Bollywood focus: Isha Koppikar

... Ishaa started her career in Kollywood, where she was paired opposite Prashanth in Kaadhal Kavidai. A lot of the film was shot in London and became a blockbuster following its release, winning the lead actors rave reviews and Koppikar winning the Filmf

Ishaa Koppikar was born on the 19 of September, 1976 in Mumbai. She attended Ramnarain Ruia College in Mumbai and studied Life Sciences. While in college, she did a model shoot for Gautam Rajadhyaksha, following which she took part in the 1995 Miss India Contest, winning the Miss Talent Crown. She has also modeled for many brands.

Ishaa started her career in Kollywood, where she was paired opposite Prashanth in Kaadhal Kavidai. A lot of the film was shot in London and became a blockbuster following its release, winning the lead actors rave reviews and Koppikar winning the Filmfare Best Female Debut (Tamil). With this, Ishaa was touted to be the next non-Tamil girl after Simran Bagga, who would take over the Tamil film industry.

Her second movie was the highly-anticipated Tamil film, En Swasa Katre opposite Arvind Swamy, one of the most successful actors at that time. The film was a musical hit, rendered by A. R. Rahman, and a good grosser at the box-office. She then played a cameo in Prashanth's Jodi as a prospective bride. She received positive reviews for her role and decided to pursue a career in Bollywood: Her first Hindi movie was Ek Tha Dil Ek Thi Dhadkan, and it is yet to be released.

Koppikar appeared in minor roles in Fiza, Pyaar Ishq aur Mohabbat and Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya. In 2002, she appeared in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company as an item girl in the song Khallas! The number created her nickname Khallas-girl and caused her breakthrough. In 2003 she won 'Most Exciting New Face' for Khallas at the Stardust Awards.

In 2005 she played Arshad Warsi's girlfriend in the Salman Khan starrer Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?. In the same year she appeared opposite Anupam Kher and Tusshar Kapoor in the comedy Kyaa Kool Hai Hum. For her role as policewoman Urmila Martodkar she received three award nominations for best comedy.

A special appearance, playing casino owner Sonia Chang, in 36 China Town preceded her biggest release to date, in 2006, in Farhan Akhtar's Don cast alongside Shahrukh Khan as Don's girlfriend, Anita. At the start of she replaced Perizaad Zorabian in a minor role in Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love opposite Sohail Khan. This was her third appearance with Khan, having worked with him in Krishna Cottage and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.

She will feature as the female lead in Ram Gopal Varma's Shabri, a movie about a woman who is set to become Mumbai's first underworld lord. Koppikar's make-up was so convincing that security and producers wouldn't let her enter the set, as they didn't recognize her.

Koppikar has two films under production in which she has replaced actresses withdrawing from the roles. Bipasha Basu was replaced in Darling, directed by Ram Gopal Varma and co-starring Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol. And Celina Jaitley was replaced in Atul Agnihotri's Hello, co-starring Sohail Khan. After a three year wait Haseena Smart Sexy and Dangerous was finally released with Ishaa in the title role. She is also doing Rajshri Productions next, co staring Sonu Sood.