Mahima Chaudhry

Early life Mahima was born as Ritu Chaudhry to a Jat father from Baghpat District of Uttar Pradesh and a Nepalese-origin mother in Darjeeling, India. She attended Dow Hill in Kurseong until class 10 and later moved to Loreto Convent, Darjeeling.

Prior to her first release Pardes, she changed her name to Mahima Chaudhry upon the recommendation by her director Subhash Ghai, who believed the letter 'M' to be lucky for leading actresses in his films. She made her acting debut with Pardes, in 1997. Chaudhry played a village girl opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a major commercial success worldwide. For her performance, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut along with nomination for Best Actress.

Chaudhry's other roles were in Daag: The Fire (1999), where she played dual roles; in Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin (1999), she played a widow forced to marry her brother-in-law; in Dhadkan (2000) she is the loving friend of a man who is madly in love with another woman; in Deewane she plays a singer in love with a thief; in Kurukshetra she plays the stubborn wife of a police officer; in Lajja she plays a young bride forced to fight dowry; in Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001) she plays a stubborn tenant who will not give up her home at any cost; in Om Jai Jagadish she is a loving homemaker; in Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002) she plays a young woman who will do anything for her sister's happiness; in Dobara she is the frustrated housewife; in The Film she is a desperate struggling screenwriter; in Zameer: The Fire Within she is a paralytic dancer, in Film Star she is an uptight arrogant fading actress; in Home Delivery (2005) she is a South Indian superstar; and in Souten: The Other Woman (2006) she plays a desperate housewife who has an affair with her stepdaughter's boyfriend.

In 2010, Chaudhry starred in a Knightsbridge Media Production film, Pusher, directed by Assad Raja. She also worked in the thriller Mumbhaii - The Gangster, co-starring Om Puri and Sanjay Kapoor.

Political activities In the 2021 West Bengal elections, Chaudhry campaigned for some candidates from both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress. In 2023, there was speculation of her joining the BJP ahead of the Madhya Pradesh elections, as she met the state Minister, Vishvas Sarang, and hailed the BJP government.

In 2024, Chaudhry came out in support of Prime Minister Modi, calling him an inspirational figure under whom India's respect has increased in the world.

Personal life In 1999, while shooting for Dil Kya Kare, Chaudhry was involved in a car crash; her car rammed into a truck in Bangalore and multiple pieces of glass had to be removed from her face as a result of the accident.

Chaudhry married architect Bobby Mukherji in 2006. Their daughter was born in 2007, and the couple separated in 2013.

Chaudhry was diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer in 2022. She mentioned that comedy shows such as Kapil Sharma Show helped her during her recovery from illness.

Filmography

Films

Television

Music video Year Title Performer(s) Role Album 2002 "Tere Bina Chain Mujhe Ab Aaye Na" Adnan Sami Unnamed Tera Chehra

Awards and nominations +Awards and nominationsYearFilmAwardCategoryResultRef. 1998 Pardes Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Best Actress Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Zee Cine Awards Best Female Debut 1999 Dil Kya KareFilmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress 2000Dhadkan International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Bollywood Movie Awards Best Supporting Actress Sansui Viewers' Choice Movie Awards Best Supporting Actress 2005 Dobara Stardust Awards Best Supporting Actress Zee Cine Awards Best Supporting Actress