Monica Bedi (born 18 January 1975) is an Indian actress and television presenter who primarily appears in Hindi films. She has also worked in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Bengali films. Bedi debuted in Hindi films in the mid-1990s, with notable works including "Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat" and "Jodi No.1." She is known for participating in reality TV shows such as "Bigg Boss 2" and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3," and for her role as Gumaan Kaur Vyas in Star Plus's "Saraswatichandra." Bedi has received several accolades including Gold Awards, PTC Awards, TSA Awards, Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award.[citation needed] In 2002, Bedi was convicted for using a forged document.[1]
Monica Bedi | |
---|---|
Born | Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India | 18 January 1975
Education | Borresen School, Norway |
Alma mater | University of Oxford |
Occupation | |
Years active | 1994- Present |
Notable work |
Early life
editBedi is a Punjabi and was born 18 January 1975[2][3] to Prem Kumar Bedi and Shakuntala Bedi in the village Chabbewal, Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. Her parents moved to Drammen, Norway in 1979. She studied English Literature and completed her education at Oxford University.[2]
Prison Sentence
editIn September 2002, Bedi and Abu Salem, an Indian gangster were arrested and later served prison sentences in Portugal[4] for entering the country on forged documents.[5][6] In 2006, an Indian Court convicted Bedi for procuring a passport on a fictitious name.[7][8] In November 2010, the Supreme Court of India upheld her conviction but reduced the prison sentence to the period that she had already served.[9][10] Various newspaper including magazines had reported that Abu used his criminal power to get roles for Monica Bedi in Bollywood.
Career
editMonica Bedi began her acting career with the Telugu film Taj Mahal (1995), produced by D. Ramanaidu. She was later cast by Ramanaidu in another Telugu project, Sivayya.[11] That same year, Bedi made her Bollywood debut, starring opposite Saif Ali Khan in Surakshaa.
Throughout her career, Bedi appeared in numerous Hindi films, working alongside notable actors such as Suniel Shetty, Arjun Rampal, Chiranjeevi, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, and Dharmendra. One of her notable films was the hit comedy Jodi No. 1, directed by David Dhawan. She also ventured into reality television, participating in Bigg Boss 2, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3, and Desi Girl. Additionally, she contributed to a spiritual music album released by Universal Music, where she sang the chant "Ek Onkar."[12][13]
In 2012, Bedi appeared in the Punjabi film Sirphire. From 2013 to 2014, she played the role of Ghuman in the Star Plus series Saraswatichandra, produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.[14] In 2014, she portrayed a Punjab DSP in the Punjabi film Romeo Ranjha.
Filmography
editYear | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | Main Tera Aashiq | Hindi | ||
1995 | Taj Mahal | Telugu | ||
1995 | Surakshaa | Kiran | Hindi | |
1995 | Aashique Mastane | Hindi | ||
1996 | Khilona | Kajal | Hindi | |
1996 | Soggadi Pellam | Tulasi | Telugu | |
1996 | Subash | Anitha | Tamil | |
1997 | Ek Phool Teen Kante | Monica Sinha | Hindi | |
1997 | Jeeyo Shaan Se | Hindi | ||
1997 | Tirchhi Topiwale | Sanam Oberoi | Hindi | |
1997 | Circus Sattipandu | Telugu | ||
1998 | Jabab Dihi | Bengali | ||
1998 | Janto Kobor | Bengali | Bangladeshi Movie | |
1998 | Sivayya | Inspector Roja | Telugu | |
1998 | Choodalani Vundi | Telugu | ||
1998 | Zanjeer | Hindi | ||
1999 | Drona | Swetha | Kannada | |
1999 | Yamajathakudu | Telugu | ||
1999 | Kalicharan | Hindi | ||
1999 | Nannaseya Hoove | Lakshmi | Kannada | |
1999 | Sikander Sadak Ka | Hindi | ||
1999 | Jaanam Samjha Karo | Monica | Hindi | |
1999 | Kaala Samrajya | Monica K. Singh | Hindi | |
1999 | Speed Dancer | Monika | Telugu | |
1999 | Lohpurush | Hindi | ||
2001 | Jodi No.1 | Rinky | Hindi | |
2001 | Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat | Maya Dhillon | Hindi | |
2003 | Tada | Hindi | ||
2011 | Devadasiyin Kathai | Swathi Varma | Tamil | |
2012 | Parichaya | Rekha | Nepali | |
2012 | Hridoye Lekho Naam | Bengali | ||
2012 | Sirphire | Simran | Punjabi | |
2014 | Romeo Ranjha | Reet Kaur | Punjabi | |
2017 | Bandookan | Balwinder | Punjabi |
Television
editYear | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2008 | Bigg Boss 2 | Contestant |
2009 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 | |
2010 | Dil Jeetegi Desi Girl 1 | |
2013–14 | Saraswatichandra | Guman Vyas/Roopmati |
2015 | Bandhan | Narayani Deshpande |
Awards
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2024) |
Year | Award | Category | Film/Show | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Gold Awards | Best TV Actor (Female) | Won | |
PTC awards | Best Debut (Female) | Sirphire | Won | |
Media excellence Awards | Most Popular Media Face (Female) | Won | ||
2014 | Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar Award | Outstanding Performer (Female) | Won | |
TSA Awards | Most Stylish Actor (Female) | Won | ||
Lions Gold Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role (Female) | Saraswatichandra | Won | |
2023 | International Iconic Awards | The Most Fit Actress | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Monica Bedi admits her past with Abu Salem has affected her dating and professional prospects". The Times of India. 18 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
- ^ a b "The tale of Monica Bedi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 July 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "जेलर पर लगा था इस एक्ट्रेस के बाथरूम में कैमरे लगाने के आरोप, अंडरवर्ल्ड डॉन से भी जुड़ा नाम". Rajasthan Patrika (in Hindi). 19 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ Kumar, Vinay (29 November 2003). "Abu Salem, Monica Bedi sentenced to jail in Portugal". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 December 2003. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ^ "Monica Bedi writes pardon letter to PM". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. 7 November 2004. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ^ "The tale of Monica Bedi". The Times of India. 10 August 2005. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Monica Bedi lives tough life in jail". CNN-IBN. 1 October 2005. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ^ "Top 10 Celebrities and Their Run-ins With the Law". The New Indian Express. 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Fake Passport Case: SC Upholds Bedi's Conviction". Outlook. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- ^ "Supreme Court upholds Monica Bedi's conviction in fake passport case". Daily News and Analysis. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- ^ "Monica Bedi makes Telugu producers wary". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ IANS (6 September 2008). "Monica Bedi bids adieu to Bigg Boss". Sify. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ^ "Monica Bedi turns singer!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ "Monica Bedi returns to Saraswatichandra after five months". The Times of India. 16 January 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
External links
edit- Monica Bedi at IMDb
- Monica Bedi on Facebook