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Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononyomusly as Asin, is an Indian former actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films. Asin is a recipient of several accolades including a Filmfare Award, two Filmfare Awards South and four SIIMA Awards. The Government of Tamil Nadu honoured her with the state's highest civilian award Kalaimamani, in 2009.[1] Asin is considered as one of the leading South Indian actresses of the 2000s and is referred to as the "Queen of Kollywood".[2][3]
Asin | |
|---|---|
 Asin in 2013 | |
| Born | Asin Thottumkal 26 October 1985 |
| Alma mater | St. Teresa's College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2001–2015 |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Rahul Sharma (m. 2016) |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Full list |
A trained Bharatanatyam dancer,[4] Asin made her acting debut at 15 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 Son of 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, the most notable being the action films Sivakasi (2005), Varalaru (2006), Pokkiri (2007), Vel (2008) and Dasavathaaram (2008), hence establishing herself as the leading actress of Tamil cinema.[5] In 2013, Asin was conferred with the Pride of South Indian Cinema award at SIIMA for her contribution to Tamil cinema.[6]
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 ₹1 billion in the domestic box office, subsequently collecting ₹1.9 billion (US$23 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 ₹1.84 billion (US$22 million) worldwide.[7] In 2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull 2, which collected more than ₹1 billion. She then featured in Bol Bachchan and Khiladi 786, which were commercially successful with both grossing over ₹1 billion. The 2015 film, All Is Well was her last film, following which she took a retirement from acting.[8]
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Asin was born on 26 October 1985[9][10][11] at Kochi in the state Kerala in a Malayali Syro-Malabar Catholic family.[12] Her father Joseph Thottumkal is an Ex-CBI officer and later managed several businesses. Her mother Seline Thottumkal, who moved from Kochi to Chennai and then to Mumbai to live with her daughter, is a surgeon. According to custom, Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother, but her father named her Asin as the name had a beautiful meaning.[13] Asin has quoted that her name means pure or without blemish.[14] She states that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning "without", and "sin" from English.[15][16]
She attended Naval Public School from LKG through X standard.[17] She then attended St. Teresa's School in Kochi for her Kerala Higher Secondary Examination Board (Plus Two) Education. After that, she attended St. Teresa's College in Kochi, a college affiliated with MG University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.[18][failed verification]
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Debut and early work (2001–2004)
Asin's first assignment was an advertisement for BPL Mobile. She debuted in the Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka in 2001, at the age of 15.[19] After taking a year out to pursue her education, Asin returned in 2003, with her breakthrough film, Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi opposite Ravi Teja, portraying a Tamil girl in her first Telugu film, which subsequently fetched her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu.[20] The film was a commercial success, with Jeevi of Idlebrain.com stating that Asin "acts well" but doesn't add much to the film.[21] That year, she won the Santosham Best Actress Award for her performance alongside Nagarjuna in her second Telugu film Shivamani.[20][22]
Asin had two Telugu releases in 2004: Lakshmi Narasimha alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna and Gharshana opposite Venkatesh. In both these films, Asin portrayed the love interest for police officers and both were successful ventures.[23] Critics found her performance in Gharshana to be "tender" and "adorable".[24] In the same year, Asin appeared in her first Tamil film was M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi, portraying a Malayali girl opposite Jayam Ravi, reprising her role from the original Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi. The film was a box office success and introduced Asin to the Tamil film industry.[25] The Hindu opined that she "fits the bill".[26]
Breakthrough and stardom in South Indian films (2005–2007)
After her first Telugu film of 2005, Chakram with Prabhas which was a box office failure, Asin shifted her focus to Tamil films with Ullam Ketkumae.[27] The film, initially launched in 2002, was supposed to be her debut, and is a college love story, which was long-delayed but eventually became a successful venture at the box office, creating wider opportunities for her.[28] Following this Asin had two releases, Sivakasi opposite Vijay and Majaa opposite Vikram. Despite the latter becoming an average grosser, the former went on to be a successful venture at the box office.[29][30] S. R. Ashok Kumsr stated that she "proves her mettle" in the opening scenes of Majaa.[31]
Asin was cited as a leading actress of Tamil film industry, after starring in blockbuster films Ghajini, Sivakasi, Varalaru and Pokkiri respectively.[32] The film which provided her breakthrough was, Ghajini opposite Suriya. Her portrayal of a young model named Kalpana, earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil.[33] 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".[34] Ghajini went onto become one of the highest-grossing film of the year.[35]
The following year, her long-delayed venture Varalaru opposite Ajith Kumar succeeded at the box office, and Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu noted that she "looks lustrous and sails through her role smoothly".[36] Asin then appeared opposite Pawan Kalyan in Annavaram, another successful venture, which marked her final Telugu film.[37]
In her first film of 2007, Asin played the lead opposite Ajith Kumar in Aalwar, which became a box office failure. Sify noted that she looks a "million bucks", but has nothing much to do.[38] She then reunited with Vijay for Pokkiri, which was a major success.[39] Shwetha Bhaskar termed her the film's "saving grace".[40] In her last film of the year, Asin appeared in Vel, opposite Suriya, which subsequently becoming her third successful film which released during the Diwali season in three years.[41] Asin portrayed a TV anchor, and TSV Hari found her to be "adequate".[42]
Expansion to Hindi films (2008–2010)
Asin appeared in dual roles in Dasavathaaram, her first release of 2008, opposite Kamal Haasan, who had ten roles.[citation needed] Asin's portrayed a Vaishnavite in 12th century Tamil Nadu and a Brahmin girl from Chidambaram in the film, for which she won her first ITFA Best Actress Award.[43] R G Vijayasarathy of Rediff.com found her to be "excellent".[43] A critic from The Hindu was appreciative of her character Kodhai for its "moving intensity".[44] It became a box office blockbuster.[45]
After establishing herself as a leading actress in South India, Asin ventured into Hindi films with Ghajini, a 2008 remake of her Tamil film of the same name. She reprised Kalpana opposite Aamir Khan.[citation needed] Taran Adarsh noted: "Asin is fabulous. She looks fresh and photogenic and acts her part brilliantly." Shubhra Gupta called her the "best part" of the film.[46][47] Ghajini became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year, and created the 100 Crore Club and 200 Crore Club.[48][49] For her performance, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.[50]
In her only film the following year, London Dreams, Asin played a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn.[51] In his review, Rajeev Masand criticized her performance and character.[52] The film was a commercial failure. Asin had no film release in 2010.[53]
Commercial success and final work (2011–2015)
Asin returned to Tamil films, with her first film of 2011, Kaavalan, opposite Vijay, which was a commercial success and won her the SIIMA Award for Best Actress – Tamil.[54] Pavithra Srinivasan found her "pretty" and added, "Asin had few moments to act as well, she does her best but isn't convincing."[55] Kaavalan became Asin's last Tamil film.[56] Later the year, Asin reunited with Salman Khan in Ready, playing an NRI girl.[57][58] Ready was a commercial success, earning over ₹1.8 billion (US$22 million).[59] Koel Purie Rinchet of India Today stated that she matches Khan "repartee for repartee".[60]
Asin had three Hindi film releases in 2012. Asin first played an animal lover opposite Akshay Kumar, in the multistarrer Housefull 2.[61] Taran Adarsh noted: "[a]mongst the female leads, Asin has the meatiest role and gives a decent account of herself."[62] The film went onto become a major commercial success.[63] Then, she played a Muslim girl pretending to be a Hindu in Bol Bachchan opposite Ajay Devgn, which became another box office success.[64][65] Sukanya Verma opined that Asin had "very little to do".[66] Khiladi 786, which reunited her with Akshay Kumar was her final film of the year, and saw her playing a Marathi girl.[citation needed] Subhash K. Jha found her to be back in "fetching form" post her work in Ghajini.[67] The film was yet another box office success, making it Asin's most successful year in Hindi films.[68]
Post a two-year hiatus from films, Asin played the lead in All Is Well, opposite Abhishek Bachchan. In one interview, director Umesh Shukla stated that Asin would be seen in an "important dramatic role".[69] The film was a box office average.[70] Ananya Bhattacharya termed her performance "passable".[71] It remains Asin's final film, as she retired from acting the following year.[72]
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Humanitarian work
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.[73]
In an interview during the DNA I Can Women's Half Marathon in 2012, Asin, speaking about the importance of health and the necessity of education said:
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.[74]
Brand ambassador
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has appeared in commercials for Avon,[75] Mirinda,[76] Colgate,[76] Fairever,[77] Tanishq,[76] Big Bazaar,[78] Parachute,[79] Spinz talc,[79] Lux,[80] Amrutanjan Healthcare,[81] and Clinic All Clear.[82] Asin had been endorsing Mirinda soft drinks since 2004 until her retirement.[83]
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Asin is a Catholic Christian belonging to the Syro-Malabar rite,[84][85] and currently resides in Mumbai.[86] She owns an apartment in Marine Drive, Kochi[87][88][89] and a farmhouse in Vagamon, Kerala.[90][91] The actress is a polyglot. She can speak seven languages; being well-versed in Malayalam (her mother tongue), Tamil, Telugu, Sanskrit, English, Hindi and French.[92] Asin speaks basic Italian and Marathi.[93][94] In June 2013, it was reported in the Indian media that Asin was learning German during her free time.[95] She began learning Spanish after visiting Spain in early 2014.[93][96]
Asin married Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in January 2016 in a Christian wedding that was followed by a Hindu ceremony,[85][97] and quit acting after marriage.[98] Their first child, a daughter, was born on 24 October 2017.[99][100]
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Following her debut with Ghajini, Asin was placed by Rediff.com in its "Top Ten Actresses in Bollywood" list and was named as one of the "Best Debut Actor" for the year 2008.[101][102] In the Times 50 Most Desirable Women list, Asin was placed 11th in 2010, 17th in 2011 and 16th in 2012.[103][104][105] In Chennai Times Most Desirable Women list, Asin was placed 12th in 2012.[106] Times of India placed her at 16th position in its "50 Beautiful Faces" list.[107] She has been called a sex symbol by the media.[108]
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Asin received two Filmfare Awards nominations – Best Female Debut and Best Actress, both for Ghajini, and winning the former.[109] Additionally, she received eighth Filmfare Awards South nominations – Best Actress – Telugu for Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi and Sivamani, which she won for the former and Best Actress – Tamil for M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi, Majaa, Ghajini, Pokkiri, Dasavathaaram and Kavalan, winning only for Ghajini.[110]
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