Lara Dutta Bhupathi (néeDutta; born 16 April 1978) is an Indian actress. The winner of Miss Intercontinental 1997 andMiss Universe 2000 pageants, she has since predominantly worked inHindi films and series. Dutta is a recipient of aFilmfare Award and established herself as a prominent leading actress in the 2000s.
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 playerMahesh Bhupathi, with whom she has a daughter.
Dutta was born 16 April 1978[4] to aPunjabi Hindu father and anAnglo-Indian mother in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.[5][6] Her father wasWing Commander L. K. Dutta (retired) and her mother is Jennifer Maureen Dutta (née Storey).[7][8]Nitin Sawhney, who is a music composer and DJ is Dutta's cousin.[9]
Dutta moved toBengaluru in 1981 where she completed high school at the St. Francis Xavier Girls' High School and Frank Anthony Public School. She graduated with a degree in economics and a minor in communications from theUniversity of Mumbai.[10] She is fluent in English andHindi and can also speakPunjabi andKannada.[10]
Dutta won the annualGladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 1995,[11] thus winning the right to enter the 1997 Miss Intercontinental Pageant. She was later crowned Miss Intercontinental 1997.[12] In 2000, she entered and won theFemina Miss India contest receiving the title of Femina Miss India Universe. This allowed her to represent India at theMiss Universe 2000.[13]
Dutta wonMiss Universe 2000 in Cyprus.[14] Dutta was crowned by the outgoing titleholderMpule Kwelagobe of Botswana. In the same year,Priyanka Chopra andDia Mirza won their respectiveMiss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants.[15] During her reign as Miss Universe, she visited 42 countries.[14][16][17] She is the second woman from India to be crowned Miss Universe. She received the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finale interview score is the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest.[18]
Dutta has been aUnited Nations Population Fund Goodwill Ambassador since 2001.[19] Dutta has 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 Ambassador of theUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)".[20]
Dutta made her screen debut in 2003 withAndaaz, playing Kajal oppositeAkshay Kumar. In the film, Dutta's voice was dubbed byMona 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.[21] According to Dutta, her role as the tomboy Kajal revealed a new and very private side of her on screen.[22]Andaaz became a major box office success and won her theFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut.[23] Derek Elley ofVariety noted that Dutta wins the acting stakes and handle her character reversals with aplomb.[24] A critic ofBBC opined that she "impresses" in emotional scenes.[25] Later the year, she played Kesar, a village girl oppositeAbhishek Bachchan inMumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost.[26]
Dutta started 2004 with a cameo appearance inKhakee,[27] in the song "Aisa Jadoo", which went on to become a chartbuster upon release and earned her theStardust Award for Exciting New Face.[28] She then played Monica who lures three married men, inMasti which was a commercial success.[29] Priya Ganapati ofRediff.com stated that she plays her character well.[30] InBardaasht which failed to do well at the box office, she played an advocat oppositeBobby Deol.[31] Subhash K. Jha noted, "As a lawyer Lara delivers her lines with conviction. One wishes there was more of her."[32] She then appeared in the Tamil film,Arasatchi, which was supposed to be her debut release in 2002 but due to financial problems, it was postponed.[33] In her final film of the year,Aan: Men at Work she played a police officer's lover opposite Akshay Kumar.[34] Dutta revealed in an interview that she was offered a role inThe Matrix franchise but turned down the offer due to her mother's illness at the time.[35]
The year 2005 marked a turning point in her career with six releases. Dutta first played a journalist inInsan oppositeAjay Devgn and a criminal's lover oppositeJohn Abraham inElaan, both of which were box office failures.[36] Dutta then played Sanjana, who marries for money and frame her husband for her fake death inJurm, opposite Bobby Deol.[37] Vivek Fernandes stated, "Lara has a meaty role; she sizzles in the first half, goes a bit over the top toward the end but overall turns in a commendable performance."[38] InKaal, she played Ishika oppositeVivek Oberoi. The film was a moderate success at the box office.[39] Dutta then appeared inNo Entry oppositeAnil Kapoor, which went on to become the biggest success of the year.[40] She played Kajal, a suspicious wife andTaran Adarsh felt she played the character to "perfection", in one of her most uninhibited works.[41] Her final release that year,Dosti: Friends Forever saw her pair opposite Bobby Deol, and play an NRI.[42] Patcy N stated that she looks "good", but her role is far too short.[43]No Entry earned her a nomination forIIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress.[44]
Dutta at an event in 2005
In 2006, Dutta first appeared inZinda as a taxi driver oppositeJohn Abraham.[45] She then had a special song appearance inAlag.[46] Dutta then played Aditi / Munni, a lady with suicidal tendencies opposite Akshay Kumar inBhagam Bhag, which was a box office success.[47] A critic ofIdlebrain found her to be just "adequate".[48] She then had a cameo appearance as Zeenat inFanaa.[49]
Dutta started 2007 withJhoom Barabar Jhoom, playing double-role of Anaida and Laila, opposite Bobby Deol and Abhishek Bachchan. The film was a moderate success.[50]Rajeev Masand found her to be hilarious in the post-interval portions.[51] Dutta then played Naina, a single mother and reporter oppositeSalman Khan inPartner, one of the year's highest-grossing film.[52][53] Syed Firdaus Ashraf was appreciative of her chemistry with Khan.[54] She then made a special appearance inOm Shanti Om,[55] and later presented a documentary film titledSold: 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.[56]
In 2008, Dutta voiced Sonia, a female elephant in the animated film,Jumbo opposite Akshay Kumar.[57] She made a special appearance inRab Ne Bana Di Jodi in the song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte" where she paid tribute to actressHelen.[58] Dutta started 2010 withBillu Barber oppositeIrrfan Khan, playing Bindiya, a poor barber's wife. The film was a moderate success at the box office.[59] For her performance, she earnedStardust Award for Best Actress nomination.[60] Dutta then played a supermodel oppositeGovinda inDo Knot Disturb[61] and a businessman's wife inBlue oppositeSanjay Dutt, both of which were commercial failures.[62] ForBlue, Taran Adarsh stated, "Lara has never looked so good before. Though the story revolves around the guys, you can't overlook her small but significant contribution to the film."[63]
Dutta's first film of 2011 wasChalo Dilli, her first film as a producer. She played Mihika, an investment banker alongsideVinay Pathak.[69] The film was a moderate success, as it was made on a modest budget of₹50 million (US$590,000).[70] Taran Adarsh found her performance to be "convincing" despite some rough edges. She earned another Stardust Best Actress nomination for the film.[71] She next appeared alongsideShah Rukh Khan inDon 2, playing one of his companion. She also sang "Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo" for the film.[72][73] It emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year.[74]
Following her post-pregnancy break from acting, Dutta appeared in the 2013 Hindi filmDavid, playing a mother, Neelam, this film was partially reshot in Tamilin the same title where Dutta's character name was Gayathri.[75][76] In 2015, she played Emily, a translator alongside Akshay Kumar inSingh Is Bliing, which emerged a financial success, grossing over₹ 1.16 billion worldwide.[77][78] Tushar Joshi fromDaily News and Analysis was appreciative of her comic timing.[79]
Dutta played Leena, in her first film of 2016,Fitoor. Rachit Gupta ofFilmfare praised her supporting part.[80][81] She then played an advocate inAzhar.[82] Mehul S Thakkar ofDeccan Chronicle found her performance to be "controlled yet aggressive".[83] Both of her releases were commercial failures.[84] Post this, Dutta played Sophie in the 2018 filmWelcome to New York, a box office failure.[85]
Dutta ventured into television series with the 2019ITV English series,Beecham House. where she played Begum Samru.[86][87] She expanded to web shows in 2020, withHundred, playing a police inspector Soumya.[88] Divyanshi Sharma ofIndia Today stated, "Lara Dutta makes an impressive web-series debut with the show. The actress lets her eyes do the talking in various scenes and delivers every dialogue with finesse."[89]
Dutta started 2021 with her portrayal of formerPrime Minister of India,Indira Gandhi in the spy filmBell Bottom alongside Akshay Kumar.[90][91] The film became a commercial failure,[92] but Monika Rawal Kukreja was appreciative of her performance and termed her "terrific".[93][94] She then played Vasudha, a divorcee and single mother on a fun ride, in the seriesHiccups and Hookups.[95][96] The following year, Dutta played Devyani, princess of a dyfunctional royal family in the seriesKaun Banegi Shikharwati oppositeCyrus Sahukar.[97] Nandini Ramnath ofScroll.in opined that she was fine as a comedienne and "ably aided" the cast.[98]
In 2023, Dutta first appeared in the anthology filmIshq-e-Nadaan, playing an industrious Ramona. The film received mixed reviews and was released onJioCinema.[99][100] She then played a semi-classical vocalist Wilayat, in the seriesCharlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley.[101] Pratikshya Mishra ofThe Quint stated that despite limited screen time, Dutta maintains her character's mystery.[102]
In her first release of 2024, Dutta played Manisha, National Security Bureau head in the series,Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond.[103] Vinamra Mathur ofFirstpost noted, "The actress brims with a certain sense of vibrancy, especially in her scene with Shergill."[104] She received nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series at theFilmfare OTT Awards.[105]
In 2017, Dutta began mentoring contestants at theMiss 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".[113]
In 2011, Dutta initiated a campaign called "Kick For Change", for underprivileged kids.[114] Later, she participated inKaun Banega Crorepati to raise funds for an acid attack victim.[115] In 2019, Dutta launched her own vegetarian beauty care product brand called Arias.[116][117]
Commenting on Dutta's career and her roles, Subhash K. Jha noted, "Lara is subtle yet upfront, strong but fragile, she encompasses the best of both worlds - feminine and aggressive, within her personality."[118] Sweta Kaushal ofForbes India stated, "Dutta has always been very clear about her choices. She always knew what were her priorities."[119] Rajiv Vijayakar ofBollywood Hungama finds her to be "versatile".[120][121] InRediff.com's "Best Bollywood Actresses" list, Dutta was placed 10th in 2007.[122] She was further placed 4th in its "Top OTT Actresses" list of 2020.[123] In theTimes Most Desirable Women list, Dutta was placed 6th in 2009 and 28th in 2010.[124][125] In 2009, she was also placed 9th inMaxim's "Hot 100" list.[126]Times of India also placed her 24th in its "50 Beautiful Faces" list.[127]
Dutta is known for her eloquent speaking skills.[128] She has been a vocal supporter of theMe 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 entitlement."[129]
Dutta briefly dated American professional baseball playerDerek Jeter.[130][131] She had a nine-year relationship with actor and modelKelly Dorji.[132] In 2008, she briefly dated actor and supermodelDino Morea, but they broke up in 2009.[133][134][135]
In September 2010, became engaged to Indian tennis player,Mahesh Bhupathi.[136][137] 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.[138][139] In August 2011, Dutta announced her pregnancy. On 20 January 2012, she gave birth to their daughter Saira Bhupathi.[140][141]
^"'Black' bags major IIFA awards".The Tribune. Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Press Trust of India. 18 June 2006.Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved1 July 2022.
^"Review: Satyameva Jayate".Rediff.com.Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved17 May 2013.The movie has its share of songs including the item number Aisa Jadoo (in Telugu) by Lara Dutta
^"A long wait".The Hindu. 17 July 2003. Archived fromthe original on 23 October 2010. Retrieved1 December 2016.
^"Insan (2005)".Bollywood Hungama. 13 August 2011. Archived fromthe original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved16 June 2014.
^Kazmi, Nikhat (22 December 2006)."Movie review : Bhagam Bhaag".The Times of India.Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved7 September 2014.
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