Amrita Rao (born 7 June) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films.
2002
Rao made her acting debut with Ab Ke Baras (2002), which earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
In 2002, Rao played her first leading role as Anjali Thapar in Raj Kanwar's fantasy thriller Ab Ke Baras alongside debutante Aarya Babbar.
The film, which depicts the story of U.S based girl (played by Rao) having recurrent dreams of a parallel life in India, proved to be financially unsuccessful; however, Rao received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance.
Rao next starred alongside Ajay Devgn in the biographical period film The Legend of Bhagat Singh.
In the film, which narrates the story of Indian independence Freedom Fighter Bhagat Singh, she played the role of Mannewali (Bhagat's fiancé).
The film did not perform well at the box office, grossing only ₹129 million (US$2.7 million in 2002).
2003
Rao won the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Female, for her portrayal of a college student in the romantic drama Ishq Vishk (2003), her first commercial success.
She is the recipient of such accolades including a IIFA Award and two Stardust Awards.
In May 2003, Rao starred in the coming-of-age romance film Ishq Vishk opposite Shahid Kapoor, in their first of several collaborations, as a college student.
The film was a success at the box office proving to be a breakthrough for Rao.
Both the film and Rao's performance received critical acclaim.
Rao's portrayal earned her the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Female.
2004
Rao received praise for her portrayals in commercially successful films - the masala film Main Hoon Na (2004), the romance Vivah (2006), the comedy thriller Masti (2004) and the comedy Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), winning the Stardust Award for Best Actress for her performance in the lattermost.
In 2004, Rao starred in three films.
Her first release of the year was Indra Kumar's adult comedy Masti, opposite Vivek Oberoi.
The film featured an ensemble cast (Ajay Devgn, Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh, Aftab Shivdasani, Lara Dutta, Tara Sharma, and Genelia D'Souza) and earned around inr 341400000 worldwide.
The film received mixed reviews from critics and also did well at the box office.
Rao's performance as the over-possessive wife was well received by critics.
Rao next had a supporting role in the Farah Khan's masala film Main Hoon Na, where she co-starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Suniel Shetty, Sushmita Sen, and Zayed Khan.
The film emerged as the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2004 with over inr 840000000 in revenue worldwide.
Her role as an army officer's daughter Sanjana (Sanju) Bakshi received positive reviews and earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her third and final release of 2004 was Milan Luthria's action drama Deewar.
Rao had a minor role named Radhika, Akshaye Khanna's love interest.
2005
Rao co-starred in the 2005 drama Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! alongside Shahid Kapoor.
Critical response to the film was negative, although Rao garnered acclaim for her performance as a school teacher.
2007
Rao also made her Telugu film debut with Athidhi (2007) and established herself as "Bollywood's quintessential girl-next-door".
M. F. Husain pronounced Rao as his second muse and made several paintings dedicated to the actress's role in Vivah.
Post this success, most of Rao's films turned out to be commercial failures.
2009
Rao appeared as the Judge on the reality show, Perfect Bride in 2009.
2013
She then appeared in the National Award-winning film Jolly LLB (2013).
Rao has since played supporting parts in the action drama Singh Saab the Great (2013), the political drama Satyagraha (2013) and the biopic Thackeray (2019).
2016
She made her TV debut with Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai (2016), portraying a singer.
Rao has never publicised her birthday details.
Hindustan Times reported her birthdate as 7 June.
She comes from a Konkani - speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family.
Rao studied at Canossa Girls School, Andheri (Bombay) then to Sophia College (Mumbai) to pursue a graduate degree in Psychology but dropped out to pursue a modeling career.
She has a younger sister Preetika Rao, who is also an actress.
Before starting her career as an actor, Rao along with her sister Preetika appeared in several commercials during her college days.
Her first public appearance was in the music video for Alisha Chinai's song Woh Pyar Mera.
