Amrita Singh

{{Infobox person

| name = Amrita Singh

| image = Amrita Singh & Sara Ali Khan at Shaadi By Marriott showcase (08) (cropped) 2.jpg

| caption = Singh in 2017

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|02|09}}

| birth_place = Delhi, India

| occupation = Actress

| education = Modern School

| years_active = 1983–2025

| mother = Rukhsana Sultana

| spouse = {{marriage|Saif Ali Khan
|1991|2004|reason=divorced}}

| children = Sara Ali Khan
Ibrahim Ali Khan

| relatives = Khan–Banu family

}}

Amrita Singh (born 9 February 1958) is an Indian actress who mainly works in Hindi films. Singh made her acting debut with Betaab (1983), and established herself as a leading actress of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Singh appeared as a leading lady in commercially successful films such as Mard (1985), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Naam (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Thikana (1987), Waaris (1988), Toofan (1989), Dil Aashna Hai (1992), Aaina (1993), and Rang (1993). For Aaina, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1993, Singh took a break from acting. She returned to films with 23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002), and received praise for her performance in Kalyug (2005), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), 2 States (2014), Hindi Medium (2017), and Badla (2019).

Singh has also starred in the television soap opera Kkavyanjali (2005–2006). She was married to actor Saif Ali Khan from 1991 to 2004, with whom she has two children, Bollywood actors Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan.

Early life

Amrita Kaur was born 9 February 1958{{cite web | last= | first= | title=Happy Birthday Amrita Singh: A look At Her Bollywood Journey From Betaab To Badla | website=News18 | date=February 9, 2022 | url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/happy-birthday-amrita-singh-a-look-at-her-bollywood-journey-from-betaab-to-badla-4752956.html | access-date=October 12, 2024}} to Rukhsana Sultana{{cite web |last1=Varma |first1=Anuradha |title=In Bollywood, everyone's related! |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/In-Bollywood-everyones-related/articleshow/4654411.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=21 April 2016 |date=14 June 2009 |archive-date=28 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028054712/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/In-Bollywood-everyones-related/articleshow/4654411.cms |url-status=live}} and an army officer Shivinder Singh Virk, son of Sardar Jaspal Singh of Jandiala Guru in Amritsar and of Sardarni Mohinder Kaur, daughter of the late Sir and Lady Sobha Singh of New Delhi and Hadali. Amrita's aunt Raymon Singh is married to HH Raja Vijayendra Singh, the present Raja Sahib of Nalagarh Princely State.{{cite web |title=Nalagarh Princely State |url=https://www.indianrajputs.com/view/nalagarh |website=Indian Rajputs |access-date=5 April 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thesikhencyclopedia.com/biographical/sikh-political-figures/ujjal-singh-sardar/ |title=Ujjal Singh, Sardar |date=19 December 2000}}{{cite web |title=Rare Pictures & Interesting Facts about 80s B-town Sensation Amrita Singh |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news-rec/ENT-CELE-amrita-singh-rare-pictures-interesting-facts-5244695-PHO.html |website=Dailybhaskar.com |access-date=21 April 2016 |date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000408/https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-CELE-amrita-singh-rare-pictures-interesting-facts-5244695-PHO.html?ref=rec |url-status=dead}} She has a half-sister named Aneesa and a half-brother named Jaiveer from her dad's second marriage. Her father remarried when Amrita was 11 years old post his divorce with Rukshana Sultana.{{cite web |title=Amrita Singh Biography |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802080/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm |website=IMDb |publisher=IMDb |access-date=5 April 2025}} Her mother was a political associate of Sanjay Gandhi during the Indian Emergency in the 1970s, who became known for leading Sanjay Gandhi's sterilisation campaign in the Muslim areas of Old Delhi.{{cite book |editor-last1=Das |editor-first1=Veena |display-editors=etal |last=Tarlo |first=Emma |title=Violence and subjectivity |date=2000 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=978-0-520-21608-2 |page=266 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7KsEcQnb2VIC&q=sultana&pg=PA242 |access-date=10 May 2018 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000408/https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7KsEcQnb2VIC&oi=fnd&pg=PA242&dq=ruksana+sultana+sterilization+vasectomy&ots=GqZo1H38oz&sig=rpGbBhQYTlaxIXFBl_8gQT3k6p0#v=onepage&q=sultana&f=false |url-status=live}}{{cite book |last1=Tarlo |first1=Emma |title=Unsettling memories : narratives of the emergency in Delhi |date=2001 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=978-0-520-23122-1 |pages=38–39, 143 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3IO1WB2H8UUC&q=sultana&pg=PR5 |access-date=13 February 2017 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000408/https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3IO1WB2H8UUC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=ruksana+sultana+sterilization+vasectomy&ots=LMdd4Ww_dG&sig=it0hAR3VF0L9lEo_w1aZ-Y6IVnY#v=onepage&q=sultana&f=false |url-status=live}}Gwatkin, Davidson R. "Political will and family planning: the implications of India's emergency experience." Population and Development Review (1979): 29-59.{{cite book |last1=French |first1=Patrick |title=India : a portrait |date=2011 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |location=New York |isbn=978-0-307-27243-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307272430/page/43 43] |edition=1st U.S. |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307272430 |url-access=registration |quote=rukhsana sultana . |access-date=13 February 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://satyagrah.scroll.in/article/12147/emergency-sterilization-rukhsana-sultana? |title=#1975Emergency रुखसाना सुल्ताना : एक मुस्लिम सुंदरी जिसे देखते ही मुस्लिम मर्दों की रूह कांप जाती थी |language=hi |access-date=28 June 2016 |archive-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629125807/http://satyagrah.scroll.in/article/12147/emergency-sterilization-rukhsana-sultana |url-status=dead}} Through her paternal grandmother Mohinder Kaur, Amrita is the great-granddaughter of Sobha Singh, one of the builders of New Delhi, the grandniece of the late novelist Khushwant Singh, and great-grandniece of politician Ujjal Singh. The actress Begum Para is her great-aunt, whose husband, Nasir Khan, is the brother of Dilip Kumar. Singh was a childhood friend of Shah Rukh Khan. Their mothers often worked together in the Old Delhi area and Singh attended the same school as Khan's sister, Shahnaz.{{cite book |last1=Chopra |first1=Anupama |title=King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema |date=2007 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |edition=1st}}

Singh attended Modern School in New Delhi and is fluent in Cantonese, Swahili, and Punjabi.{{cite web |url=http://saifamrita.blogspot.co.uk/ |title=Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh |author=rafflesia |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000409/http://saifamrita.blogspot.com/ |url-status=live}}

Career

= 1983–1993 =

Singh made her Hindi cinema debut in 1983 with Betaab, a highly successful romantic drama in which she was paired with Sunny Deol. This was quickly followed by a succession of hits, such as Sunny (1984), Mard (which was the biggest hit of 1985) and Saaheb (also 1985), Chameli Ki Shaadi and Naam (both 1986), Khudgarz (1987), and Waaris (1988). Singh made a successful pair in several films, not only with Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, and Raj Babbar, but also with Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, Anil Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, some of the leading actors of the 1980s.{{cite web |url=http://www.desicommunityguide.com/gallery/AMRITHASINGH/profile.asp |title=Bollywood Actress: Amrita Singh's Biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506222937/http://www.desicommunityguide.com/gallery/AMRITHASINGH/profile.asp |archive-date=6 May 2008 |access-date=21 April 2016}} As well as playing leading roles, she also played supporting negative roles in films such as Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), Suryavanshi (1992) and Aaina (1993), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the lattermost.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}} Her comic timings in films such as Saaheb and Chameli Ki Shaadi are still remembered. She decided to retire into family life and quit acting after her appearance in Rang (1993).

= 2002–present =

File:AmritaSingh.jpg

Singh returned to acting in 2002 with 23rd March 1931: Shaheed, in which she played the mother of Bhagat Singh (played by Bobby Deol). She joined the television industry with Ekta Kapoor's family drama Kavyanjali, which aired on StarPlus in 2005. In the show, Singh was seen in a negative role that soon gained immense popularity.{{cite web |url=http://www.kaneesha.com/amrita-singh |title=Amrita Singh |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505131053/http://www.kaneesha.com/amrita-singh |archive-date=5 May 2016 |url-status=dead}} Later that year, she received critical acclaim for her performance in yet another negative role for the film Kalyug, which earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. In 2007, Singh played the role of gangster Maya Dolas' mother, Ratnaprabha Dolas, in the Sanjay Gupta film Shootout at Lokhandwala, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. Vivek Oberoi played the role of Maya Dolas. Later on, she appeared in the anthology film Dus Kahaniyaan, where she appeared in the short story Poornmasi.

Continuing her acting journey, Singh was seen in Kajraare (2010), and also appeared in Aurangzeb (2012) under the Yash Raj Films banner, where she was paired with Jackie Shroff after almost two decades, after having paired together in Aaina.{{cite web |url=http://www.indiawest.com/news/10571-arjun-kapoor-likely-to-team-up-with-yash-raj-films-again.html |title=Arjun Kapoor Likely to Team Up with Yash Raj Films Again |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222012153/http://www.indiawest.com/news/10571-arjun-kapoor-likely-to-team-up-with-yash-raj-films-again.html#YJFxpyQKXwtHO2zB.99 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |agency=Press Trust of India |access-date=21 April 2016}} In 2014, she was seen in 2 States, produced by Dharma Productions, portraying the role of co-actor Arjun Kapoor's mother. The film was released on 18 April 2014, and was a critical and commercial success, and also earned Singh a second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite news |title=2 States: Amrita Singh to play Arjun Kapoor's punjabi mother with an expert polish the role seemed totally typical or original in tone. On the other hand, Revati of south-indian films, as Alia's mother gave a skilled acting performance that was a pleasure for viewers.Also, the unmatched relation with Ronit Roy's character was a strong feeling scene for viewers. Amrita was fabulous in 2 States. |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/2-States-Amrita-Singh-to-play-Arjun-Kapoors-mother/articleshow/17950738.cms |work=The Times of India |date=9 January 2013 |access-date=18 March 2014 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000409/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/2-States-Amrita-Singh-to-play-Arjun-Kapoors-mother/articleshow/17950738.cms? |url-status=live}} In 2016, she appeared in Flying Jat playing Tiger Shroff's mother. In 2017, she appeared in the comedy-drama Hindi Medium as a school principal. In 2019, she appeared in Sujoy Ghosh's psychological mystery thriller Badla, reuniting with Amitabh Bachchan after 18 years. Badla and Singh's performance received widespread critical acclaim upon release. The film proved to be a commercial success, and Singh's performance earned her a third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite web |url=https://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-2020/nominations/best-supporting-actor-female/amrita-singh |title=BEST ACTOR IN SUPPORTING ROLE (FEMALE) NOMINEE}}

Personal life

Singh was engaged to actor Sunny Deol in 1985. She married actor Saif Ali Khan in January 1991. Singh, who was raised as a Sikh, converted to Islam before marriage and the couple had an Islamic wedding.{{cite web |title=No one changes their religion in order to get married: Saif Ali Khan speaks about 'love jihad' |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/875213/no-one-changes-their-religion-in-order-to-get-married-saif-ali-khan-speaks-about-love-jihad/ |website=The Express Tribune |access-date=21 April 2016 |date=24 April 2015 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000424/https://tribune.com.pk/story/875213/no-one-changes-their-religion-in-order-to-get-married-saif-ali-khan-speaks-about-love-jihad |url-status=live}} 13 years younger,{{Cite web |last=BANERJEE |first=SUDESHNA |date=7 February 2008 |orig-date=07 February 2008 |title='I am only six years older than Saif' |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/i-am-only-six-years-older-than-saif/cid/560013 |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=The Telegraph }} Khan is the son of former Indian test cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the ninth Nawab of Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore and is a member of the royal family of the erstwhile Bhopal State and Pataudi State. Despite controversies, they remained married.{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/when-amrita-singh-regretted-not-giving-son-ibrahim-as-much-attention-as-sara-ali-khan-8153688/|title=When Amrita Singh regretted not giving son Ibrahim as much attention as Sara Ali Khan: 'Because mama was out making a living'|date=15 September 2022 }} She gave up acting after her marriage to Khan. After thirteen years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2004.{{cite web |last1=Iyer |first1=Meena |title=Bollywood has a low divorce rate |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Bollywood-has-a-low-divorce-rate/articleshow/45012318.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=21 April 2016 |date=3 November 2014 |archive-date=30 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930071442/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Bollywood-has-a-low-divorce-rate/articleshow/45012318.cms |url-status=live}} Their daughter Sara Ali Khan Pataudi was born on 12 August 1995, and son Ibrahim Ali Khan Pataudi on 5 March 2001.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/sara-ali-khan-interesting-facts-about-the-star-kid/Sara-Ali-Khan-belongs-to-the-royal-family-of-Nawabs-of-Pataudi/photostory/63617193.cms |title=Sara Ali Khan belongs to the royal family of Nawabs of Pataudi - Sara Ali Khan: Interesting facts about the star kid |website=The Times of India |access-date=31 December 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012000428/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/photo-features/sara-ali-khan-interesting-facts-about-the-star-kid/Sara-Ali-Khan-belongs-to-the-royal-family-of-Nawabs-of-Pataudi/photostory/63617193.cms |url-status=live}}

Artistry and legacy

Singh is regarded as one of the most popular and leading actress of the 80s.{{Cite news |title=Heroines who ruled a million hearts in the '80s |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/heroines-who-ruled-million-hearts-in-the-80s-2881459/lite/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://indianexpress.com/photos/entertainment-gallery/heroines-who-ruled-million-hearts-in-the-80s-2881459/lite/ |archive-date=28 November 2020}} Her debut film Betaab made her an overnight sensation. Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com noted, "Amrita Singh is a heroine who breathed fire and shushed up anyone who dared disagree with her flare-ups and fury."{{Cite news |title=10 amazing Amrita Singh movies! |work=Rediff.com |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/ten-amazing-amrita-singh-movies/20180209.htm |url-status=live |access-date=25 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://m.rediff.com/amp/movies/report/ten-amazing-amrita-singh-movies/20180209.htm |archive-date=28 November 2020}} Lakshana N Palat of Indian Express said that her career, comprised "a strong filmography" and noted, "With her narrowed eyes, and reverberating voice, Amrita created a new leading heroine. She has made a mark in every role that she has played — a 90’s vamp, a heroine, a mother, she has done it all."{{Cite news |title=Amrita Singh, and her unconventional career choices |work=Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amrita-singh-and-her-career-choices-heroines-villains-anti-hero-8432712/lite/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/amrita-singh-and-her-career-choices-heroines-villains-anti-hero-8432712/lite/ |archive-date=28 November 2020}} Ritika Nath of PTC Punjabi said, "From 1983 to 1993, Amrita Singh had the reigning ten years in the industry."{{Cite news |title=Amrita Singh turns 65 years old; know fun facts about her |work=PTC Punjabi |url=https://www.ptcpunjabi.co.in/amrita-singh-turns-65-years-old-know-fun-facts-about-her |url-status=live |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128234730/https://www.ptcpunjabi.co.in/amp/amrita-singh-turns-65-years-old-know-fun-facts-about-her |archive-date=28 November 2020}}

Filmography

= Films =

Year	Title	Role
class="wikitable sortable"
1983	Betaab	Roma (Dingy)
rowspan="2" \| 1984	Sunny	Amrita
Duniya	Roma Verma
rowspan="2" \| 1985	Saaheb	Natasha 'Nikki'
Mard	Ruby
rowspan="5" \| 1986	Mera Dharam	Durga Thakur
Chameli Ki Shaadi	Chameli
Kala Dhanda Goray Log	Ramola/ Pooja
Karamdaata	Pinky
Naam	Rita
rowspan="3" \| 1987	Naam O Nishan	Vanisha
Khudgarz	Mrs. Sinha
Thikana	Shaila
rowspan="7" \| 1988	Mulzim	Mala
Kabzaa	Rita
Tamacha	Maria
Shukriyaa	Neema
Waaris	Shibo
Charnon Ki Saugandh	Kanchan Singh
Agnee	Tara
rowspan="7" \| 1989	Sachai Ki Taqat	Mrs. Ram Singh
Hathyar	Suman
Galiyon Ka Badshah	Cameo
Ilaaka	Sub-Inspector Neha Singh
Batwara	Roopa
Toofan	Pickpocketer
Jaadugar	Mona
rowspan="6" \| 1990	Veeru Dada	Meena
Karishma Kali Kaa	Parvati
Maut Ke Farishtey
Aag Ka Dariya
Kroadh	Matki
CID	Meghna Saxena
rowspan="6" \| 1991	Sadhu Sant	Meena Kapoor
Paap Ki Aandhi	Reshma
Dharam Sankat	Madhu
Akayla	Sapna
Rupaye Dus Karod	Aarthi Saxena
Pyaar Ka Saaya	Maya Gangadhami
rowspan="4" \| 1992	Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman	Sapna Chhabria
Suryavanshi	Princess Suryalekha
Vanna Vanna Pookkal	Hashini
Dil Aashna Hai	Raj
rowspan="2" \| 1993	Aaina	Roma Mathur
Rang	Indu
2002	23rd March 1931: Shaheed	Vidya
2005	Kalyug	Simi Roy
rowspan="2" \| 2007	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Mom (Aai)
Dus Kahaniyaan	Mala	Segment: Pooranmasi
2010	Kajraare	Zohra Baano
2013	Aurangzeb	Neena Wadhwa
2014	2 States	Kavita Malhotra
2016	A Flying Jatt	Mrs. Dhillon
2017	Hindi Medium	Principal Lodha
\|2019	Badla	Rani Kaur
\|2022	Heropanti 2	Hema

= Television =

Year	Title	Role	Platform	Notes
class="wikitable sortable"
2005–2006	Kkavyanjali	Nitya Nanda	StarPlus

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Nominated work ! Category ! Result
colspan="4" \| Filmfare Awards
1994 \| Aaina \| Best Supporting Actress \| {{won}}
2006 \| Kalyug \| Best Performance in a Negative Role \| {{nom}}
2015 \| 2 States \| rowspan="2" \| Best Supporting Actress \| {{nom}}
2020 \| Badla \| {{nom}}
colspan="4" \| IIFA Awards
2006 \| Kalyug \| Best Performance in a Negative Role \| {{nom}}
2015 \| 2 States \| rowspan="2" \| Best Supporting Actress \| {{nom}}
2021 \| Badla \| {{nom}}
colspan="4" \| Indian Telly Awards
rowspan="2" \| 2005 \| rowspan="2" \| Kkavyanjali \| Best Actress in a Negative Role (Popular) \| {{nom}}
Best Actress in a Negative Role (Jury) \| {{won}}
colspan="4" \| Producers Guild Film Awards
2015 \| 2 States \| Best Actress in a Supporting Role \| {{nom}}
colspan="4" \| Screen Awards
2019 \| Badla \| Best Supporting Actress \| {{nom}}
colspan="4" \| Zee Cine Awards
2003 \| 23rd March 1931: Shaheed \| Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female \| {{nom}}
2006 \| Kalyug \| Best Performance in a Negative Role \| {{nom}}
2020 \| Badla \| Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female \| {{nom}}

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Nominated work

! Category

! Result

colspan="4" | Filmfare Awards

1994

| Aaina

| Best Supporting Actress

| {{won}}

2006

| Kalyug