Asin

Asin Thottumkal, known mononymously as Asin, is an Indian actress. She appears currently in Bollywood films, but has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. Asin is a recipient of the prestigious Kalaimamani award from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to arts and literature. Making her acting debut in Sathyan Anthikkad's Malayalam film Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Asin had her first commercial success with the Telugu film Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi in 2003, and won a Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for the film.

M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) was her debut in Tamil and a huge success. She received her Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award for her most noted critically acclaimed performance in her third Tamil film, Ghajini (2005). She then played the lead female roles in several successful films, most notable being the dramatic thriller Varalaru (2006), the action thriller Pokkiri (2007) and the magnum opus blockbuster Dasavathaaram (2008) opposite Kamal Haasan. She thus established herself as a leading actress in Tamil cinema.

In late 2008, Asin made her debut in the Bollywood film Ghajini (2008) opposite Aamir Khan which was the first Bollywood film to have collected more than 100 crore in the domestic box office,subsequemtly collecting 190 crore (US$34.58 million) worldwide. Asin won the Filmfare Best Female Debut Award and many Accolades for Ghajini. 2011 marked the most successful phase of Asin's Bollywood career, as she starred in Anees Bazmee's romantic comedy, Ready, in which she co-starred alongside Salman Khan. The film was a major hit at the box office, collecting 184 crore (US$33.49 million) worldwide. Later, in 2012, Asin first starred in Sajid Khan's multistarrer Housefull 2 opposite Akshay Kumar, which was a major commercial success at the box office, grossing approx. 190 crore (US$34.58 million) worldwide. Her latest release Bol Bachchan alongside Ajay Devgan and Abhishek Bachchan is also declared as a major success and has entered the 100 crore club of Bollywood. Her recent release Khiladi 786 is also declared a success. She thus established herself as a leading actress in Bollywood.