Growing Up Gotti. The same year Lil' Kim was featured on the remix of "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé. In December 2004, Lil' Kim began recording a pilot for a VH1 reality show titled 718 Makeover. The 718 in the title is the area code for Brooklyn, where Lil' Kim grew up. The show did not make it to air.

2005–2008: The Naked Truth and Ms. G.O.A.T
Lil' Kim performing at Way Out West festival, 2008

Lil' Kim released her fourth album, The Naked Truth, on September 27, 2005, while serving a federal prison sentence. It earned her a 5 mic rating from The Source, making her the only female rapper to ever receive a 5 mic rating. The album debuted at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 109,000 copies in its first week of release, giving Lil' Kim her third top 10 debut on the chart. The Naked Truth did not sell as well as her previous works, it only managed to reach a gold certification by RIAA. She said that her prison sentence left her with no time to promote the project. The music video for The Naked Truth's first single, "Lighters Up", was number one on BET's 106 & Park for two weeks. "Lighters Up" was a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The single also reached number. 67 on the German Single Chart, number 12 on the UK Top 75 and number 4 on the Finland Single Chart. The second single, "Whoa" was released on February 17, 2006. It reached number 22 on Airplay.

On March 9, 2006, BET premiered the show Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown, which was filmed before Lil' Kim headed to prison. The show became the highest rated premiere in BET history, averaging 1.9 million viewers. In May 2006, Debbie Harry released a song in tribute to Lil' Kim called "Dirty and Deep" in protest of her conviction. The song was available for free from her official website. Dance Remixes, her first compilation album, was released on June 6, 2006. The album featured remixes of songs from The Naked Truth and Hard Core. A limited pressing released only in the US, it received no promotion, due to Lil' Kim being in prison at the time of release, and failed to chart. On August 31, 2006, Lil' Kim presented the award for Best Male Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, it marked her first televised appearance since being released from prison. She also made appearances on the show The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious in 2007 and 2008 as a judge.

In January 2008, Lil' Kim announced that she had parted ways with Atlantic Records, choosing to release future projects independently. She stated she had no hard feelings towards Atlantic but felt more comfortable in her knowledge of the music business to do it alone Lil' Kim released her first mixtape, Ms. G.O.A.T., an acronym for "Greatest of All Time", on June 3, 2008. It was produced by New York City DJs Mister Cee and DJ Whoo Kid. Among critics, the mixtape received generally positive reviews. It has been called a representation of Lil' Kim's return to the streets. Tito Salinas of All Hip Hop says "Lil' Kim shows that her time behind bars did not rust all of her swag away" on Ms. G.O.A.T. On the other hand, Ehren Gresehover of New York Mag says that although one of the tracks "The Miseducation of Lil' Kim" is not bad, he wished that it was Lauryn Hill who was making a comeback instead.

2009–2011: Dancing with the Stars and Black Friday

On March 10, 2009, the song "Girls" by Korean singer Seven featuring Lil' Kim was released through digital stores as his U.S. debut single. Lil' Kim appeared in the music video that was released on the same day. "Girls" was produced by Darkchild. On March 24, 2009, she released the song "Download" featuring R&B singers T-Pain and Charlie Wilson. It was written by Lil' Kim and T-Pain and produced by Trackmasters. The song samples "Computer Love" by Zapp. Although it missed the Hot 100, it did chart on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 21.

Lil' Kim appeared on the eighth season of reality series Dancing with the Stars, which began airing on March 9, 2009. She was paired with professional dancer Derek Hough until the dance couple was eliminated on May 5, 2009, against Ty Murray and his partner Chelsie Hightower, putting her at fifth place from all thirteen contestants that season. Her elimination was met by many boos from the audience, as she was a consistent high-scorer and a fan favorite.

On February 16, 2010, the Ludacris song "Hey Ho", which featured Lil' Kim and Lil Fate, was released as a promo single for his seventh studio album Battle of the Sexes. In June 2010, Lil' Kim started her 2010 Tour, her first headlining tour since 2000. It took her across the US, as well as Canada and Europe.

Lil' Kim released her second mixtape, Black Friday, on February 14, 2011. The video for the title track was released on February 16, 2011. The mixtape received mostly negative reviews from critics. It was made available for purchase via PayPal. In May 2011, Lil' Kim performed in South Africa as part of the music festival ZarFest alongside Fat Joe, Timbaland and Ciara.[53] On June 19, 2011, Lil' Kim performed alongside G-Unit member Shawty Lo and hinted a possible working relationship with G-Unit Records. That same month the song Lil' Kim, along with Rick Ross, was featured on titled "Anything (To Find You)", by R&B singer Monica was leaked. The song, which samples The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Who Shot Ya?", initially featured just Lil' Kim, but her second verse was removed to make room for Ross. Her vocals were then removed fully due to contractual issues with B.I.G.'s estate.[54] In August 2011, Lil' Kim performed four dates in Australia as part of the WinterBeatz Festival alongside Fabolous, Mario, 50 Cent and G-Unit. During the August, 17 date in Perth, she joined 50 Cent on stage for a performance of "Magic Stick". It marked the first time the pair had performed the song together.[55] On November 28, 2011, Lil' Kim released a buzz single called "I Am Not the One". She also announced that she would release an EP, but it was later shelved for unknown reasons.

2012–2016: Hardcore Mixtape and Lil' Kim Season

In the summer of 2011, Lil' Kim began recording material for her fifth studio album, as a restriction banning her from releasing new material as a result of her settlement with Trackmasters was lifted. On Valentine's Day, 2012, Lil' Kim released the song "If You Love Me" produced by Prince Saheb of Knockout Entertainment as a gift to her fans. That same month it was announced she would make her return to the stage on BET's Rip the Runway.It marked her first televised performance in years. In March 2012, during an interview with MTV's Sucker Free, Lil' Kim revealed that contract issues with production duo Trackmasters were the reason behind her album delay, saying "...contractually, by the courts, I could not record any music – I wasn't supposed to put any music out." On March 23, 2012, the song "Keys to the City", a collaboration with Young Jeezy, was leaked to the Internet. Lil' Kim first mentioned the song during an interview with MTV's RapFix, saying "I have a song with another celebrity person that I know the world and my fans are gonna love... It's vintage Kim mixed with the new Kim." During the same RapFix interview, Lil' Kim also revealed another song, titled "I'm Ready", which she hopes to do with rapper 50 Cent. Lil' Kim also commented on the direction of her music, saying she was in "Kanye West mode", adding "...You do whatever you want to do ...it's all about taking chances". Lil' Kim kicked off her Return of the Queen Tour on May 17, 2012, to positive reviews. In a radio interview at 99 Jamz, Lil' Kim stated that her upcoming book, The Price of Loyalty, is on hold to coincide with the release of her new album. During an interview with XXL on April 26, 2013, Lil' Kim revealed that she does not have a name for the album yet, but the first official single would be out by mid year. Lil' Kim described the single, produced by Bangladesh, as "different" and "sweet dessert". On July 11, 2013, Lil' Kim released the Rockwilder-produced single "Looks Like Money" as a free download to her fans on her birthday.

On July 26, 2013, Lil' Kim announced and released the cover art for a new mixtape entitled Hard Core 2K13, which will also serve as a sequel to her critically acclaimed debut album, Hard Core. The mixtape was originally set to be released on October 31, 2013, but for unknown reasons, was pushed back. To make up for not releasing the mixtape, Lil' Kim released the singles "Dead Gal Walking" and "Kimmy Blanco" to the public, along with the track list. The track list revealed collaborations with French Montana, Miley Cyrus, Jadakiss, and Yo Gotti.

On August 2, 2014, Lil' Kim announced via her Twitter page that she would be launching a concert tour to promote her forthcoming Hard Core Mixtape. Throughout the remainder of the month of August, Lil' Kim released a number of remixes to popular songs, including a remix to Beyoncé's and Nicki Minaj's collaboration of "Flawless", seemingly as a diss to Minaj, reigniting the rap feud between the two rappers.

On September 11, 2014, the Hard Core mixtape was released as free download on Kim's official website. In an interview with Revolt TV on the same day, Lil' Kim revealed that she, Iggy Azalea, and T.I. would be collaborating on a song sometime in the future, saying "I don't know if it's going to be for my album or if we're just going to…we have other plans for it as well. But, I think we're going to do a double release." In the same interview, she explained the reasons why the mixtape was pushed back twice, stating "When this project was supposed to come out I had got pregnant. I didn't know. [...] Once I became fully pregnant, I was working in the studio but at one point I couldn't work anymore, obviously".

In 2016, Lil' Kim's fourth mixtape Lil Kim Season was released. On the mixtape, she freestyles over several popular beats, Drake's "Summer Sixteen", Rihanna's "Work", and Desiigner's "Panda". Upon release, the mixtape received mixed reviews from critics.Jen Yamato from The Daily Beast wrote, "if anything, Lil Kim Season indicates that Kim's got her sights set on returning in a big way—and that she's collecting collaborators who might help her achieve it."

2017–present: Girls Cruise and 9

In February 2017, Lil' Kim announced via her Instagram account and an interview that she is working on a new album set to be released in 2019. Lil' Kim was featured on the song "Lovin You for Life" from the album The King & I, by singer Faith Evans, which was released on May 19, 2017. That same month, Lil' Kim along with Eve and Trina was featured on the remix of "I'm Better" by Missy Elliott. In November, Lil' Kim released a promotional single "Took Us a Break", and was featured on the song "Wake Me Up" by rapper Remy Ma. In March 2018, Lil' Kim released another promotional single "Spicy" featured rapper Fabolous.

On July 11, 2018, Lil' Kim released the single "Nasty One" which was anticipated to be a single from her highly anticipated album (the track would later go on to not be included). That same day during an interview with Billboard, Lil' Kim revealed that her upcoming album would be released in November 2018. A remix for the single was released on October 26, 2018, and featured Kranium, HoodCelebrityy, and Stefflon Don. In September 2018, it was revealed that the debut single for her album, titled "Go Awff" would be released at a later date. The song was eventually released on February 15, 2019. That same month, Kim was spotted in Barbados with fellow hip hop stars Mýa and Chilli, friends Char DeFrancesco (husband to Marc Jacobs one of Kim's best friends) and Tiffany, as well as MTV personalities Pretty Vee and B. Simone from MTV's Wild 'n Out. It was later revealed that this was part of a reality show titled Girls Cruise to be broadcast on VH1, of which Kim would serve as an executive producer. The show followed the group as they set sail to embark on a 10-day cruise in the Caribbean visiting the countries of Barbados and Trinidad just in time for Carnival festivities and also documented the group's bonding and new friendships with one another. The show premiered on July 15 with approximately 1.2 million viewers and ran for 11 episodes. It is unclear if there will be an upcoming season of the series.

In March 2019, Kim revealed that her new album would be titled 9 and added "There's a lot of meaning behind that." Later that month, she announced that the album would be released on May 17, 2019. After a minor setback with her record label, eOne Music, that caused the album not be released on the original planned date, the project was postponed. On September 27, 2019, Kim released a second single titled "Found You" featuring City Girls and O.T. Genasis. The album later became available for pre-order on all digital-download platforms on October 4, 2019 (along with the track "Pray For Me" featuring Rick Ross and Musiq Soulchild) with a release date set for October 11, 2019.

Upon its first week of release, the album charted on the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Album Sales, Digital Albums, Top Albums Sales, Independent Albums and Rap Album Sales. However, the album failed to chart on the Billboard 200 due to selling less than 1,000 copies, and no song from the album landed on the Hot 100 or Bubbling Under. During one of the reunion episodes for Girls Cruise, Kim revealed that the album would be a two-part project, stating "I recorded so many songs. I have a part one and a part two." She also shared that her co-star and Instagram comedian Vena "Pretty Vee" Excell will make an appearance on the record. In October 2019, Kim revealed that she will have a collaboration with Missy Elliott and Paris Hilton on the follow-up to 9. In an interview with Radio 103.9, Kim confirmed that the City Girls would be involved with the follow-up to 9. She also stated that she     "love" to have Pretty Vee host her tour. On her November 8, 2019 appearance on The Real, Kim again confirmed that Paris Hilton and Missy Elliott will appear on 9's follow-up; she said the song "sounds like a classic Missy Elliott record but 'now.'"(1:20

Products and endorsements

In 1998, Lil' Kim signed to Wilhelmina Models. That same year she was announced as the face for the fashion brand Candie's alongside Brandy. She became the first and only rapper to endorse the brand to date. In 2000, Lil' Kim signed a deal with fashion house Iceberg, and also with cosmetics brand MAC to help endorse their VIVA GLAM line of lipsticks and lip glosses alongside Mary J. Blige. The MAC VIVA GLAM III campaign, which was built around a plum-brown lipstick, helped raise $4 million for the company in one year and became the most successful VIVA GLAM campaign to date. Due to the success, the two signed on for a second year. The rapper also modeled for the urban fashion line Baby Phat in August 2000. In March 2001, Lil' Kim, along with several other artists, featured in a commercial for Apple's Mac computers. It highlighted how users can burn custom CD's on their Mac. In 2003, Lil' Kim became the spokesperson for American clothing brand Old Navy. That same year her song "The Jump Off" was used in a commercial for AOL's dial up Internet service.

In 2004, it was announced that Lil' Kim would launch a designer watch collection, titled Royalty by Lil' Kim. Jeweler Jacob Arabo manufactured the watches. She also debuted her first clothing line, entitled Hollyhood. Lil' Kim also lent her voice to the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY which she was featured in In 2005, Lil' Kim collaborated on a shoe line with high end shoe store, Petite Peton. That same year Lil' Kim was featured as a character in the limited edition comic book "The Heist". The book was a collaboration between Marvel and Atlantic Records. In August 2010, Lil' Kim signed a deal with Three Olives Vodka to become the face for their Purple vodka. In September of that same year, Lil' Kim, along with her cousin, Katrise Jones, opened their first beauty salon in Charlotte, North Carolina called Salon Se Swa. That same month, Lil' Kim also launched her second clothing line, entitled 24/7 Goddess Collection, at Charlotte NC Fashion Week. In November 2012, Lil' Kim began endorsing Cîroc vodka, revealing her own cocktail, titled "Queen Bee", and announcing herself as the "First Lady" of the brand.

Philanthropy

In 2000, Lil' Kim embarked on a promo tour in support of her second studio album, The Notorious K.I.M., and the MAC AIDS Fund. She visited MAC cosmetics counters, interacted with fans and help raise money and awareness for the cause, which helps people who are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. She also took part in MAC's Fashion Cares show in Toronto, Canada. The show raised close to one million for the AIDS Committee of Toronto. Her endorsement for MAC, with Mary J. Blige, would go on to raise $4 million for the fund. In October 2001, Lil' Kim was featured on the R&B mix of the song "What's Going On". Lil' Kim, along with several other popular recording artists, released the song under the name "Artists Against AIDS Worldwide", with proceeds going to AIDS programs worldwide and also United Ways September 11th Fund. That same month, Lil' Kim performed at Breathe, a benefit concert for breast cancer research and treatment. Proceeds from the concert went to the UCLA Breast Center and the Breast Examination Center of Harlem, an outreach program of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. On March 12, 2002, Lil' Kim walked her dogs in the 3rd annual "Paws for Style" fashion show. The event is held by Animal Fair magazine as a benefit for the Humane Society of New York. Items worn by the animals were later auctioned off online. In 2004, Lil' Kim started her own foundation called Lil' Kim Cares. The foundation raises funds, resources and awareness for national programs that assist with issues of homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, transitional living, child neglect and violence against women. Speaking about the foundation, Lil' Kim stated she planned to be involved in a number of causes, most of which had affected her personally in past years. On April 17, 2004, Lil' Kim participated in the 28th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. The event helped raise more than $100,000 for "Racing for Kids", a non-profit program benefiting Southern California children's hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County. On August 24, 2004, Lil' Kim encouraged others to vote in the United States presidential election through the Rock the Vote campaign.

On March 10, 2005, Lil' Kim, along with several other artists, appeared in an episode of The Apprentice. Each artist was approached by contestants to donate a "personal experience" to be auctioned off for charity through music channel Fuse's "Daily Download" program with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. In September 2005, Lil' Kim paired up with fashion designer Marc Jacobs for a limited edition T-shirt line featuring images of the rapper. The shirts, titled Marc Jacobs Loves Lil' Kim, were sold exclusively at Marc Jacob stores with 100% of the proceeds going to The Door. That same year Lil' Kim donated a diamond watch from her "Royalty" watch line to the World AIDS Day eBay auction titled "Bid 2 Beat AIDS". Proceeds went to LIFEbeat, an organization providing HIV/AIDS information to millions of young people annually. Through her foundation, Lil' Kim has given back to many, including teaming up with apparel company Mitchell & Ness and boxer Zab Judah to donate toys to underprivileged youth in Philadelphia in 2005, and teaming up with MusiCares in 2007 for a silent auction, held at the Grammys On The Hill ceremony, to help raise funds for the foundation. That same year, Lil' Kim was a part of the 4th Annual Grammy Charity Holiday Auction, which featured a large variety of celebrity-signed memorabilia that people could bid on through the online auction site eBay. On December 1, 2007, Lil' Kim teamed up with Preserve Our Legacy and the New Jersey Stem Cell Research and Education Foundation to put on a celebrity basketball game to raise awareness about various health issues plaguing minority communities.

On July 11, 2010, Lil' Kim launched her signature milkshake, titled "Queen Bee", at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood, with proceeds going towards Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti Foundation. On February 9, 2013, Lil' Kim took part in the first annual Reality On The Runway fashion show. The event wanted to help raise $300,000 for people infected with HIV/AIDS and increase awareness. All designs from the show were auctioned off online following the event with a portion of the proceeds going to AIDS United.

Lil' Kim has been a longtime LGBT advocate and has participated in many gay pride festivals, including the LGBT Pride March in New York City, as well as performing at Atlanta Black Pride and D.C. Black Pride.

Personal life
Jones' home in Alpine, New Jersey

In her teens, Jones dated Shawn Powell. The pair met at the Empire Roller Skating rink in Brooklyn. After a couple of months of seeing each other, Powell was arrested for robbery and was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. Jones and Powell continued their relationship with Jones visiting frequently and kept in touch by writing letters to each other. The couple became engaged while he was incarcerated. During this time, Jones met Christopher Wallace (The Notorious B.I.G.). With Jones focusing on starting her rap career, the engagement to Powell was eventually called off and the couple split. In 1996, during the recording of her debut album, Jones became pregnant with Wallace's child. Jones did not make it public until 1999 during an interview with The Source. Jones decided to terminate the pregnancy. "I already knew the kind of relationship that Biggie and I had, and I knew that [having a child] was something that couldn't take place..." Wallace called Jones three days before his death and told her he loved her. In a 2010 interview with Ed Lover on Power 105, Jones revealed that Wallace assaulted her and she described an incident where he choked her until she passed out. In 2017, Jones admitted her relationship with Wallace was "very violent" after Jermaine Dupri claimed that he witnessed Wallace pull a pistol out on Jones.

On July 23, 1996, Jones was arrested for possession of marijuana after police raided the Teaneck, New Jersey home of Wallace. The arrest came after police smelled marijuana inside the home when they went to ask for someone to move an illegally parked car. Jones denied she was smoking, claiming she was "upstairs all day sleeping". On March 17, 1999, Teaneck police issued an arrest warrant after Jones failed to turn up to court dates stemming from the arrest. The warrant was not a top priority for the police and was not made public until September 2003, after the story was published online by The Smoking Gun. Jones was later removed from Teaneck's wanted list in October 2003, after $350 in bail was posted on her behalf. Jones' attorney told reporters that she did not appear in court as she believed the case had been resolved.

In 2002, Jones started dating Damion "World" Hardy; the couple split in 2003. It was during this time that Jones had been a victim of physical abuse. Jones also stated how she had to have multiple nose jobs due to being punched.

On June 20, 2003, Jones had $250,000 worth of jewelry stolen from her while catching a flight at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after a bag, which she intended to carry on, was mixed up with eight other pieces of her luggage. The missing jewelry was recovered 10 days later, found wrapped up in a rag in a locker room for airline employees by a United Airlines worker.

In 2004, Jones dated record producer Scott Storch. The two met when Storch offered Jones a ride to her hotel. The couple split after 2 months. In 2013, Storch revealed that he would have married Jones if the relationship had worked out. In 2007, Jones and Ray J briefly dated.

On March 17, 2005, Lil' Kim was convicted of three counts of conspiracy and one count of perjury for lying to a Federal grand jury about her and her friends' involvement in a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 studios in Manhattan. During the trial of her co-manager, Damion "D-Roc" Butler, and her bodyguard, Suif "Gutta" Jackson, a former member of the hip hop group Junior M.A.F.I.A, she testified not to have known they were at the scene. However, video footage from a security camera placed all three at the scene, exiting the building. This directly contravened testimony before the grand jury. Butler and Jackson have pleaded guilty to gun charges. Jackson was sentenced to twelve years in federal prison as part of plea bargain in which he admitted to firing at least twenty rounds during the incident. The length of the sentence was said to have been influenced by his previous gun-related convictions. In July 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to one year in prison, thirty days home detention upon release from custody, and three years of probation. She served the entirety of her sentence at the Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia in Center City, Philadelphia. She was released on July 3, 2006, after serving approximately 12 months. Lil' Kim, Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Register #56198-054, was released from BOP supervision on August 2, 2006.

On June 9, 2014, Jones gave birth to a baby girl named Royal Reign.

Jones identifies as a Christian.

Feuds
Foxy Brown

Once high school friends, Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown originally remained close despite becoming associates of clashing hip hop groups Junior M.A.F.I.A. and The Firm, respectively. In 1995, they collaborated with Da Brat for the remix of "No One Else" by Total. The following year, they were featured in the Hot 97 NY Fashion Show, and additionally appeared on the covers of The Source and Vibe. However, their first dispute developed after both of their debut studio albums were scheduled for release a week apart in November 1996. Media outlets additionally noted similarities between the sleeve covers of Lil' Kim' Hard Core and Brown's Ill Na Na, where the two were shown wearing the same outfit. In 1997, the feud led to the deterioration of their friendship, and also resulted in the cancellation of a collaborative album Thelma & Louise. Brown noted that the breakdown of their relationship was influenced by their conflicting entourages. They first attempted a reconciliation in 1998 after Lil' Kim called Brown and her mother after the two were held at gunpoint during a house burglary.

In January 1999, critics noted the track "My Life" from Brown's second studio effort Chyna Doll for being an "open appeal" to Brown's friendship with Lil' Kim, in which she cited the relationship being "lost for pride", but also contradicted herself after making attacks on "pointed mistresses". Critics indicated the records were in subtle use to diss Lil' Kim, especially since during this time, Brown had been supporting Lil' Kim' rival Faith Evans in multiple interviews. In February 1999, a significant part of the media took note of Brown "suddenly sound[ing] 'exactly' like Lil' Kim". In late May 1999, Lil' Cease's "Play Around", featuring Lil' Kim and Diddy, was released to radio airwaves and was set to be featured on Cease's debut The Wonderful World of Cease A Leo. In the song, after Lil' Kim' guest rap, Diddy recites: "Stop trying to sound like her too bitches"; a subliminal diss aimed at Foxy. The line spurred enough controversy that various media sources went on to remark: "It's finally coming out. Foxy Brown bites worse than a pit bull." Additionally, Lil' Kim's guest appearance on Mobb Deep's "Quiet Storm (Remix)" and her second album's title track, "The Notorious K.I.M.", were released as diss records to Foxy Brown. Angered by Lil' Kim' response, Brown collaborated with longtime associates Capone-N-Noreaga on the track, "Bang, Bang." In the track, Brown mimicked Lil' Kim's interpolation of MC Lyte's 10% Dis, and went on to recite: "You and Diddy y'all kill me with that subliminal shit." Towards the ending of her verse, Brown attacked Lil' Kim's grieving for the loss of Biggie Smalls by remarking: "Let the nigga [Biggie] rest in peace, and hop off his dick, bitch do you."

On February 26, 2001, at 3 p.m., when Lil' Kim had left New York radio station Hot 97, a shooting broke out; over twenty shots were fired between two groups of three men. One of the men in the groups was Capone, one-half member of Capone-N-Noreaga, who was entering the Hot 97 building in promotion of interviewer DJ Clue's new album, The Professional 2, which happened to have also featured Lil' Kim. An affiliate, Efrain Ocasio, from Capone's entourage was shot in the back; both parties from Lil' Kim and Capone denied any involvement in the shooting. However, a motive behind the shooting was later determined; detectives informed The New York Daily News that it was a result of the verses Foxy Brown recited in "Bang, Bang".

Shaken up by the incident, Brown tried to reach out to Lil' Kim in hopes of settling a truce. Brown stated, "I really don't know how it started. But Russell [Simmons] and I, we got together, and I said, 'Russell, I want to call a truce.' I want to have a sit-down with Kim. I don't care what it is. Let's just end it. We can even do a collaboration. We're bigger than this. If it has to start with me, let it start with me." Brown extended an olive branch to Lil' Kim' camp, however Lil' Kim had cut all ties with Diddy and Bad Boy associates and wanted no communication with Brown whatsoever. On July 6, 2005, Lil' Kim was sentenced to prison for three counts of perjury and one count of conspiracy.

During the 4-year span leading up to Lil' Kim's sentencing, Brown and Lil' Kim began to exchange subtle diss records towards each other, among them included Lil' Kim' La Bella Mafia, "Quiet", and "Guess Who's Back"; and in turn, Brown's Ill Na Na 2: The Fever and various mixtape freestyles. In the midst of the diss records, Brown was interviewed by Doug Banks in 2003 to disclose any further details pertaining to her dispute with Lil' Kim. Brown claimed that Lil' Kim was allegedly jealous that Biggie was to include Brown in his Junior Mafia collective. Brown also added that a tell-all book disclosing the feud would be released in Christmas of 2003. In her final regards to the dispute, Brown stated: "Kim is the only female artist that keeps me on my toes. She's the only one that I can look at; and any other artist that says they don't have that one person that keeps them driven... is lying."

Following her release from prison, Lil' Kim no longer acknowledged Brown. Brown, on the other hand, has consistently targeted Lil' Kim as a prime basis in her music and concert venues since Lil' Kim's prison release.

On May 17, 2012, Lil' Kim attended an interview with radio show, The Breakfast Club. When asked about whether or not she had spoken to Brown at all in recent years, Lil' Kim replied, "I don't even know her. And when I say that; I don't know who she is to these days. I wouldn't even know what her voice sounds like."

Nicki Minaj

Lil' Kim has been embroiled in a feud with fellow rapper Nicki Minaj since Minaj's success with Pink Friday. With Lil' Kim and media critics noticing resemblances with her on the Sucka Free mixtape, Lil' Kim accused Minaj of copying her image saying, "If you are going to steal my swag, you gonna have to pay. Something gotta give. You help me, I help you. That's how it goes to me." Minaj's single "Roman's Revenge" with Eminem was believed by critics to be a response to Lil' Kim's comments, although at the time she denied this, she responded to the situation in an interview on The Angie Martinez show saying "She picked a fight with Foxy, then she picked a fight with Eve, then she picked a fight with Remy, then it was Mrs. Wallace, then it was Nicki Minaj", said Minaj. "Every time you in the news, it's 'cause you gettin' at somebody! Where's your music? Put your music out, and when I see your name on Billboard, that's when I'll respond to you. Other than that, goodbye. It's Barbie, bitch."

Lil' Kim reignited the feud following the release of her mixtape Black Friday, an album that directly referenced Nicki Minaj, via her debut album title and freestyling on Minaj's songs such as "Did It On'em" (that became "Pissin' On'em"); and with artwork that showed Lil' Kim decapitating Minaj with a sword. A fragment of Minaj's diss track "Tragedy" was released online in April 2011, featuring lyrics "Pink Friday, Eminem, 8 Mile/ It must hurt to sell your album on PayPal." Following the release of Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, critics suggested that the tracks "Stupid Hoe" may have contained attacks at Lil' Kim. Lil' Kim later suggested in an interview with 105's Breakfast Club that the song "Automatic" from Minaj's second album was similar to her unreleased material, also calling Minaj "obnoxious" and "catty".

However, in a 2018 interview with Genius, Minaj alluded to the situation with Lil' Kim, seemingly confirming that the track "Roman's Revenge" was about the feud, saying, "Someone got at me. A veteran got at me, and I hit them with Roman's Revenge and then I kept on going." In 2021, Lil' Kim stated on the red carpet of the BET Awards that she would like to do a Verzuz with Minaj.

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, Lil' Kim has earned numerous honors and awards. Lil' Kim's debut album Hard Core was certified double platinum by the RIAA, and is considered a classic hip-hop album As of 2007, Lil' Kim has sold over 15 million albums worldwide. Her songs "No Time", "Big Momma Thang" and "Ladies Night" were listed on Complex Magazine's "The 50 Best Rap Songs By Women", at number 24, 13, and 7, respectively. Her song "Lady Marmalade" with Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Mýa, is one of the best-selling singles of all time worldwide, with sales of over 5.1 million worldwide. Lady Marmalade went number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making her the first female rapper to have a number one on that chart. The song won a 2002 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals".

Lil' Kim was ranked as one of the top 50 greatest MCs of all time in Kool Moe Dee's 2003 book, There's a God on the Mic. In 2012, Lil' Kim was honorably listed on VH1's "100 Greatest Women In Music" at number 45, making her the fourth highest position for a female rapper. In 2014, Lil' Kim was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop". In 2016, VH1 honored Lil' Kim with VH1 Hip-Hop Honors and WEEN Award honored Kim with Icon Award because of her contribution to hip hop.

In June 2018, Lil' Kim was honored with a proclamation by the New York City Council's Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus (BLAC) as part of the annual African-American Music Appreciation Month for her contributions to hip-hop. Along with the proclamation, she also accepted the New York City 12th Council District Arts and Music Award and the city's Power Of Influence Award.

Legacy

"The idea of female rappers owning their sexuality is nothing new in the modern hip hop landscape. However, this wasn't always the case, and there's arguably one woman to thank -- Lil' Kim ... Before she came out, it was argued that sexy women in hip hop were exploited by the industry, reduced to mere video girls cast to dance around the male breadwinner. Kim reversed this notion, announcing her arrival to hip hop with a provocative promo poster that saw her clad in a leopard print bikini and matching feather-trimmed robe."

—i-D writer Jake Hall.

Lil' Kim's music catalogue features undertones of sex-positive feminism and the importance of female pleasure, instead of the man as the "dominant priority," through explicit lyrics about sex. For NME's editor Jordan Bassett, she "out-filthed the male rappers at every turn." Placing Hard Core at number 80 on their list of "Best Rap Albums of the 90s", Complex staff stated, "when Lil Kim released her debut album—women in hip-hop finally had options, paths to follow and models [...] she was the raunchiest woman you ever heard on the mic," and referred to her as "Hollywood but still hood."

Aside from music, Lil' Kim is also known for her risk-taking and luxurious approach to fashion that inspired many artists; she has been cited as a fashion icon, as well as one of the most influential rappers of all time by various media outlets. Lil' Kim has been cited as an inspiration for designers such as Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Giorgio Armani, according to Vogue. Some artists who have credited Kim as influence include Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kash Doll.


Lalitha (actress)
 Wikipedia
Lalitha
Born
Lalithambika
16 December 1930

Died 1982 (aged 51–52)

Spouse Sivasankaran Nair
Parent(s) Thangappan Pillai
Saraswathi Amma
Relatives Shobana (niece)
Vineeth (nephew)
Sukumari (cousin)

Family Padmini (sister)
Ragini (sister)
Chandran (brother)Krishna (grandson)

Lalitha (16 December 1930 – 1982) was an Indian actress and dancer. She was the eldest of the "Travancore Sisters"—Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini. She started her acting career in the 1948 Tamil film Adhithan Kanavu[3] and has acted in movies of different Indian languages including Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. She entered films before her sisters, concentrating more on Malayalam films, and was mostly cast in vamp roles.

Personal life

She was born to Thangappan Pillai and Saraswathi Amma on 16 December 1930 at Thiruvananthapuram. She is the aunt of actress Shobana. Malayalam actress Ambika Sukumaran is her relative. Actress Sukumari was the trio's maternal first cousin. Malayalam actor Krishna is her grandson


Lakshmi  Lakshmi 


Lakshmi – Indian Actress & Film Producer

  • Full Name: Yaragudipadi Venkata Mahalakshmi
  • Born: 13 December 1952
  • Birthplace: Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
  • Profession: Actress, Producer, Television Host
  • Industry: Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi Cinema
  • Years Active: 1968–present

Early Life & Background

Lakshmi was born into a Tamil Brahmin family in Madras (Chennai). Her father, Yaragudipadi Varada Rao, was a director, and her mother, Rukmini, was an actress. Coming from a film background, she developed a passion for acting from a young age.

Career

Lakshmi is one of the most versatile actresses in Indian cinema, having acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films. She has won several awards, including the National Film Award.

Film Career

Tamil Cinema

Lakshmi made her acting debut in Tamil films in the late 1960s and became a leading actress in the 1970s and 1980s.

  • Jeevanaamsam (1968) – Tamil debut.
  • Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977) – Won National Film Award for Best Actress.
  • Sirai (1984) – Critically acclaimed film.

Telugu & Kannada Cinema

She became a leading actress in Telugu and Kannada films as well.

  • Chandanada Gombe (1979, Kannada) – One of her biggest hits.
  • Julie (1975, Hindi) – A Bollywood remake of a Malayalam film, where she played the lead role.
  • Muthina Haara (1990, Kannada) – A classic in Kannada cinema.

Malayalam & Hindi Films

  • Chattakkari (1974, Malayalam) – One of her most famous films, later remade as Julie in Hindi.
  • Julie (1975, Hindi) – Won her Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination.

She has acted in over 400 films, making her one of the most experienced actresses in Indian cinema.

Television Career

Lakshmi became a successful television actress and host, appearing in popular serials:

  • Tamil Serials: Kolangal, Aval, Udyanapalakan
  • Talk Shows: Hosted the Tamil TV show "Kadhai Alla Nijam", a reality show.

Awards & Achievements

  • National Film Award for Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977).
  • Filmfare Awards South for multiple performances.
  • State Awards from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala for her outstanding performances.

Personal Life

  • Lakshmi has been married three times. She was first married to Bhaskar, with whom she has a daughter, Aishwarya, who is also an actress.
  • Later, she married actor Mohan Sharma and then director K.S. Sivachandran.
  • She is known for her strong personality and outspoken nature.

Legacy & Influence

Lakshmi is regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in Indian cinema. She has successfully transitioned from leading heroine roles to mother and grandmother characters in modern films.

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