Awards
Websiteasinonline.com
Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), knownmononymously as Asin, is an Indian actress and trainedBharathanatyam dancer. She began her acting career in theSouth Indian film industry, but now appears predominantly inBollywood films. She is the only Malayali actress,other than Padmini, who has the distinction of having dubbedin her own voice for all her films, irrespective of language.Asin also has the distinction of being the 'numero uno' heroine ofTamil cinema over the span 5 years from 2004 to 2008 with a string ofblockbuster hits and was fondly referred to as Queen ofKollywood. Currently Asin is one of the leadingactresses in Bollywood and tops the Bollywood Hundred Crore Clubamong actresses.
Making her acting debut in Sathyan Anthikkad's Malayalam filmNarendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Asin had her firstcommercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O TamilaAmmayi in 2003, and won a Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award forthe film. M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) was her debut inTamil and a huge success. She received her Filmfare Best TamilActress Award for her most noted critically acclaimed performance inher third Tamil film, Ghajini (2005). She then played the leadfemale roles in many successful films, most notable being the dramaticthriller Varalaru (2006), the action thriller Pokkiri (2007),romantic drama Vel (2008) and the blockbuster Dasavathaaram(2008) opposite Kamal Haasan and hence established herself as theleading actress of Tamil cinema and was also honoured by the TamilNadu government with the Kalaimamani award for her excellence inthe field of art and literature. In 2013, Asin was conferredwith Pride of South Indian Cinema award at SIIMA for hercontribution to Tamil cinema.
In late 2008, Asin made her debut in the Bollywood filmGhajini (2008) opposite Aamir Khan which was the firstBollywood film to have collected more than INR 1 billion in thedomestic box office, subsequently collecting INR 1.9 billion(US$32 million) worldwide. Asin won the Filmfare Best Female DebutAward and many accolades for Ghajini. 2011 marked the most successfulphase of Asin's Bollywood career, as she starred in Anees Bazmee'sromantic comedy, Ready, in which she co-starred alongsideSalman Khan. The film was a major hit at the box office,collecting INR 1.84 billion (US$31 million) worldwide. In2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrerHousefull 2 which collected more than 1 billion and receivedblockbuster status. She then featured in Bol Bachchan andKhiladi 786, which were also commercially successful with bothgrossing over 1 billion.
Early life
Asin was born in Cochin (now Kochi) in Kerala to aSyro-Malabar Catholic Nasrani family. Her father,Joseph Thottumkal originally from Thodupuzha, managed severalbusinesses. Her mother, Seline Thottumkal, who moved settlements fromKochi to Chennai to Mumbai to live with her daughter, is asurgeon. According to custom, Asin was to be named Mary, after herpaternal grandmother. Asin's father however named her Asin as the namehad a beautiful meaning. Asin has quoted that her name means"pure and without blemish". She states that the 'A' in her name isfrom Sanskrit meaning "without", and 'sin' fromEnglish".
She attended Naval Public School from LKG through Xstandard. She scored over 90% in her X board exams but choseHumanities in XI standard, shocking her family who were confident shewould take up science and get into the civil services. Shethen attended St. Teresa's School in Kochi for her Plus Twoeducation. After that she attended St. Teresa's College in Kochi,a college affiliated with MG University, where she graduated witha Bachelors of Arts degree in English Literature.
Career
Early work (2001-2004)
Asin's first Tamil language film was M. Kumaran S/OMahalakshmi, in which she co-starred with Jayam Ravi. Asinreprised her role from her film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi for theremake, which saw her portraying a Malayali girl instead of theTamil girl in the original. The movie subsequently went on to superhits in Tamil cinema during 2004, introducing Asin to Tamilfilm industry. After a brief return to Telugu films, to doChakram, she appeared in Ullam Ketkumae. The film,initially launched in 2002 and was supposed to be her debut as a leadheroine, is a college love story, directed by Jeeva, which waslong-delayed but eventually became a successful venture at thebox-office, creating wider opportunities for her and the rest of thecast.
Kollywood breakthrough and stardom (2005-2007)
After the release of Ullam Ketkumae, Asin was cited as a leadingheroine of the Tamil film industry after starring in blockbuster filmslike Ghajini, Sivakasi, Varalaru and Pokkirirespectively. The film which provided the breakthrough forAsin was Ghajini. The film, co-starring Surya and wasdirected by A. R. Murugadoss, earned her the Tamil FilmfareAward for Best Actress. Her role was that of a vivacious young modelnamed Kalpana. Sify.com praised her portrayal as "magical",describing her character as a "lovable chatterbox", played with "sheerability in the romantic interludes, the poignant and heartfelt sceneswhen she rescues minor girls from villains and her gory end aretouching". The following Diwali in 2005, Asin had tworeleases, Sivakasi and Majaa. Despite the latter becoming anaverage grosser, the former went on to be a successful venture at thebox office.
The following year, her long-delayed venture, Varalaru oppositeAjith Kumar also succeeded at the box office, and The Hindu saidshe "looks lustrous and sails through her role smoothly".Asin appeared in Pawan Kalyan's Annavaram, anothersuccessful venture which was a remake of Thirupaachi.In January 2007, Asin appeared opposite Ajith Kumar and Vijay in twodifferent films, Aalwar and Pokkiri, with the latterbecoming a success, whilst Aalwar became a failure. Whilst Asin's rolein Aalwar was criticised, her performance in Pokkiri was lauded bycritics. Her final project of the year wasopposite Surya, in Hari's Vel, which had a Diwali 2007release, subsequently becoming her third successful film whichreleased during the Diwali season in three years. Asin, who portrayeda TV anchor, was appreciated for her role in the film.
Asin in 2010
Asin appeared in her first dual role in K. S. Ravikumar'sDasavathaaram opposite Kamal Haasan, who portrayed tenroles. The film, which was under production since September 2006,Despite being overshadowed by Haasan's ten roles, Asin's portrayals inthe film were praised as her "best-to-date" with one of her rolesbeing that of a Vaishnavite in 12th century Tamil Nadu;whilst the other character was a Brahmin girl fromChidambaram for which she won her first ITFA Best ActressAward. Dasavathaaram subsequently went on to become one ofthe blockbusters .
Since establishing herself as the leading actress in South India, Asinopted to move into Bollywood. Her first film, Ghajiniopposite Aamir Khan was the remake of her breakthrough film ofthe same name. Upon release, the film garnered positive reactions fromcritics and masses alike, with Asin being singled out for her"fabulous" portray. Noted critic Taran Adarsh described her Hindidebut as "fabulous" and that "to share the screen space with an actorof the stature of Aamir Khan and yet remain in your memory even afterthe show has ended is no cakewalk. She looks fresh and photogenic andacts her part brilliantly", giving Asin's performance a positiveoutlook.
Ghajini became the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2008 and sixthhighest-grossing Bollywood film of all time according to netcollections. Asin later appeared in Vipul Shah'sLondon Dreams alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, inwhich she played as a south Indian girl, Priya, who is emotional butstrong willed and an ambitious dancer at the sametime. The film received mixed reviews fromcritics.
Her first film of 2011 was Kaavalan which released on 15 January2011. The film was a critical and commercial success.Behindwoods review of the film praised her performance: "Asin, inTamil for the first time after Dasavatharam, convinces us with herportrayal. The chemistry of the lead pair has worked out well;especially the portions w things that ultimately result in love". Thechemistry between Vijay and Asin worked out well and wasappreciated. Asin went on to win the SIIMA Award for Best Actress forthis film. The film also includes Vadivelu as the comedian along withMithra Kurian, Roja, Rajkiran playing supportingroles.Asin at Housefull 2 success party at Akshay Kumar's house,2012
Breakthrough in Bollywood (2011-present)
Her next movie with Salman Khan, Ready was released on 3 June2011 to mixed reviews. Critics praised the chemistry betweenSalman and Asin. Upon release, Ready became the secondhighest weekend grossing Bollywood film, after Dabanggand went on to became the fifth film in Bollywood history to cross thecoveted INR 1 billion (US$17 million) mark in the domesticmarket.
In 2012, she first appeared alongside Akshay Kumar in SajidKhan's multistarrer comedy Housefull 2. Though it received amixed critical reception, it was a major commercialsuccess. Asin generally received favourable reviews for herperformance, with Adarsh stating that "[a]mongst the female leads,Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account ofherself."
On 6 July 2012, Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan alongsideAjay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan released with Mixed reviewswith the Critics praising the performances of Asin, Ajay Devgn andAbhishek Bachchan. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama whopraised Asin's performance stated, "Asin does well, though her screentime is limited. Nonetheless, her amiable looks and stimulating smileadd to her charisma!!." While the reviewer from Behindwoodsquoted, "There is a small surprise with regards to Asin's role. She isthe romantic interest of Ajay and looks serene and absolutelycute." The movie is now declared a superhit
Khiladi 786, in which she reunited with her Housefull 2costar, Akshay Kumar, released on 7 December 2012 to mixedreviews but was strong at the box office and eventually became acommercially successful venture.
Though Asin did not appear in any movie in 2013, she is busy inshooting for her next drama film All Is Well which is directed byUmesh Shukla and produced by Bhushan Kumar. In one interviewdirector Umesh Shukla stated that Asin will be seen new looks andcharacters and I hope audience will love it.
Other work
Humanitarian work
Asin prefers to be tight-lipped about her philanthropic activities, asshe does not want them to be misconstrued as publicitystunts. In 2010, it was reported that Asin had decided tofund the education of Radhika, an eight-year-old orphan girl fromKerala. Asin financially support the child right up toher college. The actress has been funding the education ofsix orphaned girls in Kerala, paying for all their lifetimeeducational expenses.
During the shoot of her film Ready in Sri Lanka, she was part ofcamps that were meant to help the Sri Lankan Tamil people whowere affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War. Asininitiated an eye check-up camp in Sri Lanka. She also runs a schoolfor the under-privileged in India. She reportedly ear-marks a portionof her income towards charitable causes and sends them to institutionsthat she backs.
"This cause is probably one of the biggest women centric issues inour country. I support the education of six children each year,five of which are girls. I have closely worked with these childrenand I know that if given the opportunity, women can educatethemselves much better and know what is wrong or right for them.Education is a basic right and women should not be deprived ofthat."
Magazine covers
Asin has been featured on the covers of several major magazinesincluding Cosmopolitan (February 2009 & June 2011),Cine Blitz (January 2009), Femina (14 December 2011),FHM (November 2009), Filmfare (18 February 2009 & 24 June2009), Grazia (November 2009 & October 2010), Hi Blitz (March2009), Marie Claire (December 2009), Prevention(March 2009 and July 2011), Verve (March 2009) andVogue India (July 2008), as well as magazines such asCine Fashion (January 2007), Galatta Cinema (June 2007 &June 2008), Gr8! TV Mag (March 2009), Jade (March2010), Ritz (March 2006, May 2007 & March2012), Savvy (August 2006),SouthSide (February 2007), South Scope (September 2009 &December 2010), The Hindu Bridal Mantra (September2012), TULIP (April 2012) and Wedding Affair -Asian Edition (March 2009).
Brand Ambassador
Other
Asin was a judge on Femina Miss India 2009 and Femina MissIndia2013.
She has appeared in the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 annual calendars byDabboo Ratnani, a leading Indian fashion photographer.
Personal life
The actress can speak seven languages; being well-versed inMalayalam (her mother tongue), Tamil, Telugu,Hindi, French, English and Sanskrit.Asin also speaks a smattering of Italian, and learnt basicMarathi for her movie Khiladi 786 in which she played a typicalMarathi girl. In June 2013, it was reported in the Indianmedia that Asin was learning German during her freetime. She reportedly beganlearning Spanish after visiting Spain in early2014.
Galleries of Asin
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