Ayesha Jhulka born 28 July 1972 is an Indian actress who primarily appears in Hindi films, in addition to Bengali, Kannada and Telugu films. In a career spanning over three decades, she has worked in over 60 films.
Jhulka is best known for her portrayals in successful films such as, Kurbaan (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Khiladi (1992), Meherbaan (1993), Dalaal (1993), Balmaa (1993), Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Rang (1993), Sangram (1993), Jai Kishen (1994), Masoom (1996) and Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya (1999). For Khiladi and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Jhulka received a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination.
After a hiatus, she went onto work in films like – Socha Na Tha (2005), Umrao Jaan (2006), Ada… A Way of Life (2010) and Genius (2018). Jhulka made her web debut with Hush Hush (2022) and has since appeared in Happy Family: Conditions Apply (2023).
Ayesha Jhulka Biography : Early life
Jhulka was born on 28 July 1972 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Her father Wing Commander Inder Kumar Jhulka, is a retired Air Force officer. Her mother Sneh Jhulka, is a costume designer who has worked in films such as Dalaal and Vishwavidhata.[6] Jhulka worked as a child artist in the 1983 film Kaise Kaise Log.
Ayesha Jhulka Biography : Career
Breakthrough and success (1990-1993)
After making her acting debut with the telugu film Neti Siddhartha in 1990, Jhulka made her Hindi film debut opposite Salman Khan with the 1991 film Kurbaan, a box office success. The same year, she appeared in Meet Mere Man Ke, Hai Meri Jaan and the Bengali film Katha Dilam.[citation needed]
Jhulka had four films released in 1992. She first appeared in Mashooq opposite Ayub Khan. Jhulka’s portrayal of a college prankster in Khiladi opposite Akshay Kumar, marked a turning point in her career. Further success came with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar opposite Aamir Khan, where she portrayed a college student. For both of these films, she received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Anaam was her last release of the year.
Jhulka established herself and went onto work in ten films in 1993. She appeared in fipms like Kohra, Kaise Kaise Rishte, Balmaa, Meherbaan and Aulad Ke Dushman. She received praise for portraying a village belle in Sangram opposite Ajay Devgn, and for her portrayals in Waqt Hamara Hai and Dil Ki Baazi opposite Akshay Kumar. Jhulka appeared in Dalaal, one of the year’s highest grossers opposite Mithun Chakraborty. She also won praise for Rang alongside Divya Bharti and Kamal Sadanah.
Further work and setback (1994-2000)
In 1994, Jhulka appeared in Brahma and Ekka Raja Rani opposite Govinda, in Jai Kishen opposite Kumar and in Maha Shaktishaali. She then played the lead in the 1995 film Aashique Mastaane. In 1996, she appeared in Masoom and Muqaddar opposite Mithun Chakraborty.
Jhulka had four releases in 1997, including Suraj and Ghoonghat. The same year, she received praise for her portrayal in Chachi 420 opposite Kamal Haasan. Her final film of the year was Vishwavidhaata opposite Jackie Shroff. Her films in 1998 include – Dand Nayak, Kannada film Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene and Himmatwala opposite Chakraborty.
Ayesha Jhulka Biography : Personal life
Jhulka met construction tycoon Sameer Vashi through her mother. Jhulka married Vashi in 2003. The couple decided not to have any children.
Filmography
Films
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1983 Kaise Kaise Log Pooja Child artist
1990 Neti Siddhartha Basanthi Telugu film
1991 Kurbaan Chanda Singh
Meet Mere Man Ke
Hai Meri Jaan Neelam
Katha Dilam Anita Chatterjee Bengali film
1992 Mashooq Nisha Rai
Khiladi Neelam Choudhury Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar Anjali Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut
Anaam Meghna
1993 Kohra Nisha
Kaise Kaise Rishte Pooja
Balmaa Madhu
Meherbaan Chanda
Sangram Pallavi K. Singh
Dalaal Roopali
Rang Pooja Malhotra
Waqt Hamara Hai Ayesha
Dil Ki Baazi Aarti
Aulad Ke Dushman Shalu Kumar
1994 Brahma Asha
Ekka Raja Rani Barkha
Jai Kishen Asha
Maha Shaktishaali Poonam
1995 Akele Hum Akele Tum Award presenter Cameo appearance
Aashique Mastaane Malti
1996 Masoom Chanda
Muqaddar Meena
Apne Dam Par Herself Special appearance in song
1997 Chachi 420 Ratna
Vishwavidhaata Radha Khanna
Judge Mujrim Dancer Special appearance in song “Laila O Laila”
Suraj Ramkali Hindi-Urdu film
Ghoonghat
1998 Dand Nayak Naina
Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene Chandana Kannada film
Deewana Hoon Pagal Nahi
Barood Dancer Special appearance
Himmatwala Radha
1999 Purush Herself Special appearance in song “Kahani Kismat Ki”
Phool Aur Aag Herself Special appearance in song “Main Gaaon Dil Gaaye”
Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya Shobha
Kohram Sweety
Kahani Kismat Ki
Asha Amar Asha Swapna Bengali film
2000 Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khaas Channi
Shikaar Anju Gupta
2001 Hadh: Life on the Edge of Death
Censor Shakeela
2002 Amma Roopa
2003 Aanch Devangi M. Thakur
2004 Run Esha Varma
Jai Jai’s Mother Telugu film
2005 Socha Na Tha Namita Oberoi
Double Cross Sonia
2006 Jackpot Kannada film
Umrao Jaan Khurshid Jaan
Janani Urmila
Rakate Lekhichi Naa Ritu Mahapatra Odia film
2009 Keshyog
2010 Ada… A Way of Life Amina A. Anand
2018 Genius Nandini’s mother
Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2003 Kabhie Kabhie Devpriya / Devjani Episode: “Vansh”
Web series
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Hush Hush Meera Yadav Debut series
2023 Happy Family: Conditions Apply Pallavi “Pallu” Dholakia
Accolades
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
1993 38th Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Khiladi & Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar Nominated
2023 23rd Indian Television Academy Awards Popular Actress – OTT Hush Hush TBA
Happy Family: Conditions Apply