Shriya saran

Shriya Saran ; born September 11, 1982),[2] also known by the mononym Shriya, is an Indian film actress, model and presenter. She has worked in mulitple of the regional industries of Indian cinema, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu language films, as well as a few films in English, Malayalam and Kannada. Saran made her film debut in 2001 with Ishtam and had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Santhosham (2002).[3] She would subsequently appear in several Telugu films, while making in-roads in the Hindi and Tamil film industries.
In 2007, Saran starred in Sivaji: The Boss, the highest grossing Tamil film at that time.[4][5] Her following projects include such Tamil films as Azhagiya Tamil Magan (2007) and Kanthaswamy (2009), as well as high-budget Hindi productions like Mission Istanbul (2008), her roles in which have established her as one of the leading actresses in the South Indian film industry.[6][7] In 2008, Saran played the lead role in the American-Indian co-production The Other End of the Line.
Apart from her work in films, Saran has been the brand ambassador for several stores across India, endorsing beauty and health products. Among other activities, she has taken part in a number of charity organisations, and has recently opened a spa employing visually challenged people.[8]
Early life and family

Shriya Saran was born in Dehradun to Pushpendra Saran and Neeraja Saran.[2][9] Her father worked for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and her mother was a chemistry teacher in Delhi Public School, Haridwar,[2] from which Saran completed her schooling.[2][9] She later studied at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi[2] and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature.[2][10] Saran is an accomplished Kathak dancer, trained by Shovana Narayan during her youth.[11] She has a brother named Ahiroop who is settled in Mumbai.[10]
[edit]Career

[edit]Early career (2001–2003)
While in her sophomore year at the LSR College in Delhi, Saran got her first opportunity to appear in front of the camera for a video shoot. Following her dance teacher's recommendation, she was invited to appear in the music video of Renoo Nathan's Thirakti Kyun Hawa.[12] Shot in Banaras, the video was seen by Ramoji Films who offered her the lead role of Neha in their film Ishtam.[13] Saran accepted the part and later signed for four films including Santosham, Chennakeshava Reddy, Nuvve Nuvve and Tagore.[13] In 2002 she starred in Santosham (2002), co-starring Nagarjuna, Prabhu Deva and Gracy Singh. For her work in the film, Saran earned her first nomination for the CineMAA Award for Best Actor- Female.
In 2003, Saran acted in her first Hindi film, Tujhe Meri Kasam, starring debutants Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza in leading roles. She was cast as the lead in the Telugu film Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu opposite Uday Kiran. Collaborating with V. V. Vinayak again, she performed the lead role in his Tagore, a remake of the Tamil film Ramana. Tagore was a commercial success.[14] She followed it with her Tamil film debut in Enakku 20 Unakku 18,[15] alongside Tarun and Trisha Krishnan.[16]
[edit]Ups and downs (2004–2007)
After a moderate year in 2004, Saran had ten 2005 releases, nine of which were Telugu films. For Chatrapati, in which she appeared opposite Prabhas, she earned her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award. Meanwhile, she made her comeback in Kollywood with Mazhai, a remake of the Telugu film Varsham. Neither the movie nor her performance were received well.[17]
Saran's only 2006 release, excluding special appearances, was the Tamil film Thiruvilayadal Arambam. In 2007, she was chosen to play the lead female role opposite Rajinikanth in S. Shankar's Sivaji: The Boss,[18] which was the most expensive Indian film at that time.[5] R. G. Vijayasarathy wrote in his review for Rediff that aside from her beauty, Saran "proves that she can act too".[19] Her performance earned her a South Scope Style Award for Best Tamil Actress and a nomination at the Vijay Awards.[20]
Saran then made her comeback in Hindi cinema with Awaarapan alongside Emraan Hashmi, which was a joint production between India and Pakistan. She received a nomination for the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for her role. Later that year she appeared in one more Tamil film, Azhagiya Tamil Magan opposite Vijay. Though critics exalted her looks, her performance received mixed reviews.[21]
[edit]Recent work (2008–present)
In 2008, she made a special appearance in the Vadivelu-starrer Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan which turn out to be her only Tamil release of 2008. She then acted in the Hindi film Apoorva Lakhia's Mission Istanbul with Zayed Khan, Vivek Oberoi and Shabbir Ahluwalia. She played the character of Anjali Sagar which was inspired by the character of Romila Dutta played by Preity Zinta in the film Lakshya;[22] a journalist who desires to have a child with her husband, which leads to their separation, since he is reluctant. Rediff and Bollywood Hungama critics said that her character was totally wasted and also had a weak characterization.[23][24] However, she did pick up the Stardust Exciting New Face Award.[25]
Saran then made her Hollywood debut in Ashok Amritraj's The Other End of the Line.[26] She played the role of Priya Sethi who works as a telephone operator in an India Call Centre, while acting alongside Jesse Metcalfe,[27] Anupham Kher and Tara Sharma. Shriya's performance was praised by critic, particularly her on-screen chemistry with Jesse Metcalfe.[28]
In 2009, she appeared in Tamil film Kanthaswamy, gaining her a nomination at the Vijay Awards, and her third award win, this time the Amrita Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actress in Tamil.[29]
In 2010, Saran made her Malayalam debut with Pokkiri Raja in which she appeared opposite Mammootty and Prithviraj.[30] The film created big hype among the audience in Kerala and was declared a super hit in the first week, breaking the record in Malayalam cinema by grossing over 22,100,000 (US$490,620) in its first week of release, surpassing the old record holder Twenty:20.[31] Saran herself was appreciated for her performance.[32] She then enacted her first lead role in a Telugu film after five years, in the successful action-comedy film Don Seenu opposite Ravi Teja.[33]
[edit]Upcoming projects
Saran will be seen next in the Tamil film Chikku Bukku with Arya and Preetika Rao, directed by Manikandan, a former assistant to director Jeeva. In 2010, Saran also signed to work in Rowthiram with Jeeva for the first time.[34] Saran will also star in Deepa Mehta's long delayed English project Midnight's Children,[35][36] which is based on Salman Rushdie's highly acclaimed novel of the same name.[37] Saran has also signed her second Malayalam project, Casanovva with Mohanlal, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, which is said to become the most expensive film in Malayalam cinema ever made.[38] The movie was delayed heavily[39] and friction between the cast was reported.[40] In addition Sameera Reddy was said to have replaced Saran.[41] In October 2010, the producer of the film announced that shooting would soon commence at Dubai with Saran among the cast of the film.[42] Shriya is going to be the female lead in Shekhar Kapur's upcoming Sci-fi Paani opposite Hrithik Roshan.[43]
Sources reported that Saran is currently undergoing filming for Komagata Maru, opposite Akshay Kumar. The film will be directed by Deepa Mehta[44] and will undergo long production, as the film is to release in 2014 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident.[45][46]
[edit]Other work and events



Shriya Saran walks the ramp for Neeta Lulla at the India Bridal Week 2010.
In 2003, Saran hosted the 50th Filmfare South Award with actor R. Madhavan.[47] She was a part of Tamil director Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai, an event which sought to raise funds for The Banyan, a voluntary organisation which rehabilitates homeless women with mental illness in Chennai.[48] She was one of the guests alongside actor Surya Sivakumar at the finale of Maanada Mayilada season 3.[49]
Saran was also the first actress and the third celebrity after Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan to deliver a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) on 12 February 2010.[50] She said that, "The Indian Media and entertainment industry is the fastest growing sector at present, so considering this IIM Ahmedabad had started a new program CFI — Contemporary Film Industry — A Business Perspective. I was there to give a lecture to 2nd year students of CFI and did a lot of research for the lecture for nearly five days." She held a lecture on marketing and branding of a film.[51]
Saran started her modelling career by acting in Pond's Creams advertisement and Coca-Cola advertisement alongside Tamil actor Vijay which was directed by prominent director Rajiv Menon. She also starred in a Fair & Lovely creams advertisement during her early career.[52] In 2007, she become the brand ambassador of Saravana Stores.[53] She is now the brand ambassador of the Lux [54][55] and Head & Shoulders.[56] Saran was also signed as brand ambassador along with actor Saif Ali Khan for Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.[57] Saran also says no to soft drinks advertisements because she feels that soft drinks may harm child health.[58]
[edit]Controversy

Obscenity charges
On 11 January 2008, a Hindu organisation in Chennai lodged a police complaint against Saran, objecting to the outfit worn by her during the 175th day celebration of her film, Sivaji: The Boss.[59] In a complaint, the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) alleged that Shriya's outfit had "offended Hindu culture".[60] Shriya publicly apologised to Tamils and Hindus, saying it was a mistake, and that she had "great respect for the tradition and culture of Tamil Nadu [...] I was shooting for a Hindi film in Thanjavur. I came to the function directly from the shooting, [...] I was unaware of the repercussions because of the attire I wore during the function."[61][62]
[edit]Philanthropy

Saran is well known for her charity work, and is a long time patron for the blind. In 2011, Saran opened a spa which exclusively employs the visually challenged.[8] Saran has said "When I studied in DPS Mathura Road in Delhi, there was a school for blind exactly opposite to our school. I used to go there every week and spend time seeing how these students played cricket and did other things normally. That is what inspired me to do something for these people".[63]
Saran is a brand ambassador for the Naandi Foundation [64] and Save A Child's Heart Foundation (SACH) alongside tennis player Sania Mirza who works for the benefit of poor children and people affected by natural calamities. She also helps finance a Prevention of Aids foundation. In 2009, Saran joined hands with actor Surya Sivakumar and other eminent personalities to promote 'The Joy of Giving Week', to encourage people from all walks of life to engage in acts of giving.[65] Saran also regularly participates in carnivals and campaigns that associate with child benefits.[66] She is also associated with animal welfare and the Blue Cross of India.[67]
[edit]Awards

Wins
2007 - South Scope Style Award - Best Tamil Actress for Sivaji: The Boss[20]
2008 - Stardust Exciting New Face Award for Mission Istanbul[25]
2009 - Amrita Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actress in Tamil for Kanthaswamy[29]
Nominations
2002 - Viewer's Choice - Telugu Cine 'Maa' Awards Best Actress for Santhosham[68]
2005 - Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for Chatrapathi
2007 - Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for Awaarapan
2007 - Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance for Awaarapan[69]
2007 - Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for Sivaji: The Boss
2009 - Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for Kanthaswamy[70]
National honours and recognitions
2010 - TSR Lalitha Kala Parishath Awards for Contributions to Telugu Cinema[71]
2010 - Featured in a poll conducted by Rediff about woman achievers in Indian entertainment, ranking her among the top actresses.[72]