| Sophie Choudry | |
|---|---|
Sophie Choudry at Suzanne Roshan's The Charcoal Project Launch |
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| Born | Sophia Choudhry 8 February 1981 London, England |
| Other names | Sophiya Chaudhury, Sophie Chaudhary |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, songwriter, VJ, model, anchor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Sophie Choudry (born Sophia Choudhry, 8 February 1981)[1] is an Indian film actress, singer, former MTV India VJ and occasional model and anchor.
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Sophie was born and brought up in London, England.[2] Her father adored Sophia Loren and hence her birthname is "Sophia", however she now goes by the name "Sophie". She has one elder brother.[1] She now lives with her mother and grandmother.[1]
She studied at the London School of Economics, graduating in European politics and French [1][2] and is also a gold medallist from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[3] Furthermore, she studied for nearly two years at the "Sciences Po", an esteemed political institute in Paris, France, where many French politicians studied.[4] BollySpice reports, that while still studying, Choudry became a VJ for Zee UK.[5]
Sophie is a polyglot, able to speak fluently English, Hindi, Urdu, French and Italian and sings in these languages as well as in Spanish, Punjabi and Arabic.[1][6] She is trained in various dance styles, including Indian classical dance as Bharatnatyam, which she learnt in London for four years, and Kathak, which she learnt in Mumbai for two years as well as in Western dance as salsa.[5] She is also well trained in Western classical music, which she learnt for three years in the UK from Helena Shenel,[7] as well as in Indian classical music, which she learnt from Pandit Ashkaran Sharma.[3]
Having completed her education, Sophie decided it was time to follow her dreams and she began her singing career. When she was 12 years old,[8] her talent was discovered by noted music director Biddu, who launched her musical career.[3][5] She, at first, lent her voice as back-up for pop- and playback singers Shweta Shetty and Alisha Chinai.[1]
In 2000, she started her career as a pop singer with her all-girl band "Sansara" with a song which Sophie herself wrote ("Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai"). Very soon the band separated and Choudry started her solo singing career, donning the videos "Habibi" and "Le Le Mera Dil" in 2001.[3]
She then moved to Mumbai in 2002, becoming a VJ for MTV India and hosting the popular show MTV Loveline,[3] which eventually gained her popularity.[9] In November 2003, she released her first remix album Sophie & Dr. Love. The album was a chart-topper for six months in India and broke records in the U.K Asian Pop Charts by holding the number 1 spot for 12 weeks. The album contained old classics by Runa Laila, Nazia Hassan and Salma Agha. The video was directed by Rao and Sapru of Kaanta Laga fame and music remixed by Harry Anand.
Less than one year on, Sophie returned with her newest offering Baby Love. According to Sophie, she listened to over 400 songs in order to come up with her perfect 12.[3] Songs on this album include Dil Ke Armaan, Ghar aaya Mera Pardesi, Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Legaya.
In December 2009, she launched her album Sound of Sophie, which had no remixes, but only original numbers. The launch of this album marked her association with the Indian fashion brand MADAME, who sponsored the album and also hired her as their first brand ambassador.[10] She worked with well known music composers such as Rishi Rich, Bappi Lahiri, Biddu and Gaurav Das Gupta in the album.[5][11]
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa | Special Appearance | Hindi | ||
| 2005 | Shaadi No. 1 | Dimple Kothari | Hindi | |
| Pyaar Ke Side Effects | Tanya | Hindi | ||
| I See You | Dilnaaz Bagga | Hindi | ||
| 2007 | Heyy Babyy | Hindi | Special appearance | |
| Aggar | Nisha Raval | Hindi | ||
| Speed | Monica Monteiro | Hindi | ||
| 2008 | Money Hai Toh Honey Hai | Hindi | ||
| Kidnap | Hindi | |||
| 2009 | Aa Dekhen Zara | Bindiya Avasti | Hindi | |
| Daddy Cool | Ayesha | Hindi | ||
| Chintuji | Menka | Hindi | ||
| Alibaug | Nisha | Hindi | Filming | |
| 2011 | Vedi (film) | Mumbai ponnu | Tamil | Special appearance |