Ileana D'Cruz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ileana D'Cruz
D'Cruz in 2018
Born	(1986-11-01) 1 November 1986 (age 38) Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Nationality	Indian (until 2014) Portuguese (from 2014)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2006–present
Spouse(s)	Michael Dolan ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	1
Awards	Full list

Ileana D'Cruz (born 1 November 1986) is an actress from Portugal. She is well-known for her work in Telugu and Hindi films. She has also acted in a few Tamil movies. Ileana has won several awards, including a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare Awards South.

Ileana started her acting journey in 2006 with the Telugu film Devadasu. This movie was a big hit and helped her win the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut - South. She quickly became a popular actress in Telugu cinema. Some of her successful films include Pokiri (2006), Rakhi (2006), Munna (2007), Jalsa (2008), Kick (2009), and Julayi (2012). She also made her debut in Tamil cinema with Kedi (2006) and starred in the hit film Nanban (2012).

In 2012, Ileana began acting in Hindi films with the comedy-drama Barfi!. For this role, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has since played the main female role in popular Hindi movies like Main Tera Hero (2014), Rustom (2016), and Raid (2018).

Besides acting, Ileana D'Cruz also promotes many famous brands and products. She is married to Michael Dolan, and they have a son.

About Ileana's Early Life

Ileana D'Cruz was born in Mumbai, India, on November 1, 1986. When she was 10 years old, her family moved to Parra, Goa.

She had her first photo shoot for a modeling portfolio in 2003. She later had more photo shoots and walked in ramp shows. These led to her getting advertisements for big brands like Electrolux and Fair & Lovely. The Fair & Lovely advertisement, directed by Rakesh Roshan, helped her get noticed and receive many offers for acting in movies.

In 2014, Ileana became a Portuguese citizen. She mentioned in an interview that Portugal was part of her family's history.

Ileana's Acting Journey

Starting Out in Films (2005–2006)

Ileana D'Cruz during her early career

In 2005, Ileana was asked to audition for a film, but the project did not happen. Her first movie was the Telugu romance film Devadasu in 2006. She took acting classes before starting the film. She later said that filming was tough, but her mother encouraged her to continue. Critics praised her look in the movie. Devadasu was a big success and earned Ileana the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South.

Next, she appeared in the action film Pokiri. In this movie, she played an aerobics teacher. Pokiri was a huge financial success and became the highest-grossing Telugu film at that time.

Ileana then made her debut in Tamil cinema with Kedi (2006). Even though this film did not do very well, Ileana was still very busy with many film offers. Her Telugu film Khatarnak (2006) was not as successful. However, her next films, Rakhi (2006) and Munna (2007), were both successful with critics and at the box office.

Becoming a Star in Telugu Cinema (2007–2011)

In 2007, Ileana starred in the film Aata. She played Satya, a college student who is in danger. She received good reviews for her acting. In 2008, she played the main female role in the action film Jalsa. This movie was also a big hit. Her 2009 film, Kick, was another box office success and one of the top-earning films that year.

Later in 2009, she appeared in Rechipo and Saleem. Both of these films did not perform well.

Ileana D'Cruz at LFW

Ileana had two film releases in 2011. Her first film was Shakthi, where she played the lead female role. She also performed on stage to promote the movie. Her next film was Nenu Naa Rakshasi. Even though this film was not a success, critics liked her acting. One reviewer said she was a "pleasant surprise" in the film.

Moving to Hindi Films and Gaining Success (2012–2017)

Ileana's next film was the action comedy Julayi, released in 2012. She played Madhu alongside Allu Arjun. The film received good reviews and became one of the biggest hits of 2012 in Telugu cinema. She then starred in the comedy Devudu Chesina Manushulu, where she played a taxi driver. This film received mixed reviews.

Ileana made her Hindi film debut with Anurag Basu's Barfi!. She played Shruti Ghosh, a girl who chooses comfort over love. The movie was released in September 2012 and received very positive reviews from critics. It was also a huge commercial success worldwide. Ileana's performance was highly praised, and she won a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. Many critics said she made a strong impression in her first Hindi film. Barfi! was even chosen as India's official entry to the Oscars.

Her next film was the action comedy Phata Poster Nikhla Hero in 2013, where she starred opposite Shahid Kapoor. The film received mixed reviews. In 2014, she did a photo shoot for Man's World magazine. Her first film of 2014 was the romantic action comedy Main Tera Hero. She played Sunaina Goradia alongside Varun Dhawan. This film was a box office success. She then appeared in Happy Ending, which did not perform well.

After a break, Ileana started filming Rustom with Akshay Kumar in 2016. This film was released in August 2016 and became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2016. Ileana played Cynthia Pavri in the movie.

Ajay Devgn and Ileana D'Cruz during trailer launch of their film Baadshaho (2017)

In 2017, Ileana played Sweety in Mubarakan, opposite Arjun Kapoor. She also played Princess Gitanjali Devi in Baadshaho with Ajay Devgn.

Recent Films and Career (2018–present)

Ileana's first film in 2018 was Raid. This movie received positive reviews and was a commercial success. She played Malini, the wife of an income tax officer. After six years, she returned to Telugu films with Amar Akbar Anthony, starring Ravi Teja. This film received negative reviews and did not do well.

In 2019, she appeared in the comedy film Pagalpanti, opposite John Abraham. In 2021, she played a journalist in The Big Bull, a biographical crime film with Abhishek Bachchan.

After a three-year break, Ileana returned to films in 2024 with Unfair & Lovely. She also played an actress in Do Aur Do Pyaar with Pratik Gandhi.

Ileana's Filmography

Movies

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Music Videos

Awards and Recognitions

Ileana D'Cruz has won a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare Awards South. She received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut—South for her role in Devadasu. She also won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance in Barfi!.

See also

In Spanish: Ileana D'Cruz para niños