Asin Thottumkal | |
---|---|
Born | Asin Thottumkal 26 October 1985 |
Alma mater | St. Teresa's College |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 2001–2015 |
Works | Full list |
Spouse | Rahul Sharma (m. 2016) |
Children | 1 |
Awards | Full list |
Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononyomusly as Asin, is an Indian actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films. Asin is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Award, two Filmfare Awards South and four South Indian International Movie Awards. In 2009, she was honoured with Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Highest Civilian Honour of the State. [1] Asin is considered as one of the leading South Indian actresses of the 2000s and is referred to as the "Queen of Kollywood". [2] [3]
A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, [4] Asin made her acting debut at the age of 15 with Sathyan Anthikkad's Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Asin had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi in 2003, and won a Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for the film. M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi (2004) was her debut in Tamil and a huge success. She received her Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for her most noted critically acclaimed performance in her third Tamil film, Ghajini (2005). She then played the lead female roles in many successful films, the most notable being the action films Sivakasi (2005), Varalaru (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Vel (2008) and Dasavathaaram (2008), hence establishing herself as the leading actress of Tamil cinema. [5] In 2013, Asin was conferred with the Pride of South Indian Cinema award at SIIMA for her contribution to Tamil cinema. [6]
In late 2008, Asin made her debut in the Bollywood film Ghajini (2008), opposite Aamir Khan, which was the first Bollywood film to have collected more than ₹1 billion in the domestic box office, subsequently collecting ₹1.9 billion (US$23 million) worldwide. Asin won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award and many accolades for Ghajini. 2011 marked the most successful phase of Asin's Bollywood career, as she starred in Anees Bazmee's romantic comedy Ready , in which she co-starred alongside Salman Khan. The film was a major hit at the box office, collecting ₹1.84 billion (US$22 million) worldwide. [7] In 2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull 2 , which collected more than ₹1 billion. She then featured in Bol Bachchan and Khiladi 786 , which were also commercially successful with both grossing over ₹1 billion. The 2015 film, All Is Well was her last film, following which she took a retirement from acting. [8]
Asin was born on 26 October 1985 [9] [10] [11] at Kochi in the state Kerala in a Malayali Syro-Malabar Catholic family. [12] Her father Joseph Thottumkal is an Ex-CBI officer and later managed several businesses. Her mother Seline Thottumkal, who moved from Kochi to Chennai and then to Mumbai to live with her daughter, is a surgeon. According to custom, Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother. Asin's father however, named her Asin as the name had a beautiful meaning. [13] Asin has quoted that her name means pure or without blemish. [14] She states that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning "without", and "sin" from English. [15] [16]
She attended Naval Public School from LKG through X standard. [17] She then attended St. Teresa's School in Kochi for her Kerala Higher Secondary Examination Board (Plus Two) Education. After that, she attended St. Teresa's College in Kochi, a college affiliated with MG University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. [18] [ failed verification ]
Asin's first assignment was an advertisement for BPL Mobile. She debuted in the Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka in 2001, at the age of 15. [19] After taking a year out to pursue her education, Asin returned in 2003, with her breakthrough film, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi opposite Ravi Teja, portraying a Tamil girl in her first Telugu film, which subsequently fetched her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. [20] The film was a commercial success, with Jeevi of Idlebrain.com stating that Asin "acts well" but doesn't add much to the film. [21] That year, she won the Santosham Best Actress Award for her performance alongside Nagarjuna in her second Telugu film Shivamani . [20] [22]
Asin had two Telugu releases in 2004: Lakshmi Narasimha alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna and Gharshana opposite Venkatesh. In both these films, Asin portrayed the love interest for police officers and both were successful ventures. [23] Critics found her performance in Gharshana to be "tender" and "adorable". [24] In the same year, Asin appeared in her first Tamil film was M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi , portraying a Malayali girl opposite Jayam Ravi, reprising her role from the original Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi. The film was a box office success and introduced Asin to the Tamil film industry. [25] The Hindu opined that she "fits the bill". [26]
After her first Telugu film of 2005, Chakram with Prabhas which was a box office failure, Asin shifted her focus to Tamil films with Ullam Ketkumae . [27] The film, initially launched in 2002, was supposed to be her debut, and is a college love story, which was long-delayed but eventually became a successful venture at the box office, creating wider opportunities for her. [28] Following this Asin had two releases, Sivakasi opposite Vijay and Majaa opposite Vikram. Despite the latter becoming an average grosser, the former went on to be a successful venture at the box office. [29] [30] S. R. Ashok Kumsr stated that she "proves her mettle" in the opening scenes of Majaa. [31]
Asin was cited as a leading actress of Tamil film industry, after starring in blockbuster films Ghajini , Sivakasi , Varalaru and Pokkiri respectively. [32] The film which provided her breakthrough was, Ghajini opposite Suriya. Her portrayal of a young model named Kalpana, earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. [33] Sify.com praised her portrayal as "magical", describing her character as a "lovable chatterbox", played with "sheer ability in the romantic interludes, the poignant and heartfelt scenes when she rescues minor girls from villains and her gory end are touching". [34] Ghajini went onto become one of the highest-grossing film of the year. [35]
The following year, her long-delayed venture Varalaru opposite Ajith Kumar succeeded at the box office, and Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noted that she "looks lustrous and sails through her role smoothly". [36] Asin then appeared opposite Pawan Kalyan in Annavaram , another successful venture, which also marked her final Telugu film. [37]
In her first film of 2007, Asin played the lead opposite Ajith Kumar in Aalwar , which became a box office failure. Sify noted that she looks a "million bucks", but has nothing much to do. [38] She then reunited with Vijay for Pokkiri , which was a major success. [39] Shwetha Bhaskar termed her the film's "saving grace". [40] In her last film of the year, Asin appeared in Vel , opposite Suriya, which subsequently becoming her third successful film which released during the Diwali season in three years. [41] Asin portrayed a TV anchor, and TSV Hari found her to be "adequate". [42]
Asin appeared in dual roles in Dasavathaaram , her first release of 2008, opposite Kamal Haasan, who had ten roles.[ citation needed ] Asin's portrayed a Vaishnavite in 12th century Tamil Nadu and a Brahmin girl from Chidambaram in the film, for which she won her first ITFA Best Actress Award. [43] R G Vijayasarathy of Rediff.com found her to be "excellent". [43] A critic from The Hindu was appreciative of her character Kodhai for its "moving intensity". [44] It became a box office blockbuster. [45]
After establishing herself as a leading actress in South India, Asin ventured into Hindi films with Ghajini , a 2008 remake of her Tamil film of the same name. She reprised Kalpana opposite Aamir Khan.[ citation needed ] Taran Adarsh noted: "Asin is fabulous. She looks fresh and photogenic and acts her part brilliantly." Shubhra Gupta called her the "best part" of the film. [46] [47] Ghajini became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year, and created the 100 Crore Club and 200 Crore Club. [48] [49] For her performance, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. [50]
In her only film the following year, London Dreams , Asin played a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. [51] In his review, Rajeev Masand criticized her performance and character. [52] The film was a commercial failure. Asin had no film release in 2010. [53]
Asin returned to Tamil films, with her first film of 2011, Kaavalan , opposite Vijay, which was a commercial success and won her the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Tamil. [54] Pavithra Srinivasan found her "pretty" and added, "Asin had few moments to act as well, she does her best but isn't convincing." [55] Kaavalan became Asin's last Tamil film. [56] Later the year, Asin reunited with Salman Khan in Ready , playing an NRI girl. [57] [58] Ready was a commercial success, earning over ₹1.8 billion (US$22 million). [59] Koel Purie Rinchet of India Today stated that she matches Khan "repartee for repartee". [60]
Asin had three Hindi film releases in 2012. Asin first played an animal lover opposite Akshay Kumar, in the multistarrer Housefull 2 . [61] Taran Adarsh noted: "[a]mongst the female leads, Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account of herself." [62] The film went onto become a major commercial success. [63] Then, she played a Muslim girl pretending to be a Hindu in Bol Bachchan opposite Ajay Devgn, which became another box office success. [64] [65] Sukanya Verma opined that Asin had "very little to do". [66] Khiladi 786 , which reunited her with Akshay Kumar was her final film of the year, and saw her playing a Marathi girl.[ citation needed ] Subhash K. Jha found her to be back in "fetching form" post her work in Ghajini. [67] The film was yet another box office success, making it Asin's most successful year in Hindi films. [68]
Post a two-year hiatus from films, Asin played the lead in All Is Well , opposite Abhishek Bachchan. In one interview, director Umesh Shukla stated that Asin would be seen in an "important dramatic role". [69] The film was a box office average. [70] Ananya Bhattacharya termed her performance "passable". [71] It remains Asin's final film, as she retired from acting the following year. [72]
During the shoot of her film Ready in Sri Lanka, she was part of camps that were meant to help the Sri Lankan Tamil people who were affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War. [73]
In an interview during the DNA I Can Women's Half Marathon in 2012, Asin, speaking about the importance of health and the necessity of education said:
This cause is probably one of the biggest women-centric issues in our country. I support the education of six children each year, five of which are girls. I have closely worked with these children and I know that if given the opportunity, women can educate themselves much better and know what is wrong or right for them. Education is a basic right and women should not be deprived of that. [74]
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has appeared in commercials for Avon, [75] Mirinda, [76] Colgate, [76] Fairever, [77] Tanishq, [76] Big Bazaar, [78] Parachute, [79] Spinz talc, [79] Lux, [80] Amrutanjan Healthcare, [81] and Clinic All Clear. [82] Asin had been endorsing Mirinda soft drinks since 2004 until her retirement. [83]
Asin is a Catholic Christian belonging to the Syro-Malabar rite, [84] [85] and currently resides in Mumbai. [86] She also owns an apartment in Marine Drive, Kochi [87] [88] [89] and a farmhouse in Vagamon, Kerala. [90] [91] The actress is a polyglot. She can speak seven languages; being well-versed in Malayalam (her mother tongue), Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, English, Hindi and French. [92] Asin also speaks a smattering of Italian [93] and learnt basic Marathi for her movie Khiladi 786 , in which she played a typical Marathi girl. [94] In June 2013, it was reported in the Indian media that Asin was learning German during her free time. [95] She began learning Spanish after visiting Spain in early 2014. [93] [96]
Asin married Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in January 2016 in a Christian wedding that was followed by a Hindu ceremony, [85] [97] and quit acting after marriage. [98] Their first child, a daughter, was born on 24 October 2017. [99] [100]
Asin received two Filmfare Awards nominations – Best Female Debut and Best Actress, both for Ghajini, and winning the former. [101] Additionally, she received eighth Filmfare Awards South nominations – Best Actress – Telugu for Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi and Sivamani, which she won for the former and Best Actress – Tamil for M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi, Majaa, Ghajini, Pokkiri, Dasavathaaram and Kavalan, winning only for Ghajini. [102]
Bhumika Chawla is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu films along with a few in Hindi and Tamil. Chawla made her acting debut with the Telugu film Yuvakudu (2000). Chawla is best know for her role as Nirjara Bhardwaj in the film Tere Naam alongside with Salman Khan.
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil and Telugu films. She gained prominence after winning the 1999 Miss Chennai pageant, which marked her entry into Cinema. Often referred to as the "Queen of South India", Trisha has received numerous accolades, including five Filmfare Award South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, one Nandi Award and eight SIIMA Awards.
Ghajini is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by Salem Chandrasekharan. The film stars Suriya, Asin, Nayanthara and Pradeep Rawat. Harris Jayaraj composed the soundtrack and background music, while R. D. Rajasekhar and Anthony were the film's cinematographer and editor, respectively. In the film, a once eminent businessman develops anterograde amnesia due to a head injury he sustains while attempting to save his fiancee Kalpana from getting murdered by a gangster. After that, he sets out to avenge her murder with the aid of photographs from an instant camera and permanent tattoos on his body.
Suhasini Rajaram Naidu, known professionally as Sneha, is an Indian actress who works primarily in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films in lead roles to supporting roles.
Jyothika Saravanan, known mononyomusly as Jyothika, is an Indian actress and film producer who predominantly appears in Tamil films in addition to Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Appeared in over 50 Films, Jyothika has received several accolades including a National Film Award, five Filmfare Awards South, six Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and the Kalaimamani Award. Jyothika is regarded as one of the most prolific actresses in Tamil cinema, and has been ranked among the best actresses of South India by the media.
Shriya Saran Bhatnagar professionally known as Shriya Saran is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films. Although Shriya aspired to become a dancer, she became an actress and made her film debut with the Telugu film Ishtam (2001). Saran had her first commercial success with Santosham (2002).
Nayanthara Kurian, known mononymously as Nayanthara is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Tamil films, alongside Telugu and Malayalam films. One of the highest-paid actresses in India, Nayanthara was the only South Indian actress to be featured in the Forbes India "Celebrity 100" list of 2018. She has acted in more than 75 films in a career spanning over two decades and has won numerous awards, such as five Filmfare Awards South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award, a Nandi Award and seven SIIMA Awards.
Genelia Deshmukh is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil language films. Described in the media as one of the leading South Indian actresses of the 2000s, Deshmukh has received a Filmfare Award South and two Nandi Awards.
Ileana D'Cruz is an Indian-born Portuguese actress who primarily appears in Telugu and Hindi films, in addition to a few Tamil films. Born in Mumbai, she spent most of her childhood in Goa. D'Cruz is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare Awards South.
Richa Pallod is an Indian model and actress who predominantly appears in Hindi films. Besides Hindi, she has been featured in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam language films. After appearing as a child artiste in Lamhe (1991), she appeared in an award-winning role in Nuvve Kavali (2000), her first film in Telugu.
Sweety Shetty, known by her stage name Anushka Shetty, is an Indian actress known for her work majorly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She is the recipient of three Filmfare Awards South, two Nandi Awards, two SIIMA Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award. Having appeared over 50 films in a variety of roles, she is one of the highest-paid South Indian actresses. She was honoured with Kalaimamani in 2010 by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Priya Mani Raj, known professionally as Priyamani, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada films. She is the recipient of several awards, including a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards South.
Shruti Haasan is an Indian actress and singer who works in Telugu, Hindi and Tamil films. She is the recipient of various accolades, including two Filmfare Award South and six South Indian International Movie Awards. Haasan has appeared in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list of 2015 and 2016.
Kajal A Kitchlu, known professionally as Kajal Aggarwal, is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu and Tamil films, as well as some Hindi films. She is a recipient of three South Indian International Movie Awards along with four Filmfare Awards South nominations. Aggarwal is considered as one of the highest paid actresses in South Indian cinema, according to various media reports.
Ghajini is a 2008 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed and co-written by A. R. Murugadoss in his Hindi film debut. A remake of the director's Tamil film of the same name, the film stars Aamir Khan, Asin Thottumkal, Jiah Khan and Pradeep Rawat. In the film, Sanjay Singhania, a powerful entrepreneur, suffers from anterograde amnesia after a violent attack on him and his fiancée Kalpana. The film marks Asin's Hindi film debut and the penultimate film of Jiah Khan before her death in 2013.
Nithya Menen is an Indian actress and playback singer who works primarily in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. Noted for her versatility and strong portrayals, Menen is a recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, four Filmfare Awards South, two South Indian International Movie Awards and two Nandi Awards.
Nivetha Thomas is an Indian actress who appears in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu language films. She made her film debut as a child artist in the 2008 Malayalam film Veruthe Oru Bharya, for which she won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist.
Trisha Krishnan is an Indian actress who appears primarily in Tamil and Telugu films. She was first seen in 1999 in a minor supporting role in Jodi, then in the music video of Falguni Pathak's song "Meri Chunar Udd Udd Jaye". The first project she accepted as a lead actress was Priyadarshan's Lesa Lesa, but a delay in the film's release meant that her first appearance in a lead role was in Ameer's directorial debut Mounam Pesiyadhe in 2002, which was a commercial success.
Asin is a former Indian actress who is known for her work in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi language films. She made her acting debut at the age of 15 in the Malayalam-language satirical comedy-drama Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka in 2001. Asin had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (2003). For her performance as a Tamil girl in the film, she received the Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award. In the same year she won the Santosham Best Actress Award for her role in Telugu film Sivamani. In her next two Telugu releases: Lakshmi Narasimha (2004) and Gharshana (2004), Asin played the love interest of a police officer. Lakshmi Narasimha was a commercial success, while Gharshana received mixed reviews from critics but later gained a cult following.