Isha Koppikar is one of the hottest and enigmatic actresses in Bollywood. Known as the "Khallas Girl", she has been able to establish her own identity in the field of item numbers as well as acting capabilities in mainstream cinema. Born on 19 September 1976, Isha started her glamorous career with modeling. She hails from the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community and her mother tongue is Konkani. She did her photo shoot with Gautam Rajyadhyaksha when she was in her college and since then she has never looked back.

Isha Koppikar`s Early Career
Some of the big names in advertising where Isha Koppikar appeared as a model were Ponds, Camay, Rexona, Synergy, Coke, L`Oreal and Tips & Toes and many more. She also did around five to six ramp shows. In the year 1995, she won the Miss Talent Crown in Miss India 1995 contest. She comes from an academic family and completed her graduation in Life Sciences from Ruia College Mumbai.

Isha Koppikar`s Film Career
After her graduation, she did her first Tamil movie "En Swasa Katre". She starred opposite Arvind Swami. The movie got rave reviews and soon she did more Tamil projects. She did her second Tamil movie "Kaathal Kavithai" opposite Prashant. That movie earned her the Filmfare award for the best newcomer in the south in the year 2000-01. Apart from these the actress has also worked in various other South Indian movies.

Isha Koppikar did some cameo and sweet roles in moderately hit Bollywood flicks that included in "Fiza" and "Pyar, Ishq aur Mohabbat" and "Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya". However, she got her first big brake with Ram Gopal Varma`s "Company" where she portrayed the character of an item girl, in the song "Khallas". In the year 2003 she won `Most Exciting New Face` for the song Khallas at the Stardust Awards. She received critical acclaim for her negative role in "Qayamat: City Under Threat" which was released in the year 2003. She was starred opposite Arbaaz Khan and Sanjay Kapoor. Although the movie was not much successful, however, Isha`s role was highly acknowledged. One of the controversial movies in the year 2004 was "Girlfriend" where she portrayed a woman with lesbian orientation. To be able to portray the character with authenticity she toned her body and also did stunts on her own. She again worked with Ram Gopal Varma in the year 2004 in the movie "D" which is a sequel of his other award-winning movie, "Company".

Isha Koppikar has also starred in comic movies like "Kyaa Kool Hai Hum" where she was cast opposite to Anupam Kher and Tusshar Kapoor. In the year 2005, she played in another comic flick, "Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya" where she starred opposite to Arshad Warsi and Salman Khan. To her credit, she did the biggest blockbuster in her career with Farhan Akhtar`s "Don" where she starred opposite Shahrukh Khan. She was seen as one of the judge in the third session of the popular celebrity couple dance show `Nach Baliye`. She along with two other eminent Bollywood celebrities Vaibhavi Merchant and David Dhawan

As far as her personal life goes Isha Koppikar comes from a family of learned academicians. This talented actress is also well versed in the martial art form of Taekwondo. In fact she is being trained in this form for four years and has already acquired a red belt.

Filmography of Isha Koppikar

Year Film
1998 Kaadhal Kavidai, En Swasa Kaatre
1999 Jodi, Chandralekha, Nenjinile
2000 Surya Vamsha, Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya, Nuvvu Vasthavani O Nanna Nalle, Fiza
2001 Prematho Raa, Narassima, Rahul, Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa, Company, Kaante, Pinjar, Dil Ka Rishta, Qayamat: City Under Threat, Darna Mana Hai, LOC Kargil
2004 Rudraksh, Krishna Cottage, Hum Tum, Girlfriend, Ek Se Badhkar Ek, Inteqam: The Perfect Game
2005 Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, D Gunjan i, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya?
2006 Darna Zaroori Hai, 36 China Town, Don - The Chase Begins Again, Haseena Smart, Sexy, Dangerous
2007 Gahraee, Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love, Darling
2008 Hello, Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi
2010 Shabri, Right Yaa Wrong, Har Pall, Hello Darling, Raakh