Asin
Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononymously as Asin, is a former Indian actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.[1] She has received three Filmfare Awards. She began her acting career in the South Indian film industry, but later shifted her focus to Bollywood.[2] She speaks eight languages.[3][4][5][6]
Asin Thottumkal | |
|---|---|
Asin at Ponds Femina Miss India (2013) | |
| Born | Asin Thottumkal 26 October 1985 |
| Alma mater | St. Teresa's College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2001–2015 |
| Spouse | Rahul Sharma (m. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | |
Making her acting debut at the age of 15 with Sathyan Anthikkad's Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Asin had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi in 2003, and won a Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for the film. M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi (2004) was her debut in Tamil and a huge success. She received her Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for her most noted critically acclaimed performance in her third Tamil film, Ghajini (2005). She then played the lead female roles in many successful films, the most notable being the action films Sivakasi (2005), Varalaru (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Vel (2008) and Dasavathaaram (2008), hence establishing herself as the leading actress of Tamil cinema and was also honoured by the Tamil Nadu government with the Kalaimamani award for her excellence in the field of art and literature.[7] In 2013, Asin was conferred with the Pride of South Indian Cinema award at SIIMA for her contribution to Tamil cinema.[8]
In late 2008, Asin made her debut in the Bollywood film Ghajini (2008), opposite Aamir Khan, which was the first Bollywood film to have collected more than ₹1 billion in the domestic box office, subsequently collecting ₹1.9 billion (US$24 million) worldwide. Asin won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award and many accolades for Ghajini. 2011 marked the most successful phase of Asin's Bollywood career, as she starred in Anees Bazmee's romantic comedy Ready, in which she co-starred alongside Salman Khan. The film was a major hit at the box office, collecting ₹1.84 billion (US$23 million) worldwide.[9] In 2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull 2, which collected more than ₹1 billion. She then featured in Bol Bachchan and Khiladi 786, which were also commercially successful with both grossing over ₹1 billion.
Early life
Asin was born on 26 October 1985[10][11][12] at Kochi in the state Kerala in a Malayali Syro-Malabar Catholic family.[13] Her father Joseph Thottumkal is an Ex-CBI officer and later managed several businesses. Her mother Seline Thottumkal, who moved from Kochi to Chennai and then to Mumbai to live with her daughter, is a surgeon. According to custom, Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother. Asin's father however, named her Asin as the name had a beautiful meaning.[14] Asin has quoted that her name means "pure and without blemish".[15] She states that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning "without", and "sin" from English.[16][17]
She attended Naval Public School from LKG through X standard.[18] She then attended St. Teresa's School in Kochi for her Kerala Higher Secondary Examination Board (Plus Two) Education. After that, she attended St. Teresa's College in Kochi, a college affiliated with MG University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.[19][failed verification]
Career
Early work (2001–2004)
Asin's first assignment was an advertisement for BPL Mobile. She debuted in the Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka in 2001, at the age of 15. After taking a year out to pursue her education, Asin returned with her breakthrough film as an actress, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi opposite Ravi Teja, portraying a Tamil girl in her first Telugu language film, which subsequently fetched her the Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[20] In the same year she won the Santosham Best Actress Award for her performance alongside Nagarjuna in her second Telugu film Shivamani.[20] Her following two Telugu films Lakshmi Narasimha and Gharshana, both portrayed Asin as the love interest for police officers and both were successful ventures.
Asin's first Tamil language film was M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi, in which she co-starred with Jayam Ravi. Asin reprised her role from her film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi for the remake, which saw her portraying a Malayali girl instead of the Tamil girl in the original. The movie subsequently went on to super-hit in Tamil cinema during 2004, introducing Asin to Tamil film industry.[21] After a brief return to Telugu films, to do Chakram, she appeared in Ullam Ketkumae.[22] The film, initially launched in 2002, was supposed to be her debut as a lead heroine, is a college love story, directed by Jeeva, which was long-delayed but eventually became a successful venture at the box office, creating wider opportunities for her and the rest of the cast.[23]
Tamil film breakthrough and stardom (2005–2007)
After the release of Ullam Ketkumae, Asin was cited as a leading heroine of the Tamil film industry after starring in blockbuster films such as Ghajini, Sivakasi, Varalaru and Pokkiri respectively.[24] The film which provided the breakthrough for Asin was Ghajini. The film, co-starring Surya, directed by AR Murugadoss, earned her the Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her role was that of a vivacious young model named Kalpana. Sify.com praised her portrayal as "magical", describing her character as a "lovable chatterbox", played with "sheer ability in the romantic interludes, the poignant and heartfelt scenes when she rescues minor girls from villains and her gory end are touching".[25] On the following Diwali in 2005, Asin had two releases, Sivakasi and Majaa. Despite the latter becoming an average grosser, the former went on to be a successful venture at the box office.[26][27]
The following year, her long-delayed venture Varalaru opposite Ajith Kumar also succeeded at the box office, and The Hindu said she "looks lustrous and sails through her role smoothly".[28] Asin appeared in Pawan Kalyan's Annavaram, another successful venture, which was a remake of Thirupaachi.[29] In January 2007, Asin appeared opposite Ajith Kumar and Vijay in two different films, Aalwar and Pokkiri, with the latter becoming a success, whilst Aalwar became a failure. Though Asin's role in Aalwar got mixed to positive reviews, her performance in Pokkiri was lauded by critics.[30][31] Her final project of the year was opposite Surya, in Hari's Vel, which had a Diwali 2007 release, subsequently becoming her third successful film which released during the Diwali season in three years. Asin, who portrayed a TV anchor, was appreciated for her role in the film.[32]
Hindi film debut (2008–2010)
Asin appeared in her first dual role in K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram opposite Kamal Haasan, who portrayed ten roles. The film had been under production since September 2006. Despite being overshadowed by Haasan's ten roles, Asin's portrayals in the film were praised as her "best-to-date", with one of her roles being that of a Vaishnavite in 12th century Tamil Nadu; whilst the other character was a Brahmin girl from Chidambaram, for which she won her first ITFA Best Actress Award.[33] Dasavathaaram subsequently went on to become one of the blockbusters.[34]
Since establishing herself as the leading actress in South India, Asin opted to move into Bollywood. Her first film Ghajini, opposite Aamir Khan, was the remake of her breakthrough film of the same name. Upon release, the film garnered positive reactions from critics and masses alike, with Asin being singled out for her "fabulous" portrayal. Noted critic Taran Adarsh described her Hindi debut as "fabulous" and that "to share the screen space with an actor of the stature of Aamir Khan and yet remain in your memory even after the show has ended is no cakewalk. She looks fresh and photogenic and acts her part brilliantly, giving Asin's performance a positive outlook."[35]
Ghajini became the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2008 and the sixth highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time according to net collections.[36] Asin later appeared in Vipul Shah's London Dreams, alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, in which she played a south Indian girl, Priya, who is emotional but strong willed and an ambitious dancer at the same time.[37][38] The film received mixed reviews from critics.
Her first film of 2011 was Kaavalan, which released on 15 January 2011. The film was a critical and commercial success, with Behindwoods praising her performance in a review and her being awarded a SIIMA award for Best Actress.[39][40]
Final work (2011–2015)
Her next movie with Salman Khan, Ready, was released on 3 June 2011 to mixed reviews.[41] Critics praised the chemistry between Salman and Asin.[42] Upon release, Ready became the second highest weekend grossing Bollywood film, after Dabangg[43] and went on to become the fifth film in Bollywood history to cross the coveted ₹1 billion (US$13 million) mark in the domestic market.
In 2012, she first appeared alongside Akshay Kumar in Sajid Khan's multistarrer comedy Housefull 2. Though it received a mixed critical reception,[citation needed] it was a major commercial success.[44] Asin generally received favourable reviews for her performance, with Adarsh stating that "[a]mongst the female leads, Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account of herself."[45]
On 6 July 2012, Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan, alongside Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan, released with mixed reviews with the critics praising the performances of Asin, Ajay Devgn, and Abhishek Bachchan.[46][47][48]
Khiladi 786, in which she reunited with her Housefull 2 costar, Akshay Kumar, released on 7 December 2012 to mixed reviews, but was strong at the box office and eventually became a commercially successful venture.[49]
Asin did not appear in any movie in 2013 or 2014. Her only movie release of 2015 was All Is Well, directed by Umesh Shukla and produced by Bhushan Kumar. In one interview, director Umesh Shukla stated that Asin would be seen in an "important dramatic role".[50]
Other work
Humanitarian work
During the shoot of her film Ready in Sri Lanka, she was part of camps that were meant to help the Sri Lankan Tamil people who were affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War.[51]
In an interview during the DNA I Can Women's Half Marathon in 2012, Asin, speaking about the importance of health and the necessity of education said:
This cause is probably one of the biggest women-centric issues in our country. I support the education of six children each year, five of which are girls. I have closely worked with these children and I know that if given the opportunity, women can educate themselves much better and know what is wrong or right for them. Education is a basic right and women should not be deprived of that.[52]
Brand ambassador
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has appeared in commercials for Avon,[53] Mirinda,[54] Colgate,[54] Fairever,[55] Tanishq,[54] Big Bazaar,[56] Parachute,[57] Spinz talc,[57] Lux,[58] Amrutanjan Healthcare,[59] and Clinic All Clear.[60] Asin has been endorsing Mirinda soft drinks since 2004.[61]
Personal life
Asin is a Catholic Christian belonging to the Syro-Malabar rite,[62][63] and currently resides in Mumbai.[64] She also owns an apartment in Marine Drive, Kochi[65][66][67] and a farmhouse in Vagamon, Kerala.[68][69][70] The actress is a polyglot. She can speak seven languages; being well-versed in Malayalam (her mother tongue), Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, English, Hindi and French.[71] Asin also speaks a smattering of Italian[72] and learnt basic Marathi for her movie Khiladi 786, in which she played a typical Marathi girl.[73] In June 2013, it was reported in the Indian media that Asin was learning German during her free time.[3] She began learning Spanish after visiting Spain in early 2014.[72][74]
Asin married Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in January 2016 in a Christian wedding that was followed by a Hindu ceremony,[63][75] and quit acting after marriage.[76] Their first child, a daughter Arin, was born on 24 October 2017.[77][78]
Filmography
Awards and nominations
See also
References
- ^ "Asin's classical avataar". The Times of India. 13 October 2009. from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
- ^ . The Times of India. 17 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Asin busy in learning German". Desimartini.com. Top Movies Entertainment Ltd. 7 June 2013. from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
- ^ . meencurry.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ . asinonline.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ . Sify. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013.
- ^ . The Hindu. Chennai, India. 29 November 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2009.
- ^ Bollywood Hungama. "Asin bags the Pride of South Indian Cinema Award - Latest Movie Features - Bollywood Hungama". bollywoodhungama.com. from the original on 19 September 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
- ^ Top Worldwide Grossers All Time: 100 Crore 23 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Box Office India (3 February 2012). Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ . The Times of India. 21 April 2009. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ Dasgupta, Priyanka (26 October 2010). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ Singh, Prashant (26 October 2012). . Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
- ^ . The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 14 May 2006. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ . The Times of India. (14 June 2012). Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Asin's another name!". The Times of India. from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ Ahmed, afsana (11 May 2009). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
- ^ . The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 March 2009. Archived from the original on 21 April 2011.
- ^ . The Times of India. 10 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
- ^ "I have seen enough success before to not get carried away". Rediff. from the original on 8 July 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ a b Thottumkal, Asin (24 December 2008). "Awards". AsinOnline.com. from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Radhakrishnan, Mathangi (15 October 2004). . MusicIndiaOnline. Archived from the original on 24 February 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Narasimhan, ML (30 December 2005). . The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 September 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Shivram, Prasanna (13 July 2007). "Jeeva's lyrical frames". The Hindu. from the original on 21 August 2007. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Kamath, Sudhish (1 November 2005). . The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 25 May 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ . Sify. 27 September 2005. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (11 November 2005). . The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 19 September 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Ashok Kumar, SR (4 November 2005). "Where is the entertainment?". The Hindu. from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (27 October 2006). . The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2006. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Mohan, Piraba (14 January 2007). "Aalwar: Ajith is the saving grace". Behindwoods. from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Bhaskar, Shweta (15 January 2007). "Pokkiri: Watch only for Vijay, Asin". Rediff. from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Hari, TSV (8 November 2007). "Vel is slick and neat". Rediff. from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Vijayasarathy, R. G. (13 June 2008). "Dasavathaaram is spectacular". Rediff. from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ "Kamalhassan's new blockbuster hit is setting records worldwide". The Times. South Africa. 29 June 2008. from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran (23 December 2008). . Sify. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
- ^ "Top Lifetime Grossers 2000–2009 (Figures in Ind Rs)". Box-Office-India. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ Jha, Subhash. K (10 December 2008). . NDTV. Archived from the original on 12 December 2008. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- ^ IndiaGlitz (17 January 2009). "Asin's encore with Kamal Hassan". IndiaGlitz. from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ^ . Sify. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "Vijay (re)turns romantic! Feel good – Feel emotional". Behindwoods. from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ "Box Office: Ready opens to good opening with mixed response". ibosnetwork. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- ^ "Ready Movie Review". Behindwoods. from the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
- ^ . The Times of India. 7 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^ . Box Office India. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Adarsh, Taran. "Housefull 2 Movie Review (2012)". Bollywood Hungama. from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ^ Bol Bachchan (2012) | Hindi Movie Critic Review By Taran Adarsh 5 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ Bol Bachchan Review 8 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ Bharti Dubey (13 July 2012). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ BO Report: Akshay Kumar's Khiladi 786 passes the test 20 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Hindustan Times (11 December 2012). Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ "Asin to romance Abhishek Bachchan in Mere Apne". The Indian Express. 8 August 2013. from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ . The Times of India. 13 July 2010. Archived from the original on 9 July 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ Health is of utmost importance, says Asin 23 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine. DNA (20 February 2012). Retrieved 10 July 2012.
- ^ "Avon signs Asin as brand ambassador in India". The Economic Times. 3 February 2014. from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "'I'm a people's person'". The Indian Express. 24 May 2009. from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ "CavinKare to focus on non-South markets". Business Line. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ Rachel Fernandes (22 May 2009). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Aamir's find: Asin - Entertainment - DNA". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ . Sify.com. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ "Amrutanjan in talks to buy beverages co". Business Line. 13 September 2010. from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ The Times of India. 18 June 2009. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ Tripathy, Nandini D. (20 February 2014). "Quick Five: Asin - Qualitative visibility". The Hindu. Chennai, India. from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ D. B. S. Jeyaraj (5 February 2016). "Indian Actress Asin Who was "Black listed" by Tamil Cinema for Being Sri Lanka Friendly Weds Rahul in Grand Style". from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ a b "All you want to know about Asin-Rahul wedding". MSN. 19 January 2016. from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
- ^ Mehul S Thakkar (5 August 2012). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Birthday girl Asin gifts herself a plush 6-room home – Entertainment – DNA". Daily News and Analysis. 26 October 2011. from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ . Sify.com. 2 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Birthday girl Asin gifts herself a plush apartment". daily.bhaskar.com. 26 October 2011. from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Asin's summer getaway is her quaint farmhouse in Vagamon". The Times of India. from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Asin's 'little piece of heaven' down south". indiaglitz.com. 9 April 2014. from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ . Asianage. 3 November 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Asin Thottumkal knows seven languages!". dna. from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ DC chennai (27 August 2012). "Asin learns Marathi". Deccan Chronicle. from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Asin learning Spanish". intoday.in. from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
- ^ "Asin Marries Rahul Sharma". The Times of India. from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
- ^ "Asin quits acting after marriage: Other actresses who chose family over career". Daily News & Analysis. 6 April 2016. from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ^ "Akshay Kumar Shares First Pic Of Asin And Rahul Sharma's Daughter". NDTV. 25 October 2017. from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ "Asin's Daughter Arin, 18-Months-Old, Is The Cutest Ballerina Ever". NDTV. 24 April 2019. from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.