Chitrangda Singh is an Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi films. She made her acting debut with the crime drama Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005), for which she won the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Female Debut. She is also known for appearing in a variety of item numbers.

Singh went onto appear in successful films including the crime thriller Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011), the romantic comedies Desi Boyz (2011), and I, Me Aur Main (2013), the financial thriller Baazaar (2018), the crime thriller Bob Biswas (2021) and the mystery thriller Gaslight (2023). She turned Producer with the sports drama Soorma (2018). Singh made her web debut with the romantic comedy anthology Modern Love Mumbai (2022).

Early life and education

Chitrangda Singh was born on 30 August in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, growing up there as well as in Kota, Rajasthan, and also Bareilly and Sophia Girls' School, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, the latter city being the last where her father, Col. Niranjan Singh, an ex-Indian Army officer with a transferable job, was posted. Her brother Digvijay Singh Chahal is a golfer. After her schooling in Meerut at Sophia Girls' School, she completed her graduation in Home Science (food and nutrition) from Lady Irwin College, New Delhi.

Personal life

Chitrangda Singh was married to golfer Jyoti Randhawa. After a five-year-long courtship, the couple married in 2001. They have a son named Zorawar. Chitrangada and her husband separated in 2013 and then formally got divorced in April 2015. The custody of their son was granted to Chitrangada.

Career

Modelling career

Singh began her career as a model before making the transition to the silver screen. After completing her college education she began modeling with brands like ICICI bank and Alukkas Jewellery among others. She got fame highlighted in Tum To Thehre Pardesi Album sung by Altaf Raja.

She drew attention after performing in a music video Sunset Point by Gulzar. A music video of singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya followed.

Film debut and sabbatical (2005-2010)
Singh made her much acclaimed debut with Sudhir Mishra's film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2005. The role got her wide acclaim: a review in The Washington Post noted her for giving "her character a deep sense of dignity and decency." After that Chitrangada acted in the 2005 film Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow.

She took a break from acting from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, she made her comeback with the leading role opposite Sanjay Suri in the director Onir's romantic-comedy, Sorry Bhai!. Its release over the weekend of the Mumbai terror attacks proved disastrous at the box office.

Commercial cinema (2011–present)

She starred in Rohit Dhawan's Desi Boyz in 2011.she played the role of an economics teacher opposite Akshay Kumar. Desi Boyz also starred John Abraham and Deepika Padukone. In 2012, she performed an item number in Shirish Kunder's Joker.

Her next movie was I, Me Aur Main with John Abraham in 2013. She got together again with her mentor Sudhir Mishra for a short movie Kirchiyaan and for the film Inkaar in 2013. In 2014, she then appeared in a special song with Suriya in Tamil film Anjaan.

In 2015, she again performed a special song with Akshay Kumar for the second time in his film, Gabbar Is Back.[citation needed] She will next be seen in "Bob Biswas".

In 2019, Singh starred in Baazaar opposite Saif Ali Khan.

Other work

Singh is a brand ambassador for Airtel, Parachute, Puma, Borges Olive Oil, Garnier, Aliva Crackers, Taj Mahal Tea and Joyalukkas Jewellers. She also endorses Tata Group's Tanishq[citation needed] and Titan Eye Plus.

Controversies

• It's well known that Nawazuddin Siddiqui's 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz' was originally supposed to star Chitrangada Singh opposite the actor. However, it was reported that Chitrangada left the film in the middle due to discomfort while filming intimate scenes with co-star Nawazuddin.
• Her alleged affair with director Sudhir Mishra is one of the reasons for her divorce from Jyoti Randhawa. Sudhir Mishra was allegedly arrested for causing a schism between the couple. Sudhir Mishra, who gave Chitrangda her first role in Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi, was close to her and served as her industry mentor. Their relationship appeared to be more than just professional bonding due to their frequent outings together.

Facts

• Chitrangda Singh aspired to be an air hostess before breaking into the film industry. She was, however, turned down three times. She made her first appearance in Hindi films as a special appearance in a song from Shirish Kunder's film 'Joker.' She also performed a song in the film.
• Chitrangda Singh began her career as a model before moving into film. She has appeared in commercials and endorsed brands such as Alukkas Jewellery and ICICI Bank.
• Chitrangda Singh can also dance well. She has studied Kathak, a classical dance form. She rose to prominence after appearing in Gulzar's Sunset Point music video.
• Chitrangda Singh took a break from acting between 2005 and 2008. She returned with the film 'Sorry Bhai,' which was released during the 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack. The film was a box office flop.
• Chitrangda Singh is the brand officer for a number of well-known companies, including Garnier, Taj Mahal Tea, Airtel, Aliva crackers, Borges Olive Oil, Parachute, and Puma. She has also been a brand ambassador for Tanishq and Titan eye plus.
• Chitrangda Singh won the ‘Best Female Debut’ award in Bollywood in the year 2006. She also won the FICCI Young Women Achiever Award from FICCI. Chitrangada is compared with the Bollywood actress Smita Patel. Both have some striking similarities. She has a lot of fan following. It is said that the popular singer Honey Singh had a massive crush on her.