Ileana D’Cruz

Ileana D’Cruz, born on November 1, 1987, is an Indian-born Portuguese actress known for her work in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema. Raised primarily in Goa after spending her early years in Mumbai, she made her acting debut in 2006 with the Telugu film “Devadasu,” which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. Establishing herself as a prominent figure in Telugu cinema, D’Cruz starred in successful films like “Pokiri” (2006), “Rakhi” (2006), “Munna” (2007), “Jalsa” (2008), “Kick” (2009), and “Julayi” (2012). Her performances garnered her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress ? Telugu for “Pokiri,” “Jalsa,” and “Kick.” She ventured into Tamil cinema with “Kedi” (2006) and gained further recognition with Shankar’s “Nanban” (2012). Expanding her horizons, D’Cruz entered Hindi cinema in 2012 with Anurag Basu’s “Barfi!,” winning the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She went on to star in successful Hindi films like “Main Tera Hero” (2014), “Rustom” (2016), and “Raid” (2018), earning her accolades including a Filmfare Award South and a Filmfare Award. Apart from her acting career, D’Cruz is also renowned as a celebrity endorser for various brands and products. Born to a Catholic father and Muslim mother in Mahim, Mumbai, D’Cruz moved to Parra, Goa, at the age of 10. Her journey into the entertainment industry began with modelling gigs, leading to her breakthrough in advertisements and subsequently, film offers. She acquired Portuguese nationality in 2014, citing Portugal as part of her ancestry. D’Cruz’s personal life has been under public scrutiny, particularly her relationship with Australian photographer Andrew Kneebone, which ended in 2019 amidst rumors of marriage. In May 2023, she married Michael Dolan, and the couple welcomed their first child, a son, in August 2023.