Aarti Gupta Surendranath

Aarti Gupta Surendranath is an Indian model, actress, producer, creative director, consultant, and stylist who works in advertising, cinema, and public service advertising, and is also involved in charitable and social causes, including animal welfare and cultural advocacy.

Born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Gupta Surendranath began her professional journey as a model, at the age of 15, after being selected through a nationwide search for the Sunsilk shampoo advertisement campaign in the Mid-1970s.

Her work in extensive print and television advertising led her to transition into films and creative production.

She became a recognisable screen presence in Hindi cinema through her roles in 1980s horror films. Her work in the genre began with Purana Mandir (1984), which became a major box-office success and one of the highest-grossing films of its time, contributing to the popularity of the Ramsay Brothers’ horror movies era.

Parallel to her work in advertising and films, Gupta Surendranath also had a fashion venture focused on bridal trousseaus and couture garments.

Gupta Surendranath was also a page 3 regular due to her fashion and styling during the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to her work in cinema and advertising, she has been actively involved in initiatives supporting wildlife conservation, animal welfare and women's rights. She is a co-founder of the production company Kailash Picture Company and has been married to filmmaker Kailash Surendranath, with whom she has two children.

Early Life and education Aarti Gupta Surendranath (née Gupta) was born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, into a family with a military background. Daughter of an army officer, Major Gyanchandra Gupta, who served as Aide-de-Camp (A.D.C) to the then President of India, in the Indian Army's 3rd Guards Battalion from 1962 to 1967.

She received her education at St. Joseph's Convent of Jesus & Mary in Colaba, Bombay, during one of her father's postings. Alongside her studies, Gupta participated in extracurricular activities, including dramatics. While still in school, at the age of 15, she began her modelling career, which marked her entry into the entertainment industry.

Career

Modelling Aarti became a prominent face in Indian print magazines and television advertising from the mid-1970s through the 1980s, beginning her modelling career at the age of 15 while still in school. She made her debut in the nationwide Sunsilk shampoo campaign, for which she was selected from among 30–40 young models and featured walking down the hilly slopes of Kodaikanal.

She went on to model extensively for leading consumer and lifestyle brands, including Nescafé, Band-Aid, Tata Tea, Clearasil, Charmis Vanishing Cream, Carefree (Johnson & Johnson), Cadbury’s Nut Mate, Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea, Pond’s shampoo, Halo Shampoo, Campa Cola and others. During Campa Cola, she introduced Salman Khan to her then-fiancé, Kailash Surendranath, which led to Salman's first appearance as a model in the entertainment industry.

In addition to her advertising work, Aarti Gupta Surendranath participated in numerous fashion shows in India and abroad. She was the first model for Garden Sarees campaign, a saree line by Bombay Dyeing, and remained the face of the brand for three consecutive years, styling her own ethnic-inspired look. Around the same period, her double-spread Bombay Dyeing saree advertisements were published in national newspapers. She also appeared in textile campaigns, including Modella Suitings’ 1981 “Bonded” series.

Her modelling work also extended to runway shows and editorial features. She was featured in Cine Blitz in pictorials for Tajurba and Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai, appeared as the cover girl for the October 1986 issue of Swagat, and was featured on a Holi themed cover of Dharamyug 1984. She also appeared in many Star & Style print magazines during that period.

Acting and Film Work Aarti Gupta Surendranath made her acting debut in Purana Mandir (1984), a major box-office success that later attained cult status in the Indian horror genre. She had earlier appeared in Aamne Saamne (1982), an action-crime drama directed by Ashim Samanta, opposite Mithun Chakraborty in which she played the role of Rita.

She next appeared in Apna Jahan (1985) as Komal, a friend of the film’s lead characters played by Naseeruddin Shah and Deepti Naval. She continued her work in the horror genre with lead roles in Saamri (1985), recognised as India’s first 3D Hindi horror film, and Tahkhana (1986).

Gupta Surendranath also acted in the film Aashiana (1986), directed by Mahesh Bhatt, where she played the role of a tribal girl.

In addition to Hindi cinema, she also worked in regional cinema, starring as the female lead opposite Mohanlal in the Malayalam film Jeevante Jeevan (1985), directed by J. Williams.

She later appeared in Feroz Khan’s Janbaaz (1986), featuring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Dimple Kapadia.

Gupta Surendranath’s work in cinema also included appearances in Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), where she featured in a dance performance within the competition sequence of the film, and Tajurba (1981), where she performed in a dance sequence and appeared in scenes opposite Raj Babbar, who played the antagonist, with her character depicted as his muse.

She went on to play lead roles in the films Naya Safar (1982) and Begunaah Qaidi (1982), in which she starred opposite Rakesh Roshan, as well as in Sugandh (1982).

Aarti has appeared in numerous advertisements and films. In Haadsaa (1983), she appeared in a dance sequence alongside the film’s lead actor. Gupta Surendranath made a cameo in Om Shanti Om (2007), directed by Farah Khan, appearing in the finale sequence alongside Shah Rukh Khan.

Advertising and Creative Direction Aarti played a significant role as part of her work in advertising, Surendranath was involved in casting and styling actors and models early in their careers. in film, television, and fashion.

She is credited with identifying a young Salman Khan, whom she noticed as a teenager at a swimming pool, and recommending him for a Campa Cola commercial directed by Kailash Surendranath. This became Khan's first on-screen appearance and a well-documented early milestone in his career.

Among the early works she was associated with the 1982 Nirma washing-powder commercial featuring Sangeeta Bijlani, for which she designed the costumes and styling. She later played a key creative role in the JCT Phagwara textile advertisement featuring Juhi Chawla in the mid-1980s, contributing to one of Chawla's first campaigns.

In the 1990s, she continued working across major FMCG brands, including co-conceiving, styling, and casting budding actors and child actors as well who went on to become successful film personalities, namely Kunal Khemu, Jugal Hansraj, Hansika Motwani alongwith many others.

Aarti also worked on influential advertising projects that featured Jackie Shroff and Sangeeta Bijlani during their early careers, including the classic Cadbury Drinking Chocolate commercial directed by Kailash Surendranath.

Production Work Aarti Gupta Surendranath and Kailash Surendranath for their work 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara'

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara (1986) Aarti played an important role behind-the-scenes in the iconic national integration film Mile Sur Mera Tumhara in 1986. As an associate producer, she coordinated between creative teams, managed production logistics, and helped bring together an extraordinary lineup of artists from across the country.

Phir Mile Sur (2010) In 2010, a modern remake of the original Mile Sur Mera Tumhara was released with the aim of resonating with the younger audiences and introduce them to the iconic national integration film.

As producer, Aarti oversaw concept development and played a central role in shaping the project’s creative and production framework. Her responsibilities included coordinating with an extensive roster of artists, managing budgets and production logistics, and guiding the film’s overall aesthetic and thematic direction.

She worked closely with the director and creative teams on the creative direction of the remake.

Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign (2022) The Har Ghar Tiranga film was a nationwide campaign encouraging citizens to display the Indian flag, on their homes, vehicles, and public spaces. Aarti served as a creative producer, contributing to the campaign’s overall creative direction. She conducted extensive research and content planning for the project to support the thematic development. She coordinated closely with multiple creative and production teams, that filmed the campaign across India.

Love You Hamesha (2001) Aarti’s involvement in this feature film reflected her creativity and hands-on approach to filmmaking. As producer, she oversaw the film’s creative coordination and production process. In her role as writer, she contributed to the story’s creative development, helping shape its narrative direction. She also worked as creative consultant and stylist, influencing the film’s visual tone through wardrobe choices, aesthetic detailing, while providing her broader artistic guidance.

A Mighty Heart (2007) In 2007, Gupta Surendranath contributed to this international production starring Angelina Jolie by taking on key creative and production responsibilities. As a creative consultant and line producer for the portions shot in India, she managed on-ground logistics, local permissions, and provided cultural and contextual guidance for the script. Her combined efforts helped facilitate a smooth production process in India while upholding the film’s global standards.

Chakravyuh: An Inspector Virkar Crime Thriller (2021) The crime-thriller web series, an MX Player original, was produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Mayavid Online LLP, a company co-founded by Aarti Gupta Surendranath and Kailash Surendranath. Aarti served as the creative consultant contributing towards the development of the story structure, character arcs, and the visual and thematic elements of the series. Her input helped shape the series’ gritty, fast-paced tone and supported its overall creative direction.

Event Projects

Catalunya Lifestyle & Fashion Event (2013) In 2013, Aarti Gupta Surendranath was the event coordinator for a Catalonia-themed cultural and fashion showcase held in Mumbai. The event coincided with the official visit of the President of the Government of Catalonia at the time and aimed to promote cultural and creative collaboration between Spain and India.

Held on November 27, 2013, at the Grand Central Hotel in Mumbai, the event brought together Indian celebrities, international guests, government officials and was organised by the Government of Catalonia. The showcase aimed to enhance cross-cultural exchange and introduce Spanish fashion to the Indian market.

Art and Cultural Associations She has also been associated with the Indian art and cultural space, including inaugurating exhibitions by contemporary artists such as painter Subodh Poddar in 2009.

Public Advocacy, Conservation and Charity Work

Say No to Shahtoosh Campaign (2000–2005) Aarti is actively involved in wildlife conservation, particularly through her work with the Wildlife Trust of India. She has advocated for the protection of the critically endangered animal, the Tibetan antelope (chiru). Its undercoat is used to create shahtoosh shawls, a practice that has led to the decline of the species. She was honoured with the title of Campaign Advisor for the initiative—a collaboration between the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the World Land Trust (UK). The campaign aimed to end the trade and use of shahtoosh shawls. As part of the campaign, Surendranath worked to build awareness within India’s fashion and film communities, engaging designers, industry leaders, and public figures in the conservation advocacy.

The campaign gained remarkable momentum at events like India Fashion Week, where leading voices from Bollywood and fashion—including Hrithik Roshan, Jaya Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Kareena Kapoor, Milind Soman, Rahul Dev, Pooja Batra, and others—endorsed the cause by signing a symbolic scroll. Their support, alongside Aarti's strategic outreach, helped bring ethical fashion and wildlife conservation to the national spotlight.

Emeralds for Elephants Charity Auction (2011) In October 2011, Aarti Gupta Surendranath was involved in the Emeralds for Elephants charity auction held at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, organized by Gemfields in association with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the World Land Trust. The initiative aimed to raise funds to establish a network of elephant corridors across India to reduce human-elephant conflict. The project was launched by actress Madhuri Dixit, who was present at the event alongside other notable figures.

Aarti served as the event designer and curator, overseeing the creative execution of the showcase. The collection featured 11 exclusive emerald jewellery pieces, including a 630-carat emerald Ganesh sculpture by artist Arzan Khambatta. Participating jewellers included leading houses from across India, such as Abaran Jewellers (Bangalore), Anmol Jewellers (Mumbai), and Gem Palace (Jaipur), the latter of which Surendranath was working with. The collection launched in July and culminated in a grand auction on 14 October 2011. The initiative was supported by sponsors such as Jaguar Land Rover, The Taj Hotels, Sotheby’s, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA India).

Social and Civic Engagement In addition to her formal conservation campaigns, Surendranath has also participated in public advocacy efforts, including peace marches and civic protests in Mumbai in 2008, 2018 reflecting her engagement with social and humanitarian causes alongside environmental work.

Honours and Recognition

IMC Ladies’ Wing Annual Felicitation (2018) On 18 June 2018, she also served as chairperson of the awards committee and moderated the IMC Ladies’ Wing annual felicitation, organized by the Indian Merchants’ Chamber, which felicitated women achievers from various fields, where the chief guest was former Principal Scientific Adviser R. Chidambaram and Ashok Kurien was guest of honour.

I Am Woman Recognition (2019) In 2019, Aarti Gupta Surendranath and her husband Kailash Surendranath were featured at the IE Business School and Karan Gupta Education Foundation's “I Am Woman” event, which honoured women from diverse fields. The profile listed them among the notable industry figures recognised for their contributions to advertising, culture, and social impact.

Femina – We Live in Hope (2025) Aarti was featured in Femina magazine’s special edition titled “We Live in Hope” in January 2025, which profiled Indian women known for their resilience and social impact. In the feature, she reflected on her journey and shared her thoughts on generational resilience among those born between the 1950s and 1970s, artificial intelligence, gender acceptance, and environmental advocacy.

Personal life Aarti Gupta Surendranath is married to ad filmmaker Kailash Surendranath and has been involved in creative work as well as animal welfare, environmental advocacy, and event organisation. Together they have two children, a son, Angadveer Surendranath, a director, who co-directed the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign and worked on the Bollywood film Race 3 and a daughter, Kshiraja Surendranath, who is a classical Odissi dancer. Aarti is also known for her active social engagement.