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Sushmita Sen
Born	(1975-11-19) 19 November 1975 (age 36) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India[1]
Occupation	actor, model
Years active	1993–present
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
Children	Renee Sen Alisha Sen

Sushmita Sen (born 19 November, 1975) is an Indian actress who appears in mainly Bollywood films. A former model, Sen was crowned Miss Universe in 1994.^[3] She created history by being the first Indian woman to win the contest.

She started her career with Dastak, a movie rumored to have been made on her life. However, she attained commercial and critical recognition for her roles in Sirf Tum (1999) and the comedy Biwi No.1 (1999). The latter earned her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

She has acted in commercially successful films such as Aankhen (2002), Main Hoon Na (2004) - her biggest commercial success so far and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005). She received high critical acclaim for her female-oriented roles in films such as Filhaal... (2002), Samay: When Time Strikes (2003), Chingaari (2005) and Zindaggi Rocks (2006).

In 2010, she ventured into partnership with Tantra Entertainment Private limited becoming the President of the 'I Am She' Miss Universe Contest and the sole representative of the Miss Universe pageant in India.

Personal life[link]

Sen was born in the Bengali Sen family on 19 November, 1975.^[4] in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Her family consists of her dad, Shubeer, a former Indian Air Force Wing Commander; mom, Subhra, Jewelry Designer and owner of a Dubai-based store. She has two siblings, a sister named Neelam, who is married to Nauman Malik, and a brother named Rajeev.^[5]

Often known as the most stylish and glamorous lady of India^[6][7], Sushmita Sen made history by adopting a baby girl named Renée.^[1][8] in 2000. She, as a single woman of only 25 years of age, was not viewed as socially acceptable to obtain the guardianship of the baby. However, the High Court of India quashed the appeal and she obtained gain of cause. On 13 Jan, 2010 she adopted a three-month-old girl and named her Alisha.^[1]

On April 9, 2012 it was reported that her ex boyfriend Mudassar Aziz, is all set to marry Farahjaan Sheikh^[9]. Sushmita was linked to Mudassar in 2008 when she was shooting for his film Dulha Mil Gaya, which also featured Fardeen Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Sushmita sen has also been linked to another Bollywood personality Randeep Hooda^[10]. They had a ugly break-up in 2009 which impacted the running of film Karma Aur Holi.^[11].

Career[link]

Miss Universe[link]

In 1994, as a teenager, Sen won the title of Femina Miss India beating Aishwarya Rai, who was the runner up.^[12] Sen represented India at the 1994 Miss Universe Pageant, held in Manila, Philippines and won there.^[3]

At Miss Universe, Sen ranked third overall in the preliminaries, right behind preliminary winner Miss Colombia Carolina Gómez, and Miss Greece Rea Totounzi, who ranked second but won the preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Sen went on to place second, fifth and third in the swimsuit, interview, and evening gown semi-final competitions respectively, placing third place behind Miss Colombia Carolina Gomez and Miss Venezuela Minorka Mercado. All three women went on to be the final three contestants. In the end, the judges placed their votes on Sen, making her the first woman from India to become Miss Universe. She owns the rights to send delegates from India to the Miss Universe pageant from 2010 onwards through her project I Am She – Miss Universe India.^[13]

Film career[link]

1990s[link]

Sushmita at the judging of Pantaloons Femina Miss India contest 2009.

After her reign as Miss Universe, Sushmita became an actress. Her first film, Dastak was in 1996, in which she played the victim of a stalker played by Sharad Kapoor. Mukul Dev starred as the lead actor. She then starred in the 1997 Tamil blockbuster, Ratchagan. Two years later her appearance as Rupali in David Dhawan's movie Biwi No.1 won her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award in 1999. Biwi No.1 was the second highest grossing movie of 1999.^[14] The same year, she was also nominated for her role in Sirf Tum in the same category, making her an obvious choice for winner. Following her famous item song in Fiza known as 'Mehboob Mere', she tried to make a niche for her career in the Indian film cinema.

2000s[link]

She received critical acclaim and box office success for film Aankhen. So far, her biggest hit has been the 2004 movie Main Hoon Na, in which she starred as Shahrukh Khan's love interest. The film grossed a total of Rs 330,000,000 and was the second best selling movie of that year.^[15] Later, Sushmita played a lawyer in Main Aisa Hi Hoon opposite Ajay Devgan. In 2005, she also starred in a remake of Cactus Flower, called Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?: Sen played the lead opposite Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Her most recent movies include Karma, Confessions and Holi (2006) opposite Naomi Campbell, Do Knot Disturb, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag (2007) and Dulha Mil Gaya (2010).

Sushmita has signed three big projects, one of which has been reported that she will portray the slain Pakistan Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto in a film co-produced by Zaid Aziz and Henna Rai of the Karachi production company Vox Vision, and Leicester-based Sum Films. Tentatively titled Benazir Bhutto: The Movie, the film will be shot in locations in Pakistan, the US, Britain and Dubai, where Bhutto spent years as a student and later as a political leader in exile. When Sushmita was asked about this big opportunity, she excitedly said, “Yes, I am keen to play the role.”^[16]. The second being Farah Khan's untitled venture opposite Salman Khan, and the third one being veteran actress Rekhha's biopic titled Sitare under the banner of Red Chillies Entertainment.^{[citation needed]}

Recently she starred in Do Knot Disturb with long-time screen partner Govinda. The film failed to do well.

2010s[link]

Sushmita plays the role of a successful supermodel called Shimmer in Dulha Mil Gaya.^[17]

Awards[link]

Filmfare Awards[link]

2000: Best Supporting Actress for Biwi No.1 (1999)

IIFA Awards[link]

2000 IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for Biwi No.1

Star Screen Awards[link]

2001 Best Supporting Actress for Biwi No.1

Zee Cine Awards[link]

2000: Best Supporting Actress for Biwi No.1 (1999)

2003: Best Supporting Actress for Filhaal... (2002)

National honours[link]

2006: Rajiv Gandhi Award for her achievement in bollywood.

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

• List of firsts in India

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sushmita Sen at the Internet Movie Database

Awards and titles for Sushmita Sen Awards and achievements Preceded by Namrata Shirodkar Femina Miss India 1994 Succeeded by Manpreet Brar v t e Miss Universe titleholders (1980–1999) Shawn Weatherly (1980) Irene Sáez (1981) Karen Dianne Baldwin (1982) Lorraine Downes (1983) Yvonne Ryding (1984) Deborah Carthy-Deu (1985) Bárbara Palacios Teyde (1986) Cecilia Bolocco (1987) Porntip Nakhirunkanok (1988) Angela Visser (1989) Mona Grudt (1990) Lupita Jones (1991) Michelle McLean (1992) Dayanara Torres (1993) Sushmita Sen (1994) Chelsi Smith (1995) Alicia Machado (1996) Brook Mahealani Lee (1997) Wendy Fitzwilliam (1998) Mpule Kwelagobe (1999) Complete list (1952–1959) (1960–1979) (1980–1999) (2000–2019) v t e Miss Universe Organization titleholders (1994) Miss Universe Sushmita Sen Miss USA Lu Parker Miss Teen USA Shauna Gambill Miss Universe Organization titleholders of 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 v t e Major international pageant titleholders (1994) Miss Universe Sushmita Sen Miss World Aishwarya Rai Miss International Christina Lekka Major international pageants titleholders of 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 v t e Miss India winners in the Grand Slam pageants Miss Universe Sushmita Sen (1994) · Lara Dutta (2000) Miss World Reita Faria (1966) · Aishwarya Rai (1994) · Diana Hayden (1997) · Yukta Mookhey (1999) · Priyanka Chopra (2000) Miss Asia Pacific Zeenat Aman (1970) · Tara Anne Fonseca (1973) · Dia Mirza (2000) Miss Earth Nicole Faria (2010) Miss International - Dominican Republic India Panamá Philippines Puerto Rico USA Venezuela v t e Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1955–1960 Usha Kiran (1955) Nirupa Roy (1956) Vyjayanthimala (1957) Shyama (1958) Nalini Jaywant (1959) Lalita Pawar (1960) 1961–1980 Nanda (1961) Nirupa Roy (1962) Shashikala (1963) Shashikala (1964) Nirupa Roy (1965) Padmini (1966) Simi Garewal (1967) Jamuna Ramanarao (1968) Simi Garewal (1969) Tanuja Samarth (1970) Chaand Usmani (1971) Farida Jalal (1972) Zeenat Aman (1973) Raakhee Gulzar (1974) Durga Khote (1975) Nadira (1976) Kajari (1977) Asha Sachdev (1978) Reena Roy (1979) Helen (1980) 1981–2000 Padmini Kolhapure (1981) Supriya Pathak (1982) Supriya Pathak (1983) Rohini Hattangadi (1984) Aruna Irani (1985) Nutan (1986) Not awarded (1987) Not awarded (1988) Sonu Walia (1989) Raakhee Gulzar (1990) Rohini Hattangadi (1991) Farida Jalal (1992) Aruna Irani (1993) Amrita Singh (1994) Dimple Kapadia (1995) Farida Jalal (1996) Rekha (1997) Karisma Kapoor (1998) Rani Mukerji (1999) Sushmita Sen (2000) 2001–present Jaya Bachchan (2001) Jaya Bachchan (2002) Madhuri Dixit (2003) Jaya Bachchan (2004) Rani Mukerji (2005) Ayesha Kapur (2006) Konkona Sen Sharma (2007) Konkona Sen Sharma (2008) Kangana Ranaut (2009) Kalki Koechlin (2010) Kareena Kapoor (2011) Rani Mukerji (2012) Complete list (1955–1960) (1961–1980) (1981–2000) (2001–present)

Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit in 2011
Born	(1967-05-15) 15 May 1967 (age 45) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1984–2002 2007–present
Spouse	Dr Shriram Madhav Nene (1999–present)
Website
www.madhuridixit-nene.com

Madhuri Dixit (born on 15 May 1967)^[1] is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Hindi films. Often cited by the media as one of the best actresses in Bollywood,^[2][3] Dixit made her film debut in Abodh (1984) and received wider public recognition with Tezaab (1988). She went on to establish herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses, acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing.^[4]

Some of her proceeding films include such box-office hits as Dil (1990), Saajan (1991), Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Raja (1995). After a relatively low phase, she reinvented herself with the romance Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and subsequently received critical acclaim for her work in films like Mrityudand (1997), Pukar (2000), Lajja (2001) and Devdas (2002). In 2002, she retired from films in order to raise her children and made a comeback with the musical Aaja Nachle in 2007.

Dixit has won five Filmfare Awards, four for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress. She holds the record for the highest number of Best Actress nominations (13) at Filmfare. In 2008, she was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.^[5]

She is married to Dr Shriram Madhav Nene, with whom she has two children. The couple resided in the United States before moving to India in 2011.

Early life[link]

Madhuri Dixit is a native of Mumbai, India. She was born Madhuri Shankar Dixit to Shankar and Snehlata Dixit, of a Marathi Brahmin family. Dixit attended Divine Child High School and Mumbai University and studied to be a microbiologist.^[6] She is a trained Kathak dancer^[7] and a great admirer of it.^[8]

Film career[link]

1980s[link]

Madhuri Dixit made her acting debut in Rajshri Productions' movie Abodh in 1984. The film failed but minor and supporting roles continued to follow.

In 1988, Dixit attained stardom after she landed the lead female role of Mohini in N. Chandra's blockbuster Tezaab opposite Anil Kapoor. The film went on to become that year's highest grossing movie.^[9] Dixit received her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

In 1989, Dixit continued her success by starring in a number of successful hit movies. Her first release was Subhash Ghai's movie Ram Lakhan, in which she was paired once again with Anil Kapoor. The film became a super-hit movie and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year.^[10] Dixit's next release Prem Pratigyaa, in which she starred opposite Mithun Chakraborty, earned her second nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit's next big performance came in the multi-starrer Tridev, in which she was paired with Sunny Deol. The movie became the year's third highest grossing film. Dixit continued her success with her third pairing with Anil Kapoor in Parinda.

1990s[link]

In 1990, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's romantic-drama Dil opposite Aamir Khan. She played the role of a rich and arrogant girl who falls in love with a poorer boy and later leaves her house to marry him. The film became the biggest box-office hit of the year in India^[11] and Dixit's performance earned her the first Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career.

After the success of Dil, Dixit became one of the top actresses of Bollywood. In 1991, she starred in Lawrence D'Souza's super-hit movie Saajan opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. The movie became the year's highest-grossing movie. Dixit's performance earned her the fourth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[12]

In 1992, Dixit featured in Indra Kumar's blockbuster Beta opposite Anil Kapoor.^[13] Dixit's performance of Saraswati, a woman married to an illiterate, well-meaning man who exposes her scheming mother-in-law, won her a second Filmfare Best Actress Award. Following the film's success, Dixit became famously known as the "Dhak Dhak Girl" for her performance in the famous song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga".

In 1993, Dixit starred in Subhash Ghai's super-hit Khalnayak opposite Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. Her portrayal of the police officer Ganga earned her a sixth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Khalnayak became the year's second highest grossing film.^[14]

In 1994, Dixit starred in Rahul Rawail's Anjaam, being paired with Shahrukh Khan for the first time. Dixit's performance of a revenge-seeking wife and mother earned her a seventh nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Dixit was praised for her performance, though the film was a below average performer at the box office. Her next starring role was in Sooraj R. Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! opposite Salman Khan.The film became one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema. The film was a commercial success and made 135 crore in worldwide breaking the record of Sholay. It became the highest grossing Bollywood film in Hindi cinema history after its theatrical run and held the record for 7 years till the release of Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. Dixit's role of a modern yet family-oriented young girl fetched her the third Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. In the Millenium Edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records" Hum Aapke Hain Kaun became the Bollywood's highest grossing film.^[15]

In 1995, Dixit starred in Indra Kumar's Raja opposite Sanjay Kapoor. The film became the fourth highest grosser of the year and she earned her ninth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[16] Her next release David Dhawan's Yaraana opposite Rishi Kapoor, in which she plays a dancer on the run from her abusive lover, earned her tenth nomination for the Filmfare Best Actress Award.

After Raja, Dixit's career went into a slump during 1996 and much of 1997. However, she bounced back commercially with Yash Chopra's musical-romance Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997 alongside Shahrukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Her portrayal of a young woman faced with a moral dilemma fetched her a fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.^[17] The movie became the second highest grosser of the year.^[18] In that same year, Dixit starred in Prakash Jha's critically acclaimed Mrityudand.

2000s[link]

In 2002, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's melodrama Devdas. The film, which co-starred Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai saw Dixit portray the role of Chandramukhi, a prostitute in love with Khan. The film was a box-office success and her performance earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. The film was featured at the Cannes Film Festival. The following year a film named after her, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, was released^[19] in which a woman (played by Antara Mali) aspires to become the new Madhuri Dixit by trying her luck in Bollywood.^[20][21]

On 7 December 2006, Dixit returned to Mumbai with her husband and sons to start filming for Aaja Nachle (2007).^[22] The film released in November 2007 and, despite the critics panning it, Dixit's performance was highly appreciated,^[23][24][25] with the New York Times commenting about her that "she's still got it".^[26][27]

On Women's International Day in 2007, Dixit topped Rediff's list of the Best Bollywood Actresses Ever.^[2] In May 2008, she was given a tribute by Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles.^[28] In March 2010, The Economic Times named Madhuri Dixit in the list of the "33 women who made India proud".^[3] She also received a Filmfare Special Award in honor of her 25 years in the Bollywood industry. In 2011, Rediff.com listed her in top 10 "Readers Choice: The Greatest Actresses of all time".^[29]

Dance[link]

Madhuri Dixit dancing on stage for the Unforgettable Tour in 2008

Dixit is not only known for her acting skills,^{[2][20][21][30][30][31]} but for her dancing skills as well.^[32] Often referred to as the "Dhak Dhak Girl", she is famous for her dance in the song "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" from the film Beta. She is also known for her dance sequences accompanying Bollywood songs such as "Ek Do Teen" (from Tezaab), "Humko Aaj Kal Hai" (from Sailaab), "Bada Dukh Deenha" (from Ram Lakhan), "Chane Ke Khet Mein" (from Anjaam), "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" (from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!), "Choli Ke Peechhe" (from Khalnayak), "Akhiyan Milaun" (from Raja), "Mera Piya Ghar Aaya" (from Yaraana), "Kay Sera Sera" (from Pukar), and "Maar Daala" (from Devdas).

Pandit Birju Maharaj, a Kathak dancer, who choreographed Dixit in the film Devdas calls her as "the best Bollywood dancer due to her versatility." ^[33]

Television appearances[link]

Dixit on the sets of Nach Baliye

In 2001 on the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati's first season, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, she won 50,00,000 that she donated for people affected in natural calamities. She also made an appearance in Season 4's Grand Finale that aired in 2010.

In 2002, Madhuri Dixit hosted a TV show Kahina Kahi Koi Hai which was a match-making show that aired on Sony Entertainment.^[34] She also made appearances on Koffee with Karan in Season 2 & Season 3 that aired in 2007 & 2011. Her Season 2 appearance was a solo appearance and in Season 3 she shared the chat show with Sonakshi Sinha.

Dixit has been guest on Nach Baliye Season 1 and 3, a celebrity-couple dancing competition in 2005 (aired on Star One) & 2007 (aired on Star Plus).

In 2011, she appeared as a judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 along with other co-judges Remo D'souza and Malaika Arora Khan.^[35]

Social work[link]

In 2009 Madhuri Dixit performed for NDTV Toyota Greenathon — India's first-ever nationwide campaign for save the environment and creating awareness about environmental issues. NDTV organised India's first 24-hour live telethon — a fund-raising event that brings in people to donate money to support TERI's initiative — Lighting a Billion Lives which aims at providing solar power to villages without electricity. Dixit became a part of this great social cause, and she performed her hit numbers on the live show.^[36][37]

On 3 February 2011 Dixit spent an evening with 75 orphanage kids of farmers at an ashram in Trimbakeshwar and participated in the birthday of two children: Hrishikesh and Rani. "We artists are ready to help such children. People from the higher society should come forward and stand firmly behind them," she said on the occasion.^[38]

Madhuri Dixit is a brand ambassador and a patron for Emeralds for Elephants — a charity project for the conservation of Asian Elephants and other endangered species. This project has been designed to create awareness and raise vital funds for the protection of the critically endangered Asian Elephant. A collaborative project between the World Land Trust (a UK based nonprofit environmental organisation) and the Wildlife Trust of India that is creating protected wildlife corridors connecting National Parks and protected areas to others. Speaking about the issue she said: "Elephants are one of my favourite animals and I love them. So what we need to do today is to see how we can preserve our animals. I feel very strongly about this."^[39]

Personal life[link]

Madhuri Dixit with Shriram Madhav Nene at the Filmfare 2011 Nominations Bash

On 17 October 1999, Madhuri Dixit married Shriram Madhav Nene, a UCLA-trained cardiovascular surgeon who practiced in Denver.^[40][41][42] Nene is also from a Marathi Brahmin family.^[43] They have two sons, Arin (born in March 2003) and Raayan (born in March 2005). After marriage, Dixit had relocated to Denver, US for almost a decade. In October 2011, Dixit again shifted her base back to Mumbai, India, along with her family.^[44]

Madhuri Dixit has been the muse for the famous Indian painter M.F. Husain. He was so fascinated by Madhuri Dixit in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! that he watched the film 67 times, and in 2007 he booked an entire theatre to see her comeback movie Aaja Nachle.^[45] He made a series of paintings of her, and in 2000 made a film named Gaja Gamini starring her, which was intended as a tribute to Dixit herself.^[46]

Awards and nominations[link]

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Madhuri Dixit

• Madhuri Dixit at the Internet Movie Database
• Official website
• Madhuri Dixit on Twitter

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2012)

Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia at Manish Malhotra - Lilavati Save & Empower Girl Child show, 2012
Born	(1980-08-27) 27 August 1980 (age 31) Cochin, Kerala, India
Other names	Chhotu or Chotu
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	2000–present
Website
nehadhupia.net

Neha Dhupia (Punjabi: ਨੇਹਾ ਧੂਪੀਆ) is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. She is a former beauty queen and winner of Femina Miss India 2002.

Early life[link]

Dhupia was born in Cochin, Kerala to a Punjabi Sikh family.^[1] Her father, Commander Pradip Singh Dhupia, served in the Indian Navy and mother, Manpinder, is a homemaker. She went to Naval Public School then transferred to Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi.^[2] She graduated from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University majoring in History.^[3]

Career[link]

Dhupia made her acting debut in a play in New Delhi called Graffiti. Thereafter she appeared in a music video for Indipop band Euphoria and also modeled for various advertisement campaigns. She then appeared in the TV serial "Rajdhani ^{[disambiguation needed ]}". In 2002 she entered the Femina Miss India pageant finishing in first place, winning the Femina Miss India Universe title, and was subsequently sent to the Miss Universe 2002 pageant in Puerto Rico. She was placed in the top 10.

Film career[link]

Dhupia made her film debut in the 2003 Bollywood film Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003), which performed averagely at the box office. She rose to fame with her role in the film Julie and then appeared in Sheesha (2005) in a dual role of twin sisters, but the film did not do well at the box office. She then starred in films such as Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005) and Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), which did well at the box office, and also featured in a segment of the anthology film Dus Kahaniyaan (2007).

In the following years, Dhupia appeared in supporting roles in multiple critically and commercially acclaimed films including Chup Chup Ke (2006), Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007), Mithya (2008), Maharathi (2008), Singh Is Kinng (2008) and Dasvidaniya (2008). In 2011, she plays Eva Braun in the film Dear Friend Hitler -a film about Mahatma Gandhi.

Her most recent films are Paying Guest, Action Replayy De Dana Dan and Pappu cant dance sala . She has also worked on her first international project with Chris Kattan in IFC's Bollywood Hero.

Charity work[link]

Dhupia is involved with the Concern India Foundation, an NGO which assists lower income women and children as well as the elderly. She has run in the Mumbai Marathon to support the charity and helped to raise over 5 lakhs.^[4] She also helped to raise money for victims of the 2011 Sikkim earthquake.^[5]

Filmography[link]

She performed in the GR8 Womens Award 2012.

See also[link]

• List of Indian film actresses
• Femina Miss India

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Neha Dhupia

• Neha Dhupia at the Internet Movie Database
• Detailed Profile
• Neha Dhupia Home Page

Bipasha Basu
Bipasha Basu at the press conference of IIFA Singapore, 2012
Born	(1979-01-07) 7 January 1979 (age 33)[1] New Delhi, Delhi, India
Occupation	Film actress, model
Years active	2001–present
Partner	Dino Morea (1996–2002) John Abraham (2002–2011)
Signature
Website
BipashaBasunet.com

Bipasha Basu (born 7 January 1979)^[1] is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi language films. She has also worked in Telugu, Bengali and Tamil language films. She is a former model who had a successful modeling career before venturing into films.^[2]

She debuted in a negative role in Ajnabee (2001) which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Her first commercial success was Raaz (2002). She was then noticed for her bold role in the erotic thriller film, Jism (2003).^[3] She starred in top grossing films like 2005's biggest hit – No Entry, Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Dhoom 2 (2006) – her biggest commercial success till date and Race (2008). Her performances in Apharan (2005), Corporate (2006), Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) and Lamhaa (2010) won her multiple nominations for several awards. She is frequented in the media as a "sex symbol".^[4][5][6]

She has been nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress twice each along with one nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. Roles apart, she is also renowned for her item songs like "Phoonk De" in No Smoking (2007), and "Beedi" and "Namak Ishq Ka" in Omkara (2006).^[7] Basu is slated to make her international film debut with the 2012 Australian film Singularity.

Early life and modeling career[link]

Basu was born in Delhi to a Bengali Hindu family. She is the second of three sisters, the elder one being Bidisha and the younger one, Bijayeta. She lived in Delhi till the age of eight in Pampoosh Enclave, Nehru Place and studied at Apeejay High School.^[8] Her family then moved to Kolkata where she studied science till 12th standard at Bhavan's Gangabux Kanoria Vidyamandir. Basu, who describes herself as a tomboy, was pampered as a kid and was very naughty. She was fondly called 'Lady Don' in her school as everyone was scared of her and she was short and round.^[9]

Basu moved to the commerce stream after 10th standard, studying at Bhawanipur Education Society College in preparation for the 12th standard board exams. At this time, she began doing ramp shows and modeling part-time.^[10][11] In 1996, she won both the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest and the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest.^[12][13] Basu was flown to New York by the Ford Company and began her successful modelling career at the age of 17. She then appeared in the Calida commercial along with her then-boyfriend Dino Morea which was controversial for picturising them sultrily. She had some protesters outside her house after that.^[12] She has appeared on over 40 magazine covers.^[13]

Acting career[link]

Debut and Breakthrough (2001–02)[link]

One of the judges of the Godrej Cinthol Supermodel Contest in which Basu participated, Vinod Khanna, wanted to launch her alongside his son Akshaye Khanna in Himalay Putra, but she felt she was too young and declined the role which eventually went to Anjala Zaveri. After returning home, she was convinced by another judge, Jaya Bachchan, to play the role of a village belle opposite her son Abhishek Bachchan in J. P. Dutta’s Aakhari Mughal. However the film was cancelled, and Dutta instead changed the script and made Refugee with Kareena Kapoor.^[14] Basu was also offered a role in Refugee opposite Sunil Shetty, which she declined.^[11][15]

In 2001, Basu finally made her debut opposite Akshay Kumar in Vijay Galani’s Ajnabee. The film, directed by Abbas-Mustan, was inspired by the American film Consenting Adults.^[16] It was a moderate box-office success and attracted unfavorable reviews from critics.^[17] However, Basu’s performance in a negative role was appreciated by critics and won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.^[11]

In 2002, Basu starred in the year’s most successful thriller, Raaz.^[18] Directed by Vikram Bhatt, the film established Basu in the Hindi film industry. Her portrayal of a woman who is pursued by a spirit received positive reviews. One review in The Tribune noted, "...it is Bipasha Basu who steals the show with her fine performance."^[19] She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Raaz.^[20] She then appeared in supporting roles in Sanjay Gadhvi’s Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai and David Dhawan’s Chor Machaaye Shor, both of which failed critically and commercially. She also appeared in a supporting role opposite Mahesh Babu and Lisa Ray in the Telugu film, Takkari Donga as a mischievous thief, Panasa. Gunaah, which released later that year, was also a box-office failure.^[18] She played the role of a cop who loves a convict and tries to reform him.^[21] Derek Elley of Variety observed that Basu was a miscast as the "idealistic cop".^[22]

Initial success and struggle phase (2003–05)[link]

In 2003, Basu starred in Pooja Bhatt’s thriller, Jism, which was well received by critics and fared well at the box office.^[23] She essayed the role of seductive, ambitious wife of a millionaire who indulges in an extra-marital affair with an alcoholic lawyer and plots to kill her husband. The film ranked 92 in the top 100 sexiest movie scenes poll conducted by Channel 4.^[24] Film critic Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented, "...the real show stealer is Bipasha Basu ; her sexy look and seductive deep voice, in contrast with her cold and calculating personality, makes her the most impressive femme fatale since Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi."^[25] She received a Filmfare Best Villain Award nomination for Jism. Her next release, Zameen, failed to make impact among audience.^[23]

Basu had four releases in 2004, all of which performed moderately and drew mixed reviews. She collaborated for the second time with Vikram Bhatt in her first release Aetbaar. She played the role of a young girl who falls in love with a psychopath. Rediff.com noted that "...The characters are not convincing, the plot is not fast-paced or interesting."^[26] Her next film was Mani Shankar’s Rudraksh which was based on the Indian epic Ramayana. The film was a disaster at the box-office and was panned by the critics.^[27] She then starred in Rakht as a tarot card reader trying to solve a murder mystery. Critic Shruti Bhasin of Planetbollywood wrote, "Bipasha Basu impresses in a different look and role."^[28] Her final release that year was Anil Sharma’s Madhoshi opposite John Abraham.^[29] Her performance of a mentally unstable girl was generally well received.^[30]

In 2005, she appeared in the love triangle Barsaat alongside Bobby Deol and Priyanka Chopra. Taran Adarsh commented, "...As an actor, she [Bipasha Basu] does show sparks only towards the end."^[31] She also starred in the Tamil film, Sachein which was a hit and then in Prakash Jha’s Apaharan, which won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay.^[32][33] In this period, she refused to act in art-films due to salary problems.^[34] Besides acting, Basu did the video "Tu" for Sonu Nigam's album, Kismat. She made a guest appearance in Jay Sean's music video Stolen.^[35]

Success (2005–2009)[link]

After a slow start, Basu established herself as a successful actress with the success of No Entry, Corporate and Dhoom 2.^[5] No Entry grossed 71 crore at the box-office and was the highest grossing film of 2005.^[36] Basu essayed the role of a bargirl who acts as wife of two men. She earned Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination for the film. 2006 was equally successful for her with her four major releases, Phir Hera Pheri, Corporate, Omkara and Dhoom 2, performing well critically and commercially.^[37][38] Phir Hera Pheri became the ninth highest grossing film of the year.^[39] She was featured in a bit but significant role of a con woman who steals a sum of 10 million from the protagonists. In Madhur Bhandarkar’s Corporate, she gave up her glamorous look for the role of a businesswoman who has no qualms in taking advantage of her sexuality to con the CEO of a rival company. She won accolades from critics for her performance. Critic Aparna wrote, "[...] she has done a fabulous job as an ambitious woman. The kind of shrewdness in a woman that she essays has never been seen before in India films."^[40] She was nominated for the second time for Filmfare Best Actress Award.

In Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaptation of Othello, Omkara, Basu essayed the role of Bianca. She caught the attention of public with her dance number Beedi which was highly popular in India and overseas.^[41] Critic Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN wrote, "...Bipasha Basu is brought in to lend oomph and she succeeds in doing just that."^[42] Basu became the talk of the town for donning a bikini in Aditya Chopra’s Dhoom 2. She reportedly ate only oranges for three days and trained hard to shoot the scene.^[43] Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India commented, "Aah Bipasha! Looks great, brings back the bikini to Bollywood, and gently slips into the shadows as a pretty accessory."^[44]

In 2007, Ronnie Screwvala’s Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal performed below average at the box-office. The song picturised on John Abraham and Basu, "Billo Rani", became quite popular and earned her the nickname "Billo Rani", though equal credit must be given to Omkara in which her name was Billo Chanambahar.^[45] In 2008, she teamed up once again with Abbas-Mustan for Race. She played the role of Sonia who is stuck in a love-triangle between two brothers (played by Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna) and through the course, she murders one of them. The film grossed 68 crores at the box office and was the fourth-biggest hit that year in India and performed good enough overseas as well.^[46] Her performance was appreciated by critics with Taran Adarsh citing it as "her best work so far. She’s superb".^[47] Basu’s work in Siddharth Anand’s Bachna Ae Haseeno as a successful supermodel who finds it hard to forgive her ex-lover for betraying her earned her a second nomination for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. She completed 2008 by appearing during the song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte" in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.^[7]

Her first release in 2009, Aa Dekhen Zara failed to do well at the box-office.^[48] Rohit Shetty’s All The Best: Fun Begins performed well and her comic role was appreciated by fans.^[49] Later that year, Basu surprised everybody with Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali film, Shob Charitro Kalponik. "I love saris and I'm wearing a lot of them in Ritu's film," she said.^[50] She gave up her glamorous look and was praised by critics for her performance. Critic Subhash K Jha spoke high of her. He said, "...Bipasha [Basu] pulls out all stops to deliver her career’s best performance. Her moments of anguish before and after her screen-husband’s death are expressed in tones of cathartic conviction that we never knew existed within Bipasha." He also compared her with the multiple award winning actress, Shabana Azmi, commenting that Basu’s anguished portrayal of bereavement can be equaled by Azmi only.^[51]

Recent Work (2010–present)[link]

With the 2010 film Pankh, Basu returned with her alluring image as an imaginary character who exists in the protagonist’s mind.^[53] She was then featured as a Kashmiri girl in Rahul Dholakia’s Lamhaa which explored socio-political problems in Kashmir.^[54] Principal photography of Lamhaa was disrupted many times by the locals in Kashmir due to the controversial theme.^[55] During the shooting of Lamhaa, she left the sets at Anantnag and headed back to Mumbai citing she was afraid of the crowd there. Producer Bunty Walia thought of replacing her with Vidya Balan but she returned for the shoot later with necessary security arrangements.^[56][57] NDTV Movies wrote, "Bipasha sinks herself into her character imparting a dramatic resonance into the role without resorting to stock expressions. The sequence where she gets mauled by militant women is as traumatic to watch as it must have been for Bipasha to shoot."^[58] Basu then appeared as the wife of a ruthless cop in Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh who helps the police with investigation on honor killings in their village. She met with mixed reviews for the film. Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India commented, "Bipasha actually doesn't have much to do and does seem to be miscast as the much-abused, bruised and battered wife of Paresh Rawal."^[59]

Her only release in 2011 was Dum Maaro Dum which performed reasonably well at the box-office and met with good reviews from critics.^[60][61] Talking of the film, she said, "My next release is DMD [Dum Maaro Dum], in which I play a lively, colourful, happy-go-lucky girl called Zoey, who is the representation of Goa as we see it."^[62] Basu collaborated with Abbas-Mustan for the third time in Players which became the first release of 2012.^[63] The film was an official remake of The Italian Job.^[64] Players was heavily compared to The Italian Job and was criticized for its execution and performances, including that of Basu.^[65] She made her English language debut with Roland Joffé’s epic drama Singularity which will be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012.^[66][67] She plays the role of a Maratha warrior Taluja Naik in the film.^[68] Basu is also signed by Vikram Bhatt for the third time for Raaz 3D, the third film in the Raaz series. Principal photography of the film began in January, 2012.^[69] She will also be seen in a guest appearance reprising her role of Race in the upcoming film by Abbas-Mustan, Race 2.^[70][71]

Personal life[link]

Basu with ex-boyfriend John Abraham at the launch of the Filmfare magazine (2007).

Basu was in a relationship with her Raaz co-star Dino Morea since 1996 till they broke up in 2002.^[72] Soon afterwards during the filming of Jism, Basu began to date her co-star John Abraham, and they were in a relationship till early 2011 when the couple officially broke off.^[73][74][75] While together, the two were often referred to as a supercouple in the Indian media.^[76] Basu has been in the limelight since her bold role in Jism. She ranked 8 in Times 50 most desirable Women in 2011 and ranked 13 in 2012.^[77][78] UK magazine Eastern Eye named her the "Sexiest Woman in Asia" twice in 2005 and 2007.^[79]

Basu is an advocate of physical fitness. Apart from films, she released a fitness DVD called Love Yourself, which emphasized on being strong, healthy, and loving one’s self.^[80] She was also the brand ambassador of Sugar Free, which helped her promoting the DVD. Hiren Gada, director of Shemaroo Entertainment said, "A celebrity like Bipasha Basu, genuinely believes in staying healthy. She is also passionate about fitness."^[81] She had previously worked on another fitness video called Bollywood Bodies with John Abraham.^[82]

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

Bollywood portal

• List of Indian film actresses

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bipasha Basu

• Official website
• Bipasha Basu at the Internet Movie Database
• Bipasha Basu at the Fashion Model Directory