Lara Dutta Biography
Lara Dutta Bhupathi (née:Dutta; born 16 April 1978) is an Indian actress and winner of the Miss Universe 2000 pageant, who primarily works in Hindi language films. She has received a Filmfare Award, and was a prominent leading lady in the 2000s.
Dutta made her acting debut with Andaaz (2003), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She went on to star in several commercially successful films, including the comedies Masti (2004), No Entry (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), Housefull (2010), and Chalo Dilli (2011), and the action film Don 2 (2011). Following a hiatus, Dutta appeared in the British drama miniseries Beecham House in 2019 and portrayed Indira Gandhi in the film Bell Bottom (2021). She has since taken on roles in streaming series such as Hundred (2020), Kaun Banegi Shikharwati (2022) and Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley (2023).
In addition to her acting career, Dutta has hosted several award shows and has her own line of beauty care products. She is married to tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, with whom she has one child.
Early life and education
Dutta was born 16 April 1978 to a Hindu Punjabi father and an Anglo-Indian mother in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Her father is Wing Commander L. K. Dutta (retired) and her mother is Jennifer Maureen Dutta (née Storey). Nitin Sawhney, who is a music composer and DJ is Dutta's cousin.
The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where she completed high school from St. Francis Xavier Girls' High School and the Frank Anthony Public School. She graduated with a degree in economics and a minor in communications from the University of Mumbai. She is fluent in English and Hindi and can also speak Punjabi and Kannada.
Personal life
Dutta had a nine-year relationship with actor and model Kelly Dorji. In 2008, she briefly dated Dino Morea, but they broke up in 2009. She then briefly dated American professional baseball player Derek Jeter.
In September 2010, became engaged to Indian tennis player, Mahesh Bhupathi. They married on 16 February 2011 in a civil ceremony in Mumbai and followed it with a Christian ceremony on 20 February 2011 at Sunset Point in Goa. On 1 August 2011, Dutta confirmed that she was pregnant with their first child.
Pageantry
Dutta won the annual Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 1995, thus winning the right to enter the 1997 Miss Intercontinental Pageant. She was later crowned Miss Intercontinental 1997. In the year 2000, she took part in the Femina Miss India contest. In the grand finale, all her fellow Top 5 delegates were asked the same question – "If you were a police officer in the Garden of Eden, who would you punish for the original sin: Adam, Eve, or the serpent?” Dutta replied by stating:
If I was a policeman in the garden of Eden, I would take all three of them to court. Every person in life is faced with temptation, but you must be able to decide for yourself, make your own choices, and live by your own rules. Above all, fear God, because he is everywhere.
After this round, it was revealed that the scores of some contestants in the Top 5 had tied. All the delegates were subsequently asked a common question, so as to break the tie – "If ignorance is bliss, why do we seek knowledge?” to which Dutta expressed:
Knowledge is something every man is endowed with and it is up to him to make use of it. Thirst for knowledge drives every man. They say every man dies but very few men really lived. And what is life without knowledge. Would you go through life without p*ing something on to your children?
At the end of the event, she won the first place and the *le of Femina Miss India Universe, earning the right to represent India at the 49th edition of Miss Universe.
Miss Universe 2000
Dutta won Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus. She achieved the highest score in the swimsuit compe*ion and her finalist interview score was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 marks.
During the final question and answer round, the top three contestants were each asked the same question by the host, Sinbad: "Right now, there is a protest that has been staged outside the stadium posing pageants as an affront to women. Convince them that they are wrong". Dutta answered:
Pageants like Miss Universe gives us young women a platform to foray into the fields that we want to and forge ahead, be it entrepreneurship, be it the armed forces, be it politics. It gives us a platform to voice our choices and opinions, and makes us strong and independent that we are today.
At the end of the event, Dutta was crowned as Miss Universe 2000, by the outgoing *leholder Mpule Kwelagobe of Botswana. Dutta's win led to her appointment as a UNFPA Goodwill Amb*ador in 2001. In the same year, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza won their respective Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific *les which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants. During her reign as Miss Universe, she visited 62 countries.
She is the second woman from India to be crowned Miss Universe. She received the highest score in the swimsuit compe*ion and her finale interview score is the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest. Contrary to popular belief, Dutta is not the first Miss Universe of the 3rd millennium or the 21st century. As neither started until 2001, Dutta is in actuality the last Miss Universe of the 2nd millennium and 20th century.
She has been a United Nations Population Fund Goodwill Amb*ador since 2001, shortly after her Miss Universe win. Dutta stated, "Celebrities with the power to affect their impressionable minds therefore have a moral responsibility to impart positive messages. I am committed to using any influence I may have to do just that as a Goodwill Amb*ador of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)".
Acting career
Debut and early work (2001–2004)
She appeared in the Tamil film, Arasatchi in 2002, but due to financial problems, it was only released in mid-2004. She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. However, In the film, Dutta's voice was dubbed by Mona Ghosh Shetty as the filmmakers wanted two distinct characters for the female leads and they needed Kajal, Dutta's character, to have a high-pitched voice. At the beginning of 2004, Dutta made a cameo appearance in Khakee in the song "Aisa Jadoo", which went on to become a chartbuster upon release . She then went on to appear in Bardaasht, which failed to do well at the box office. Her next release Aan: Men at Work was unsuccessful in India. Insan, Elaan and Jurm were also unsuccessful. She later appeared in Masti which did well at the box office.
Lara Dutta revealed in an interview that she was offered a role in The Matrix franchise but turned down the offer due to her mother's illness at the time.
Breakthrough and success (2005–2010)
In 2005, Dutta appeared in Kaal, which was a moderate success at the box office. Dutta then appeared in No Entry opposite actors Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Esha Deol and Celina Jaitley, which went on to become the biggest hit of the year. She next appeared in Dosti: Friends Forever which was only an average grosser in India but became the biggest hit of the year in overseas markets. Dutta along with Sania Mirza participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati (season 2) as celebrity guests, on 13 November 2005.
Dutta modeling in 2005In 2006, Dutta appeared a cameo in Yash Raj Films's Fanaa in a scene that featured both leads Aamir Khan and Kajol. Dutta stated in an interview that she agreed to feature in Fanaa as she had previously turned down a cameo in Yash Raj's Hum Tum (2004). In December 2006, Dutta played Munni, a lady with suicidal tendencies alongside Akshay *ar in Bhagam Bhag, which was one of the biggest hits of the year, as it collected over ₹400 million (US$5.0:million) in India alone.
Her first release of 2007 was Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. in which Dutta played a double-role, of Anaida and Laila, both love interests of Rikki Thukral (played by the film's main lead Abhishek Bachchan). The film was an underwhelming success at the domestic box office but did well overseas, especially in the United Kingdom. Dutta received praise for her performance in the film.
Her next release, Partner where she starred opposite Salman Khan was a blockbuster in India and became the third biggest grosser of the year. Dutta made a special appearance in Om Shanti Om. Dutta also presented a do*entary film *led Sold: An MTV EXIT Special by Charmaine Choo which followed the tragedy of trafficking in South Asia where thousand of young girls and boys are sold into modern-day slavery.
In 2008, Dutta lent her voice for the animated film, Jumbo. However, the film failed to do well at the box office. She made a special appearance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in the song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte" where she paid tribute to Helen, colorfully dressed, with jewels and feathers in a high hair bun. The underlying tune is "O Haseena Zulfon Wale Jaan-e-Jahaan" from the 1966 film Teesri Manzil.
In 2009, she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Irrfan Khan in Priyadarshan's Billu Barber. Her next release Blue, was one of the most expensive movies of Indian cinema. Dutta had initially walked away from the project because the movie was entirely shot in the ocean and she didn't know swimming. However the male protagonist, Akshay *ar encouraged her in learning how to swim and she immediately started training with a special coach. Blue was released on 16 October 2009. She stated that "The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the *ignment. He knew the reason behind my decision. Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for Andaaz, Akshay had rescued me. When I reminded him I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobia and learn swimming pronto," said Dutta. "Today, I feel Blue has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life". Despite a promising opening, the film failed to do well at the box office.
She also appeared in Do Knot Disturb, which took a good start at the box office, however dropped in the coming days and failed to do well. Her 2010 release Housefull was a major commercial success across India. She starred opposite Akshay *ar, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal, Jiah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. It was the fifth biggest hit in the country at that time as it collected ₹1.14 billion (US$14:million) at the box office.
Hiatus and streaming series (2011–present)
Dutta during promotions for Chalo Dilli, 2011In 2011, her first movie as a producer, Chalo Dilli was released. The film was a moderate success, as it was made on a modest budget of ₹50 million (US$630,000). Moreover, the film and Dutta's performance was praised by critics. She did an item number in the song "Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo" alongside Shah Rukh Khan in addition to an extended special appearance in Don 2 and the film was a major success, especially Lara's item number.
Following her post-pregnancy break from Hindi cinema, Dutta signed a movie *led David. Filming started by August 2012.
In 2015, she starred in Singh Is Bliing. The film was a financial success, grossing over ₹ 1.16 billion worldwide. Her comic timing in the film was praised by critics. She played the role of Leena Becker in the film Fitoor, released in 2016. She played a crucial supporting role in the sports drama film Azhar. In 2018, she appeared in the film Welcome to New York.
In June 2019, Dutta appeared in the ITV 6-part drama, Beecham House where she played the role of Begum Samru.
In 2021, Dutta played the role of the former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi in the spy film Bell Bottom along with Akshay *ar, Vaani Kapoor and Huma Qureshi. The film opened to mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, but Dutta's performance and transformation for the role received high critical acclaim.
Dutta made her web debut in 2020 with the Hotstar's series Hundred playing ACP Saumya Shukla. She received positive response for her role. In 2021, she appeared in the offbeat Hiccups and Hookups as Vasudha, a divorcee and single mother on a fun ride.
Kaun Banegi Shikhrawati in 2022 on ZEE5 has her playing Raj*ari Devyani, in a dyfunctional royal family.
In 2023, she appeared in an anthology film Ishq-E-Nadaan in the role of Ramona.
Other work
Dutta has hosted the International Indian Film Academy Awards five times. She first hosted the 3rd IIFA Awards in 2002 and subsequently the 7th IIFA Awards with Fardeen Khan in 2006, 8th IIFA Awards with Boman Irani in 2007 and the 10th IIFA Awards and 11th IIFA Awards in 2009 and 2010, respectively. The last two times she co-hosted with both Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh.
She was featured as a talent judge for the reality show High Fever. Dutta was also appointed as a UNFPA Goodwill Amb*ador in 2001.
Dutta launches her Prenatal Yoga DVD, 2012Lara Dutta is active in yoga, and offers a number of videos on YouTube, particularly for pre-natal yoga. During her pregnancy in 2012, she launched her own DVD which consisted of prenatal routines and meditation techniques.
In 2017 Lara Dutta began mentoring contestants of the Miss Diva contest. She stated "It's exciting to be a part of this journey in finding the perfect representative who is the Indian face of beauty, who possesses elegance, confidence, poise and intelligence. This journey has always been close to my heart and I hope this season is the one that brings us that exceptional girl who will bring the Miss Universe crown back to India".
In 2019, Dutta launched her own line of beauty care products named Arias, which is a vegetarian beauty line. The brand is a culmination of her own experiences as an actor, model and mother.
Public image
Dutta at a promotional event, 2011Dutta has often been regarded as one of the most stylish and socially conscious actresses in Bollywood. Her modelling background opened up opportunities to play not only glamorous roles but also character driven roles in movies like Billu. She is also known for her eloquent speaking skills.
Dutta has also been a very vocal supporter of the Me Too movement in India. Dutta stated that "I think it is about time. It is fantastic as I feel the difference today is that women are standing up for women. I think that comes from a generation shift. The older generation was largely taught that women should be quiet and don't speak up; that they don't come to the forefront because they should be homemakers. Women today still do all of that. We always manage the home, take care of family, we are still the troubleshooters, we wear multiple hats in a day, we juggle a million works, and we don't let any of them drop. But now this generation of women have become more vocal, and they are empowering each other, which is a much better situation. I cannot stress enough about how essential it is to have a sisterhood, to support other women that are speaking up. Be unafraid and be unapologetic about the stand that you take, especially against male en*lement."
Filmography
Films
Television
Accolades
References
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to Lara Dutta.Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lara Dutta.- Lara Dutta at IMDb:
- Lara Dutta at AllMovie
- Lara Dutta at Bollywood Hungama
