Koena Mitra, a prominent Indian actress and model, achieved widespread recognition for her captivating performance in the iconic item number “Saaki Saaki.” This detailed biography explores her life, career, and various aspects that have shaped her journey in the entertainment industry.

Wiki/Biography

Koena Mitra was born on Saturday, 7 January 1984, in Kolkata (age 38 years as of 2022). Her zodiac sign is Capricorn. She completed her schooling at South Point School, Kolkata, and later earned an MA in Psychology from Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata. Adding to her credentials, she also undertook a short filmmaking course at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
• Eye Colour: Dark Brown
• Hair Colour: Black

Family, Caste & Husband

Koena hails from a Bengali family. Her father, Vishwanath Mitra, is a chartered accountant, and her mother, Krishna Mitra, is a school teacher. She also has a younger sister. She was previously in a relationship with Turkish pilot Mette Merral.

Career

Modelling Career

Koena’s modeling journey began during her school years. A significant highlight was her victory in the 2003 Gladrags Mega Model India contest. She also achieved the first runner-up position in the Miss Intercontinental Pageant 2003 held in Germany. Her portfolio boasts appearances in commercials for renowned brands like ACP Whisky, Mirinda, Clinic All Clear, and Maruti Alto. She’s also graced numerous fashion weeks in Milan and Beijing.

Acting Career

Before venturing into Bollywood films, Koena featured in music videos for artists such as Stereo Nation (“Ishq,” “Aaj Ki Raat,” “Akh Teri”) and Jasbir Jassi (“Channo”).

Her Bollywood debut was in the film “Road” (2002), where she appeared in the song “Khullam Khulla.” Her acting debut as a lead role was in Sanjay Gupta’s “Musafir” (2004), playing the character ‘Lara’.

Subsequently, she starred in several successful commercial films, including “Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena” (2005), “Apna Sapna Money Money” (2006), and “Anamika” (2008). She expanded her horizons to Tamil cinema, appearing in the item number “Honey Honey” in “Ayan” (2009) and later making her acting debut in the Tamil film “Aasal” (2010). Her Bengali film debut was in “Besh Korechi Prem Korechi” (2015).

Controversies

Koena has faced several controversies throughout her career. One notable instance involved a legal dispute in 2019 with a model named Poonam Sethi over an unpaid debt. The court case resulted in a conviction and a sentence of six months of simple imprisonment, along with a financial penalty. Koena contested the charges, claiming she was framed. Other controversies include a 2017 case involving harassment via phone calls and criticism in 2010 following a nose job that went wrong. Rumors in 2009 about her involvement with a political rally were later proven false by the CBI.

Favourite Things

• Food: Bengali Cuisine, Mustard Prawn Curry, Grilled fish and chicken
• Actor(s): Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan
• Actress(s): Kajol, Madhuri Dixit
• Singer: Kishore Kumar
• Politician(s): Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi
• Poet: Rabindranath Tagore
• Travel Destination: Barcelona
• Sportsperson(s): Mary Kom, Bajrang Punia

Facts

Koena enjoys swimming, driving, watching movies, and socializing. Her name, Koena, is a tributary of the Krishna River, which is also her mother’s name—a symbolic representation of their bond. Following her nose job controversy, she spent four and a half years in Los Angeles pursuing filmmaking, securing roles in “The Story of Naomi” and “Dark Romance.” She’s a devotee of Goddess Durga and Lord Krishna, a supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Narendra Modi, and an animal lover.

Further Information

She has Chinese characters tattooed on her neck and participated in Bigg Boss 13 in 2019.

Key Milestones