Sonakshi Sinha

Sonakshi Sinha

Sinha at The Club, Hyderabad in 2014
Born Sonakshi Sinha
2 June 1987
Mumbai,Maharashtra, India
Alma mater SNDT Women's University
Occupation Acting
Years active 2010-present
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1]
Parent(s) Shatrughan Sinha
Poonam Chandiramani-Sinha
Relatives Luv Sinha (brother)
Kush Sinha (brother)

Sonakshi Sinha (pronounced [soːnaːkʂiː sɪnɦaː]; born 02-06-1987) is an Indian actress who works in Bollywood. The daughter of actors Shatrughan and Poonam, she began her career in film as a costume designer. She made her acting debut as Salman Khan's leading lady in the highly successful action-drama Dabangg (2010), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Sinha has played the romantic interest of the male protagonists in several top-grossing action-dramas, including Rowdy Rathore (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012) and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty (2014), though she was criticised for taking up roles that offered her limited scope. She received critical praise for her portrayal of a woman suffering from tuberculosis in the romantic drama Lootera (2013), for which she was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[2][3][4]

Early life

Sinha was born in 1987, to actors Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Chandiramani - Sinha in Mumbai. Her father Shatrughan Sinha is now a Member of Parliament from BJP.[5][6] She is the youngest of three children with twin brothers, Luv Sinha and Kush Sinha. Sonakshi completed her schooling from Arya Vidya Mandir in Mumbai and graduated in Fashion Designing from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.[7]

Career

2005–13

Sinha started her career as a costume designer, designing the costumes for films like Mera Dil Leke Dekho in 2005.[8] She walked the ramp at the Lakme Fashion Week, 2008[9] and Lakme Fashion Week 2009.[9]

She made her acting debut in the 2010 film Dabangg, in which she starred opposite Salman Khan. It went on to become the highest grossing film of 2010 and ultimately emerged as an all-time blockbuster.[10][11] Sinha had to lose 30 kg in preparation for the role as a village girl.[12] Her performance was well received, with noted critic Taran Adarsh noting that "Sonakshi Sinha looks fresh, acts confidently and pairs off very well with Salman. Most importantly, she delivers the right expressions and is not overpowered by the galaxy of stars in the cast."[13] She was the cover girl of Indian edition of Maxim magazine for December 2010.[14] Although Sinha had no film releases in 2011, she won awards for her debut. This included the Filmfare Award as well as the IIFA Awards among many others.

Sinha had four releases in 2012, her first being Prabhu Deva's Rowdy Rathore, opposite Akshay Kumar. The film opened to mixed reviews from critics,[15] although it had a strong opening at the box office,[16] collecting approx. INR150.6 million (US$2.4 million) on the first day and eventually became a blockbuster.[17] However, critic Rajeev Masand criticized her ornamental role and wrote that Sinha "seems to exist in this film only to have her midriff repeatedly pinched by Akshay Kumar."[18] Her next film, Shirish Kunder's Joker, also opposite Akshay Kumar, proved to be a trade disaster at the box office and received overwhelmingly negative reviews.[19][20]

Her third film, Ashwni Dhir's Son of Sardar alongside Ajay Devgan was poorly received by the critics but proved to be an economic success. Critic Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV noted that Sinha "endeavours to be pretty and dainty amid all the madness."[21] Arbaaz Khan's Dabangg 2, the sequel to her immensely successful debut garnered little praise from critics, though proved to be a major financial success.[22][23][24][25] Sinha also dubbed for the voice of Tooth in the Hindi version of Rise of the Guardians.[26] As a result of the strong collections her films were gathering at the box office, she was recognised by ETC Business Awards, as the Highest Grossing actress of 2012.[27]

Photograph of Sonakshi Sinha
Sinha at the 2014 BIG Star Entertainment Awards

Sinha's first film of 2013 was Vikramaditya Motwane's period romance-drama Lootera opposite Ranveer Singh. Despite receiving a lukewarm response at the box office,[28] it and Sinha gathered praise,[29] with Sinha's portrayal of Pakhi, a Bengali girl who is dying of tuberculosis, receiving universal acclaim from critics. Sarita Tanwar notes that "the star of the film is undoubtedly Sonakshi Sinha [who gives] a mature and refined performance. She lives the character body and soul."[30] Raja Sen agrees, saying that "Sonakshi Sinha plays Pakhi beautifully, creating a character who is immaculately wide-eyed and possesses casual, yet unmistakable, grace. It is a performance that starts off dreamily soft and turns harder, and she does well-etched dialogue justice like few actresses can. There's a discernible vulnerability to Pakhi throughout the film, and Sinha brings out this fragility perfectly without ever overplaying it."[31]

Sinha appeared in Milan Luthria's crime romance film Once Upon ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, in which she was paired with Akshay Kumar again, as well as Imran Khan.[32] The movie was a commercial disappointment and critic Mohar Basu labeled her "a chatterbox replete with idioticity which the director frames as naiveness."[33] She then appeared in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Bullett Raja alongside Saif Ali Khan, a box-office flop. Her final release of the year was Prabhu Deva's R... Rajkumar opposite Shahid Kapoor. A moderate commercial success, the film and her performance received negative reviews. Taran Adarsh labeled her "repetitive" and noted that she needed to "reinvent herself."[34]

2014–present

In 2014, after providing her voice for the voice of Jewel in the Hindi-dubbed Rio 2,[35] Sinha was seen in A.R. Murugadoss's action thriller Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, a remake of the director's Tamil film Thuppakki.[36] Starring opposite Akshay Kumar, Sinha appeared as a boxer. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and emerged as a box office hit.[37][38] Jyoti Sharma Bawa said of Sinha's portrayal: "Sonakshi has nothing to do much in the film and overacts in places. For an actor who has already proved her mettle in the acting department, this definitely is a downer."[39] Sinha appeared in a music video with Yo Yo Honey Singh titled Superstar.[40] In July, Sinha jointly bought a team in the World Kabaddi League.[41]

Her second release of 2014 was Prabhu Deva's Action Jackson with Ajay Devgn and Yami Gautam. She made her Kollywood debut opposite Rajnikanth in KS Ravikumar's Lingaa, her final release in 2014. She then appeared in Boney Kapoor's remake of Okkadu titled Tevar (2015) alongside Arjun Kapoor.[42][43][44] For the last of these, Rajeev Masand wrote, "Sonakshi Sinha, playing another simpering damsel in another South remake, once again has nothing to do. She appears content showing up for a few dance numbers, and waiting around for a man to save her."[45]

As of April 2015, Sinha is filming a remake of the 2011 Tamil film Mouna Guru, entitled Akira, an action-drama from director AR Murugadoss in which she plays an aggressive college student.[46][47]

Philanthropy

Sonakshi Sinha is a professed animal lover, and she had posed for a PETA campaign advocating the adoption and sterilization of dogs and cats.[48] She has starred in a one-minute video PSA, urging everyone to adopt animals and have them sterilised. She has been quoted saying ""Breeders, pet stores and people who don't sterilize their animals are responsible for all the animals who end up homeless. Every time someone buys a dog or cat from a breeder or pet store, a homeless animal roaming the streets or waiting in an animal shelter loses a chance at a home and a good life.[49]"

She has also supported PETA India's campaign to seek ban on sale of animal-tested cosmetics. She tweeted, "Please protect animals @drharshvardhan. Ban import & sale of animal-tested cosmetics. Guys, please help.[50]"

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2010 Dabangg Rajjo Pandey
2012 Rowdy Rathore Paro
2012 Joker Diva
2012 OMG – Oh My God Herself Special appearance in song "Go Go Govinda"
2012 Son of Sardar Sukhmeet Kaur Sandhu
2012 Dabangg 2 Rajjo Pandey
2013 Himmatwala Herself Special appearance in song "Thank God It's Friday"
2013 Lootera Pakhi Roy Chaudhary
2013 Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara Jasmine Sheikh
2013 Boss Herself Special appearance in songs "Party All Night" and "Har Kisi Ko"
2013 Bullett Raja Mitali
2013 R... Rajkumar Chanda
2014 Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty Saiba
2014 Action Jackson Khushi
2014 Lingaa Bharathi Tamil film
2015 Tevar Radhika
2015 Akira Akira Filming[46]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film Result
2011 Annual Central European Bollywood Awards Best Newcomer - Female Dabangg Won[51]
Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards Best Female Debut Won[52]
Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Won[53]
The Global Indian Film and TV Honours Most Promising Fresh New Face- Female Won[54]
International Indian Film Academy Awards Star Debut of the Year – Female Won[55]
Lions Gold Awards Favourite Debutant Actress Won[56]
Star Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Won[57]
Stardust Awards Superstar of Tomorrow – Female Won[58]
Best Thriller/Action Actress Nominated[59]
Zee Cine Awards Best Female Debut Won[60]
Best International Female Icon Nominated[60]
FICCI Frames Excellence Awards Best Debut Actress Won[61][62]
Aaj Tak Awards Best Debutante Actress Won[63]
Dadasaheb Phalke Awards Best Debutant Actor – Female Won[64]
2012 ETC Business Awards Highest Grossing Actress — Won[27]
People's Choice Awards India Favorite Movie Actress Rowdy Rathore Nominated[65]
Favorite Youth Movie Icon — Nominated[65]
2013 Stardust Awards Best Thriller/Action Actress Rowdy Rathore,
Dabangg 2		 Nominated[66]
Best Comedy/Romance Actress Son of Sardar Nominated[66]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards India Best Movie Actress — Nominated[67]
BIG Star Entertainment Awards Most Entertaining Actor in a Romantic Role - Female Lootera Won[68]
Most Entertaining Film Actor – Female Nominated[69]
2014 Filmfare Awards Best Actress Nominated[70]
Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominated[71]
Screen Awards Best Actress Nominated [72]
Popular Choice (Female) Nominated [73]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actress (Critics) Won[74]
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Actress Nominated[75]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roshmila Bhattacharya (20 May 2014). "Would love to change my relationship status: Sonakshi Sinha". Times Of India. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Shatrughan Sinha breaks down after watching daughter Sonakshi in Lootera". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Lootera review: Kudos to Sonakshi Sinha for her superb performance". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "People discouraged me from taking up Lootera, says Sonakshi Sinha". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "‘Shotgun Junior’ Sonakshi Sinha turns 26!". Zee News. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinhas birthday with fans - NDTV". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Just How educated are our Bollywood heroines?". Rediff.com. 18 January 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "Who is Sonakshi Sinha?". NDTV. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Off the Ramp with Sonakshi Sinha".
  10. ↑ "Top Lifetime Grossers 2010–2019 (Figures in Ind Rs)". Box Office India. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  11. ↑ "'Dabangg' 17th on list of highest grossers". Times of India. 27 September 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
  12. ↑ Tushar Doshi (29 October 2009). "Sonakshi Sinha lost 30kgs for her debut film Dabangg". MiD DAY. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  13. ↑ Adarsh, Taran. "Dabangg (2010) Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha;Shoot for Maxim India December 2010".
  15. ↑ "'Rowdy Rathore' Movie Review Roundup: Mixed Reaction From Critics – International Business Times". Ibtimes.co.in. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Boxofficeindia.com". Boxofficeindia.com. 26 May 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "Boxofficeindia.com". Boxofficeindia.com. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Masand: 'Rowdy Rathore' is a mindless film". IBNLive. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  19. ↑ "Akshay Kumar's Joker gets negative reviews from film critics". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  20. ↑ "Akshay Kumar's Joker tanks at Box Office". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  21. ↑ "Movie review: Son Of Sardaar". NDTVMovies.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "Son of Sardar Second Week Box Office Collection. Hit.". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  23. ↑ "Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardar gets mixed reviews from critics!". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  24. ↑ "Dabangg 2 Emerges Blockbuster". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "‘Dabangg 2' Review Roundup: Action, Comedy Gets Mixed Reviews From Critics". Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha likely to dub for Hindi Rise of the Guardians?". NDTV.com. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "ETC Business Awards Winners: 2012 – 2013" Retrieved 24 March 2013
  28. ↑ "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Picks Up Strongly Lootera Is Poor". Box Office India. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Lootera: a slow pace romantic saga worth watching, say critics". Hindustan Times. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  30. ↑ Tanwar, Sarita. "Movie Review: Lootera charms you and slowly draws you into its lost world". DNA India. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  31. ↑ Sen, Raja. "Review: Lootera is an absolute masterpiece". Rediff. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha has a new name in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again". NDTV. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "Bollywood News - Reviews - Bollywood Gossip - Box Office - Photos - Videos Bollywood - Koimoi.com". Koimoi. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  34. ↑ "R... Rajkumar". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  35. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha becomes Playback Singer in Hollywood Film Rio 2". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  36. ↑ "Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha's new movie 'Holiday' trailer releases". DNA. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  37. ↑ "Review Round Up: Cheap Thrills Make ‘Holiday’ Worth Watching". The Wall Street Journal. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  38. ↑ Bawa, Jyoti Sharma (11 June 2014). "Akshay Kumar's Holiday one of the biggest hits of 2014". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  39. ↑ Bawa, Jyoti Sharma (5 June 2014). "Movie review: Akshay impresses in Holiday's action sequences". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  40. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha and Honey Singh to dance together". indtoday.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  41. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha co-owns World Kabaddi League team". indtoday.com. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  42. ↑ "Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha to star in Prabhu Deva's next". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  43. ↑ Rege, Harshada (19 November 2013). "Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor set to appear in a film by the guys behind Google ad film, Reunion". Daily News And Analysis. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  44. ↑ "Rajinikanth fascinated by Sonakshi Sinha’s work in Tamil debut film ‘Lingaa’". The Indian Express. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  45. ↑ Masand, Rajeev (10 January 2015). "'Tevar' review: It's so long film that gives a throbbing headache". CNN-IBN. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Sonakshi Sinha on sets of her action thriller 'Akira'". Mid Day. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  47. ↑ "A.R. Murugadoss' next starring Sonakshi Sinha titled Akira". Bollywood Hungama. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  48. ↑ IANS. "Sonakshi Sinha join forces with PETA, appeals fans to adopt cats, dogs". Ibnlive. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  49. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha Stars in New PETA Ad". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  50. ↑ "Sonakshi Sinha seeks ban on sale of animal-tested cosmetics". Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  51. ↑ "Shahrukh, Kajol, Ranveer, Arjun, Kareena und Sonakshi gewinnen Europas bekanntesten Bollywood Awards". BNA Germany. 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  52. ↑ "Winners of 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  53. ↑ "56th Filmfare Awards 2010, A Night of Glitz N' Glamour". Glamsham.com. Fifth Quarter Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  54. ↑ "Winners of 1st Global Indian Film & Television Honors 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 12 February 2011.
  55. ↑ "Winners of the IIFA Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 26 June 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  56. ↑ "Winners of Lions Gold Awards 2010". Retrieved 24 March 2013.
  57. ↑ "Winners of 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  58. ↑ "StardustAwardWinner2011". Magnus Mags. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  59. ↑ "Nominations of Stardust Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 22 January 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 "Hrithik, SRK Top Zee Cine Awards". The Hindustan Times. HT Media Group. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  61. ↑ Indo-Asian News Service (19 March 2010). "SRK gets global entertainment award". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  62. ↑ "SRK, Rahman win Global Icon honor". The Times of India.
  63. ↑ "Dabangg wins 5 awards by Aaj Tak". 2 January 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  64. ↑ "Priyanka bags Phalke award for '7 Khoon Maaf'". 4 May 2011.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 "People's Choice Awards: Fan Favorites in Movies, TV, Music & Sports – PeoplesChoiceIndia.co". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 "Nominations for Stardust Awards 2013" Retrieved 5 February 2013
  67. ↑ "KCA India Nominees 2013".
  68. ↑ "Deepika Padukone bags three BIG Star Entertainment awards". Mid-Day. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  69. ↑ "Nominations for 4th Big Star Entertainment Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  70. ↑ "59th Idea Filmfare Awards Nominations". Filmfare. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  71. ↑ "9th Renault Apsara Awards Nominees". Apsara Awards. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  72. ↑ "Nominations, Screen Awards Nominees, Photos, Screen Nominations 2014". Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  73. ↑ "20th Annual Screen Awards 2014: The complete list of nominees". IBNLive. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  74. ↑ "Zee Cine Awards 2014: Complete list of nominations". Zee News. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  75. ↑ "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2014". Bollywood Hungama. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sonakshi Sinha.