Beginning her career as a model, Rao made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras (2002). She then starred in Ken Ghosh's love-story Ishq Vishk (2003) and earned a Filmfare nomination in the "Best Female Debut" category.
Personal life
Amrita was born in Mumbai to a Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family.[2] She speaks Marathi, Hindi, English and her mother tongue, Konkani.[3] She attended Convent Girls High school in Mumbai, and later enrolled in Sophia College to pursue a degree in Psychology. Her younger sister, Preetika Rao, is a Model, Journalist-Columnist and a South-Indian film actress.
Career
Modeling
While studying in Sophia College, Amrita auditioned for an advertisement for Fairever Face Cream. Her appearance in Cadbury’s Perk Karwa Chaut ad and the Bru Coffee advertisement helped her receive offers from film directors in Bollywood.[citation needed]
Acting
Amrita made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras (2002), and followed that with her (2003) film, Ishq Vishk, in which she portrayed Payal. She became an overnight star after the success that film. She followed this up with films Masti (2004) and Main Hoon Na, Deewaar (2004), Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi (2005), Shikhar (2005), and Pyare Mohan (2006). She starred in Sooraj R. Barjatya's Vivah (2006) opposite Shahid Kapoor.[4]
In 2007 Amrita made her debut in the Telugu film industry with Athidhi opposite Mahesh Babu.[5] Amrita's releases in 2008 include My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves and Welcome to Sajjanpur. Amrita's releases in 2009 are Victory, and Shortkut. Since then Amrita has not had a major movie release. Year 2011 will see her comeback with the movie Love U...Mr. Kalakaar!. [6]
Awards and nominations
Filmfare Awards
Nominated
* 2004: Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for Ishq Vishk
* 2005: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Main Hoon Na
Star Screen Awards
Nominated
* 2003: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Ab Ke
Baras
* 2004: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Ishq
Vishk
* 2007: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Vivah[7]
* 2007: Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1 along with Shahid Kapoor - Vivah[8]
Zee Cine Awards
Nominated
* 2004: Zee Cine Award Best Female Debut for Ishq Vishk
International Indian Film Academy Awards
Winner
* 2004: IIFA Awards, Best Female Debut for Ishq Vishk
Stardust Awards
Winner
* 2004: Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow - Female for Ishq Vishk
* 2009: Stardust Searchlight Best Actress Award for Welcome to Sajjanpur
Other awards won
[citation needed]
* 2004: Sansui Awards, Best Debut - Female for Ishq Vishk
* 2007: GR8 Women Awards, Young Achiever
* 2007: Anandalok Puroshkar Awards, Most Promising New Talent for Vivah
* 2007: Sports World Awards, Jodi of the Year along with Shahid Kapoor for Vivah
* 2007: Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for Vivah
