Isha Koppikar, a well-known Bollywood actress, achieved widespread recognition for her captivating performance in the iconic item song “Khallas” from the 2002 film “Company,” earning her the memorable moniker “Khallas Girl.”
Wiki/Biography
Isha Koppikar entered the world on Sunday, September 19, 1976, in Mahim, Mumbai. As of 2023, she is 47 years old. Her astrological sign is Virgo. She completed her undergraduate studies in Life Sciences at Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
- Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
- Hair Colour: Dark Brown
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family, Caste & Husband
Isha hails from a Konkani Hindu family. Her father is Ragav Koppikar, and her mother is Bairal Koppikar. She has a younger brother, Anosh Koppikar.
She was reportedly in a relationship with Bollywood actor Inder Kumar, who passed away in 2017. Their relationship ended due to Inder’s struggles with alcohol.
Later, through a connection with actress Preity Zinta, she met hotelier Timmy Narang in 2005 at a gym. After a three-year courtship, they wed on November 29, 2009. They welcomed a daughter, Rianna Narang, in July 2014. In November 2023, they divorced due to irreconcilable differences, with Isha moving out with their daughter in December 2023.
Career
Isha’s career began in modeling, culminating in winning the Miss Talent crown at the Miss India contest in 1995. Her acting debut was in the Tamil film “Kaadhal Kavithai” (1998), followed by her Bollywood debut in “Fiza” (2000).
She has worked in various regional cinema, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi films. Notable Hindi films include “Pinjar” (2003), “Krishna Cottage” (2004), “Don” (2006), and “Ek Vivaah… Aisa Bhi” (2008). Beyond her acting, she’s known for her memorable item numbers in “Company” (Khallas) and “Kaante” (Ishq Samundar), and has also judged television shows such as “Nach Baliye 3” (2007). In 2019, she appeared in the ALT Balaji web series “Fixerr.”
Controversies
Isha faced criticism for her role in the controversial film “Girlfriend” (2004). In a 2019 interview, she openly discussed facing nepotism and experiencing casting couch exploitation early in her career.
Awards & Honours
| Award | Year | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Miss India Contest | 1995 | Miss Talent |
| Filmfare Award | 1995 | Best Female Debut (Kaadhal Kavidai) |
| Stardust Award | 2003 | Most Exciting New Face (“Khallas”) |
| 10th Anniversary Humanitarian Award | 2009 | Valuable contribution towards PETA |
Favourite Things
- Cuisines: Japanese, Thai, and Indian
- Actor: Amitabh Bachchan
- Actress: Madhuri Dixit
- Film: Mr. India (1987)
Facts/Trivia
- She has a tattoo on her spine.
- She owns a Mercedes Benz ML 250 CDI.
- She served as a spokesperson for PETA.
- She briefly experimented with different spellings of her name based on numerology but reverted to her original name.
- She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January 2019 and was appointed working president of the women’s transport wing.
- She has spoken publicly about her experiences with casting couch, starting at the age of 18.
