Kalki Koechlin

Kalki Koechlin ( ; born 10 January 1984) is a French actress who works in films and stage. Known for her unconventional body of work, primarily in Hindi films, she is the recipient of several accolades, including a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award. Although a French citizen, she has been raised and lived most of her life in India. Born in Pondicherry, Koechlin was drawn to theatre from a young age. She studied drama at Goldsmiths, University of London, and worked simultaneously with a theatre company. After returning to India, she made her Hindi film debut as Chanda in the black comedy-drama Dev.D. (2009), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. She subsequently starred in two of the highest-grossing Hindi films of their respective years, the comedy-dramas Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), both of which garnered her Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress nominations. Koechlin also starred in and co-wrote the crime thriller That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011). Koechlin's commercial success continued with the supernatural thriller Ek Thi Daayan (2013) and the musical drama Gully Boy (2019), while she received praise for her performances in independent films, including Waiting (2015) and Ribbon (2017). She earned acclaim and the National Film Award – Special Jury Award for her role of a young woman with cerebral palsy in the coming-of-age drama Margarita with a Straw (2014). Koechlin has since played supporting roles in streaming projects, including Amazon Prime Video's romantic drama Made in Heaven (2019–2023) and Netflix's crime thriller Sacred Games (2019) and drama film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023). Koechlin has written, produced, and acted in several stage productions. She co-wrote the drama Skeleton Woman (2009), which won her the MetroPlus Playwright Award, and made her directorial debut on stage with the tragicomedy Living Room (2015). Koechlin is also an activist and promotes various causes ranging from health and education to women's empowerment and gender equality.