Anupama Chopra is a highly respected Indian author, journalist, and film critic celebrated for her insightful film reviews. She’s also known affectionately as ‘Miss Congeniality’ in some circles.

Wiki/Biography

Anupama Chopra was born on February 23, 1967, in Kolkata, West Bengal. As of 2023, she is 56 years old. Her zodiac sign is Pisces. During her adolescence, she lived in Hong Kong, a significant experience that likely shaped her worldview. In 1987, she graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, with a BA in English Literature. She further pursued her passion for journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, earning a Master’s degree. While there, she received the prestigious Harrington Award for her academic excellence and promise in magazine journalism.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
• Weight (approx.): 50 kg
• Eye Colour: Dark Brown
• Hair Colour: Black

Family, Caste & Husband

Anupama’s father, Navin Chandra, was a former executive at Union Carbide, while her mother, Kamna Chandra, is a talented scriptwriter. Her brother, Vikram Chandra, is a well-known American-Indian author, and her sister, Tanuja Chandra, is a successful director and writer. She is married to Vidhu Vinod Chopra; he’s her husband, and it’s her third marriage for him. The couple has two children: Agni Dev Chopra, a cricketer, and Zuni Chopra, a writer. She also has a step-daughter, Ishaa Chopra.

Career

Anupama began her journalism career in New York with Harper’s Bazaar. After a period there, she returned to India and joined the “Sunday Magazine,” gaining prominence for her in-depth reporting on Bollywood’s mafia culture. Her first book, “Sholay: The Making of a Classic,” published in 2000, was a significant milestone, released to coincide with the film’s 25th anniversary. Her writing has graced numerous national and international publications, including India Today, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Vogue.

She hosted the acclaimed film review show “Picture This” on NDTV 24×7 and later created the popular weekly review show “Front Row With Anupama Chopra” on Star World. A notable achievement is founding and editing the digital platform “Film Companion,” a YouTube channel providing critical film reviews.

Awards

In 2001, she won the National Award for Best Book on Cinema for “Sholay: The Making of a Classic.”

Favourite Things

• Food: Croissants
• Actor: Shah Rukh Khan
• Filmmaker: Ang Lee, Rajkumar Hirani
• Films: Sholay (1975), Anand (1971), Guide (1965), Pyaasa (1957), Lagaan (2001), Pulp Fiction (1994)
• Critics: Pauline Kael, Anthony Lane, A. O. Scott, Manohla Dargis

Facts

Despite growing up in a time when cinema-going wasn’t as prevalent, Anupama developed a deep love for films, eventually becoming a leading film critic. She’s a gold medalist in English Literature from the University of Mumbai. Her career significantly progressed following the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, where her insightful reporting and interviews with mafia figures gained widespread recognition.

It took her five months to secure an interview with Shah Rukh Khan for her book, “King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema” (2007), which was even featured in The New York Times Book Review’s annual “Editor’s Choice” list. Her interview with Kangana Ranaut on “The Front Row” is another highlight of her career. In 2014, she took over as chairperson of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, succeeding Shyam Benegal.

She maintains a gluten-free vegetarian diet.

Anupama Chopra’s Notable Achievements

“`