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Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononymously as Asin, is an Indian actress and trained Bharathanatyam dancer. She began her acting career in the South Indian film industry, but now appears predominantly in Bollywood films. She is the only Malayali actress, other than Padmini, who has the distinction of having dubbed in her own voice for all her films, irrespective of language. Asin also has the distinction of being the 'numero uno' heroine of Tamil cinema over the span 5 years from 2004 to 2008 with a string of blockbuster hits and was fondly referred to as Queen of Kollywood. Currently Asin is one of the leading actresses in Bollywood and tops the Bollywood Hundred Crore Club among actresses.
Making her acting debut in Sathyan Anthikkad's Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Asin had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi in 2003, and won a Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for the film. M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) was her debut in Tamil and a huge success. She received her Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for her most noted critically acclaimed performance in her third Tamil film, Ghajini (2005). She then played the lead female roles in many successful films, most notable being the dramatic thriller Varalaru (2006), the action thriller Pokkiri (2007), romantic drama Vel (2008) and the blockbuster Dasavathaaram (2008) opposite Kamal Haasan and hence established herself as the leading actress of Tamil cinema and was also honoured by the Tamil Nadu government with the Kalaimamani award for her excellence in the field of art and literature. In 2013, Asin was conferred with Pride of South Indian Cinema award at SIIMA for her contribution to Tamil cinema.
In late 2008, Asin made her debut in the Bollywood film Ghajini (2008) opposite Aamir Khan which was the first Bollywood film to have collected more than INR 1 billion in the domestic box office, subsequently collecting INR 1.9 billion (US$32 million) worldwide. Asin won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award and many accolades for Ghajini. 2011 marked the most successful phase of Asin's Bollywood career, as she starred in Anees Bazmee's romantic comedy, Ready, in which she co-starred alongside Salman Khan. The film was a major hit at the box office, collecting INR 1.84 billion (US$31 million) worldwide. In 2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull 2 which collected more than 1 billion and received blockbuster status. She then featured in Bol Bachchan and Khiladi 786, which were also commercially successful with both grossing over 1 billion.
Early life
Asin was born in Cochin (now Kochi) in Kerala to a Syro-Malabar Catholic Nasrani family. Her father, Joseph Thottumkal originally from Thodupuzha, managed several businesses. Her mother, Seline Thottumkal, who moved settlements from Kochi to Chennai to Mumbai to live with her daughter, is a surgeon. According to custom, Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother. Asin's father however named her Asin as the name had a beautiful meaning. Asin has quoted that her name means "pure and without blemish". She states that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning "without", and 'sin' from English".
She attended Naval Public School from LKG through X standard. She scored over 90% in her X board exams but chose Humanities in XI standard, shocking her family who were confident she would take up science and get into the civil services. She then attended St. Teresa's School in Kochi for her Plus Two education. After that she attended St. Teresa's College in Kochi, a college affiliated with MG University, where she graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in English Literature.
Career
Early work (2001-2004)
Asin's first assignment was an advertisement for BPL Mobile. She debuted in a Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka in 2001, at the age of 15. After taking a year out to pursue her education, Asin returned with her breakthrough film as an actress, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi opposite Ravi Teja, portraying a Tamil girl in her first Telugu language film, which subsequently fetched her the Telugu Filmfare Award for Best Actress. In the same year she won the Santosham Best Actress Award for her performance alongside Akkineni Nagarjuna in her second Telugu film, Shivamani. Her following two Telugu films, Lakshmi Narasimha and Gharshana, both portrayed Asin as the love interest for police officers and both were successful ventures.
Asin's first Tamil language film was M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi, in which she co-starred with Jayam Ravi. Asin reprised her role from her film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi for the remake, which saw her portraying a Malayali girl instead of the Tamil girl in the original. The movie subsequently went on to super hits in Tamil cinema during 2004, introducing Asin to Tamil film industry. After a brief return to Telugu films, to do Chakram, she appeared in Ullam Ketkumae. The film, initially launched in 2002 and was supposed to be her debut as a lead heroine, is a college love story, directed by Jeeva, which was long-delayed but eventually became a successful venture at the box-office, creating wider opportunities for her and the rest of the cast.
Kollywood breakthrough and stardom (2005-2007)
After the release of Ullam Ketkumae, Asin was cited as a leading heroine of the Tamil film industry after starring in blockbuster films like Ghajini, Sivakasi, Varalaru and Pokkiri respectively. The film which provided the breakthrough for Asin was Ghajini. The film, co-starring Surya and was directed by A. R. Murugadoss, earned her the Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Her role was that of a vivacious young model named Kalpana. Sify.com praised her portrayal as "magical", describing her character as a "lovable chatterbox", played with "sheer ability in the romantic interludes, the poignant and heartfelt scenes when she rescues minor girls from villains and her gory end are touching". The following Diwali in 2005, Asin had two releases, Sivakasi and Majaa. Despite the latter becoming an average grosser, the former went on to be a successful venture at the box office.
The following year, her long-delayed venture, Varalaru opposite Ajith Kumar also succeeded at the box office, and The Hindu said she "looks lustrous and sails through her role smoothly". Asin appeared in Pawan Kalyan's Annavaram, another successful venture which was a remake of Thirupaachi. In January 2007, Asin appeared opposite Ajith Kumar and Vijay in two different films, Aalwar and Pokkiri, with the latter becoming a success, whilst Aalwar became a failure. Whilst Asin's role in Aalwar was criticised, her performance in Pokkiri was lauded by critics. Her final project of the year was opposite Surya, in Hari's Vel, which had a Diwali 2007 release, subsequently becoming her third successful film which released during the Diwali season in three years. Asin, who portrayed a TV anchor, was appreciated for her role in the film.
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Asin in 2010
Asin appeared in her first dual role in K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram opposite Kamal Haasan, who portrayed ten roles. The film, which was under production since September 2006, Despite being overshadowed by Haasan's ten roles, Asin's portrayals in the film were praised as her "best-to-date" with one of her roles being that of a Vaishnavite in 12th century Tamil Nadu; whilst the other character was a Brahmin girl from Chidambaram for which she won her first ITFA Best Actress Award. Dasavathaaram subsequently went on to become one of the blockbusters .
Since establishing herself as the leading actress in South India, Asin opted to move into Bollywood. Her first film, Ghajini opposite Aamir Khan was the remake of her breakthrough film of the same name. Upon release, the film garnered positive reactions from critics and masses alike, with Asin being singled out for her "fabulous" portray. Noted critic Taran Adarsh described her Hindi debut as "fabulous" and that "to share the screen space with an actor of the stature of Aamir Khan and yet remain in your memory even after the show has ended is no cakewalk. She looks fresh and photogenic and acts her part brilliantly", giving Asin's performance a positive outlook.
Ghajini became the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2008 and sixth highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time according to net collections. Asin later appeared in Vipul Shah's London Dreams alongside Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, in which she played as a south Indian girl, Priya, who is emotional but strong willed and an ambitious dancer at the same time. The film received mixed reviews from critics.
Her first film of 2011 was Kaavalan which released on 15 January 2011. The film was a critical and commercial success. Behindwoods review of the film praised her performance: "Asin, in Tamil for the first time after Dasavatharam, convinces us with her portrayal. The chemistry of the lead pair has worked out well; especially the portions w things that ultimately result in love". The chemistry between Vijay and Asin worked out well and was appreciated. Asin went on to win the SIIMA Award for Best Actress for this film. The film also includes Vadivelu as the comedian along with Mithra Kurian, Roja, Rajkiran playing supporting roles. 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 June 2011 to mixed reviews. Critics praised the chemistry between Salman and Asin. Upon release, Ready became the second highest weekend grossing Bollywood film, after Dabangg and went on to became the fifth film in Bollywood history to cross the coveted INR 1 billion (US$17 million) mark in the domestic market.
In 2012, she first appeared alongside Akshay Kumar in Sajid Khan's multistarrer comedy Housefull 2. Though it received a mixed critical reception, it was a major commercial success. Asin generally received favourable reviews for her performance, with Adarsh stating that "[a]mongst the female leads, Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account of herself."
On 6 July 2012, Rohit Shetty's Bol Bachchan alongside Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan released with Mixed reviews with the Critics praising the performances of Asin, Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan. Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama who praised Asin's performance stated, "Asin does well, though her screen time is limited. Nonetheless, her amiable looks and stimulating smile add to her charisma!!." While the reviewer from Behindwoods quoted, "There is a small surprise with regards to Asin's role. She is the romantic interest of Ajay and looks serene and absolutely cute." The movie is now declared a superhit
Khiladi 786, in which she reunited with her Housefull 2 costar, Akshay Kumar, released on 7 December 2012 to mixed reviews but was strong at the box office and eventually became a commercially successful venture.
Though Asin did not appear in any movie in 2013, she is busy in shooting for her next drama film All Is Well which is directed by Umesh Shukla and produced by Bhushan Kumar. In one interview director Umesh Shukla stated that Asin will be seen new looks and characters and I hope audience will love it.
Other work
Humanitarian work
Asin prefers to be tight-lipped about her philanthropic activities, as she does not want them to be misconstrued as publicity stunts. In 2010, it was reported that Asin had decided to fund the education of Radhika, an eight-year-old orphan girl from Kerala. Asin financially support the child right up to her college. The actress has been funding the education of six orphaned girls in Kerala, paying for all their lifetime educational expenses.
During the shoot of her film Ready in Sri Lanka, she was part of camps that were meant to help the Sri Lankan Tamil people who were affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War. Asin initiated an eye check-up camp in Sri Lanka. She also runs a school for the under-privileged in India. She reportedly ear-marks a portion of her income towards charitable causes and sends them to institutions that she backs.
"This cause is probably one of the biggest women centric issues in our country. I support the education of six children each year, five of which are girls. I have closely worked with these children and I know that if given the opportunity, women can educate themselves much better and know what is wrong or right for them. Education is a basic right and women should not be deprived of that."
Magazine covers
Asin has been featured on the covers of several major magazines including Cosmopolitan (February 2009 & June 2011), Cine Blitz (January 2009), Femina (14 December 2011), FHM (November 2009), Filmfare (18 February 2009 & 24 June 2009), Grazia (November 2009 & October 2010), Hi Blitz (March 2009), Marie Claire (December 2009), Prevention (March 2009 and July 2011), Verve (March 2009) and Vogue India (July 2008), as well as magazines such as Cine Fashion (January 2007), Galatta Cinema (June 2007 & June 2008), Gr8! TV Mag (March 2009), Jade (March 2010), Ritz (March 2006, May 2007 & March 2012), Savvy (August 2006), SouthSide (February 2007), South Scope (September 2009 & December 2010), The Hindu Bridal Mantra (September 2012), TULIP (April 2012) and Wedding Affair - Asian Edition (March 2009).
Brand Ambassador
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has appeared in commercials for Avon, Mirinda, Colgate, Fairever, Fair & Lovely, Lux, Tanishq, Tata Sky, Parachute, Spinz talc, Sure anti-perspirant, AVT Tea, Big Bazaar, BPL Mobile and Clinic All Clear,. Asin's endorsement of Mirinda made her the only Indian actress to have completed ten years with a particular soft drink endorsement. Asin at Femina Miss India finale 2013
Other
Asin was a judge on Femina Miss India 2009 and Femina Miss India 2013.
She has appeared in the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 annual calendars by Dabboo Ratnani, a leading Indian fashion photographer.
Personal life
Asin currently resides in Lokhandwala, Mumbai. She also owns an apartment in Marine Drive, Kochi and a farmhouse in Vagamon, Kerala.
The actress can speak seven languages; being well-versed in Malayalam (her mother tongue), Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, French, English and Sanskrit. Asin also speaks a smattering of Italian, and learnt basic Marathi for her movie Khiladi 786 in which she played a typical Marathi girl. In June 2013, it was reported in the Indian media that Asin was learning German during her free time. She reportedly began learning Spanish after visiting Spain in early 2014.
Galleries of Asin
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