Wikipedia

Esha Deol

Esha Deol (born 2 November 1981) is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Hindi films. The daughter of actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini, Deol made her acting debut in the romantic thriller Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002), which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.[2]

Esha Deol
Deol in 2023
Born (1981-11-02) 2 November 1981 (age 43)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Other namesEsha
Esha Deol Takhtani[1]
Alma materMithibai College
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Spouse
Bharat Takhtani
​
​
(m. 2012; sep. 2024)​
Children2
Parents
FamilyDeol family

Following a series of poorly received films, Deol had success in the political film Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004), the action thrillers Dhoom (2004) and Dus (2005), the horror film Kaal (2005), and the comedy No Entry (2005). This was followed by a setback and a hiatus. Deol returned to acting with the streaming series Rudra: The Edge of Darkness (2022) and Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega (2023).

Early life and family

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Deol performing with her mother and sister in 2010

Esha Deol was born in Bombay (present Mumbai) on 2 November 1981.[3][4] She is the elder daughter of Bollywood actors Dharmendra and Hema Malini. She has a younger sister named Ahana.[5] She is the half sister of actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol and the first cousin of actor Abhay Deol.[6] Her father is Punjabi Jat,[7] and her mother Tamil Hindu Iyengar Brahmin.[8][9] She speaks Tamil with her mother and sister.[10][11]

Career

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Debut and early work (2002–2003)

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Deol at an event in 2007

She started her acting career in a lead role with Vinay Shukla's Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002) opposite Aftab Shivdasani, with Sanjay Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan and Anupam Kher playing supporting roles. The movie was a box office failure. Deol received mixed reactions from critics upon her performance. Savera R Someshwar of Rediff.com wrote "Esha, as a person, exudes a confidence that almost borders on arrogance."[12] Rakesh Budhu of Planet Bollywood wrote "She isn't horrible, but given the hype, the demands and of course, comparisons, she surely isn't up to the mark. … Of course, she is nowhere close to being a washout and if you are her fan you can appreciate the other aspects of her performances without completely losing faith in her future projects."[13] Despite mixed reactions and box office failure, Deol won numerous awards for her performance including the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut at the 48th Filmfare Awards.[2]

Deol's second film was Arjun Sablok's love triangle Na Tum Jaano Na Hum opposite Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan. Taran Adarsh of IndiaFm praised her acting and wrote "it is Esha Deol who surprises you with a mature performance. Although her looks are inconsistent, the youngster takes on the role with utmost sincerity and comes out with a natural performance. She has been better presented when compared to her debut film."[14] Bhavna Giani of Rediff praised Deol's acting and dancing and compared it to Deol's mother Hema Malini.[15] Deol's third and final release of the year was Sanjay Chhel's Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa opposite Tusshar Kapoor. It was Deol's third consecutive flop but she earned critical acclaim and Taran Adarsh observed that it was her better performance as compared to her previous two films.[16]

Deol's first two movies of 2003: Kucch To Hai and Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne were box office failures. For Kucch To Hai, Deol earned mixed reviews from Taran Adarsh, who wrote "Esha Deol shows improvement in terms of performance as well as her overall appearance."[17] Taran Adarsh considered Deol to be "alright" in Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne.[18]

Deol was one of the heroines of J.P. Dutta's multi starrer war epic LOC: Kargil and was paired with Abhishek Bachchan. Though Deol and all the other heroines could not get much scope, she earned critical acclaim for her performance.[19][20] The film became the sixth highest-grossing film of the year.[21]

Breakthrough and success (2004–2008)

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In 2004, Deol made her debut in Tamil cinema by playing a French teacher in Mani Ratnam's political film Aayutha Ezhuthu opposite Suriya. She earned critical acclaim for her performance. Sify.com defined her as "surprisingly fresh and sparkling".[22] To prepare for her role, Deol learned nuances of the language with Mani Ratnam's assistant R. Kannan. This was the only Tamil film she ever acted in. After completing Aaytha Ezhuthu, Deol started filming the Hindi version of the movie titled Yuva.[23] In Yuva, Deol repeated the same role and was paired opposite Ajay Devgn. Both movies were released on the same date but could not attain success. Yuva had a below average opening and flopped at the box office.[24]

Deol finally got her breakthrough with Yash Raj Films' action film Dhoom opposite Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Uday Chopra and Rimi Sen. It was Deol's first action role and she was paired opposite Chopra. The film had a decent opening and became a hit at the box office, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of the year.[24] Deol did not get much scope in the film, but her performance earned her a nomination for the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 6th IIFA Awards.[25]

 
Deol at the promotion of her film Just Married

After the success of Dhoom, Deol starred in Krishna Vamsi's war film Insan opposite Akshay Kumar. It was Deol's first release of 2005. The film was a failure at the box office. Her next release was Main Aisa Hi Hoon opposite Ajay Devgn. The film was a remake of the Hollywood movie I Am Sam (2001). Deol played a supporting role and earned praise by Patcy N.[26] Subhash K. Jha of IANS also praised Deol, writing: "Esha Deol as the fey unstable nomadic and maladjusted Maya is a mix of Zeenat Aman in Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Anooradha Patel in Ijaazat. Playing this zonked-out character Esha Deol comes into her own as an actress. Her far-way looks of pain, anger, neglect and insecurity remain with you long after the film. Yup she too has matured along with Hindi cinema."[27]

In 2007, Deol's portrayal of a notorious and vengeful ghost for Ram Gopal Verma's Darling was reviewed positively.[28] Her next release was Cash again opposite Ajay Devgn. In 2008, she performed her first item number in Ajay Devgn's film Sunday. She further appeared in Hijack and took a sabbatical break from films for 3 years.

Hiatus and return to acting (2011–present)

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Deol's next film was Tell Me O Kkhuda (2011) directed and produced by her mother Hema Malini. She portrayed the lead role in the film opposite Arjan Bajwa, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and her father Dharmendra.[29][30]

Deol released her short film Ek Duaa in which she acted and also produced alongside her husband. The film was released on Voot, and it was met with mixed to positive reviews.

Deol reunited with Ajay Devgan in the 2022 web series Rudra: The Edge of Darkness which marked her comeback.[31][32] In 2023, She appeared alongside Suniel Shetty in the series Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega.[33]

Other work

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Esha Deol
Personal information
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
?–2001 Maharashtra
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

During her school days at Jamnabai Narsee School, she was passionate about football and played as a midfielder. She was the captain of her school football team, represented her college in handball at the state level. She played as a national level footballer and was also selected to play for Maharashtra in the Senior National Championship at Punjab in 2001.[34][35]

Like their mother, Esha and her sister are trained in classical dance forms.[36] Esha is a professional Odissi dancer and was also trained in Bharatanatyam.[37]

In February 2020, Deol announced her first book Amma Mia! on Instagram.[38] This book is a hands-on guide on parenting and children diet.[39]

Personal life

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Deol with her ex-husband Bharat Takhtani on their wedding day in 2012

On 29 June 2012, Esha Deol married Bharat Takhtani in a low-key wedding ceremony at the ISKCON temple in Mumbai.[40][41]

In April 2017, it was announced that the couple was expecting their first child. She gave birth to her daughter in October 2017 at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai and named her Radhya.[42] On 10 June 2019, she gave birth to her second daughter, Miraya.[43] On 6 February 2024 Deol and Takhtani announced their separation after 12 years of marriage.[44][45]

Filmography

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Films

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  • All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2002 Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe Esha Singh
Na Tum Jaano Na Hum Esha Malhotra [46]
Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa Esha Kapoor
2003 Kucch To Hai Tanya Oberoi
Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne Tina Khanna
LOC: Kargil Dimple Cheema [47]
2004 Aayutha Ezhuthu Geethanjali Tamil film
Yuva Radhika
Dhoom Sheena credited as Esha [48]
2005 Insan Heena Khan credited as Esha
Kaal Riya Thapar
Main Aisa Hi Hoon Maya Trivedi Thakur credited as Esha
Dus Agent Neha (Fake)
No Entry Pooja Khanna [49]
Shaadi No. 1 Diya Saxena
2006 Pyare Mohan Preeti Ahuja credited as Esha [50]
Ankahee Kavya Krishna credited as Esha
2007 Just Married Ritika "Ritu" Khanna Sachdeva
Darling Geeta Menon
Cash Pooja
2008 Sunday Herself Special appearance in song "Kashmakash"
Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Herself Special appearance in song "Ta Na Na"
One Two Three Jiya
Hijack Saira
2011 Tell Me O Kkhuda Tanya R. Kapoor
2015 Kill Them Young Meera Simultaneously shot in Kannada as Care of Footpath 2
2019 Cakewalk Shilpa Sen Short film, credited as Esha Deol Takhtani [51]
2021 Ek Duaa Abida Short film, credited as Esha Deol Takhtani [52]
2024 Main
2025 Hero Herroine Telugu film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Roadies X2 Gang Leader Season 12 [53]
2022 Rudra: The Edge of Darkness Shaila "Shai" Durrani Singh [54]
2023 Hunter Tootega Nahi Todega Divya

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2003 Bollywood Movie Awards Best Female Debut Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe Won [55]
48th Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Won [56]
Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Won [55]
6th Zee Cine Awards Best Female Debut Nominated [57]
4th IIFA Awards Star Debut of the Year – Female Won [58]
Sansui Viewer's Choice Awards Most Promising Debut Actress Won [59]
2004 HT Café Film Awards Best Actress LOC: Kargill Nominated
2005 8th IIFA Awards Best Supporting Actress Dhoom Nominated [60]
2007 Bollywood Movie Awards Best Villain Ankahee Nominated [citation needed]
Screen Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Nominated [61]
People's Choice Awards, India Best Actor in a Negative Role Nominated [62]
Stardust Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Nominated
2019 IWM Digital Awards Best Actress in a Short Film Cakewalk Won
2021 Golden Glory Awards Best Actress - Producer Ek Duaa Won
2022 IWM Digital Awards Best Actress in a Short Film Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Esha Deol Takhtani". Penguin India. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Filmfare Awards: Winners of 2002". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 January 2004. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Esha Deol celebrates birthday with hubby and close friends". Mid-Day. 4 November 2015. Archived from the original on 24 March 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. ^ "I want Esha to have a baby soon: Hema Malini". The Indian Express. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  5. ^ Shiksha, Shruti (22 January 2019). "Esha Deol Reveals How Parents Hema Malini And Dharmendra Reacted To Her Second Pregnancy". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  6. ^ "The Deols". vijaytafilms. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  7. ^ Kashyap, Archita (27 June 2015). "I am a farmer's son: Dharmendra". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  8. ^ "My father is a die-hard Punjabi: Esha Deol". Hindustan Times. 7 March 2015. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Happy Birthday Hema Malini: As original dream girl turns 71, see her family pics with Dharmendra, Esha Deol". Hindustan Times. 16 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  10. ^ Pradhan, Bharathi S. (24 June 2012). "Esha Deol's big fat wedding". The Telegraph (India). Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  11. ^ Syed Firdaus Ashraf (19 May 2004). "I am today's woman: Esha Deol". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
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  24. ^ a b "Top Earners: Box Office 2004". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  25. ^ "IIFA : IIFA Awards – Past Awards – IIFA 2004 – Introduction". Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  26. ^ Patcy N (6 May 2005). "Main Aisa Hi Hoon: worth a miss!". Rediff. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
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  28. ^ "Review of DARLING by Taran Adarsh". Naachgaana. 6 September 2007. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  29. ^ Taran Adarsh. "Tell Me O Kkhuda – Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  30. ^ "Tell Me Oh Khuda's preview". Bollywood Hungama. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  31. ^ "Ajay Devgn welcomes Esha Deol to Disney+ Hotstar series Rudra- The Edge Of Darkness". Hindustan Times. 8 July 2021. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  32. ^ Borah, Prabalika M. (22 February 2022). "Esha Deol happy with an organic comeback with 'Rudra'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  33. ^ "Esha Deol Takhtani shares, 'It brings me immense pleasure to be doing action alongside Suniel Shetty in Hunter – Tootega Nahi, Todega'". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 11 April 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  34. ^ Sawhney, Anubha (5 January 2002). "Of Esha & the Deol within". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
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  36. ^ "When Hema Malini stood up against Dharmendra after he asked Esha and Ahana to not learn dance". Hindustan Times. 16 October 2021. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  37. ^ Basu, Nilanjana (21 August 2018). "When Little Esha And Ahana Deol Danced With Mom Hema Malini. See Throwback Pic". NDTV. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Esha Deol announces her first book 'Amma Mia' based on parenting- a subject which is very close to her heart". The Times of India. 10 February 2020. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  39. ^ "Esha Deol Takhtani shares her baby care tips with 'Amma Mia'". The New Indian Express. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  40. ^ "Esha Deol to wed in temple on June 29". The Indian Express. Mumbai. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  41. ^ Jha, Subhash K (11 June 2012). "Esha Deol to wed in a temple". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Hema Malini's daughter Esha Deol pregnant with her first child". The Times of India. 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  43. ^ "Esha Deol blessed with a baby girl!". The Times of India. 11 June 2019. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  44. ^ Verma, Sakshi (6 February 2024). "Esha Deol, Bharat Takhtani confirm separation after 12 years of marriage". India TV News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  45. ^ "Esha Deol and Bharat Takhtani part ways after 12 years of marriage: Report". India Today. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  46. ^ "God knows Na Tum Jaano Na Hum is excellent". BBC. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  47. ^ "LOC-Kagil: How 'real'?". The Hindu. 18 January 2004. Archived from the original on 14 January 2005. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  48. ^ Ashraf, Syed Firdaus (26 August 2004). "People will love Dhoom!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  49. ^ "No Entry is no remake of Masti". Bollywood Hungama. 6 October 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2012.
  50. ^ "Esha Deol slapped Amrita Rao on the sets of Pyare Mohan: 'I have no regrets because she totally deserved it'". Indian Express. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
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  52. ^ Roy Choudhury, Rishita (15 July 2021). "Esha Deol unveils first look of Ek Duaa, film to premiere on Voot Select on July 26". India Today. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  53. ^ "MTV Roadies X2 – The ride is smoother!". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
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  55. ^ a b "Esha Deol Awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  56. ^ "Check out the complete list of Filmfare Awards winners from 1953 to 2023". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  57. ^ "The 6th Zee Cine Awards 2003 Viewers Choice Awards Nominees & Winners". Zee Cine Awards. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  58. ^ "IIFA Through the Years". Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
  59. ^ "Esha Deol - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  60. ^ "Showcase: IIFA 2007 – Yorkshire". IIFA. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2012.
  61. ^ "Rang De, Omkara sweep Screen nominations". The Indian Express. 24 December 2006. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  62. ^ "Esha Deol - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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