Shriya Saran (born September 11, 1982) is an Indian film actress. She began her career acting in music videos, while also attending an acting studio to follow her dream to act. After her debut in 2001 with Ishtam, she gained Telugu cinema's attention in 2002 by playing the role of Bhanu in Santhosham, her first major hit. Following the film she appeared in several Telugu films with prominent actors, whilst, also making in-roads in Bollywood as well as the Tamil film industry. In 2007, Saran became a national figure after her performance alongside Rajinikanth in Sivaji: The Boss, after which she has signed several Bollywood, Kollywood and also a Hollywood film.
Personal life
Saran was born in Haridwar and most of her life in a small colony at the foothills of the Shivalik range. Her father, Pushpendra Saran worked for the state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited while her mother, Neeraja Saran was a chemistry teacher at the Delhi Public School, which Saran had attended. Her elder brother, Abhiroop Saran is four years older than her and currently works with an advertising firm, FCB Ulka, in Mumbai. He is married to Aarti, who Saran describes her relationship with her "like a house on fire".
As a kid, Saran claims to have "pooled her pocket money that she was given over a period of time and give it to a blind school". When Shriya was 17, her family moved to Delhi because she was passionate to learn kathak from eminent guru, Shovana Narayan. In 2005, Saran was rumoured to be set to get married to her long term boyfriend, Rajiv Madhavan, which she later denied claiming the pair were "only close friends". However, in late December 2007, it became clear that Saran's relationship with her co-star Jesse Metcalfe has become more romantic. Neither of the pair have reported to the media about the link.
Filmography
2001Ishtam2002 SantoshamChennakeshava Reddy Telugu Preethi
Nuvve Nuvve Telugu Anjali
2003 Tujhe Meri Kasam Hindi Priyanka
Neeku Nenu Naaku Nuvvu Telugu Seeta Lakshmi
Tagore Telugu Devaki
Ela Cheppanu Telugu Priya
Unnaku 20 Ennaku 18 Tamil Reshma
2004Nenunnanu Telugu Anu
Thoda Tum Badlo Thoda Hum Hindi Rani
Arjun Telugu Roopa 2005Balu ABCDEFG Telugu Anu
Naa Alludu Telugu Meghana
Sadaa Mee Sevalo Telugu Kanthi
Soggadu Telugu Shriya Cameo appearance
Subhash Chandra Bose Telugu Svarajyam
Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu Telugu Satyabhama
Mazhai Tamil Shailaja
Chatrapathi Telugu Neelu Nominated, Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award
Bhageeradha Telugu Shweta Dubbed into Tamil as Jilla
Bommalata Telugu Swathi Cameo Appearance
2006Devadasu Telugu Guest Role Cameo appearance
Game Telugu Guest Role Cameo appearance
Boss Telugu Sanjana Cameo appearance
Thiruvilayadal Arambam Tamil Priya
2007 Munna Telugu Guest Role Cameo appearance
Arasu Kannada Guest Role Cameo appearance
Sivaji: The Boss Tamil Tamizhselvi Dubbed into Telugu as Sivaji
Awaarapan Hindi Aaliya Nominated, Filmfare Best Hindi Female Debut Award
Tulasi Telugu Guest Role Cameo appearance
Azhagiya Magan Tamil Abinaya
2008Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan Tamil Pidariatha Cameo appearance
Ek - The Power of One Hindi Preet Filming
Kanthaswamy Tamil Filming
Mission Istanbul Hindi Anjali Sagar Filming
The Other End of the Line English Filming
What Is Cooking? English Filming
Jaggubhai Tamil Filming