Namrata Shirodkar is a former Indian actor and model. In 1993, she won the beauty pageant Femina Miss India.
Wiki/Biography
Namrata Shirodkar was born on Saturday, 22 January 1972 (age 50 years; as of 2022) in Mumbai. Her zodiac sign is Aquarius.
Namrata Shirodkar’s childhood photo
She did her graduation from The Mithibai College of Arts, Chauhan Institute of Science & Amruthben Jivanlal College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Weight (approx.): 60 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Hazel Brown
Figure Measurements (approx.): 36-30-34
Family
Namrata belongs to the Maharashtrian Goan family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Nitin Shirodkar, was a former Indian cricketer, and he died in 2007. Her mother, Vanita Shirodkar, is a former model. Her younger sister, Shilpa Shirodkar, is an actress.
Namrata Shirodkar’s parents
Namrata Shirodkar with her sister
Husband & Children
In 2000, while shooting for the Telugu film ‘Vamshi,’ she met the South Indian actor Mahesh Babu, who is three years younger than her. While working on the film, they became good friends, and after completing the shooting of the film, the couple started dating.
Namrata Shirodkar with her husband, Mahesh Babu
After dating for almost five years, the couple got married on 10 February 2005 at the JW Marriott Mumbai. Before her marriage, she completed shooting of all her films as it was Mahesh’s will to get married to a girl who was not working.
A collage of Namrata Shirodkar and Mahesh Babu’s wedding pictures
On 31 August 2006, the couple was blessed with a son named Gautam Ghattamaneni. After three years of their marriage, the couple had a rough patch in their marriage. Namrata even left Mahesh’s house and shifted to her parents’ home in Mumbai. Later, the couple sorted the matter and Namrata returned to Mahesh’s home. In an interview, while talking about it, Namrata said,
Three years post-marriage was difficult for Mahesh and me. He was on a long career break, I lost my parents, he lost his granny. Plus, he was in this whole dilemma of what movie to sign next. But that period made us stronger as a couple, and as individuals. Our foundation today is more solid, we became one strong nuclear unit. I look back at all of it as a blessing.”
On 20 July 2012, they welcomed their daughter Sitara Ghattamaneni.
Namrata Shirodkar with her children
Other Relative(s)
Her father-in-law, Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna, was a renowned South Indian actor.
Namrata Shirodkar with her father-in-law
Her mother-in-law, Vijaya Nirmala, was a South Indian actor, director, and producer.
Namrata Shirodkar with her mother-in-law Vijaya Nirmala
Her brother-in-law, Naresh Babu, is an actor, politician, and social activist.
Namrata Shirodkar’s husband, Mahesh Babu and brother-in-law Naresh Babu
Her brother-in-law, Ramesh Babu, was an actor and producer.
Namrata Shirodkar’s brother-in-law Ramesh Babu
Namrata’s sister-in-law, Manjula Swaroop, is an actress and producer. She is married to the Indian actor Sanjay Swaroop.
Namrata Shirodkar’s sister-in-law Manjula Swaroop with her husband
Her husband’s brothers-in-law are Galla Jayadev (politician and industrialist) and Sudheer Babu (actor and former badminton player).
Galla Jayadev
Namrata Shirodkar’s sister-in-law Priyadarshini with her husband Sudheer Babu
Relationships/Affairs
Deepak Shetty
While Namrata was pursuing her modelling career, she started dating an Indian restaurateur named Deepak Shetty. The couple dated for more than nine years. Reportedly, they were in a live-in relationship for a few years and were planning to tie the knot, but later, the couple parted ways. In an interview, while talking about her relationship with Deepak, Namrata said,
There was just one time when I let my personal life overwhelm my professional one, and that cost me dearly. The relationship began before the Miss India contest, and lasted nine years. But, it wasn’t meant to be. There was a void in my life after that, but I moved on. And we will always wish each other well.”
She added,
You know, Aishwarya and I started our careers together. But she stayed on track, while I was diverted by this personal relationship, and it made me less ambitious. But I’m not bitter about anything. Perhaps, because I’m practical by nature, I don’t dwell on things. My sister Shilpa helped a lot too. She joined the industry at 14. She knew the importance of being professional and punctual. She told me to accept that dreams change, people change, but work is constantly fulfilling. And I’m happy, particularly now that the industry is sitting up and noticing me once again.”
Later, Namrata said that she had no ill feelings for Deepak, and on his demise, Namrata and her sister Shilpa went to his home to give condolence to his family.
Mahesh Manjrekar
In 1999, while the Indian director-actor Mahesh Manjrekar was working on his directorial debut film ‘Vaastav: The Reality,’ he met Namrata who was the female lead actress in the film. The duo became good friends while shooting for the film. Reportedly, they started dating each other and even started living together. At that time Mahesh was already married to Medha Manjrekar. According to the sources, Namrata and Mahesh Manjrekar’s relationship did not last long, and the couple parted ways.
Namrata Shirodkar with his rumoured ex-boyfriend Mahesh Manjrekar
Career
Model
Namrata started her career as a model. When she was 15 years old, her mother (a former Indian model) introduced Namrata to the popular Indian fashion photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha, who did a photoshoot with Namrata. After watching her photos, the Indian fashion designer Hemant Trivedi asked her to walk the ramp for one of his fashion shows. She accepted the offer, and then she worked as a model in many fashion shows.
An old photo of Namrata Shirodkar with Aishwarya Rai in a fashion show
She has been featured in various print advertisements.
Namrata Shirodkar in a print advertisement
Namrata has also appeared in TV commercials for brands like Dabur Anmol Oil and Country Delight.
In 1993, she participated in the beauty pageant Miss India and won the title. In the final round, the contestants Namrata, Pooja Batra (actor), and Karminder were asked a common question by the host of the show Archana Puran Singh. Archana asked,
Who came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Namrata and Karminder replied ‘Chicken’ whereas Pooja said,
Who cares? As long as they are both useful.”
Later, the judges announced Namrata as the winner, Karminder as the first runner-up, and Pooja Batra as the second runner-up. On winning the pageant, Archana asked Namrata how she felt on winning. Namrata replied,
I feel great, I don’t know how to react. I just feel overwhelmed… First of all I will groom myself better to attend the Miss Universe contest in Mexico. Then I will put myself to some use for my country.”
Namrata Shirodkar being crowned as Miss India (1993)
In the same year, she represented India in the Miss Universe contest and finished in 5th place.
Namrata Shirodkar in the Miss Universe contest (1993)
In the question round, she was asked if she would love to live forever, to which she replied,
I don’t want to live forever as I believe no one can live forever.”
The judges left unimpressed by her answer, and she could not make it to the Top 3 contestants. She represented India at the Femina Miss India Asia Pacific in 1993. She stood first runner-up in the pageant, and she also won Best in Evening Gown in the sub-contest of the beauty pageant.
Film
Child Actor
In 1977, she played a small role as a child actor in the Hindi film ‘Shirdi Ke Sai Baba.’
Shirdi Ke Saibaba (1977)
Actor
Hindi
Namrata made her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai’ (1998) in which she played the role of Pooja.
A still from the film Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998)
In 1998, she appeared in Hindi films like ‘Mere Do Anmol Ratan’ and ‘Hero Hindustani.’
Mere Do Anmol Ratan (1998)
In 1999, she appeared in the popular Hindi films ‘Kachche Dhaage’ and ‘Vaastav: The Reality.’
Kachche Dhaage (1999)
Some of her other Hindi films are ‘Pukar’ (2000), ‘Albela’ (2001), ‘Hathyar: Face to Face with Reality’ (2002), ‘Dil Vil Pyar Vyar’ (2002), and ‘LOC Kargil’ (2003).
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002)
Kannada
In 1999, she made her Kannada film debut with ‘Chora Chittha Chora’ in which she played the love interest of the lead character Ravi.
Chora Chittha Chora (1999)
Malayalam
In 1999, she played the role of Ashwini Varma in her debut Malayalam film ‘Ezhupunna Tharakan.’
Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999)
Telugu
Namrata’s debut in Telugu films was with ‘Vamshi’ (2000) as Shilpa.
Vamshi (2000)
In 2004, she acted in the Telugu film ‘Anji.’
Anji (2004)
Marathi
She has appeared in one Marathi film ‘Astitva’ (2000) in which she played the role of Revati.
Astitva (2000)
English
In 2004, she played the role of Jaya Bakshi in the English film ‘Bride and Prejudice.’ After this film, she left her acting career.
Bride and Prejudice (2004)
Film Producer
She made her debut as a film producer with the 2022 Telugu-Hindi film ‘Major.’
Major (2022)
Businesswoman
On 14 January 2016, Namrata became the designated partner in the film production company AMB Cinemas LLP. She is also working as a director in two firms G Mahesh Babu Entertainment Private Limited (started on 28 January 2014) and Mahesh Babu Foundation (started on 24 June 2021).
Mahesh Babu Foundation donating computers for a school
Controversy
Accused of being Involved in a Drug Case
In 2020, after the demise of the Indian actor Sushant Singh Rajput, an investigation was carried on by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai. During the investigation, in a leaked chat of Jaya, former talent manager of Sushant Singh Rajput, Namrata’s chats were recovered. Reportedly, in the chat, Namrata had written,
You have promised me to provide a good MD in Mumbai. Let’s party together when I get the MD.”
As soon as the news went viral in the media, people started brutally trolling her on various social media sites.
Awards
- 1999: Nominated by Zee Cine Award for Best Debut Actress for the Hindi film ‘Mere Do Anmol Ratan’
- 2000: Won Kalashree Popular Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film ‘Aaghaaz’
- 2001: Nominated by International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the Hindi film ‘Pukar’
- 2001: Nominated for People’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film ‘Tera Mera Saath Rahen’
Car Collection
Favourites
- Outfit: Jeans & White T-Shirt, Salwar Kameez
Facts/Trivia
- Her family and friends lovingly call her Cheenu.
- In 1997, she was supposed to make her debut with the Hindi film ‘Purab Ki Laila Paschim Ka Chaila.’ However, the film got delayed and was released in 2012 with the title ‘Helloo India.’
Helloo India (2012)
- Her hobbies include listening to music, travelling, and spending time with friends.
- Namrata has done various brand endorsements on her Instagram account. Some of such brands are Duson and Ariel.Namrata Shirodkar in a brand endorsement of Dyson
- She is an ardent devotee of Sai Ram.
- She is an avid animal lover a has a pet dog named Nobu.
Namrata Shirodkar with her pet dog
- She has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Hello!, WOW!, and India Today.
Namrata Shirodkar featured on the cover of WOW! magazine
- In 2022, Namrata turned vegan.
Namrata Shirodkar’s Instagram post on her food habit
- In 2022, Namrata and her daughter were appointed as the brand ambassador of the healthy snack brand Lil Goodness.
- She is often spotted consuming alcohol at parties and events.