Bhumika Chawla (born Rachna Chawla; 21 August 1978) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Telugu film industry and in a Hindi and Tamil films to her credits. Chawla made her acting debut with the Telugu film Yuvakudu (2000).

Early life

Chawla was on born 21 August 1978 to a Punjabi family in New Delhi, India and completed her schooling there. Her father is a retired Army officer. Bhumika has two siblings, an elder brother and sister.She moved to Mumbai in 1997 and started her career with Ad films and Hindi music video albums. She appeared in the Zee TV series ''Hip Hip Hurray and Star Best Sellers – Fursat Mein''. Bhumika has two siblings, an elder brother and sister.She moved to Mumbai in 1997 and started her career with Ad films and Hindi music video albums. She appeared in the Zee TV series ''Hip Hip Hurray and Star Best Sellers – Fursat Mein''.

Career

Chawla started off her film career in the Telugu film industry, starring in the feature film ''Yuvakudu'' (2000) alongside actor Sumanth. Her second release, ''Kushi'' (2001), in which she starred opposite Pawan Kalyan was a box office success, winning her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu following which she acted in several films in Telugu, including ''Okkadu'' (2003) opposite Mahesh Babu and ''Simhadri'' (2003). Meanwhile, she made her debut in the Tamil film industry as well, starring in the film ''Badri'' (2001) opposite actor Vijay, which was followed by her second Tamil film ''Roja Kootam'' (2002). After a number of critically and commercially successful films in the South, Chawla starred in her first Bollywood film, ''Tere Naam'' (2003), alongside Salman Khan. The film was one of the year's highest grossers. Meanwhile, she made her debut in the Tamil film industry as well, starring in the film ''Badri'' (2001) opposite actor Vijay, which was followed by her second Tamil film ''Roja Kootam'' (2002). After a number of critically and commercially successful films in the South, Chawla starred in her first Bollywood film, ''Tere Naam'' (2003), alongside Salman Khan. The film was one of the year's highest grossers. and won the Best Debut trophy at the Zee Cine Awards ceremony.Subsequently, she starred in a number of Hindi films including ''Run'' (2004), ''Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa'' (2004), ''Silsilay'' (2005) and ''Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...'' (2005). She returned to Telugu, acting in the films ''Naa Autograph'' (2004) and ''Jai Chiranjeeva'' (2005).In 2006, Chawla appeared in the Tamil film ''Sillunu Oru Kaadhal'', alongside real-life couple Surya and Jyothika which became a big hit worldwide. Then, she appeared in Hindi film ''Family - Ties of Blood'' and Telugu film, ''Mayabazar''. Following this, she acted in the Hindi film ''Gandhi, My Father'' as Gulab Gandhi and played the title roles in the Telugu films ''Satyabhama'',Subsequently, she starred in a number of Hindi films including ''Run'' (2004), ''Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa'' (2004), ''Silsilay'' (2005) and ''Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...'' (2005). She returned to Telugu, acting in the films ''Naa Autograph'' (2004) and ''Jai Chiranjeeva'' (2005).In 2006, Chawla appeared in the Tamil film ''Sillunu Oru Kaadhal'', alongside real-life couple Surya and Jyothika which became a big hit worldwide. Then, she appeared in Hindi film ''Family - Ties of Blood'' and Telugu film, ''Mayabazar''. Following this, she acted in the Hindi film ''Gandhi, My Father'' as Gulab Gandhi and played the title roles in the Telugu films ''Satyabhama'', and ''Anasuya'', a crime thriller.In 2008, she made her debut in the Punjabi film industry, starring in ''Yaariyan'', opposite Gurdas Maan, following which she debuted in Malayalam as well, starring in ''Bhramaram'' alongside Mohanlal. Later she was seen in Thangar Bachan's ''Kalavadiya Pozhudugal'', ''Yagam'' . She also appeared in the 2016 movie ''M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story''. She portrayed the character of MS Dhoni's sister in the movie. and ''Anasuya'', a crime thriller.In 2008, she made her debut in the Punjabi film industry, starring in ''Yaariyan'', opposite Gurdas Maan, following which she debuted in Malayalam as well, starring in ''Bhramaram'' alongside Mohanlal. Later she was seen in Thangar Bachan's ''Kalavadiya Pozhudugal'', ''Yagam'' . She also appeared in the 2016 movie ''M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story''. She portrayed the character of MS Dhoni's sister in the movie.Chawla acted in the sports action movie ''Seetimaarr'' (2021).

Personal life

Chawla married her long-time boyfriend and yoga teacher, Bharat Thakur, on 21 October 2007 at Devlali, Nashik in a Gurdwara. The couple has a son.