Lara Dutta

Lara Dutta (Hindi: लारा दत्ता, born 16 April 1978) is an Indian actress, UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador and former Miss Universe 2000.
Biography
Early life
Dutta was born in a Punjabi family in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her father is Wing Commander L.K. Dutta (retired) and her mother is Jennifer Dutta. She also has two older sisters, one of whom serves in the Indian Air Force and a well known younger sister. Famed composer and DJ Nitin Sawhney is Dutta's cousin.The Dutta family moved to Bangalore in 1981 where she completed high school from St.Francis Xavier Girls' High School. Lara graduated in economics with a minor in communications from University of Mumbai. She was crowned Miss Universe in 2000 which led to her appointment as a UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.

Modeling career
Dutta won the annual Gladsrags modeling competition in her native India, thus winning the right to be the first Indian representative at the 1997 Miss Intercontinental, in which she took first place. Later, she was crowned Femina Miss India Universe and Miss Universe in 2000.

At Miss Universe 2000 in Cyprus, Dutta was the clear favourite ahead of fierce competition from Venezuela, Spain, USA and Canada. She achieved the highest score in the swimsuit competition and her finalist interview score was the highest individual score in any category in the history of the Miss Universe contest, as her perfect interview saw a majority of the judges giving her the maximum 9.99 mark. After her final question, in which Dutta delivered a passionate defense of the Miss Universe contest (and other beauty pageants), she became the second Indian Miss Universe.

In the same year, Priyanka Chopra and Dia Mirza won their respective Miss World and Miss Asia Pacific titles which gave India a rare triple victory in the world of beauty pageants.

Acting career
Lara Dutta primarily signed up to do the Tamil film, Arasatchi in 2002, but due to financial problems, it only released in mid-2004. She made her Hindi debut in 2003 with the film Andaaz which was a box office success and won her a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. She then appeared in a number of films, some of which failed at the box office and some of which were mildly successful. Her box office "hits" include Masti (2004), No Entry (2005) and Partner (2007).

She dated Derek Jeter for a while when she was living in New York city.

In 2006, she starred in the comedy, Bhagam Bhag which did well at the box office.

In 2007 Sania Mirza and Dutta both participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati on 13 November 2007.Dutta's first release of 2007 was Shaad Ali's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. The film was a box office failure in India but did better overseas, especially in the U.K. She received mixed reviews for her performance in the film. Her later release, Partner opened to a good response and became a hit.

Lara is actually shooting for the forthcoming House Fulll which stars Akshay kumar and Deepika Padukone.She has stated that her role was the most important and strong in the movie but in another interview ,a source told that Deepika was the romantic lead and lara had the comic sequences and scenes.

Her recent release Blue is one of the most expensive movies of Indian cinema and Dutta had walked out of the project because she did not know how to swim and the movie was entirely shot in the ocean. She initially refused to sign on to the movie, but the male protagonist Akshay Kumar encouraged her in learning how to swim and she immediately started training with a special coach. Blue was released on 16 October 2009.She stated that "The moment I got to know of it, I called Akshay and told him that I wouldn't be able to accept the assignment. He knew the reason behind my decision. Not many people are aware that I had almost drowned while shooting for Andaaz, Akshay had rescued me. When I reminded him I couldn't swim, he told me to forget my phobia and learn swimming pronto," said Dutta. "Today, I feel Blue has not merely made me overcome my phobias, but has also taught me something that will stay with me for the rest of my life".

Her latest movie Do Knot Disturb was released in October 2009, but did not get a good response.The movie stars Govinda, beauty queen Sushmita Sen and Riteish Deshmukh.

Filmography
Year Film Role Other notes
2003 Andaaz Kajal
The Main Lead Winner, Filmfare Best Female Debut Award
Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost Kesar
2004 Khakee Special appearance in song Aisa Jadoo
Masti Monica
Bardaasht Advocate Payal
Arasatchi Lara Tamil film
Aan: Men at Work Kiran
2005 Insan Meghna
Elaan Sonia
Jurm Sanjana Malhotra
Kaal Ishika
No Entry Kajal
Ek Ajnabee Adult Anamika Special appearance
Dosti: Friends Forever Kajal
2006 Zinda Jenny Singh
Fanaa Zeenat Special appearance
Alag Special appearance in song Sabse Alag
Bhagam Bhag Munni/Nisha/Aditi
2007 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom Anaida Raza/Laila
Partner Naina
Om Shanti Om Herself Special appearance in song Deewangi Deewangi
2008 Jumbo Sonia (voice)
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Special appearance in song Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
2009 Billu Barber Bindiya
Satyameva Jeyathe Telugu film
Special appearance
Do Knot Disturb Dolly Main Female Lead
Blue Mona
2010 Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai Releasing on 25th June 2010
House Full Hetal Patel
Aur Devdas Announced
Don 2 - The Chase Continues Under Production

Awards
2004: Star Screen Award Most Promising Newcomer - Female, Andaaz
2004: Filmfare Best Female Debut Award, Andaaz (joint winner with Priyanka Chopra)
2008: Rajiv Gandhi awards (female contribution to film cinema)
[edit] Nominations
2006: IIFA Awards Best supporting actress for No entry
2009: Stardust Awards Best Actress for Billu