Namrata Shirodkar is an Indian film actress, producer and former model known for her works in Bollywood and Telugu cinema. She was awarded the Femina Miss India in 1993. She is best known for her works in films such as Kachche Dhaage (1999), Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999), Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Pukar (2000), for which she was nominated for the IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award, Astitva (2000), Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), LOC Kargil (2003), and the cross over cinema Bride and Prejudice (2004), which was a hit overseas particularly in the UK. She married Telugu super star Mahesh Babu on 10 February 2005, the couple have a son and a daughter.

Early life

Namrata Shirodkar was born in a Maharashtrian family of Goan origin. She used to live in Khar, a suburb in Mumbai. Her sister is actress Shilpa Shirodkar. She is the granddaughter of noted Marathi actress Meenakshi Shirodkar, who starred in Brahmachari (1938).

Modelling career

Namrata worked as a model, and was crowned Miss India in the year 1993. She represented India in the Miss Universe pageant and came in fifth place. The same year, she also represented India in the Miss Asia Pacific contest and was chosen first runner-up.

Acting career

Her debut film was the movie "Purab Ki Laila Pachhim Ki Chhaila" with Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty in the lead and music by Nadeem Shravan, this movie was never released. The movie was completed after her retirement en the title was changed to "Hello India" and is still waiting release. She made her debut with a small role in super hit film Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998), along with Salman Khan and Twinkle Khanna. She then went on to star in the hit Vaastav. Her performance was appreciated and she became a known name in Bollywood.

Personal life

In 2000, Namrata met Telugu cinema star Mahesh Babu on the sets of their movie Vamsi. They began dating shortly after filming had finished. They married on 10 February 2005. Shirodkar now lives in Hyderabad with her husband. Their first child, a boy named Gowtham Krishna Gattamaneni was born on 31 August 2006. Their second child, a daughter Sitara was born on 20 July 2012.

Filmography

[ Source: Wikipedia ]