More Beautiful Film Actresses from India
And here we are with my ninth article about the actresses of Indian cinema.
This time we have the usual actresses and models, plus an UN Goodwill Ambassador, a social activist, a comedienne, and a lady who has appeared in over 1500 films!
And this time, we have some actresses that have been caught up in controversy.
So here are more of the ladies of Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam and Kannada cinema, plus a few from Nepali and Bengali films as well.
This time we have the usual actresses and models, plus an UN Goodwill Ambassador, a social activist, a comedienne, and a lady who has appeared in over 1500 films!
And this time, we have some actresses that have been caught up in controversy.
So here are more of the ladies of Bollywood, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam and Kannada cinema, plus a few from Nepali and Bengali films as well.
Mahima Chaudhary
Mahima Chaudhary
Mahima Chaudhary (also spelled Chaudhry) was born Ritu Chaudhry,on September 13th 1973 in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Although there seems to be some question about that, as some sources list her as being born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Mahima made her acting debut in the 1997 Bollywood movie, Pardes for which she won the 1998 Filmfare Award for Best Debut - Female.
Since then she has gone on to appear in over thirty films.
By the way, the reason she changed her name from Ritu to Mahima is because she was discovered by Indian film director, producer and screenwriter Subhash Ghai.
He also discovered Madhuri Dixit, Meenakshi Seshadri and Manisha Koirala and he thinks "M" is lucky for him, thus Ritu became Mahima.
Although there seems to be some question about that, as some sources list her as being born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Mahima made her acting debut in the 1997 Bollywood movie, Pardes for which she won the 1998 Filmfare Award for Best Debut - Female.
Since then she has gone on to appear in over thirty films.
By the way, the reason she changed her name from Ritu to Mahima is because she was discovered by Indian film director, producer and screenwriter Subhash Ghai.
He also discovered Madhuri Dixit, Meenakshi Seshadri and Manisha Koirala and he thinks "M" is lucky for him, thus Ritu became Mahima.
Salman Khan and Mahima Chaudhary in Pehle Kabhi Na Mera Haal - Baghban
Mala Sinha
Mala Sinha
One of the most popular female stars in Bollywood films from the fifties to the early seventies, Mala Sinha was born on November 11th, 1936 in Kashmir, India (again there seems to be some question as some sources list her as being born in Calcutta, West Bengal, India).
She began acting as a child, and her first film is also in question.
Some places have it listed as Roshanara (1952), some as Jhanshi Ki Rani(1952) and still others have Jog Biyog (1953) listed as her debut as an adult.
Either way, she went on to appear in over one hundred Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films.
Mala is also the mother of Bollywood actress Pratibha Sinha.
She began acting as a child, and her first film is also in question.
Some places have it listed as Roshanara (1952), some as Jhanshi Ki Rani(1952) and still others have Jog Biyog (1953) listed as her debut as an adult.
Either way, she went on to appear in over one hundred Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films.
Mala is also the mother of Bollywood actress Pratibha Sinha.
Mandakini
Mandakini
Former Bollywood actress Mandakini was born Yasmeen Joseph on January 7th, 1969 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India.
At the age of sixteen, she made quite a splash when she appeared in Raj Kapoor's 1985 movie, Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
Although the movie was a hit, and earned Mandakini a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress, it caused quite a stir.
In one famous scene in the film, Mandakini was bathing in a waterfall wearing a saree and when the saree got wet...well it was quite see through.
Then there was another scene where she was breast feeding a baby.
Mandakini went on to appear in almost forty films before she retired from acting.
At the age of sixteen, she made quite a splash when she appeared in Raj Kapoor's 1985 movie, Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
Although the movie was a hit, and earned Mandakini a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress, it caused quite a stir.
In one famous scene in the film, Mandakini was bathing in a waterfall wearing a saree and when the saree got wet...well it was quite see through.
Then there was another scene where she was breast feeding a baby.
Mandakini went on to appear in almost forty films before she retired from acting.
Mamta Kulkarni
Mamta Kulkarni
Another former Bollywood actress, Mamta Kulkarni was born on April 20th, 1972 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Mamta made her acting debut in the 1991 Tamil film Nanbargal.
She went on to appear in almost forty Bollywood, Tamil and Telugu films.
And like Mandakini, she had her share for controversy as well.
In 1993 she appeared on the cover of the popular Indian film magazine Stardust in a controversial shot.
She was charged under India's obscenity laws, but it took till 2000 for her to go to court over it.
Then when she went to court, she cause another stir by wearing a burqa to get away from photographers.
This enraged the local Islamic community, leading to death threats and protests.
She was convicted and fined Rs 15,000 which is about $330.00 US.
Mamta made her acting debut in the 1991 Tamil film Nanbargal.
She went on to appear in almost forty Bollywood, Tamil and Telugu films.
And like Mandakini, she had her share for controversy as well.
In 1993 she appeared on the cover of the popular Indian film magazine Stardust in a controversial shot.
She was charged under India's obscenity laws, but it took till 2000 for her to go to court over it.
Then when she went to court, she cause another stir by wearing a burqa to get away from photographers.
This enraged the local Islamic community, leading to death threats and protests.
She was convicted and fined Rs 15,000 which is about $330.00 US.
Mamta Mohandas
Mamta Mohandas
Indian film actress and playback singer Mamta Mohandas was born on November 14th, 1985 in Manama, Bahrain.
Like many of the other actresses, Mamta started out as a model, then made her acting debut in the 2005 Malayalam film Mayookham.
Since then she has appeared in over twenty Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.
Besides acting, she is a talented playback singer.
She won the 2007 Filmfare Best Telugu Female Playback Singer Award for her debut as a singer in the film Rakhi.
Like many of the other actresses, Mamta started out as a model, then made her acting debut in the 2005 Malayalam film Mayookham.
Since then she has appeared in over twenty Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.
Besides acting, she is a talented playback singer.
She won the 2007 Filmfare Best Telugu Female Playback Singer Award for her debut as a singer in the film Rakhi.
Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala
Nepali-Indian actress, United Nations Population Fund Goodwill Ambassador and social activist Manisha Koirala was born on August 16th, 1970 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
She made her acting debut in the 1989 Nepali movie Pheri Bhetaula and has gone on to appear in almost seventy Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Bollywood films.
As a social activist, Manisha has fought against violence against women and human trafficking, and worked for women's rights.
And like Mandakini and Mamta Kulkarni. she has had some controversy.
There was the Ek Chotisi Love Story situation where Manisha alledged that Shashilal K. Nair used a body double to film some racy scenes.
And the Pet situation where a media report claimed Manisha had named her pet dog after a revered Muslim figure.
A police investigation showed that she didn't even own a pet.
She made her acting debut in the 1989 Nepali movie Pheri Bhetaula and has gone on to appear in almost seventy Nepali, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Bollywood films.
As a social activist, Manisha has fought against violence against women and human trafficking, and worked for women's rights.
And like Mandakini and Mamta Kulkarni. she has had some controversy.
There was the Ek Chotisi Love Story situation where Manisha alledged that Shashilal K. Nair used a body double to film some racy scenes.
And the Pet situation where a media report claimed Manisha had named her pet dog after a revered Muslim figure.
A police investigation showed that she didn't even own a pet.
Manisha Koirala at Amazon
Mandira Bedi
Mandira Bedi
Mandira Bedi was born on April 15th, 1972 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Although she has made some films, her main claim to fame is TV.
In 1994, she starred in the title role in the television series Shanti.
Besides Shanti, she has appeared on the TV shows Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Fame Gurukul, Deal Ya No Deal, Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
She has also appeared in nine films.
And like some of the other ladies on this Hub, she has had her share of controversy.
Mandira got in trouble with Bangladesh over her criticism of their cricket team following their win against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Then on the TV show Extraa Innings, she appeared wearing a saree that had flags from the diferent countries involved in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Unfortunately, the Indian flag was down at the bottom of the saree, near her feet, and that angered many viewers, so much so that a complaint was lodged against her.
The complaint stated that she had violated the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act,1971, which prohibits desecration of, or insult to, the country's national symbols, including the flag, constitution, and anthem.
The designer of the saree, Indian fashion creator Satya Paul, was also charged.
And it doesn't stop there.
At the 2009 Kolkata Fashion week, she wore a saree with a very low cut blouse.
(actually I saw pictures of the outfit...it was more of a bikini top than a blouse)
And again, there was more drama.
Although she has made some films, her main claim to fame is TV.
In 1994, she starred in the title role in the television series Shanti.
Besides Shanti, she has appeared on the TV shows Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Fame Gurukul, Deal Ya No Deal, Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star and Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.
She has also appeared in nine films.
And like some of the other ladies on this Hub, she has had her share of controversy.
Mandira got in trouble with Bangladesh over her criticism of their cricket team following their win against India in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Then on the TV show Extraa Innings, she appeared wearing a saree that had flags from the diferent countries involved in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Unfortunately, the Indian flag was down at the bottom of the saree, near her feet, and that angered many viewers, so much so that a complaint was lodged against her.
The complaint stated that she had violated the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act,1971, which prohibits desecration of, or insult to, the country's national symbols, including the flag, constitution, and anthem.
The designer of the saree, Indian fashion creator Satya Paul, was also charged.
And it doesn't stop there.
At the 2009 Kolkata Fashion week, she wore a saree with a very low cut blouse.
(actually I saw pictures of the outfit...it was more of a bikini top than a blouse)
And again, there was more drama.
Manorama
Manorama
While the name may look a bit strange to us here in the US, trust me Manorama(born Gopi Shantha on May 26th, 1943 in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, India) is no joke.
This talented lady holds a Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films.
Ready?
This lady (affectionately called Aachi by her fans), has acted in more than 1500 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, 1000 stage performances, and television serials.
Yes...more than 1500 films!
Although she started out in dramas, she moved into comedy and became a very popular comedienne in Tamil films.
This talented lady holds a Guinness World Record for acting in the most number of films.
Ready?
This lady (affectionately called Aachi by her fans), has acted in more than 1500 Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, 1000 stage performances, and television serials.
Yes...more than 1500 films!
Although she started out in dramas, she moved into comedy and became a very popular comedienne in Tamil films.
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