Rishibala Naval (born 4 April 1976), known professionally asSimran, is an Indian actress, producer, choreographer and playback singer who predominantly works inTamil andTelugu films whilst also appearing inHindi,Kannada andMalayalam films. Recognised as one of the most prolific actresses of Tamil cinema, She is often hailed as the "Lady Superstar" of Kollywood. Simran is the recipient ofnumerous accolades including threeFilmfare Awards South and oneTamil Nadu State Film Award.[1]
Simran | |
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![]() Simran in 2023 | |
Born | Rishibala Naval (1976-04-04)4 April 1976 (age 49) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1995–present |
Works | Full list |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Monal Naval (sister) |
Awards | Full list |
Website | simran![]() |
Simran debuted in Tamil films in 1997, with two successful filmsOnce More andV.I.P., where earned herFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. She won the Filmfare Award forBest Actress – Tamil forKannathil Muthamittal (2002) andBest Supporting Actress – Tamil forVaaranam Aayiram (2008), both being a major commercial success.[2] Following a career hiatus, Simran returned to screens in 2014. Post her return, she has appeared inPetta (2019),Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) andGulmohar (2023), all of which performed well both commercially and critically.
Simran is a celebrity endorser for several brands and is married to producer Deepak Bagga, with whom she has two children.
Life and family
editSimran was born as Rishibala Naval on 4 April 1976 to Punjabi parents inMumbai. Simran has two younger sisters, former film actressMonal and Jyothi Anand, and a younger brother, Sumeet Naval.[3][4] She was educated at St. Anthony's High School,Versova, Mumbai.
Simran married producer Deepak Bagga, her childhood friend, on 2 December 2003. The couple are parents to two sons.[5]
Career
editDebut and breakthrough (1995–1999)
editSimran made her debut in the 1995 filmSanam Harjai, the first Indian film to be shot in New Zealand.[6] As a presenter on musical showSuperhit Muqabla she was noticed byJaya Bachchan, who cast her inABCL'sTere Mere Sapne,[7] in which she received praise for her performance in the song "Aankh Maarey".[8] She made her debut in Malayalam cinema with 1996'sIndraprastham, a movie that was unsuccessful but for which Simran received praise for her performance.[9] In 1997 she made her Kannada and Telugu debuts inSimhada Mari andAbbai Gari Pelli.
In 1997 Simran also made her Tamil debut, and rose to stardom[10] withV.I.P. and another release,Nerrukku Ner, she would win theFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South.[11] Her success in those films focused her career on the Tamil film industry.[10]
Over the next two years, between 1998 and 1999, Simran was seen in 18 films. InAval Varuvala she received positive acclaim with one reviewer stating that her performance showed "she can act".[12] She was the female lead inNatpukkaga which would go on to win theFilmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil and theTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film. During this period she was first seen withPrashanth inKannedhirey Thondrinal. The commercial success of the film and their popularity as an onscreen pair meant that they would be seen together in several future films.
Simran's performance in the filmThullatha Manamum Thullum would garner her theTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress,[13] and would lead to reviewers referring to her as being “among the leading actresses in Tamil films”.[14] Her performance inVaalee won her theCinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil.[15] Simran's performance inKanave Kalayadhe andJodi were praised.[16][17]
Continued success (2000–2004)
editIn 2000, Simran starred in the Telugu filmKalisundam Raa. The film would receive theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu[18] and theNandi Award for Best Feature Film.[19] The acclaim led to her establishing more of a presence in the Telugu film industry. InNuvvu Vasthavani, a Telugu remake ofThullatha Manamum Thullum in which Simran had starred, Simran reprised her role as the female lead. Simran was also seen in Hindi films such asKhauff at this time. In 2001,Narasimha Naidu in particular received a lot of commercial and critical acclaim.[20] The filmsYuvaraju andSeema Simham were unsuccessful,[21][22] however Simran continued to build her reputation.Daddy saw commercial success[23]
Throughout this period Simran continued a prolific career in the Tamil film industry. In general, though it was a time of notable success. Her performances inUnnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven,12B,[24] andPaarthale Paravasam were praised although all three films were commercially unsuccessful.[25] though Simran's performance was praised.[26] Her most notable film in this period was the Tamil-languageKannathil Muthamittal. The film won theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil[27] and theCinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil. Simran specifically the Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil, and theITFA Best Actress Award.[28]Priyamaanavale,Pammal K. Sambandam,Thamizh,Panchatanthiram;Arasu andNew were all notable commercial successes.[29][30][31][32][33]I Love You Da andUdhaya were also the rare releases that were unsuccessful during this period.[34][35]
Focus on television (2005–2013)
editAfter being seen in 74 films in the ten years since her debut, Simran became more selective in the projects that she pursued[36]
Several of Simran's Tamil projects were unsuccessful during this period includingKicha Vayasu 16 (2005),Seval (2008) andAinthaam Padai (2009).
However,Vaaranam Aayiram received widespread critical and commercial acclaim. Simran specifically won theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil[37] and theVijay Award for Best Supporting Actress.[38]
She continued her career in Telugu with roles inOkka Magaadu andJohn Appa Rao 40 Plus. She was also seen in the Malayalam releaseHeart Beats.
During this period she pivoted to focus more on television. She acted in the eponymously titledJaya TV serialSimran Thirai. She starred in the Telugu soap operaSundarakanda. During this time she also started working on reality TV shows and game shows. She was a judge onSuper Super, and in 2011 took over the anchor role on the long-running Jaya TV showJackpot.[36] Between 2013 and 2014 she starred inAgni Paravai, a Tamil-language soap opera.
Simran also ventured into production. She and her husband producedDance Tamizha Dance, a Tamil show forZee Tamizh, in which she was also a judge.[39] They followed it up with a second production, Dance Tamizha Dance Little Masters, focused on under-14 performers from Tamil Nadu, with Simran continuing as a judge.[40]
Career expansion (2014–present)
editSimran returned to the big screen with a series of unsuccessful films such asAaha Kalyanam (the Tamil remake ofBand Baaja Baaraat) in 2014,Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) andKoditta Idangalai Nirappuga (2017). She was widely believed to have made her comeback with 2018'sSeemaraja.[41] She followed it up withPetta, which received critical and commercial acclaim,[42] becoming thesecond highest grossing Tamil film of the year. She continued working as a producer, producing and starring in a Hindi music video.[43]
In 2020 she made her streaming debut with Netflix's first Tamil film,Paava Kadhaigal,[44] receiving positive reviews.[45] This was followed up withMahaan which debuted onAmazon Prime Video after the pandemic meant that a theater release wouldn't be possible.[46] It received positive reviews with M Suganth ofThe Times of India praising Simran and her co-stars for “memorable performances that elevate the scenes and the film”.[47]
Simran reunited withR. Madhavan inRocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022). It was filmed simultaneously in Tamil, Hindi and English languages.[48] Simran's performance received positive reviews with Avinash Ramachandran ofCinema Express noting that "Madhavan, Simran propel this compelling biopic".[49] The film was screened for civil servants and politicians in theParliament of India,[50] was one of five nominated by India for theAcademy Award for Best International Feature Film,[51] and won India'sNational Film Award for Best Feature Film.[52]
Simran then appeared in the Tamil science fiction action filmCaptain.[53] And later starred in the Hindi languageGulmohar (2023).[54][55] She then appeared as thePrime Minister of Pakistan inTiger 3 (2023). She made a special appearance in a devotional song inAranmanai 4 (2024).[56] After sharing the screen withPrashanth as the female lead, Simran starred as an antagonist in theAndhadhun remake,Andhagan (2024).[57]
Media image
editFrom 1998 to 2004, Simran became "one of Tamil cinema's top female draws", with several successful films.[58] Throughout her career, Simran has endorsed several brands and products such asFanta,[59][60] Jeeva soap,[61]Kurkure,[62] Sugar Free Gold byCadila Healthcare,[63]General Mills' Pillsbury Atta,[64]Dabur,[65] Enfagrow A+,[66]Pothys’ silk sarees,[67] Arun Ice Cream,[68] Nac Jewelers,[69] CavinKare's Chinni Masala,[70] Lion Dates,[71] Manna Go Grains,[72] Sunfeast Supermilk,[73] andSwiggy's Instamart.[74]
Accolades
editSimran has received threeFilmfare Awards South awards, out of the four nominations:Best Female Debut forNerrukku Ner,Once More, andV.I.P.,Best Actress – Tamil forKannathil Muthamittal andBest Supporting Actress – Tamil forVaaranam Aayiram.[75][2]
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