Amrita Rao

Amrita was born in the Rao family on June 7, 1981 in Mumbai, She speaks Konkani. She comes from a well to do Hindu family. Her dad owns an Advertising Agency.Amrita did not want to purse any career with Bollywood as she wanted to graduate in psychology, which she eventually did.No stranger to cameras and bright lights, she has modeled for approximately 35 advertisements. Her first assignment was for Fairever Face Cream. Amongst other assignments that got her noticed were Hindustan Lever’s ’Close-up’ Cadbury’s Perk, & Nestle Bru Coffee. Ken Ghosh approached Amrita for his debut movie Ishq Vishq after seeing her in the perk commercial, where she plays a hungry bride eagerly awaiting the arrival of her husband on the religious occasion of ’Karva Chauth’. Ishq Vishq was a world-wide hit and made her famous virtually overnight. Amrita Rao is also a Brand Ambassador for D’Damas Gold Jewellery, Parachute Hair Oil, and Miss Players Apparels.Having modeled for nearly 35 ads, her decision to act in films didn’t come as a surprise. What came as a surprise was that unlike other models who dropped out of college to pursue their careers, Amrita Rao preferred to thumb down film offers to complete her graduation in psychology. And she has a word of advise for all those aspiring to make it big in this profession. "Don’t be disillusioned and depressed if you don’t get a worthy opportunity here. There are other fields you can excel in!" Her first modeling assignment was for a fairness cream. "When I was told I would have to audition for it, I said, "Audition?" The word itself made me feel jittery. Thankfully I was not camera conscious. The little bit of acting that I did after reading the storyboard appealed to them. I got through it successfully," she laughs. But it was the Close-up toothpaste ad that made her a familiar face in the ad world. If the Close-up ad fetched her recognition, the Cadbury’s Perk ad offered her platform to step into films. "You know Perk and Liril are two brands that get you noticed as a model. The girl always stands out in the ads," she says. Perk had the beautiful but hungry Amrita dressed in bridal attire eagerly waiting for the moon to be seen, but even before it appears her hubby hands her a perk that has a smiling with delight. "Raj Kanwar saw that ad and got touch with me. He told me about Ab Ke Baras and how it was Arya Babbar’s launch vehicle and that I was perfect to play the lead opposite him in the film." Farah Khan’s Main Hoon Na is another film she is excited about. She is playing a college girl absolute contrast to the one she played in Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar. Farah gave her a new hair style. She is wearing lot of trendy and western stuff. Her other co stars are Shah Rukh Khan, Susmita Sen and Zayed Khan. She is very exicited working with shahrukh.And the third film is Gaurang Doshi’s Deewar- Let’s Bring Our Heroes Home is completely male dominating film and she have little to do in it. It is based on an English Film. It’s a prestigious project and she is their for it only.Besides these 3 films Amrita have not signed any other film. She wants to gauge the audiences reaction to her three films before signing any new project.She want to win the race slowly and steadily. She feels every character she plays has been a sort of professional journey. She want to be a actress then an entertainer that’s why she don’t want to be in item numbers where audience only notice her hairstyle, lipstick, costume not her inner talent and performance.Amrita likes to chill out at home in spare time. She is a complete home bird. She hates going to discos the blaring volume of music puts her off. She is a food freak. She likes coconut curry and rice.

Facts:
*Daughter of Deepak Rao
*Comes from a very well-to-do Saraswat Brahmin family
*Has an identical twin sister
*she became popular through ads and she did 30 commercials before coming to films.
*Philosophy of life: Life is short and sweet, so make others happy and never let anyone down.
*Brands modeled for: Hindustan Lever’s - Close-up, Godrej - Nikhaar Soap (2 ads.), Nestle - Bru Coffee, Wringly Chewing Gum, Anne French, Fena Detergent, Jolen Bleach, 3 Roses Tea (South India), Johnson & Johnsons - Clean & Clear Face Wash, Proctor & Gamble - Pantene Hair Wash, Cadbury’s - Perk Chocolates, Parachute Jasmine - Hair Oil, Domino’s Pizza, HMT Watches, Allukas Jewellery (South India), and Allapet Jewellery (South India).
*Bowled by the Amrita’s look in Sooraj Barjatya film Vivah, M F Hussain has plans to start a series of paintings inspired by Vivah and Amrita Rao.
*Although her debut film was a flop, she had three hits in a row-Ishq Vishk, Masti and Main Hoon Na and Amrita Rao has come to be known as a lucky mascot.
*she is a graduate in psychology
*She got Best Debut Award from Filmfare, Stardust and IIFA for Ishq Vishk.

Filmography:
My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves (January 11, 2008)
Hook Ya Crook (2008)
Athidhi (2008)
Shortcut - The Con Is On (2008)
Victory (2008)
Heyy Babyy (August 24, 2007)
Vivah (November 10, 2006)
Pyare Mohan (April 21, 2006)
Shikhar (December 30, 2005)
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi (December 23, 2005)
Deewaar (June 25, 2004)
Main Hoon Na (April 30, 2004)
Masti (April 9, 2004)
Ishq Vishk (May 9, 2003)
The Legend Of Bhagat Singh (June 7, 2002)
Ab Ke Baras (May 10, 2002)

Awards:
Winner: Filmfare Award for Best Female Debutante (2003)
Movie: Ishq Vishk

Nominated: Screen Award for Best Actress (2007)
Movie: Vivah

Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Actress In Supporting Role (2004)
Movie: Main Hoon Na

Nominated: Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer - Female (2003)
Movie: Ab Ke Baras