Kajol Devgan Biography

Kajol Devgan

, née Mukherjee, (Bengali: কাজল দেবগন; born 5 August 1974), better known as simply Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors.[2][3]

Kajol made her acting debut in the film Bekhudi (1992) and had her first commercial success with her second film Baazigar (1993) opposite Shahrukh Khan, with whom she would act in such popular movies as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and My Name is Khan (2010). Her performances in all four of these films were praised and earned her Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. After shooting for Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in 2001, she took a sabbatical from full-time acting for five years. She made a comeback with Kunal Kohli's Fanaa (2006), for which she received another Best Actress Award at the Filmfare. Along with her late aunt Nutan, Kajol holds the record for most Best Actress wins at the Filmfare Awards, with five. In 2011, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian Cinema.[4] She is married to fellow Indian actor Ajay Devgn.[2]

Family and background

Main article: Mukherjee-Samarth family

Kajol was born in Mumbai of Bengali-Marathi descent. Her mother Tanuja is an actress, while her late father Shomu Mukherjee was a film director and producer. Her maternal aunt is the late actress Nutan, with whom she holds the record for the most wins (five times) of the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, and her maternal grandmother Shobhna Samarth and great grandmother Rattan Bai had both been involved in Hindi cinema.

Her paternal uncles are film producers; Joy Mukherjee and Deb Mukherjee. Kajol's paternal grandfather, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was a filmmaker. His wife Satirani Devi, Kajol's paternal grandmother, was the sister of Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar and Kishore Kumar. Kajol's cousins Rani Mukerji, Sharbani Mukherjee and Mohnish Behl are also Bollywood actors; whereas her cousin Ayan Mukerji is a director. Kajol's younger sister Tanisha Mukherjee is also an actress.

Kajol married Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan on February 24, 1999. The couple have 2 children, a daughter named Nysa (born in 2003) and a son named Yug (born in 2010).[5]

On April 10, 2008, Kajol's father died after suffering from a cardiac arrest. His funeral was held the same day and was attended by other Bollywood personalities.[6]

Career

Kajol left her school St. Josephs convent at Panchgani and started her career at the age of seventeen. Her debut film was 1992's Bekhudi, which was a box office failure.[2] In 1993, she shot to fame with her second film, Abbas-Mustan's thriller Baazigar. The film saw her co-starring alongside Shahrukh Khan, with whom she later went on to make a popular pairing in a number of films, all of which were box office successes.[2]

Her first release in 1994, Udhaar Ki Zindagi, was a box-office failure,[7] but her performance in the film won the BFJA Best Actress Award. She next starred in her first collaboration with Yash Raj Films, the romantic drama Yeh Dillagi (1994). Her performance as Sapna, a strong dreamy girl who leaves her paternal home to make her own life in the big city, earned her a first nomination for Best Actress at the

Filmfare Awards.

In 1995 Kajol appeared in the two biggest hits of the year in India. Her first release was Rakesh Roshan's Karan Arjun. The film, which dealt with reincarnation, became the second-highest grossing film of the year.[8] While her next three releases that year failed commercially, her last release, Aditya Chopra's directorial debut, the romance Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, was not only the biggest hit of that year, but one of Hindi cinema's most successful films.[9] In 2008, the film entered its twelfth year in Mumbai theaters, grossing over 12 billion rupees overall, making it one of the biggest blockbusters in Bollywood.[10] Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was also a major critical success; it won ten Filmfare Awards, and Kajol's performance as a young NRI who falls for Shahrukh Khan's character was praised, earning her a first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the 25 Must See Bollywood Films, citing it as a "trendsetter of sorts".[11] In that same year's retrospective review by Rediff, Raja Sen stated "Aditya [Chopra] ... wisely picked Kajol to play Simran, the real-as-life actress bringing warmth and credulity to the initially prudish and reluctant Simran. Not to mention the on-screen chemistry that has become the stuff of legend."[12]

Kajol had only one release in 1996, Bambai Ka Babu, opposite Saif Ali Khan, which was a box office failure.[13] In 1997, Kajol starred in Gupt: The Hidden Truth. Co-starring actors Bobby Deol and Manisha Koirala, the film was one of the highest grossing films of that year.[14] Apart from that, her performance was a significant development for female actors in Bollywood; she was the first female actor to win the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. Her next film release that year was Hameshaa. Like Karan Arjun, the film dealt with reincarnation, but unlike the latter, it failed at the box office.[14] She next starred in her first Tamil film, Minsaara Kanavu. Her final release of that year was the romantic-comedy Ishq, where she was paired with her then-future husband Ajay Devgan. It performed well at the box office.[14]

Kajol had further success in 1998, as she was the main lead starred in three of the year's biggest hits.[15] She first starred opposite Salman Khan in the comedy Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. The film was the fourth highest grossing film of the year. Her next release, Dushman alongside Sanjay Dutt, did moderately well at the box office. She had a double role in the film, and won her first Star Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance. She next starred opposite Ajay Devgan in the romance Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, which was the second biggest hit of that year. However, her biggest success that year came with her final release, Karan Johar's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which paired her again with Shahrukh Khan and went on to become the biggest hit of the year in both India and overseas.[16] She played the role of Anjali, a young college student who is secretly in love with her closest friend, and many years after breaking contact meets him again after the death of his wife. She won her second Filmfare Best Actress Award for her performance.

Kajol's first release in 1999 was the drama film Dil Kya Kare. She played the supporting role of Nandita Rai, which was well received. She had a hit with her second release, the family drama Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain. Starring alongside Anil Kapoor, Kajol received another Best Actress nomination at the Filmfare.[17] She had an unsuccessful year in 2000, as her only release that year, Raju Chacha went unnoticed.[18]

Kajol had only two films released in 2001. She first played a double role in the drama Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi, which was a commercial failure. However, she reinvented her success in her second venture with Karan Johar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which was a major grosser in India and the top-grossing Indian production of all-time in the overseas market until 2006.[19] Kajol's role was that of Anjali, a young Punjabi woman from Delhi's market Chandni Chowk, who falls for the rich Rahul, played by Shahrukh Khan. Her comic-dramatic performance won her several awards, including her third Filmfare Best Actress Award and her second Star Screen Award for Best Actress. Critic Taran Adarsh wrote of her performance in the film, "Kajol is first-rate in the role of a typical Chandni Chowk lass. Her Punjabi dialect will win her immense praise."[20] The Hindu wrote, "Kajol -- in only her second appearance this year, the first one being in a double role in ``Kajol ... steals the thunder from under very high noses indeed. With her precise timing and subtle lingering expression, she is a delight all the way."[21] This was Kajol's last collaboration with Khan until they would be cast again by Johar as a lead pair in early 2010.

Following the success of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kajol took a sabbatical from full-time acting for five years. She gave birth to her daughter Nysa in 2003. She made a successful comeback in 2006 with Kunal Kohli's drama Fanaa, one of the highest grossing films of the year.[22] Portraying a blind Kashmiri girl who falls in love with a Kashmiri terrorist (played by Aamir Khan) in the film, she won her fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award.

U, Me aur Hum, which released on 11 April 2008, marked her husband Ajay Devgan's directorial debut. For her performance as an Alzheimer's patient in the film, she received her tenth Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination. Raja Sen wrote in his review, "... Kajol ... can span through happy-breezy with her eyes closed, and so the first half doesn't even pose her a challenge, but when Alzheimer's strikes Piya and she begins to forget all that matters in her life, Kajol raises the bar strikingly high."[23]

Kajol was recently seen alongside Shahrukh Khan in Karan Johar's drama My Name Is Khan, which is based on a true story, against the backdrop of perceptions on Islam post 11 September. Filming commenced in December 2008 in Los Angeles and ended in October 2009. Upon its release in February 2010, the film received mainly positive reviews from critics and became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time in the overseas market. Kajol's portrayal of Mandira, a divorced single mother who marries a Muslim autistic man was praised by critics, with Rajeev Masand writing, "Bringing emotional depth to what is essentially Rizwan's story, Kajol is immensely likeable as Mandira, using her eyes to convey volumes, topping the performance off with a powerful breakdown scene that literally puts her through the wringer."[24] Kajol won her fifth Best Actress award at the Filmfare, a record which she shares with her late aunt, actress Nutan.

She next starred alongside Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in We Are Family, an Indian adaptation of the Hollywood movie Stepmom (1998). Directed by Siddharth Malhotra, Hindustan Times critic Mayank Shekhar stated, "The premise is stuff dry tissues are made for. Yet, the pathos here is produced not from moments, but from performances alone: a stunning Kajol’s in particular. She appears superior to Susan Sarandon, I suspect."[25] Her next film, Toonpur Ka Superhero, a live-action/animated film, was released in December 2010.[26]

Media

In 2005, she appeared on the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. She was paired with her husband Ajay Devgan. They won 1 crore (10 million) rupees and donated this to a cancer hospital in Chennai. She has also appeared on Indian Idol, seasons one and two, as a guest judge.[27]

She appeared on Karan Johar's talk show Koffee with Karan with Shahrukh Khan on the first episode. She also appeared on the last episode of the Season 1 together with Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Back again with Season 2 of Koffee with Karan, Karan's first episode started with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai reunion. After almost a decade since his directorial debut Karan invited her along with Shahrukh and Rani Mukerji.

She modeled and walked the ramp for Manish Malhotra's fashion display Fashion Week 2006, titled Freedom, along with actress Preity Zinta.[28]

In 2006, 4 miniature dolls under the name Bollywood legends were introduced. Besides Priyanka Chopra, Hrithik Roshan and Shahrukh Khan, she is one of the dolls.[29]

In 2008, her husband Ajay Devgan and her mother Tanuja were jury members in the TV show Rock'n'Roll Family.[30]

She appeared with Shahrukh Khan in the special anniversary issue of the Indian Vogue in October 2009.[31]

Social work

Apart from being goodwill ambassador and patron of the Britain-based Loomba Trust - a charity devoted to educating widows' children, particularly in India, Kajol also works with an NGO called Shiksha.[32]

She is a recipient of the Karamveer Puraskar award (26 November 2008), which recognises individuals who have been pivotal in leading change beyond their business by being committed to social issues.[33]
Awards
Main article: List of Kajol's awards and nominations

Filmography

Year Film Role Other notes
1992 Bekhudi Radhika
1993 Baazigar Priya Chopra
1994 Udhaar Ki Zindagi Sita
Yeh Dillagi Sapna Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
1995 Karan Arjun Sonia Saxena
Taaqat Kavita
Hulchul Sharmili
Gundaraj Ritu
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge Simran Singh Filmfare Award for Best Actress
1996 Bambai Ka Babu Neha
1997 Gupt: The Hidden Truth Isha Diwan Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role
Hamesha Rani Sharma/Reshma
Minsaara Kanavu Priya Amalraj Tamil film
Ishq Kajal
1998 Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya Muskaan Thakur
Duplicate Special appearance
Dushman Sonia/Naina Saigal Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha Sanjana Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Anjali Sharma Filmfare Award for Best Actress
1999 Dil Kya Kare Nandita Rai
Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain Megha Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya Pinky
2000 Raju Chacha Anna
2001 Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi Tina/Sweety Khanna Double role
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... Anjali Sharma Raichand Filmfare Award for Best Actress
2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Special appearance in song Maahi Ve
2006 Fanaa Zooni Ali Baig Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Special appearance in song Rock N Roll Soniye
2007 Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song Deewangi Deewangi
2008 U, Me aur Hum Piya Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actress
Haal-e-dil Special appearance in song Oye Hoye
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Special appearance in song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
2009 Vighnaharta Shree Siddhivinayak Herself Special appearance
2010 My Name Is Khan Mandira Khan Filmfare Award for Best Actress
We Are Family Maya
Toonpur Ka Super Hero Priya
2011 Koochie Koochie Hota Hai Angie (voice) Post-production

Sanam Baloch Biography

Sanam Baloch

(Urdu: صنم بلوچ) (born July 14, 1986) is a Pakistani actress and television host.[1][2][3] Sanam was born in Karachi and started her career as a talk show anchor in the Sindhi language television channel KTN. Sanam hosted two shows Sanam Ji Pasand and Diyoo on KTN. Sanam made her debut on Urdu television in Fahad Mustafa's long play Kalaq which turned out to be a hit.[4] She has also performed in many Urdu and Sindhi language music videos.[5] She is a graduate from the Karachi University, and has two brothers, Farhan Baloch and Abbas Baloch. She is the younger sister of Sabreen Hisbani, also a popular television actress. Her last talk show was Morning With Hum on Hum TV which she left in order to further pursue her acting career.[6][7][8] She is to appear in a film starring opposite Mohib Mirza, Juggan Kazim and Sunita Marshall in Mirza's upcoming film Silent Cinema.[9]

Filmography

Television

TV Serials
Year Title Character Additional Notes
2008 Kalaq PTV
Abhi Abhi Noor Bano Ary Digital
Doraha Shahla Geo TV
Band Khirkiyon Kay Peechay Shanzay TV One
2009 Chaudhween Ka Chand Rija Hum TV
Noor Pur Ki Rani Noor ul-ain Nominated - Best TV Actress (Satellite) Lux Style Awards, Hum TV
Mannchalay Mitthu Hum TV
2010 Zeenat Bint-e-Sakina Hazir Ho Zeenat Geo TV
Daam Zara Ary Digital
Dastaan Bano Won - Best TV Actress 2011 Pakistan Media Awards, Hum TV
Chemistry Raina Geo TV
2011 Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya Hira Ary Digital
Akbari Asghari Akbari on air from 28 May,2011 Hum TV
Telefilms
Year Title Character Additional Notes
2008 Kacha Ghara Hai Dil Hum TV
2009 Aalan Aalan Boltay Afsanay Series, TV One
Mannat Mannat Qissaon Ki Chaddar Series, Hum TV
2010 Mehru Ki Kahani Mehru Woh Chaar Series, Hum TV
Morning Shows
Year Morning Show Broadcasting Network Additional Notes
2002–2004 Sanam Ji Pasand KTN This was a Sindhi language show named after Sanam
2003–2004 Diyoo KTN This was a Sindhi language show
Morning With Hum[10] Hum TV Sanam left this show in order to pursue her acting career

Music Videos

Shahnila Ali's Joggi music video (2006).[11]
Najaf Ali's Choodiyun music video (2008).[12]
Amanat Ali's Thumri music video (2010).[13]

Awards and nominations

9th Annual Lux Style Award (2010)[14]

Nominated - Best Actress (satellite) - Noor Pur Ki Rani

PDP Awards 2010

Pakistan Media Awards 2011

Won - Best Actor (Female) - Dastaan

Saif Ali Khan Biography

Saif Ali Khan

(Hindi: सैफ अली खान, pronounced [ˈsɛːf əˈli ˈxaːn]; born 16 August 1970 in New Delhi, India) is an Indian actor in Bollywood films. He is the son of the Nawab of Pataudi, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and the actress Sharmila Tagore. He has two sisters; Saba Ali Khan and actress Soha Ali Khan. He is the heir apparent to both royal houses of Bhopal and Pataudi.

Khan made his debut in 1992 with Parampara. He had his first major success with the 1994 films Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Yeh Dillagi. After going through several years of decline in the 1990s, he rose into prominence with his performance in Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which marked his professional turning point.[1] His performance in Nikhil Advani's Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) won him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, and he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Hum Tum (2004). He then had commercial success with films like Salaam Namaste (2005), Race (2008) and Love Aaj Kal (2009), and starred in critically acclaimed projects such as Parineeta (2005) and Omkara (2006).[2] These successes put him among the most successful actors in the industry.[3] In 2009, Khan branched out into film production with his company Illuminati Films.

Early life

Saif Ali Khan has Muslim Pashtun ancestry through Nawabs of Pataudi lineage from his father's side and Hindu Bengali Tagore ancestry from his mother's side.[4][5] His paternal grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, was the Nawab of Pataudi as well as an accomplished cricketer who played for England and then for India as the captain of the team.[5] His paternal grandmother was Sajida Sultan, Begum of Bhopal and his great-uncle was Pakistani general Nawabzada Sher Ali Khan Pataudi. His father is Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the eighth Nawab of Pataudi and a former captain of the Indian cricket team.[4][5]

Khan has two sisters Saba Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. Khan's mother is Sharmila Tagore, a Bengali Indian film actress and a member of Bengal's Tagore family. She is also the head of the Indian film censorship board[6] and the grand-niece of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.[7] Tagore converted to Islam from Hinduism after her marriage to Khan's father, and changed her name to Begum Ayesha Sultana.[5] Khan spent his childhood in a Muslim atmosphere, reading the Quran, with his grandmother being the centre of his religious education. Khan says that "Religion played a major role in my upbringing."[4] Khan also states that his family is "cool or rather massively open–minded about religious matters." For example, he acknowledges that his daughter is born into a Muslim family, however he states that he will not decide her religion for her.[4]

Initially Khan studied at the Lawrence School Sanawar[8] and later attended Lockers Park School in Hertfordshire. He followed in his father's footsteps by attending Winchester College, an independent school for boys in the UK. Khan can speak his native languages of Hindi and Bengali fluently, as well as English.[9]

Career

In 1993, he won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for Aashiq Awara. His breakthrough role came in 1994 with Yeh Dillagi starring opposite Kajol and Akshay Kumar which was his first major hit.[10] Khan went on to star in many films but they failed at the box office. He only had success with multi-starrer hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Imtihaan (1995),[11] Kachche Dhaage (1999) and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999).[12] After some box office failures he had a hit with the film Kya Kehna (2000).[13]

His acting career, more or less, went through a relative slump until 2001, when he was cast in Farhan Akhtar's contemporary drama Dil Chahta Hai.[14] He received much acclaim for his role as Sameer with critic Taran Adarsh calling it his career-best performance.[15] The success of this film firmly established Saif as one of the industry's most bankable stars.[3]

He has since had many box office successes, starting with Nikhil Advani's drama Kal Ho Na Ho (2003), co-starring alongside Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta. The film, set in New York, starred Saif as Rohit, Zinta's best friend, who later realises that he loves her.[16] The film was the second top-grossing film of the year, and Khan's performance was praised by critics. He won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, as well as other awards in that category in other award ceremonies. Khan followed it with the leading role in Kunal Kohli's romantic comedy Hum Tum (2004), his first collaboration with Yash Raj Films. The film follows the encounters of the two main characters until they, after several years and various meetings, become friends and finally fall in love. Khan played the role of Karan Kapoor, a young cartoonist and womaniser whose relationship with Rhea Prakash, played by Rani Mukerji, changes his perception of women and life.[17] Khan's performance was applauded by both critics and audiences. He won the Best Comedian award at the Filmfare, and was conferred the coveted National Film Award for Best Actor in 2005.[18] Khan's next project with the Yash Raj Films production, Salaam Namaste (2005), became India's top-grossing film in the overseas market. The film, which was the first Indian film to be entirely shot in Australia, starred Khan and Preity Zinta as a contemporary cohabiting Indian couple.[19][20] He was also noted for his performance in a negative role in Ram Gopal Verma's Ek Hasina Thi (2004) and for his role of Shekhar Rai in Pradeep Sarkar's Parineeta (2005), an adaptation of the 1914 Bengali novella, Parineeta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[21]

In 2006 Khan played the protagonist in the English-language art film, Being Cyrus. His role as Cyrus got him positive reviews. In that same year, he went on to receive major acclaim for his portrayal of Iago in the Indian adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, Omkara. Rediff.com stated, "Omkara marks Saif's emergence into the very forefront of his acting peers, and we gleefully applaud".[22] Variety film critic Derek Elley called his performance "powerhouse" and further wrote, "It's Khan's movie through and through, in a performance of rugged, contained malevolence which trades on his previous screen persona as a likable best friend as well as his stint as the manipulative outsider in 'Being Cyrus'. It's smart casting, superbly realized."[23] For his work, Khan earned the awards for Best Actor in a negative role at the Star Screen, Filmfare, Zee Cine and IIFA Awards.[24][25][26]

Khan next acted in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007), co-starring alongside his mother for the second time since Aashiq Awara (1993). The film was India's official entry to the Oscars, and Khan's performance as Harshwardhan was appreciated by critics. Taran Adarsh commented, "watching him emote with amazing precision makes you realise the giant strides he has taken as an actor".[27] He next appeared alongside Rani Mukerji in the family drama, Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007). Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film went on to become a box office success.[28][29]

In 2008, Khan first starred in the Abbas-Mustan thriller Race, which went on to do well at the box office.[30] This was followed by two projects produced by Yash Raj Films, Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, both of which were not successful.[30]

In 2009, Khan produced and starred in Love Aaj Kal. The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, was a critical and commercial success.[31] He then starred in the thriller Kurbaan along with Kareena Kapoor in which he played a terrorist. The following year, Khan was awarded the Padma Shri, which is the fourth highest civilian award given by the Government of India

Khan turned producer when he setup his production company called Illuminati Films in 2009.[32] His first film, Love Aaj Kal was directed by Imtiaz Ali and featured Deepika Padukone opposite him. Upon release, the film was critically and commercially successful. Khan's second film production, Agent Vinod, will be directed by Sriram Raghavan.

Personal life

Khan with Kareena Kapoor at the 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards (2008).

Khan married actress Amrita Singh in October 1991.[33] After thirteen years of marriage and two children (son Ibrahim Ali Khan and daughter Sara Ali Khan), the couple divorced in 2004. His children live with their mother.[34] Khan is currently dating actress Kareena Kapoor.[35]

In 1998, Khan was charged with poaching two blackbucks in Kankani during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain along with co-stars Salman Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam.[36] The charges were dropped soon after Khan was acquitted.[37]

On 18 February 2007, Khan was hospitalised at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai due to experiencing chest pain while rehearsing for his performance at the Stardust Awards, to be held that night.[38] After hospitalization, he stated he would quit smoking.[39]

In October 2009 Khan publicly spoke of his relationship with Kareena Kapoor and the prospect of marriage stating, that in his opinion people said that marriage does not affect one's career but in fact it does and that today the whole definition of marriage has changed. He said, that he and Kareena were so well connected, so close that marriage is just a stamp of validation for the society.[40]

Commitments

In 2005, along with other Bollywood stars, Khan performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert to help raise money for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[41]

Khan took part in two major world tours. He was part of a troupe that included Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra, which went on the Temptations 2004 world tour.

In 2006, Khan toured again, participating and performing in Heat 2006 concert around the world, along with Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta, Sushmita Sen and Celina Jaitley.[42]

In 2006, Khan appeared along with various other Bollywood actors at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian culture along with Rani Mukerji, and Aishwarya Rai on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi.[43]

Ali Zafar Biography

Ali Zafar

(Urdu, Punjabi: علی ظفر; born May 18, 1980 in Lahore, Pakistan) also known as the Prince of Pop, is a Pakistani musician, actor, painter and model, popular in Pakistan for his music, including his hit songs like Channo, Rangeen, Chal Dil Merey, Dekha, Masty and Sajania. He started his singing career with the song Jugnuon Se Bhar Le Aanchal in the film Shararat, directed by Pakistani actress and director Samina Peerzada. He has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. Zafar made his acting debut in 2010 Indian film Tere Bin Laden by director Abhishek Sharma.[1]

Biography

Early life and career

Ali Zafar was born to two professors at the University of the Punjab. He initially attended the C.A.A. Public School and later moved to the Beaconhouse School System from where he topped in his matric examinations. He then went onto Government College, Lahore and completed his FA. Later he graduated from the National College of Arts as a painter in 2002 with honors. Before entering the Pakistani musical scene, Zafar worked as a model for several commercial advertisement besides acting in television. He worked in the Pakistani television serial Lunda-Bazar, Kanch Ke Par and in the teenage sitcom Kollege Jeans. He was also in the music video of Preeto sung by Abrar-ul-Haq.
Music career

Ali Zafar made his debut as a musician with the album Huqa Pani, released in Pakistan in 2003 and worldwide in 2005. The album was an instant hit, selling over 600,000 copies worldwide and winning several major awards and nominations. It also put him into the league of the most popular artists ever to have come out of Pakistan with a massive fan following locally and internationally. He was described by The Hindu as "take a Kishore Kumar-like voice, club it with yuppie Ibiza-ish electronic beats, and add a bit of nostalgic lyrics".[2]

His comparison to Kishore Kumar was frequently made initially but with time he proved to be perhaps the most versatile singer in the modern generation with a distinct vocal tone and qualities, specially during his folk and Sufi renditions in the "Coke Studio Sessions", where he surprised his audiences with live renditions of difficult notes with much ease and ranging his singing from pop to folk to semi-classical. His new songs, namely "Allah Hu", "Yaar Dhadhi Ishq" (a cover), "Nahin Ray Nahin" and "Daastan-e-Ishq" won the hearts of millions all over the world once again and earned him a new era of fan following.

He won the award for "Best Album" category at the Lux Style Awards in 2004 for his massive hit album Huqa Pani and also the "Best Male Artist" at the 2008 MTV awards.[3] In addition to the album's popularity being reflected in the music stores and by critics, it has been widely claimed that Himesh Reshammiya plagiarized one of the most well-known tracks from the album, Rangeen, for the song Dillagi Mein Jo.[4] Soon Pritam too copied his track "Channo" as "Chori ki Baatein" in the film Fight Club.

Zafar launched his second album "Masty" nationwide in November 2006. He has since released four videos from the album called "Masty", "Sajania", "Dekha" and "Aasmaan". A press conference for the release of the album was held in Lahore. The album was released under the banner of Fire Records. "Masty" was released in India in February 2007. The album contained two additional remixed tracks and was launched by "FrankFinn Records".

He released his third and long awaited video of the single, "Dekha", from his second album, which was the most expensive music video of Pakistan, costing more than seven million rupees. The video was shot in Malaysia, produced by the Lux Company, and had the famous Pakistani actresses/models, Reema Khan, Meera, and Amina Haq, starring in it. Zafar also won the "Youth Icon" award in the Lux Style Awards 2007, in Malaysia.

Besides being a singer, painter, model and an actor, Zafar has also produced and directed his music video Ek Pal from his first album Huqa Pani. His song "Dekha" of his album Masty was part of the soundtrack of American film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps which was released on September 24, 2010. He is the fourth Pakistani artist after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Strings and Atif Aslam to have their song(s) featured in an American film Wallstreet - Money never sleeps.

In August 2010, Ali Zafar announced that he is working on his third album titled Jhoom, which he hopes to release at the end of November. The album will consist of him doing a duet with singer, Ahmed Jahanzeb. The music video of Jhoom will be directed by an Indian music video director[who?] and will be filmed in India. The album released in February 2011 and has opened to positive reviews. [5]
Acting career

Zafar made his debut in Indian director Abhishek Sharma's comedy film, Tere Bin Laden, which was a success both critically and commercially.[6] The film released worldwide on July 16, 2010. According to several reports, Zafar will appear in his second Indian film, directed and written by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Aditya Chopra of the Yashraj Films.[7] The film will also star Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif.[7] The film titled Mere Brother Ki Dulhan is being filmed in Mumbai since September 2010.
Personal life

Zafar married his long-time-fiance Ayesha Fazli (paternally related to Indian actor Aamir Khan[8][9][10]) on July 28, 2009 in Lahore.[11] On March 7, 2010, he became a father to a baby boy, who he named Azaan Zafar.[12]

Filmography

Feature Films
Year Title Role Credited as
2010 Tere Bin Laden Ali Hassan Actor
2010 Luv Ka The End Freddy Kapoor Special Appearance
2011 Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Aryan Actor

Discography

Albums

Huqa Pani (Released on November 21, 2003)

Masty (Released on December 1, 2006)

Jhoom (Released on February 14, 2011)

For films
Year song Movie
2011 Love Mein Gum (Title Song) Love Mein Gum
2011 F.U.N Fun Funna Luv Ka The End
Notable songs

"Channo"
"Huqa Pani"
"Rangeen"
"Chal Dil Merey"
"Jugnuon Se Bher Le Aanchal"
"Dekha Jo Teri Aankhon Mai"
"Aag Jaisi Ye Jawani"
"Sajania"
"Aasmaan"
"Masty"
"Jhoom"
"Daastan-e-Ishq"

Single(s)

Those For Truth
Aaja Sajna
Ain't No Sunshine
Rise Of Jazba
Dunia Hai Dil Walon Ki

Lara Dutta Biography

Lara Dutta Bhupathi

(Hindi: दत्ता लारा भूपति; born 16 April 1978) is an Indian actress, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and former Miss Universe.[1]

Biography

Early life

Lara was born in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh to a Punjabi father and an Anglo-Indian mother.[1] Her father is Wing Commander L.K. Dutta (retired) and her mother is Jennifer Dutta. She also has two older sisters, one of whom serves in the Indian Air Force and a well known younger sister. Famed composer and DJ Nitin Sawhney is Lara's cousin.[2] The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where she completed high school from St.Francis Xavier Girls' High School and the Frank Anthony Public School. Lara graduated in economics with a minor in communications from the University of Mumbai. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2000 which led to her appointment as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.[3]
Modeling career

Dutta Bhupathi won the annual Gladsrags modeling competition in her native India, thus winning the right to be the first Indian representative at the 1997 Miss Intercontinental, in which she took first place. Later, she was crowned Femina Miss India Universe and Miss Universe in 2000.[4]

At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Lara was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada. She achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finalist interview score was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her perfect interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 mark. After her final question, in which she delivered a passionate defense of the Miss Universe contest (and other beauty pageants), she became the second Indian Miss Universe.

In the same year, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza won their respective Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants.
Acting career

Lara primarily signed up to do the Tamil film, Arasatchi in 2002, but due to financial problems, it only released in mid-2004. She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. She then appeared in a number of films, some of which failed at the box office and some of which were mildly successful. Her box office "hits" include Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Partner (2007) and Housefull (2010).

In 2006, she starred in the comedy, Bhagam Bhag which did well at the box office.[5]

In 2005, Sania Mirza and Lara Dutta Bhupathi both participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati (season 2) on 13 November 2005.[6] Dutta's first release of 2007 was Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. The film was a box office failure in India but did better overseas, especially in the U.K.[7] She received mixed reviews for her performance in the film. Her later release, Partner opened to a good response and became a hit.[8]

Her 2009 release, Blue was one of the most expensive movies of Indian cinema. Lara had initially walked out of the project because the movie was entirely shot in the ocean and she did not know how to swim. However the male protagonist Akshay Kumar encouraged her in learning how to swim and she immediately started training with a special coach. Blue was released on 16 October 2009.[9] She stated that "The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the assignment. He knew the reason behind my decision. Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for Andaaz, Akshay had rescued me. When I reminded him I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobia and learn swimming pronto," said Dutta. "Today, I feel Blue has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life".[9]

Her 2010 release Housefull was a hit across India. The movie starred Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone and Riteish Deshmukh. It was the 4th biggest hit in the country with Rs 955 Millions of gross revenue .[10]. She played the role of Hetal Petal , one of the main character in the movie .

In 2011 ,her first movie as a producer Chalo Dilli released.
Personal life

Lara dated New York Yankees star Derek Jeter when she lived in New York City. There she was spotted at a baseball game in Yankees Stadium and a news items was carried on ESPN.[11]

In September 2010, she got engaged to Indian tennis player, Mahesh Bhupathi.[12][13] They got married on February 16, 2011 in a civil ceremony in Bandra,[14] and later followed it by a Christian ceremony on 20 February 2011 at Sunset Point in Goa.[15]

Filmography

Year Film Role Other notes
2003 Andaaz Kajal
Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award
2003 Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost Kesar
2004 Khakee Special appearance in song "Aisa Jadoo"
2004 Masti Monica
2004 Bardaasht Advocate Payal
2004 Arasatchi Lara Tamil film
2004 Aan: Men at Work Kiran
2005 Insan Meghna
2005 Elaan Sonia
2005 Jurm Sanjana Malhotra
2005 Kaal Ishika
2005 No Entry Kajal
2005 Ek Ajnabee Adult Anamika Special appearance
2005 Dosti: Friends Forever Kajal
2006 Zinda Jenny Singh
2006 Fanaa Zeenat Special appearance
2006 Alag Special appearance in song "Sabse Alag"
2006 Bhagam Bhag Munni/Nisha/Aditi
2007 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Anaida Raza/Laila
2007 Partner Naina
2007 Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song "Deewangi Deewangi"
2008 Jumbo Sonia (voice)
2008 Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Special appearance in song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte"
2009 Billu Barber Bindiya
2009 Satyameva Jeyathe Telugu film
Special appearance "Aisa Jadoo" song dubbed in telugu
2009 Do Knot Disturb Dolly Main Female Lead
2009 Blue Mona
2010 Housefull Hetal Patel
2011 Chalo Dilli
2011 Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai [16]
2011 Don 2 - The Chase Continues Lara Releasing on December 23, 2011

Ayesha Takia Biography

Ayesha Takia

Azmi (Hindi: आयेशा टाकिया आजमी; born Ayesha Takia on 10 April 1986) is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Bollywood films.

Early life

Ayesha was born in Chembur Mumbai, Maharashtra to a Gujarati father, Nishit and a half British - half Maharashtrian mother, Faridah. She attended St. Anthony's High School in Chembur. She has a younger sister named Natasha.

Career

Ayesha started her career with the "I am a Complan Girl!" advertising campaign and she also appeared in a music video, Falguni Pathak's Meri Chunarii Udd Udd Jaye, when she was fifteen. She then appeared in the video, Shake It Daddy when she was sixteen, which brought her to the attention of the film industry, and a few film offers followed. She signed a contract for Socha Na Tha. However, there were delays in making Socha Na Tha so the film Taarzan released first and was therefore her "debut" film. She won the Filmfare Best Debut Award in 2004 for her performance in Taarzan: The Wonder Car. She earned critical acclaim for her performance in Nagesh Kukunoor's Dor.[1] She appeared in one Telugu film Super with Tollywood star Akkineni Nagarjuna.

Ayesha's latest release was Wanted costarring Salman Khan. It emerged as the one of the biggest blockbusters of 2009.[2]

Personal life

On 1 March 2009, Ayesha married Farhan Azmi, a restaurateur and the son of politician Abu Azmi, a Samajwadi Party leader.[3][dead link] The couple had originally planned to marry in December 2008, but the wedding was delayed due to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Awards

2005, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for Taarzan: The Wonder Car
2004, IIFA Star Debut
2005, Star's Sabsey Favourite Nayi Heroine
2007, Star Screen Award Best Actress (Critics) for Dor
2007, Stardust Best Supporting Actress Award for Dor
2007, Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards, Best Actress for Dor
2007, Zee Cine Critics Award - Best Actress, tied with Gul Panag for Dor

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2004 Taarzan: The Wonder Car Priya Rakesh Kapoor Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award
Dil Maange More Shagun
Socha Na Tha Aditi
2005 Shaadi No. 1 Bhavna
Super Siri Valli Telugu film ,
Nominated, Filmfare Best Telugu Actress[4]
Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak Jenny
2006 Shaadi Se Pehle Rani
Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota Khushboo
Dor Meera
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love Jia Bakshi
Kya Love Story Hai Kajal Mehra
Fool and Final Tina
Cash Riya Special Appearance
Blood Brothers Keya Short Film
No Smoking Anjali / Annie Double Role
2008 Sunday Sehar Thapar
De Taali Amrita "Amu"
2009 8 X 10 Tasveer Sheela First Negative Role
Wanted Jhanvi
2010 Paathshala Anjali
Delhi Safari Leopard Announced
Animated Film
Aap Ke Liye Hum
Bemisaal

Zarine Khan Biography

Zarine Khan

(Hindi: ज़रीन खान, born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) is an Indian actress and model who appears in Bollywood films. She started her acting career in 2010 with the film Veer, starring Salman Khan.[4] She has been noted for looks very similar to actress Katrina Kaif.[5]

Early life

Khan was born to a Pashtun[6][7] family in Mumbai.[8] She speaks fluent Hindi and Marathi.[9] In college she weighed almost 100 kg (220 lb).[8] Although she never planned to be model, she began to focus on losing weight and getting into shape. In order to lose weight, she began to work out at the gym, eventually reaching her target weight.[8] Her family's financial troubles forced Khan to abandon her education and begin working.[10] With no marketable skills, she tried her hand at modeling. Khan did a number of small assignments that fetched her enough money to run her family's house.[11]

Acting career

Khan's acting career began while visiting the set of Yuvraaj[12] at Subhash Ghai's film school Whistling Woods. Salman Khan noticed her and decided to cast her for his film Veer because, he said, "She looks the character - the sweet princess she is playing in Veer".[13] After a screen test, Khan was given the role of Princess Yashodhara. She gained eight kilograms in order to be more convincing as a 19th century princess.[14] Because of Veer's poor box office performance, Khan at first had trouble finding roles in big-budget films.[9] In 2011, she made a cameo appearance in Anees Bazmee's Ready, parodying characters from Mughal-e-Azam, Sholay and Shri 420. Her upcoming films include Housefull 2[9] and Partner 2.

Filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes
2010 Veer Princess Yashodhara Hindi
2011 Ready Hindi Cameo & Item number in the song "Character Dheela"
2012 Karikalan Tamil Filming
Housefull 2 Hindi Filming
Partner 2 Hindi Pre-production
See also

List of Indian film actresses

References

^ "Zarine’s birthday wish". Times of India.
^ Dhingra, Deepali. "Old hero, young heroine?". Times of India.
^ Shah, Kunal. "No need to be insecure about Salman Khan". Ahmedabad Mirror.
^ "Zarine Khan: Veer ki Heer!". Times of India. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-24.
^ "Katrina Kaif look-alike in Salman's Veer". Hindustan Times. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
^ "When Men Were Men". Indian Express. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
^ MangalDalal (8 January 2010). "‘Veer’ also has a social message behind it: Salman Khan". Express India. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
^ a b c "No bikini for me: Zarine Khan". Mid-Day (IANS). 2010-01-27. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
^ a b c Shah, Kumal (5 May 2011). "Sonakshi isn't my best friend: Zarine". Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
^ Nikhil Ramsubramaniam (8 January 2010). "Introducing Zarine Khan". Retrieved 2010-11-22.
^ Natasha Sahgal (11 January 2010). "Zarine Khan is living a dream as the heroine in ‘Veer’". Indian Express. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
^ Soumyadipta Banerjee (24 January 2010). "Zarine Khan is a tough cookie". Daily News & Analysis. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
^ Deepa Karmalkar (21 November 2008). "'No candlelight dinners for me...'". Screen. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
^ Subhadeep Bhattacharjee (16 December 2009). "Salman made Zarine Khan gain weight". One India. Retrieved 27 January 2010.