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Isha Koppikar

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Isha Koppikar
Koppikar in 2013
Born (1976-09-19) 19 September 1976 (age 48)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Occupations
  • Actress
  • politician
  • model
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse
Timmy Narang
​
​
(m. 2009; div. 2023)​
Children1

Isha Koppikar (born 19 September 1976) is an Indian actress, politician and model who has mainly acted in Hindi films. She has also featured in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi films. She started her career in South Indian languages films in the second half of the 1990s and focused on Bollywood films in the early 2000s.

Background

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Koppikar was born on 19 September 1976 in Mahim, Bombay (now Mumbai) in a Konkani family.[1][2] She has one younger brother. She graduated in Life Sciences at Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai. While at college she appeared in a photoshoot for Indian photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha. The shoot led to work in advertising as a model, notably for L'Oréal, Rexona, Camay, Tips & Toes and Coca-Cola. Koppikar competed in the 1995 Miss India contest, winning the Miss Talent Crown.[3] Her modelling work gave her an introduction to the film industry and to her first film appearance in the Telugu movie W/o V. Vara Prasad in 1997.[3]

Film career

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Early years in South Indian cinema (1997–2001)

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The 1998 Hindi film Ek Tha Dil Ek Thi Dhadkan, directed by Shahrukh Sultan, is often stated to be Koppikar's first film, but there is no evidence the project was ever released.[3] Her career must therefore be said to have begun with the 1997 Telugu film W/o V. Vara Prasad, in which she appeared in a song with actor Vineeth. Her first movie in Tamil was Kadhal Kavidhai costarring Prashanth for which she won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. Her next Tamil movie was En Swasa Kaatre (1998) opposite Arvind Swamy, directed by K. S. Ravi, with music by A. R. Rahman followed by a cameo appearance in Praveen Gandhi's Jodi starring Prashanth and Simran. In 1999, Koppikar starred in Nenjinile starring Vijay and directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar.[4]

By 2000, Koppikar's sights were on Bollywood, but this did not stop her from appearing in three Kannada films with the ruling Sandalwood stars of the time: Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya with Ramesh, O Nanna Nalle with Ravichandran and Surya Vamsha opposite Vishnuvardhan.

After a brief appearance in Bollywood's Fiza and Rahul, she came back to the south in 2001 for Sundar C's Tamil project Kaathal Solla Vanthen the movie never took off.[5] Koppikar's last two films down South were Telugu comedy Prematho Raa starring Venkatesh and Simran, and directed by Uday Shankar, and Narasimha starring Vijayakanth.[6]

In 2000, Koppikar started her Bollywood career with a small role alongside Karisma Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan in Khalid Mohamed's Fiza and an item number appearance in Prakash Jha's Rahul. In 2001 she made her full-fledged Bollywood debut with Rajiv Rai's Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, starring Arjun Rampal and Sunil Shetty where she was paired with Shetty. Her next release was K. Raghavendra Rao's urban comedy Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa opposite Govinda.[7]

Later years in Bollywood (2002–2011)

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In 2002, Koppikar appeared in an item number in Ram Gopal Verma's underworld movie Company starring Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi and Manisha Koirala. The chartbusting item number choreographed by Ganesh Hegde earned her title of Khallas Girl. Another notable item number Ishq Samundar, in Sanjay Gupta's Reservoir Dogs remake Kaante starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty, raised her profile higher. She also won the Stardust Award for the Most Exciting New Face for her Khallas number.[8]

Isha Koppikar walks the ramp for designer Pria Kataria Puri

She had six releases in 2003. In Tujhe Meri Kasam, she made an item number in the song Thodi Si Deewani with Riteish Deshmukh. In Dil Ka Rishta, she starred opposite Arjun Rampal and Aishwarya Rai. Prawaal Raman's portmanteau film Darna Mana Hai saw her opposite Aftab Shivdasani. Chandraprakash Dwivedi cast her alongside Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpai in the critically acclaimed Pinjar which went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.[9] A brief role in J. P. Dutta's war movie LOC Kargil paired her opposite Sunil Shetty again. And in Harry Baweja's Qayamat: City Under Threat, she played one of three terrorists fighting off co-stars Ajay Devgan and Sunil Shetty; a role which earned her a Filmfare nomination in the Best Villain category.[10]

She had six releases in 2004. Both Mani Shankar's science fantasy Rudraksh and Kundan Shah's madcap comedy Ek Se Bhadkhar Ek teamed her with Sunil Shetty. In Krishna Cottage, she was cast opposite Sohail Khan for a creepy ghost story. Inteqam, directed by Pankaj Parashar and co-starring Manoj Bajpai, saw her revive the role played by Sharon Stone in the original Hollywood version: Basic Instinct. She made a cameo appearance in Kunal Kohli's Hum Tum with Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. And played the leading role in Karan Razdan's – Girlfriend with Amrita Arora and Aashish Chaudhary. The controversial film depicting a lesbian relationship provoked a wide range of public protests.[11]

In 2005, she had four releases. Sangeeth Sivan's bawdy comedy Kyaa Kool Hai Hum with Anupam Kher, Ritesh Deshmukh and Tusshar Kapoor saw her getting nominated in three separate award ceremonies (IIFA, Zee Cine Award and Star Screen Awards) for best actor in a comedy role.[12] Two more comedies saw her make guest appearances: David Dhawan's Salman Khan vehicle Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, and Abbas–Mustan's whodunit, 36 China Town with Akshaye Khanna and Kareena Kapoor. She also starred in Ram Gopal Varma's gangster flick D: Underworld Badhshah alongside Randeep Hooda and Chunky Pandey.[13]

In 2006 Farhan Akhtar directed a remake of the Amitabh Bachchan hit Don: The Chase Begins Again with Shahrukh Khan in the lead. Koppikar was cast as Khan's girlfriend 'Anita'. Don's tremendous success however did not benefit her checkered career. Vicky Ranawat's Haseena Smart Sexy and Dangerous managed a release towards the end of 2006, but Jagdish A Sharma's murder mystery Gahraee[14] appeared directly on DVD while Hansal Mehta's Raakh and Jahnu Barua's Har Pal were shelved. Ram Gopal Varma's much discussed Shabri [10]- struggled to attract a distributor.

Koppikar's high-profile film of 2007, Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq, had her sharing limited screen time with Sohail Khan. Later in the year came the haunted love triangle, Ram Gopal Varma's Darling, with Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol. Koppikar's first film release of 2008 was Atul Agnihotri's Hello, based on the best-selling novel One Night @ the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat. This was followed by Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi, a Rajshri Production directed by Kaushik Ghatak and co-starring Sonu Sood.[15]

Koppikar married Timmy Narang in 2009. She had two releases in 2010: Right Yaaa Wrong by Neeraj Pathak and Manoj Tiwari's Hello Darling. Both films fared poorly at the box office.[16][17]

Shabri, where she played a woman gangster of Mumbai, was eventually released in 2011.[18] Her performance was praised but the film only had a limited release and failed to make an impact at the box office.[19]

Secondary roles (2013–present)

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In 2013, she made her Marathi debut in Maat, directed by Manohar Sarvankar. In 2017, she makes her comeback in Telugu with Keshava followed by the Marathi film, FU: Friendship Unlimited. The following year, she is seen in the Kannada films, Looty and Kavacha.[20] She made her digital debut with the ALTBalaji web series titled Fixerr (2019) where she plays the role of sub-inspector Jayanti Javdekar, who lives in a modest house with her young son and husband.[21] Later, she was also seen in the crime thriller series Dahanam (2022).[22] She also acted in the thriller web series Suranga (2022) with Rakesh Bedi and Fredy Daruwala, co-produced by Kaushik Izardar and others.[23][24]

Political career

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She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in the presence of Union minister Nitin Gadkari. She has been appointed as the working president of the BJP's women transport wing.[25]

Other works

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Between filming Koppikar, like many Bollywood actors, performs in stage music shows. In addition to this she has appeared in two music videos: Patli Kamar by KK for a private album commissioned by Sony in 2001/2002; and Bandish Projekt's Bhor (Satyam Shivam Sundaram) in 2004, choreographed by Bosco-Caesar. In 2006 she appeared onstage in the Indian Idol Grand Final to dance with the two finalists, and 2007 saw her as one of three judges in the celebrity dance competition Nach Baliye 3, alongside director David Dhawan and Vaibhavi Merchant. She had also owned a restaurant back in 2015. She served as a judge in the Miss Universe 2008 contest, held on 14 July in Vietnam alongside, amongst others, fashion designer Roberto Cavalli and former winner in 2004 Jennifer Hawkins. In August 2009, she presented the new Colors wrestling show 100% De Dana Dan.[26]

She continues to model for fashion designers Anita Dongre and Pria Kataria Puri. In 2007, she became the Indian brand ambassador of the Italian fashion company Police Time and Jewellery.[27] Koppikar is also a spokesperson for the animal rights organisation PETA[28] and received the 10th Anniversary Humanitarian Award in December 2009.[29]

Personal life

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Koppikar has a black-belt in Taekwondo.[30]

Following the advice of numerologists, she has changed the spelling of her name twice, first to Ishaa Koppikar and later to Eesha Koppikhar. However, as of 2015 she has reverted to the original spelling of her name.[31]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Years Title Role Language Notes
1997 W/o V. Vara Prasad Song and dance Telugu Special appearance
1998 Chandralekha Lekha Telugu Debut as a lead actress; Telugu debut
Kaadhal Kavithai Jothi Tamil Tamil debut
1999 En Swasa Kaatre Madhu Tamil
Nenjinile Nisha Tamil
Jodi Prospective bride Tamil Guest appearance
Surya Vamsha Padma Kannada Kannada debut
2000 O Nanna Nalle Rangu Kannada
Fiza Gitanjali Hindi Hindi debut
2001 Prematho Raa Swetha Telugu
Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya Usha Kannada
Narasimha Vaanathi Tamil
Rahul Song and dance Hindi Special appearance
Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat Rubaina Alam Hindi
Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya Anjali Hindi
2002 Company Dance number Hindi Special appearance
Kaante Dance number Hindi Special appearance
2003 Pinjar Rajjo Hindi
Dil Ka Rishta Anita Hindi
Qayamat: City Under Threat Laila Hindi
Darna Mana Hai Abhilasha Hindi Story segment: Stop-Move
LOC Kargil Santho Hindi
Tujhe Meri Kasam Dance number Hindi Special appearance
2004 Rudraksh Lali Hindi
Krishna Cottage Disha (Ghost) and Amar's girlfriend Hindi
Hum Tum Diana Fernandez Hindi
Girlfriend Tanya Singh Hindi
Ek Se Badhkar Ek Tracy/Shalini Hindi
Inteqam: The Perfect Game Avantika/Pinky Hindi
2005 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum Urmila Martodkar Hindi
D Gunjan Hindi
Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? Nishika Hindi
2006 Darna Zaroori Hai Abhilasha Hindi Darna Mana Hai flashback
36 China Town Sonia Chang Hindi
Don Anita Hindi
Haseena Haseena Hindi
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Phoolwati Hindi
Darling Ashwini Hindi
2008 Hello Esha Hindi
Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi Chandini Srivastava Ajmera Hindi
2010 Right Yaaa Wrong Anshita Hindi
Hello Darling Satvati Chaudary Hindi
2011 Shabri Shabri Hindi
2013 Maat Reema Deshmukh Marathi Marathi debut
2017 Keshava Sharmila Mishra Telugu
FU: Friendship Unlimited Sheena Mam Marathi
2018 Looty ACP Durga Bhavani Kannada
2019 Kavacha Gowri Kannada
2022 Love You Loktantra Gulabi Didi Hindi
2024 Ayalaan Eliza Tamil [32]

Web series

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Year Title Role Platform Ref(s)
2019 Fixerr Jayanti Jaydev Alt Balaji and ZEE5
2022 Dhahanam MX Player [33]
2022 Suranga Dakshyani Atrangi [34]

Awards and nominations

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List of acting awards and nominations
Year Film Award Category Result
1998 Kadhal Kavithai Filmfare Awards South Best Female Debut – South Won
2004 Dil Ka Rishta Asian Network Film Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated[35]
Qayamat: City Under Threat Filmfare Awards Best Villain Nominated[10]
2005 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum Annual Central European Bollywood Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated[36]
2006 Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Comic Role Nominated[12]
IIFA Awards Best Performance in a Comic Role Nominated[12]
Screen Awards Best Comedian Nominated[12]

Music videos

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Year Album Song Singer
2002 Bandish Projekt Bhor Remix Bandish Projekt
2004 Sweet Honey Mix Smita

References

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  1. ^ "News headlines". Daijiworld.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Isha Koppikar Birthday 2024: Lesser known facts of 'Khallas girl'". Mid-day. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Interview With Ishaa Koppikar". Glamsham.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  4. ^ "Viral Video: Vijay's 'Nenjinile' heroine Isha Kopikkar's dance to 'Vaathi Coming...' - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Kadhal Solla Vandhen (1999) - Deva". Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022 – via mio.to.
  6. ^ "Actress Isha Koppikar opens up about Nepotism and industry". 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  7. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: On the sets of Aamdani Athani Kharcha Rupaiya". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Facing the casting couch for 15 years, Shah Rukh's heroine 'Khallas Girl' is now a BJP leader". Planet Bollywood. 9 August 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  9. ^ "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 January 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  10. ^ a b c "IOL Tonight". Tonight.co.za. Retrieved 14 December 2016.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "More protests against 'Girlfriend'". IndiaGlitz. 16 June 2004. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d "Eesha Koppikhar | Videos, Wallpapers, Movies, Photos, Biography". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  13. ^ "D Underworld Badshah". Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  14. ^ "I'm going to be a super-star someday!". Movietalkies.com. 26 September 2005. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Ek Vivaah...Aisa Bhi not a sequel to Vivah". November 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  16. ^ "'It's About Publicity, Not Talent Now,' Says Sunny Deol". Movies.ndtv.com. 17 April 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  17. ^ "New Hindi film releases tank at the box office". Businessofcinema.com. 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Eesha Koppikar: I am pregnant with Shabri". Rediff.com. 23 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  19. ^ "Shabri fares poorly at box office". Rediff.com. 29 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  20. ^ Desai, Dhwani (30 November 2019). "Isha Koppikar thinks this kind of role suits her". The Times of India.
  21. ^ "Isha Koppikar to make her comeback with ALTBalaji's Fixer". 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  22. ^ "Isha Koppikar overjoyed with response to her Telugu series 'Dahanam' - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  23. ^ "Isha Koppikars upcoming show Suranga to be released on this date". mirchi.in. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  24. ^ Ilmi, Filmi. "'SURANGA ' Release Date Announced". Cineblues. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Bollywood actor Isha Koppikar joins BJP, to head women transport wing". Hindustan Times. 27 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  26. ^ "Mohan Kapoor turns commentator - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  27. ^ "Isha Koppikar is brand ambassador for Italian label 'Police'". Indiantelevision.com. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Features". PETAIndia.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  29. ^ "Star shower at PETA's anniversary". Hindustan Times. 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  30. ^ "Eesha Koppikhar gets the black belt in Taekwondo". Calcutta Tube. 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2009.
  31. ^ "Isha Koppikar to Make Comeback to Hindi Films With 'Saangli'". The New Indian Express. 28 July 2015. Archived from the original on 13 November 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Sivakarthikeyan's next to be a sci-fi titled 'Vingyani'?". The News Minute. 9 December 2019. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  33. ^ The New Indian Express (4 February 2020). "Isha Koppikar returns to screens with Kadapa, a web series by Ram Gopal Varma". Archived from the original on 20 April 2022. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Isha Koppikar starrer 'Suranga' to be released on 9th December". The Pioneer. 7 December 2022. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  35. ^ "BBC Asian Network – Take Two Award Winners Forecast". BBC. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  36. ^ "molodezhnaja.ch > Asian Movies > Bollywood > 3rd Forum Awards". molodezhnaja.ch. Archived from the original on 22 April 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
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