Aditi Rao Hydari

Aditi Rao Hydari is a stunning Indian actress who has been dazzling audiences with her captivating performances in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films for over 15 years. Born on October 28, 1978, in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, India, Aditi hails from a noble family with a rich history - her paternal grandfather served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, and her maternal grandmother was a pioneering educator and publisher. Raised by her mother, classical singer Vidya Rao, in Hyderabad and Delhi, Aditi was exposed to the classical arts from a young age, training in Bharatanatyam and thumri music. After graduating from Lady Shri Ram College, she began her career as a Bharatanatyam dancer, performing with renowned dancer Leela Samson's group, Spanda. Aditi's acting debut came in 2006 with the Malayalam film Prajapathi, followed by a breakthrough performance in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Delhi-6 in 2009, which catapulted her to fame. Her impressive portrayal in Yeh Saali Zindagi earned her a Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, solidifying her position as a talented and versatile actress in the Indian film industry. Aditi has been married to actor Siddharth since 2024, and her family ties include a cousin, filmmaker Kiran Rao, and a complex heritage that reflects the cultural and artistic traditions of India's noble past. Hydari's career trajectory took a dramatic turn in 2011 with her critically acclaimed performance in Sudhir Mishra's crime thriller Yeh Saali Zindagi, where she played the wife of a former convict alongside Arunoday Singh. Her portrayal earned her the coveted Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, a testament to her impressive acting chops. The same year, she made a memorable supporting appearance in Imtiaz Ali's musical romantic drama Rockstar, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, although her character's limited development drew criticism. Undeterred, Hydari sought lead roles and starred opposite Ali Zafar in the romantic comedy London, Paris, New York (2012), directed by Anu Menon, showcasing her screen presence and character portrayal to great effect. She also made her singing debut with two soulful tracks for the film's soundtrack. Her other notable projects include performing the Hindi version of "We Are Family" for Ice Age 4: Continental Drift and headlining the psychological thriller Murder 3 (2013) as Roshni, a role that allowed her to break free from her innocent character mould. Her performance was hailed as a "knockout" by Bollywood Hungama. Hydari continued to diversify her filmography with action film Boss (2013) alongside Akshay Kumar, and brief appearances in Khoobsurat (2014) and Rama Madhav (2014). In 2015, she delivered a standout performance in the comedy-drama Guddu Rangeela, directed by Subhash Kapoor, where her portrayal of a woman with a concealed past earned critical acclaim. Hydari's rise to stardom began with her breakout role in Bejoy Nambiar's 2016 crime thriller Wazir, where she played Ruhana, the wife of Farhan Akhtar's character, alongside Amitabh Bachchan. The film's commercial success and positive reviews earned her critical acclaim, with Firstpost hailing her as a "welcome change" from conventional portrayals of women. She continued to impress audiences with her nuanced performances in Abhishek Kapoor's Fitoor and The Legend of Michael Mishra, before teaming up with director Mani Ratnam for Kaatru Veliyidai, her first collaboration with the acclaimed filmmaker. Her portrayal of a doctor stationed in Kargil during the 1999 war earned her the SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut – Tamil. Hydari's subsequent films, including Bhoomi, Padmaavat, Daas Dev, and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, solidified her position as a leading lady in Indian cinema. Her Telugu debut in Sammohanam earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. With a string of successful films, including Psycho, Sufiyum Sujatayum, V, The Girl On The Train, Ajeeb Daastaans, and Maha Samudram, Hydari established herself as a versatile and sought-after actress. Her 2022 romantic drama Hey Sinamika showcased her mature and emotionally grounded performance as a psychologist navigating a troubled relationship. Expanding her horizons, Hydari made her web series debut in 2023 with Taj: Divided by Blood, portraying the historical figure Anarkali, and later starred in Jubilee, a period drama created by Vikramaditya Motwane. Her recent roles in Heeramandi and Gandhi Talks have further cemented her reputation as a talented and resilient performer. In her personal life, Hydari was previously married to actor Satyadeep Mishra from 2004 to 2013, and has been dating actor Siddharth since 2021, with the couple getting engaged in 2024 and tying the knot later that year. Hydari's star power has been shining bright in the entertainment industry, with her show-stopping performance in Kaatru Veliyidai (2017) earning her a spot in Film Companion's prestigious list of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade". Her allure and charm have consistently landed her in The Times of India's annual "50 Most Desirable Women" rankings, where she secured sixth place in 2018, ninth in 2019, and sixteenth in 2020. The Hyderabad Times crowned her the Most Desirable Woman in 2018, and she continued to make waves, ranking fourth in 2019 and sixth in 2020. Chennai Times also recognized her as the Most Desirable Woman of 2019, and she ranked fifth in 2020. With a long list of endorsement deals under her belt, Hydari has become the face of top brands like L'Oreal Paris, Airtel, Cadbury, Maaza, and Avon.