Nitu Chandra
{{Short description|Indian actress, model and film producer (born 1984)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nitu Chandra
| image = Neetu Chandra poses post the National Award win for Mithila Makhaan (cropped).jpg
| caption = Nitu in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1984|06|20}}
| birth_place = Patna, Bihar, India
| birth_name = Neetu Chandra Srivastava
| occupation = Actress, film producer, model, martial artist
| relatives = {{hlist|Nitin Chandra (brother)}}
| years_active = 2003–present
}}
Nitu Chandra (born Neetu Chandra Srivastava on June 20, 1984) is an Indian actress, model, film producer and theatre artist. She has worked in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandras-Mithila-Makhaan-wins-Best-Maithili-Film-National-Award/articleshow/51614931.cms |title='Mithila Makhaan' has something for all: Neetu Chandra |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402194626/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandras-Mithila-Makhaan-wins-Best-Maithili-Film-National-Award/articleshow/51614931.cms |url-status=live }} She is also a classical dancer and a sportsperson, involved in the promotion of basketball in the country through her close association with the NBA and Taekwondo, being a fourth Dan black-belt.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandra-receives-second-black-belt-in-Taekwondo/articleshow/16838987.cms |title='Taekwondo' has something for all: Neetu Chandra |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001052300/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandra-receives-second-black-belt-in-Taekwondo/articleshow/16838987.cms |url-status=live }} She has her own production house named Champaran Talkies, winning the National Film Award for the film Mithila Makhaan in the category of Best Maithili Film.{{cite web |url=http://www.champaran-talkies.com/ |title='Champaran Talkies' has something for all: Neetu Chandra |work=Champaran Talkies |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816212246/http://www.champaran-talkies.com/ |archive-date=16 August 2016 |url-status=dead}} The national award-winning film was directed by her brother Nitin Chandra.
Early life and education
Nitu Chandra was born on 20 June 1984 in Patna, Bihar. Her mother tongue is Bhojpuri.{{cite news |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bhojpuri-film-industry-not-growing-neetu-chandra-news-national-njesuugecfj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125061902/http://www.sify.com/movies/bhojpuri-film-industry-not-growing-neetu-chandra-news-national-njesuugecfj.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2014 |title=Bhojpuri film industry not growing: Neetu Chandra |website=Sify |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=1 February 2014}} She was educated at the Notre Dame Academy, Patna and completed her undergraduate education at Delhi's Indraprastha College.{{ cite news|title=Neetu shoots kick & punch|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120903/jsp/bihar/story_15928618.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714155220/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120903/jsp/bihar/story_15928618.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta)|date=3 September 2012|access-date=7 July 2014 }} She started modelling and Nitu gives credit of her success to her mother, a native of East Champaran in Bihar.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}} She has appeared in several advertisements and videos for firms since her graduation. She holds two Dan black belts in Taekwondo and represented India in the 1997 World Taekwondo Championships in Hong Kong.{{cite news |title=Neetu Chandra receives second black belt in Taekwondo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandra-receives-second-black-belt-in-Taekwondo/articleshow/16838987.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729130255/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-17/news-interviews/34500427_1_black-belt-neetu-chandra-red-belts |url-status=live |archive-date=29 July 2013 |access-date=20 January 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=17 October 2012}}
Chandra's brother is Nitin Chandra who directed the movie Deswa.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-boy-to-represent-India-at-global-business-meet-in-Ireland/articleshow/19400352.cms |title=Patna boy to represent India at global business meet in Ireland |website=The Times of India |date=5 April 2013 |access-date=28 May 2016 |archive-date=11 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811053049/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Patna-boy-to-represent-India-at-global-business-meet-in-Ireland/articleshow/19400352.cms |url-status=live }}
Acting career
Chandra debuted in the Hindi film industry in 2005 with Garam Masala in which she portrayed the role of Sweety, an air-hostess. She also acted in Godavari, a Telugu film, in 2006. In 2007 she appeared in Madhur Bhandarkar's film, Traffic Signal.
In 2008, she had four releases, being directed by Dibakar Banerjee, Rahul Dholakia, Ashwini Dheer and Vikram. Her Tamil film, Yavarum Nalam with Madhavan, released in 2009, was declared a major hit. In 2010 she was seen in four Hindi films, Rann, Apartment, No Problem, in which she made a special appearance, and Sadiyaan, and one Tamil film, Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai.{{Citation needed|date= January 2022}}
In 2011 Deswa, a Bhojpuri film which she produced and which was directed by her brother, was released.{{cite news |title=Timing relief for Deswa |date=12 December 2011 |newspaper=The Telegraph |location=Calcutta |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111212/jsp/bihar/story_14868289.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911094233/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111212/jsp/bihar/story_14868289.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 September 2012 |access-date=13 December 2011}}
In 2013, she acted in the Tamil-language action film Ameerin Aadhi-Bhagavan alongside Jayam Ravi. In 2013 she had completed filming for a Greek film Home Sweet Home,{{cite web |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-04/news-interviews/40370411_1_neetu-chandra-greek-film-oye-lucky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203025153/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-04/news-interviews/40370411_1_neetu-chandra-greek-film-oye-lucky |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2013 |title=Rediscovered myself with my Greek film: Neetu Chandra |date=4 July 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 December 2013}} in which she plays an Indian girl. On the recommendation of the director Anurag Kashyap, she auditioned for the film via Skype. {{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Neetu-in-awe-of-her-Greek-film-look/Article1-881284.aspx |title=Neetu in awe of her Greek film look |work=Hindustan Times |date=3 July 2012 |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208042917/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/neetu-in-awe-of-her-greek-film-look/article1-881284.aspx |archive-date=8 December 2013 }} She had to learn Greek for the film and also dubbed herself. Later it was revealed that Home Sweet Home was the working title of the film and the film's actual name was Block 12 where she played an Indian goddess. The film was released in 2013 and was bilingual (it was shot in English and Greek). {{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Neetu-Chandra-Anurag-Kashyap-Kyriakos-Tofaridis-Randeep-Hooda/articleshow/22290267.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908063257/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-05/news-interviews/41766480_1_neetu-chandra-greek-film-kyriakos-tofaridis |url-status=live |archive-date=8 September 2013 |title=I'm too young for marriage: Neetu Chandra |date=5 September 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 December 2013}} She has two Hindi films, Kusar Prasad Ka Bhoot and Shooter, coming up.
In 2020, she appeared in the Hollywood show Gown and out in Beverly Hills with Bollywood actor Sammy John Heaney.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}In 2021, she made her Hollywood film debut through a woman-centric martial arts film Never Back Down: Revolt which is the standalone sequel to Never Back Down: No Surrender and the fourth installment overall in the Never Back Down franchise. Unlike its predecessors in the franchise, the film is much darker in tone. She plays a female martial artist named Jaya in that film. She revealed that in 2019, when she was invited to the special screening of Bad Boys For Life at Sony Pictures Studios, she met the producer of the film David Zelon at the screening who was looking for an Indian actress for the film at that time. Zelon was impressed by her diverse film portfolio and martial arts experience and she was selected for the role without having any audition or look test. Chandra went on a vegan diet and did rigorous exercise in order to prepare for her role. She did all of her stunts in that film without using any body double. The film was released digitally and on DVDs on 16 November 2021 and it received mixed reviews.
Other work
Chandra became the brand ambassador for the Hoop, a Gitanjali brand.{{cite news |first=Chuman |last=Das |date=29 January 2009 |url=http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=11729 |title=Neetu Chandra signs her first ad campaign |publisher=Businessofcinema.com |access-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718193645/http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=11729 |archive-date=18 July 2012 }} She also took part in a commercial for Mysore Sandal Soap. Nitu Chandra also appeared in music director Ismail Darbar's music video "Rasiya Saajan" along with Zubeen Garg.{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/2007-30-screens-in-u-k/ |title=| Bollywood News | Celebrity News |website=Bollywood Hungama |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-date=3 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903225816/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2007/02/02/8796/index.html |url-status=live }} She was also seen in the music video of Bombay Vikings' singer Neeraj Shridhar's hit single "Aa Raha Hoon Main".{{cite web |title=Bombay Vikings - Aa Raha Hoon Main |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbgteelMvWo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/CbgteelMvWo |archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube |publisher=Universal Music India/Vevo |access-date=26 September 2015}}{{cbignore}} She also appeared in a successful remix of Sajna Hai Mujhe from D.J. Hot Remix Vol.1 (and the song appeared in 7 other albums after that), and the super hit song Mera Babu Chhail Chhabila (CD - Sophie & Dr.Love, DVD - D. J. Hot Remix Vol.2 & The Return Of Kaanta Mix) alongside Sophie Choudry (the song appeared in 9 other albums after that).{{Citation needed|date= January 2022}}
In 2013, Chandra made her debut in theatre,{{cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/Dont-want-to-dilute-my-moment-of-glory-Neetu-Chandra/2013/11/12/article1886630.ece |title=Don't want to dilute my moment of glory: Neetu Chandra |work=The New Indian Express |date=12 November 2013 |access-date=13 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203023128/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/Dont-want-to-dilute-my-moment-of-glory-Neetu-Chandra/2013/11/12/article1886630.ece |url-status=dead }} in a play, called Umrao, which featured her in the title role.{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/theatre/Theatre-Review-Umrao/articleshow/25760705.cms |title=Theatre Review: Umrao |work=The Times of India |access-date=13 December 2013 |archive-date=15 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115165013/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/theatre/Theatre-Review-Umrao/articleshow/25760705.cms |url-status=live }} She has been hosting Rangoli on DD National since May 2017. In 2018, Chandra became Community Ambassador for Patna Pirates in pro kabbadi league.{{Citation needed|date= January 2022}}
In the media
In 2008, 7Seas Technologies launched a 3D mobile game, Nitu — The Alien Killer, with Nitu Chandra as the lead character.{{cite news |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/7seas-technologies-ropes-in-neetu-chandra-for-3d-mobile-action-game/articleshow/2885325.cms |work=The Times of India |title=7Seas Technologies ropes in Neetu Chandra for 3D mobile action game — The Economic Times |date=20 March 2008 |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904024756/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/7seas-technologies-ropes-in-neetu-chandra-for-3d-mobile-action-game/articleshow/2885325.cms |url-status=live }}
Nitu was featured on the cover of the January 2009 issue of Indian Maxim.{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodmovies.us/blog/2009/01/neetu-chandra-maxim-january-2009.html |title=Bollywood Movie News, Desi Blog: Neetu Chandra Maxim January 2009 |access-date=11 January 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118042511/http://bollywoodmovies.us/blog/2009/01/neetu-chandra-maxim-january-2009.html |archive-date=18 January 2009}}
Filmography
{{BLP unsourced section|date= September 2022}}
=As actress=
=As producer=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! Year ! Film ! Language ! class = "unsortable" | Notes | |||
| 2011 | Deswa | Bhojpuri | |
| 2016 | Mithila Makhaan | Maithili |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year(s)
! Show ! Role ! Channel ! class = "unsortable" | Notes ! Ref. |
|---|
| 2017–2018
| Host/presenter | |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{BH person}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandra, Neetu}}
Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema
Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema
Category:Female models from Bihar
Category:Delhi University alumni
Category:Actresses in Telugu cinema
Category:21st-century Indian actresses
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:Indian women film producers
Category:Businesswomen from Bihar