| Birth date | 11 May 1970 (age 56) |
|---|---|
| Birth place | Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Other names | Noorjahan[1] |
| Alma mater | Lawrence School, Sanawar |
| Occupation | Actress · television presenter · relationship columnist |
| Years active | 1991–2020 |
| Spouse | Farhan Ebrahim Furniturewala (m. 1994; div. 2003) |
| Father | Kabir Bedi |
| Mother | Protima Bedi |
| Family | Freda Bedi (grandmother) |
Pooja Bedi (born 11 May 1970) is an Indian actress, television talk show host and newspaper columnist. She is the daughter of Indian actors Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi. She appeared in the reality television shows Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and Bigg Boss.
Early life
Pooja Bedi was born 11 May 1970[2] in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) to the late Indian classical dancer Protima and actor Kabir Bedi. She is of Punjabi Sikh and British English ancestry on her father's side and Bengali and Haryanvi ancestry on her mother's side.[3] She was brought up in what she calls a "bohemian progressive artistic environment".[2]
Career
Career beginnings (1991–2006)
From 1991 to 1995, Bedi worked in Bollywood films and appeared in many commercials and campaigns, notably the KamaSutra condom campaign which she endorsed and used as a vehicle to raise awareness of AIDS.[4]
She made her film debut with Jag Mundhra's film Vishkanya (1991). She went on to act in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992) with Aamir Khan. Her other films include Lootere (1993)[5] and Aatank Hi Aatank (1995).[6]
Debut in reality shows and beyond (2006–2020)
In 2000, she compiled and edited Timepass, the memoirs of her mother Protima Bedi. She has been a columnist with the Times of India, the Hindustan Times, and MiD DAY newspapers, and has written articles for numerous publications, including L'officiel, Femina and The Week.[7]
In 2006, Bedi appeared in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in its first season followed by Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. In 2007, Bedi along with Hanif Hilal appeared in Nach Baliye. In 2011, Bedi was a celebrity contestant in the fifth season of the Indian version of the reality TV show Big Brother, Bigg Boss.[8] She was evicted after surviving for 8 weeks in the house, which was Day 56 (27 November).[9]
Personal life
Bedi married Farhan Furniturewala a Khoja Gujarati Muslim, whom she met in 1990. They were married 6 May 1994 and Bedi converted to Islam upon marriage taking up the name Noorjahan.[1][10] They have two children, including Alaya Furniturewala. Bedi and Farhan divorced in 2003.[11] In February 2019, Bedi became engaged to Maneck Contractor.[12]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Vishkanya | Nisha Varma/Munni Lead role | Hindi | |
| 1992 | Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar | Supporting role | Hindi | Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 1993 | Lootere | Hindi | ||
| Chittemma Mogudu | Telugu | |||
| Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee | Hindi | |||
| 1995 | Aatank Hi Aatank | Guest | Hindi | |
| 2011 | Shakti | Faqtooni | Telugu | |
| 2020 | Comedy Couple | Zohra | Hindi |
Television
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 1 | Contestant (evicted in 1st week) |
| 2007 | Nach Baliye 3 | 7th place |
| 2008 | Bigg Boss 2 | Guest Host |
| Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 1 | Contestant (4th runner up) | |
| 2011 | Maa Exchange | Episodic role - |
| Bigg Boss 5 | (Contestant) Evicted on Day 56 | |
| 2020 | Masaba Masaba | Geeta Chopra (Extended cameo) |
References
- ^ "Pooja Bedi: The siege within | undefined News - Times of India". The Times of India. June 2003. Archived 16 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ Sawhney, Anubha (1 June 2003). "Pooja Bedi: The siege within". The Times of India. Archived 6 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
- ^ "Pooja Bedi: I have really liked all my father's girlfriends, and wives, including Parveen Babi - Times of India". The Times of India. 11 May 2021. Archived 12 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ Misra, Shubhangi (16 February 2020). "The KamaSutra ad that changed the role of condoms in India from functional to pleasurable". ThePrint. Archived 12 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
- ^ "Lootere Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes", The Times of India, archived 21 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 9 March 2021
- ^ "rediff.com: Aamir: Then & Now". specials.rediff.com
- ^ "Actress and columnist Pooja Bedi's barefoot moment!". Zee News. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- ^ "Bigg Boss 5: Juhi Parmar to Shakti Kapoor, here's the final list of contestants". 2 October 2011. Archived 27 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Sky is the most fake person in Bigg Boss". 5 December 2011. Archived 27 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Pooja Bedi REVEALS quitting acting for ex-husband Farhan Furniturewalla's family". 4 June 2021. Archived 1 May 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Ramasubramanian, Uma (24 February 2019). "My kids wanted me to settle down for many years now, says Pooja Bedi". Deccan Chronicle. Archived 27 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "Pooja Bedi engaged to boyfriend Maneck Contractor: He proposed to me in a hot air balloon". India Today. Archived 9 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
External links
- Pooja Bedi at IMDb