12 Famous Models Turned Actresses
These models became successful actresses and some went on to become the highest-paid actresses of their times. Here’s a list of 12 models turned actress including one old-timer that walked the ramp and essayed different roles as well.
Let’s have a look of 12 models turned actress…
Models Turned Actress Priyanka Chopra
Winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, Priyanka Chopra has also won many awards in acting. She’s two National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards to her name. Also, she received the highest civilian award, Padma Shri in 2016. Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003) was her debut movie and Andaaz (2003) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) were her most successful movies.
Bipasha Basu
This Bengali model still possesses the power that can make men crave for her. While her acting career might not be as spectacular as her modeling life, but she proved that she is also a good actor. In Bollywood, she’s known for negative roles and crime and horror thrillers.
Her first film Ajnabee (2001) got her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. But she has major success with the supernatural thriller Raaz (2002). Subsequently, she started doing negative roles in the movie and received a Filmfare for Best Performance in a Negative Role for an erotic thriller Jism (2003). She’s also worked in television, web series, and music videos.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone stunned the audience in the avatar of Rani Padmavati in the periodic drama Padmaavat (2018). She also narrated the pain and suffering of acid attack survivors in the movie Chhapaak (2020). She also acted against Vin Diesel in XXX: Return of Xander Cage (2017). It was her first Hollywood assignment and the media said that she successfully “outclassed” Diesel in the movie.
Models Turned Actress Dia Mirza
Dia Mirza stepped into the film industry after winning the Miss Asia Pacific title in 2000 and did many movies including Das, Lage Raho Munnabhai, and Salam Mumbai. While her first movie Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein wasn’t a success, Sanju (2018) proved to be her highest-grossing film ever. It was a biopic where Dia Mirza played Sanjay Dutt’s wife Manyata Dutt. She also appeared on a web series Kaafir (2019).
Katrina Kaif
With four Filmfare Award nominations, Katrina Kaif is one of the highest-paid actresses in Bollywood. But few people know that she received her first film offer at a fashion show. A London-based filmmaker Kaizad Gustad selected for his upcoming movie Boom (2003). It was an erotic heist film featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, and Gulshan Grover.
Katrina Kaif kept doing modeling assignments along with films. She walked the ramp for Rohit Bal at the India Fashion Week and appeared in the Kingfisher Calendar as well. In Bollywood, she has done different roles including drama, emotions, action, and comedy.
Anushka Sharma
Modeling is her first love but she is good at acting as well and this is evident from the awards she received. She had a Filmfare Award. Also, she’s listed in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 since 2012 and Forbes Asia in their 30 Under the list of 2018.
She debuted in Bollywood through Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) where she appeared opposite Shah Rukh Khan. It was a major success. Anushka Sharma even received Filmfare Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Female Debut for the movie. And it was just a beginning of a striking career for her.
Models Turned Actress Lara Dutta
Lara Dutta had been Miss International 1997 and Miss Universe 2000. Also, she has won a Filmfare Award for her acting in Hindi movies. And today she’s more popular as an actress than a model. While she started her acting career with a Tamil movie, Arasatchi (2002) but she got recognition in Hindi cinema where she started with Andaaz (2003). And the movie was a huge success.
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia went straight to Bollywood for acting after winning the Femina Miss India 2002 pageant. Also, her confidence was boldened when she became one of the 10 finalists in the Miss Universe 2002 contest. She made her Bollywood debut in 2003 in an erotic movie, Julie. She did both leads as well as supporting roles in movies. On the modeling front, she worked for Rohit Bal and D’damas.
Preity Zinta
The dimpled girl Preity Zinta could be called an unknown model because of her little work but she has left her mark in Bollywood where she essayed different roles. Her first movie was Dil Se followed by Soldier and she received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance in both movies. She also received the Filmfare Awards for Best Actress for Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003).
Aishwarya Rai
Former Miss World Aishwariya Rai caught the attention of the viewers through an advertisement for Pepsi where she introduced herself – Hi, I’m Sanjana. Also, her first film that was a Tamil movie Iruvar directed by Mani Ratnam was a critical success.
Today, Aishwariya Rai stands on top of the most desirable women of B-town. She has acted with stars like Amir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan. And she’s one of the few Bollywood actresses that Forbes listed as the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen was won two big awards Femina Miss India and Miss Universe the same year when she’s just 18. After which she stepped into Bollywood won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her comic performance in Biwi No. 1 (1999). But it was just the beginning of a stellar career in Bollywood.
Models Turned Actress Zeenat Aman
Zeenat Aman is an old-timer but she also started her career with modeling where she competed in several international competitions including Femina Miss India and Miss Asia Pacific International pageant. And this great actress has won many accolades including a Filmfare Award and a BEJA Award. She started acting in 1970 and continued till 2020.
