By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On Her Birth Anniversary

Bhumika Chawla, the simplicity personified girl next door, made her Hindi debut with film “Tere Naam” (2003) opposite Salman Khan, a romantic drama directed by Satish Kaushik supported by Mahima Chaudhry & Ravi Kishan. Bhumika, also a former model, made her Telugu debut with director A. Karunakaran’s romance drama “Yuvakudu” (2000) also featuring Sumanth & Jayasudha. The film though was above average on the box office front, yet it received notice from different quarters. It was followed by a successful film “Kushi” (2001), starring noted actor, director & politician Pawan Kalyan. The film did wonders & was declared a blockbuster, with Bhumika earning Filmfare Best Actress Award Telugu.

Born in a Sikh family in New Delhi, & having had her schooling there, Bhumika, daughter of a retired Army Officer, is one of the three children of her parents. She moved to Bombay in late 1990s for pastures new. She initially did some add films & music videos including Zee TV 1998 serial “Hip Hip Hurray” directed by Nupur Asthana, before stepping into films. She also did a Punjabi film “Yaariyan” opposite singer-actor Gurdas Mann in 2008. She also appeared in horror Web Series “Bhram” (2019) starring Kalki Koechlin, Sanjay Suri & Eijaz Khan.

Bhumika Chawla predominantly featured in Telugu & Tamil films, occasionally appearing in Kannada & Malayalam,and respectfully received in Hindi films, too. Her “Tere Naam”(2003) opposite Salman Khan was a box office success grossing 24 crore worldwide.

Some of her other notable films include the likes of “Okkadu” (2003), “Missamma” (2003), “Sillunu Oru Kaadhal” (2006), “Gandhi, My Father” (2007), “Anasuya” (2007),”Gangotri” -Bhojpuri” (2007) “Buddy”(2013) & “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” (2016 ) starring late Sushant Singh Rajput, Kiara Advani & Disha Patani. Sushant played Dhoni in the film. Kiran More trained him for months, making him well acquainted with the various sinews of cricket as a player & captain. The movie also received Filmfare Nomination in two categories. Released in 60 countries including USA & Canada, the film produced with a budget of US$30 million grossed US$60 million and was positively received.

“Khamoshi” starring Tamannaah & Prabhu Deva (2019) & “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan” (2023) starring Salman & Pooja Hegde were her other Hindi films. Married her teacher and friend Bharat Thakur in 2007.The couple is blessed with a son. Born this Day in 1978.