Amrita Rao

Amrita Rao (Konkani: अमृता राव, Hindi pronunciation: [əmrɪt̪aː ˈraːu]; born 17 June 1981) is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films.

Beginning her career as a model, Rao made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras (2002). She then starred in Ken Ghosh's love-story Ishq Vishk (2003) and earned a Filmfare nomination in the "Best Female Debut" category.

Personal life

Rao was born in Mumbai to a Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. She speaks Marathi, Hindi, English and her mother tongue, Konkani. She attended Canossa High school in Mumbai, and later enrolled in Sophia College to pursue a degree in Psychology. Her younger sister, Preetika Rao, is also a film actress.

Career

Modeling
While studying in Sophia College, Rao auditioned for an advertisement for Fairever Face Cream. Her appearance in Cadbury’s Perk Karwa Chaut ad and the Bru Coffee advertisement helped her receive offers from film directors in Bollywood.

Acting

Rao made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras (2002), and followed that with her (2003) film, Ishq Vishk, in which she portrayed Payal. In her films Masti (2004) and Main Hoon Na, Deewaar (2004) were released. Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi (2005), Shikhar (2005), and Pyare Mohan (2006) followed. She starred in Sooraj R. Barjatya's Vivah (2006) opposite Shahid Kapoor. Her performance earned her a Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award.

In 2006 Rao made her debut in the Telugu film Athidhi opposite Mahesh Babu. Amrita's releases in 2008 include My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves and Welcome to Sajjanpur. Amrita's releases in 2009 are Victory, and Shortkut.

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

Nominated

• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Debut Award for Ishq Vishk
• 2005: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Main Hoon Na

Star Screen Awards

Nominated

• 2003: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Ab Ke Baras
• 2004: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female for Ishq Vishk
• 2007: Star Screen Award Best Actress for Vivah[6]
• 2007: Star Screen Award Jodi No. 1 along with Shahid Kapoor - Vivah

Zee Cine Awards

Nominated

• 2004: Zee Cine Award Best Female Debut for Ishq Vishk

International Indian Film Academy Awards

Winner

2004: IIFA Awards, Best Female Debut for Ishq Vishk

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Stardust Awards

Winner

• 2004: Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow - Female for Ishq Vishk
• 2009: Stardust Best Actress Award for Welcome to Sajjanpur

Other Awards

• 2004: Sansui Awards, Best Debut - Female for Ishq Vishk
• 2007: GR8 Women Awards, Young Achiever
2007: Anandalok Puroshkar Awards, Most Promising New Talent for Vivah
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• 2007: Sports World Awards, Jodi of the Year along with Shahid Kapoor for Vivah
• 2007: Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award for Vivah