Ameesha Patel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ameesha Patel
Patel in 2023
Born	(1975-06-09) 9 June 1975 (age 50) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Amisha Patel
Alma mater	Tufts University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2000–present
Relatives	Ashmit Patel (brother) Rajni Patel (grandfather)
Awards	Full list

Ameesha Patel (born 9 June 1975) is a famous Indian actress. She has starred in many Hindi and Telugu films. Ameesha has won several awards for her acting, including a Filmfare Award.

She started her acting journey in 2000 with the hit movie Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. This film was a big success and helped her win the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut. She also starred in the Telugu film Badri (2000). In 2001, she appeared in the very popular film Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, which earned her a Filmfare Special Performance Award.

After some ups and downs in her career, Ameesha made a big comeback in 2023. She played her role again in the movie Gadar 2, which became her highest-earning film. Besides acting, Ameesha Patel also helps people and supports many good causes.

Early Life and Background

Ameesha Patel was born in Mumbai, India, on June 9, 1975. Her father, Amit Patel, is from Gujarat. Her mother, Asha, has Sindhi and Punjabi roots. She has a brother named Ashmit Patel. Her grandfather, Barrister Rajni Patel, was a well-known lawyer and politician in Mumbai. A street in Mumbai is even named after him!

Ameesha started learning Bharatnatyam, a classical Indian dance, when she was just five years old. She went to Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. After school, she went to Tufts University in the United States. She first studied bio-genetic engineering for two years, then changed her main subject to economics.

After college, Ameesha worked as an economic analyst. She also joined a theatre group and acted in plays. At the same time, she started modeling for many famous Indian brands like Bajaj and Lux.

Acting Career

First Movies and Big Success (2000–2002)

Ameesha got her first chance to act from Rakesh Roshan, a film director and her father's schoolmate. He offered her a role opposite his son, Hrithik Roshan, in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000). She first said no because she wanted to study in the US. But later, she got another chance and happily agreed. The movie was a huge hit and made Ameesha a rising star.

In 2001, Ameesha starred in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha with Sunny Deol. She was chosen from many girls who auditioned for the role. The film was set during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. Ameesha played Sakeena, a Muslim girl who finds safety and love during the riots. Her acting was highly praised, and the movie became one of the biggest hits of the 2000s.

After these big successes, Ameesha starred in some films that did not do well. In 2002, she worked with Hrithik Roshan again in Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, but it was not as successful as their first movie. However, her last film of 2002, Humraaz, was a major hit. In this movie, she played a character with a bit of a negative side for the first time. Her performance in Humraaz earned her another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

Challenges and Supporting Roles (2003–2006)

From 2003 to 2006, Ameesha's career faced some challenges. Many of her films during this period did not succeed at the box office. She acted in a Tamil film called Pudhiya Geethai in 2003. In 2005, she appeared in Mangal Pandey: The Rising alongside Aamir Khan. She played Jwala, a kind widow. This role was different for her, as she appeared without much glamour.

In 2006, Ameesha was in six films, but none of them were big hits. For her role in Teesri Aankh: The Hidden Camera, she played a mute girl and learned sign language.

Later Career and Comeback (2007–Present)

Ameesha's career started to look up again in 2007. She appeared in the comedy-drama Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., which did moderately well. She also co-starred in the horror comedy Bhool Bhulaiyaa with Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan.

In 2008, Ameesha performed a special dance number called "Lazy Lamhe" in the film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. She even learned scuba diving for the song!

After a break, she returned to the Telugu film industry in 2011. In 2013, Ameesha came back to Hindi cinema with a special role in Race 2. This film was a box office success.

On April 23, 2011, Ameesha launched her own production company, Ameesha Patel Productions. Her first film as a producer, Desi Magic, started production in 2013.

In 2018, she played a movie star in Bhaiaji Superhit. In 2019, she joined the reality show Bigg Boss 13 as a special guest.

In 2023, Ameesha made a big return to acting by playing Sakeena again in Gadar 2. This movie was released 22 years after the first Gadar film and became a huge blockbuster! She also made a special appearance in Mystery of the Tattoo. In 2024, she appeared in the romantic thriller Tauba Tera Jalwa.

Other Work

Stage Performances

Ameesha Patel has performed in many concerts and world tours. In 2001, she joined The Roshans: Hrithik Live in Concert with Hrithik Roshan. She also took part in the Craze 2004 world tour with other stars like Saif Ali Khan and Lara Dutta.

In 2005, Ameesha performed in Adnan Sami's world tour Kuch Dil Se… across the US and Canada. She also participated in Akshay Kumar's Christmas Eve show Chandni Chowk to Hong in 2008.

Helping Others

Ameesha is passionate about helping others. In September 2004, she joined PETA. This group works to protect animals. Ameesha took part in an advertising campaign to show how animals in zoos are kept away from their natural homes.

In February 2005, Ameesha and other Bollywood stars performed at the HELP! Telethon Concert. This event raised money for people affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. She also helped raise money for a group that supports people with disabilities.

In November 2006, Ameesha joined an NGO called PlanetRead. This group helps people in villages learn to read using film songs.

In the Media

Patel walks for the All India Gem And Jewellery Domestic Council

Ameesha has appeared on several talk shows. Between 2002 and 2005, she was on shows like Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. In 2006, she was a guest judge on a special Valentine's Day episode of the singing contest Indian Idol 2.

Personal Life

Ameesha Patel dated filmmaker Vikram Bhatt for several years. Their relationship ended in 2008. Later, she confirmed she was in a relationship with London-based businessman Kanav Puri. However, in 2010, she announced on Twitter that they had broken up to focus on her career.

In 2009, Ameesha and her brother, Ashmit, became friends again after some differences. Her mother also confirmed in 2009 that the family had resolved their issues.

Filmography

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Music videos

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Ameesha Patel in 2009

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  Ameesha Patel in 2015

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  Ameesha Patel during a ramp walk in 2012

See Also

In Spanish: Amisha Patel para niños