Ameesha Patel

Birthday: June 9, 1975 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India

Birth Name: Amisha Patel

Height: 152 cm

Grand-daughter of Indian freedom fighter, lawyer and former Justice Rajni Patel, Amisha, a Gemini, was born in Bombay's Breach Candy Hospital. Her younger brother Ashmit Patel is also a Bollywood film actor and her name is a blend of the first three letters of her father's name Amit and the last three letters of her mother's name Asha.She studied at the Cathedral and John Connon High School in Bombay and went on to obtain a degree in Economics from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.A. After graduation she worked for a Finance company and also modeled on the side.She has studied Bharat Natyam dance form since the age of five and had acted in several plays in Satyadev Dubey's Theatre including a play titled 'Neelam'.She did not have any plans of being an actress, but when Amit's friend, film-maker and actor, Rakesh Roshan, met her during a family lunch, he offered her the lead role in 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai'. Amisha accepted the offer, the movie went on to become a blockbuster and made her a star overnight.She went on to star in a number of films and her most notable works include 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', 'Humraaz', 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', 'Mangal Pandey', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.', 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', 'Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic' and 'Race 2'.She has also acted in several South Indian films.Amisha has been the recipient of four awards for her performances in 'Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai' and 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha'.She has co-starred with Akshaye Khanna, Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Aftab Shivdasani, Hrithik Roshan, Arjun Rampal among others.Her personal life has been marred with misunderstandings with her parents and brother, so much so that she has sought the intervention of the courts. She dated Bollywood director, Vikram Bhatt, for five years since the release of their first film together, 'Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage', but they had broken-up in 2007. Patel started dating London and Delhi-based businessman Kanav Puri after her break-up, but they eventually broke up two years later in 2010.She has many critics, who have described her as inconsistent, but have since then bitten their lips when they were proved wrong by this petite and beautiful actress - who has, and continues to enthrall her fans with a variety of performances on the silver screen. Hide

Believe in yourself and follow the path of honesty because there are no shortcuts in life. Believe in yourself and follow the path of honesty because there are no shortcuts in life.

I didn't know what hit me when "Kaho Naa..." became such a huge hit. I was overwhelmed by the succes Show more I didn't know what hit me when "Kaho Naa..." became such a huge hit. I was overwhelmed by the success. I wish I'd known how to handle it better. I didn't know how to be a star. I still saw myself as Amisha. Whereas Hrithik [Hrithik Roshan], who grew up around stars, knew how to carry himself like one. Hide

I love human beings. I believe that there is so much to learn from every person you meet including a Show more I love human beings. I believe that there is so much to learn from every person you meet including a child. Hide

I am happy I have competition. It keeps me on my toes all the while and stops me from becoming compl Show more I am happy I have competition. It keeps me on my toes all the while and stops me from becoming complacent. So, it works to my advantage. Hide

[on item numbers] I don't mind an item number like "Kajra Re" from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), it's done Show more [on item numbers] I don't mind an item number like "Kajra Re" from Bunty Aur Babli (2005), it's done well and the song seems like a whole lot of fun. But if I did a "Khallas," my career would also be Khallas with it! Hide

Since I haven't undergone formal training, KNPH was like an acting school for me. With that as a pla Show more Since I haven't undergone formal training, KNPH was like an acting school for me. With that as a platform, I have to grow further. I know there are a lot of mistakes that I have made. I have to work on certain flaws that I've identified. Not just in terms of performance but also clothes, overall look, characterization, etc. Again, Gadar is a case in point. My character belongs to the 1940s; I have to be very particular about my clothes. I can't arrive on the sets and wear whatever is available because that will eventually mar the authenticity of my character. Hide

You have to take life with a pinch of salt and enjoy what you have. There's no point whining. You have to take life with a pinch of salt and enjoy what you have. There's no point whining.

I feel French is very close to Urdu. Both languages are beautiful. Sadly, their beauty is lost in tr Show more I feel French is very close to Urdu. Both languages are beautiful. Sadly, their beauty is lost in translation. Hide

[on her relationship with Vikram Bhatt] People often felt that I was mismatched with Vikram. But for Show more [on her relationship with Vikram Bhatt] People often felt that I was mismatched with Vikram. But for me it was all about the intellect and not about the outer facade.. ours was a dignified and amicable breakup. We were the best of friends and we remain so. We knew we had to move on. So, it was beautifully done. We talk to each other even now and help each other. Hide

No one wants to touch you, if you don't have a film background. Which is why outsiders like me have Show more No one wants to touch you, if you don't have a film background. Which is why outsiders like me have to work doubly hard to get noticed. Hide

I became obsessed with my character of Sakina in Gadar. I became my character for two years. Somewhe Show more I became obsessed with my character of Sakina in Gadar. I became my character for two years. Somewhere I had a hunch Gadar would work, and it did. Hide

Success is an eye-opener. You learn a lot because you meet all kinds of people in this line of work. Show more Success is an eye-opener. You learn a lot because you meet all kinds of people in this line of work. A hard fact is that nothing succeeds like success, more so in the film world. Also, nobody is here to do you a favor. Unless you are good, capable of selling a product and raking in money, nobody's going to offer you work. I see a change even in the people and society that I've grown up in. Suddenly, they all want to know me. That's nice but I also know that the same people will be the first ones to put me down if a film of mine flops. Hide

To join or not to join films was the biggest choice I had to make. I'd done two years of biogenetic Show more To join or not to join films was the biggest choice I had to make. I'd done two years of biogenetic engineering, was an economics graduate and a gold medalist. I had also been a Bharatanatyam dancer from age five, always won the best actress award in school. Finally I decided to do things for my soul, chose to act. Hide

[on Power (2011)] It is such a big film with great actors - you feel so nervous in front of them! I Show more [on Power (2011)] It is such a big film with great actors - you feel so nervous in front of them! I was thinking, "How will I perform?" I wanted to do a good job and not let my director (Rajkumar Santoshi) down. In a film like this, obviously a girl gets hidden; the actress is not going to be the focus. But whatever scenes I have got are important. I am looking forward to it. Hide

Films were never on my agenda, may be it was written in my destiny. And since I am here, I would lik Show more Films were never on my agenda, may be it was written in my destiny. And since I am here, I would like to give it my best try. Hide

[on Hrithik Roshan's and Sussanne Roshan's new born child, Hrehaan] We were children together... now Show more [on Hrithik Roshan's and Sussanne Roshan's new born child, Hrehaan] We were children together... now the child I knew, has a child. Such a long journey... in such a short time, now they embark on another journey. A journey of parenthood. I wish them all the best. Sussanne and Hrithik are beautiful people and now the most beautiful thing has happened to them. Hide

People bring you up so fast... But they bring you down even faster. People bring you up so fast... But they bring you down even faster.

I would never deny the importance of the media, but I wouldn't go out of the way to splash my pictur Show more I would never deny the importance of the media, but I wouldn't go out of the way to splash my pictures all over town. I'd rather let my work do the talking. Hide

I treat each film like a child. I do not detach myself from a flop or go underground, nor float on c Show more I treat each film like a child. I do not detach myself from a flop or go underground, nor float on cloud nine when I churn out a hit. Hits and flops are part and parcel of the game. You win some and lose some. When I look back, I feel perhaps I erred in judging scripts. But, I have no regrets. If all my films had clicked, I may have been scared to take up different roles. Hide

I have never done films where the spotlight is only on me. I say yes when I feel the audience can re Show more I have never done films where the spotlight is only on me. I say yes when I feel the audience can relate to my character in some way. When I played a mother in my second film, "Gadar", and was covered from head to toe, people thought I was damaging my career. When I wore saris in "Humraaz", many thought it would work against me. The same was repeated to me when I played a love-struck wife in "Honeymoon..." Even Adi [Aditya Chopra] was scared and told me to think twice before saying yes to "Thoda Pyaar..." as it was essentially the role of a dimwit. She was lovable but there could have been negative responses. Hide

I'd never get into a relationship because it would benefit me career wise or monetarily. I'm not one Show more I'd never get into a relationship because it would benefit me career wise or monetarily. I'm not one of those who'd say, 'He's not successful, dump him' and move on to the next one. Hide

I don't think two actresses from the same generation can be friends. When you are vying for the same Show more I don't think two actresses from the same generation can be friends. When you are vying for the same role and competing with one another you cannot be friends. I'd never give up a role for anyone. But two actresses from different generations can be friends. Madhuri Dixit and I got along really well. Hide

[on refusing a banking job for Bollywood] When you choose one path over the other, you always wonder Show more [on refusing a banking job for Bollywood] When you choose one path over the other, you always wonder what the other life would have been like. My lowest phase was when I was away from my family and I realized that in Bollywood it's not always talent that gets you the job. Other girls were getting the roles that I deserved. At that time, I did think that I should have chosen a profession that was more fair. But I'm a fighter, I'll get up and get going again. Hide

Competition is necessary for me to improve, it helps to keep complacency at bay. Besides, there's en Show more Competition is necessary for me to improve, it helps to keep complacency at bay. Besides, there's enough room for all of us. I can't possibly suit every role conceived by each director. My physical structure and performance limits me to a certain category of films. Hide

All the credit [for] "Kaho Naa..." went to Hrithik Roshan. No one gave me my dues. Once Madhuri Dixi Show more All the credit [for] "Kaho Naa..." went to Hrithik Roshan. No one gave me my dues. Once Madhuri Dixit was also laughed at. But she didn't allow anyone to discourage. She really slogged. That's why she's so humble and well-behaved. Madhuri is my ideal. I want to be like her. (Filmfare, Sep. 2001) Hide

Ameesha Patel's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (24)

Indian Idol - Season 10

Humraaz

Gadar: Ek Prem Katha

Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai

Bhool Bhulaiyaa [Sub: Eng]

Koffee with Karan - Season 4

Indian Idol - Season 11

Gadar 2 (2023)

Heyy Babyy

Indian Idol - Season 13

Koffee with Karan - Season 2

Indian Idol - Season 14

Indian Idol - Season 16

Indian Idol - Season 12

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Race 2

Om Shanti Om [Sub: Eng]

Indian Idol - Season 15

Suno Sasurjee

Bigg Boss - Season 18

Koffee with Karan - Season 5

Koffee with Karan - Season 1