Nora Fatehi (born 6 February 1992) is a Canadian dancer and actress based in India. She has appeared in Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam films. Fatehi made her acting debut with the Hindi film Roar: Tigers of the Sundarbans.Fatehi gained popularity in Telugu films for her item songs in films like Temper, Baahubali: The Beginning and Kick 2 and has also starred in two Malayalam films, Double Barrel and Kayamkulam Kochunni. In 2015, Fatehi participated as a contestant on the reality television show Bigg Boss 9. In 2016, she was a participant in the reality television dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She appeared in the Bollywood film Satyameva Jayate where she was featured in the recreated version of the song "Dilbar" and the song crossed 20 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours of its release, making it the first Hindi song to achieve such numbers in India. She also collaborated with the Moroccan hip-hop group Fnaïre to release an Arabic version of the Dilbar song.In 2019, she collaborated with Tanzanian musician and songwriter Rayvanny to release her first international English debut song Pepeta. In October 2022, she was chosen to feature in Light The Sky, a song for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, collaborating with artists, RedOne, Manal, Balqees and Rahma Riad. Fatehi has since played supporting parts in Hindi films Street Dancer 3D (2020) and Bhuj: The Pride of India (2021). She has also judged television shows Dance Deewane Juniors and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.

Early life and education

Fatehi was born and raised in Canada, and is of Moroccan descent. She graduated from Westview Centennial Secondary School in Toronto. She studied political science and international at York University. She has stated in interviews that she considers herself "an Indian at heart."

Early and personal life

Fatehi comes from a Moroccan family, and was born and raised in Canada, although in interviews she has stated that she considers herself "an Indian at heart".

Early life

Fatehi was born and raised in Canada, and is of Punjabi and Moroccan descent. She graduated from Westview Centennial Secondary School in Toronto. She studied political science and international relations at York University. She has stated in interviews that she considers herself "an Indian at heart."

Career

She then ventured into Telugu films with item number, "Ittage Recchipodham", in Puri Jagannadh's film ''Temper''. She also made a special appearance in the film ''Mr. X'' directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt, alongside Emraan Hashmi and Gurmeet Choudhary. Fatehi further appeared in item numbers for films such as ''Baahubali: The Beginning''s song "Manohari" and in ''Kick 2''s song "Kukkurukuru".In late June 2015, she signed a Telugu film ''Sher''. In late August 2015, she signed a Telugu film ''Loafer'' which is directed by Puri Jagannadh starring opposite Varun Tej. She also appeared as an item number in Karthi's Bilingual film ''Oopiri''/''Thozha'' in late November 2015. In December 2015, Fatehi entered the Bigg Boss house as a wild card entrant in the ninth season. She spent 3 weeks inside the house before getting evicted in the 12th week (Day 83). She also participated in the reality television show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'' in 2016. She starred in the film ''My Birthday Song'' as the lead actress opposite Sanjay Suri.In February 2019, she signed a contract with the record label T-Series as an exclusive artist, and will feature on their upcoming films, music videos, web series, and web films. In the same year, she appeared in ''Batla House'', in the song "O Saki O Saki" and in ''Marjaavaan'' in the song "Ek Toh Kum Zindagani". Fatehi then played Suzan Vilayati Khan opposite Sunil Grover, in ''Bharat''. She spent 3 weeks inside the house before getting evicted in the 12th week (Day 83). She also participated in the reality television show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'' in 2016. She starred in the film ''My Birthday Song'' as the lead actress opposite Sanjay Suri.In February 2019, she signed a contract with the record label T-Series as an exclusive artist, and will feature on their upcoming films, music videos, web series, and web films. In the same year, she appeared in ''Batla House'', in the song "O Saki O Saki" and in ''Marjaavaan'' in the song "Ek Toh Kum Zindagani". Fatehi then played Suzan Vilayati Khan opposite Sunil Grover, in ''Bharat''.Fatehi played Mia, a dancer in the 2020 dance film ''Street Dancer 3D'', opposite Varun Dhawan. On 6 March 2021, Fatehi became the first African-Arab female artiste whose song "Dilbar" crossed one billion views on YouTube. She also made her international single debut with the song "Dirty Little Secret" in collaboration with Zack Knight which was subsequently performed by her in the 22nd IIFA Awards. In that year, she played a spy Heena in ''Bhuj: The Pride of India'', replacing Parineeti Chopra. She also appeared in the song "Jehda Nasha" from the film ''An Action Hero'' alongside Ayushman Khuranna. In the same year she gave a performance in the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. She also took on the role of a judge in dance shows like "Dance Deewane Juniors" (season 1) and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10" alongside other judges. In 2023, she made an appearance in the song "Achha Sila Diya" alongside Rajkummar Rao after her collaboration with him in the song "Kamariya" for the film ''Stree'' in 2018. The song, composed and sung by B Praak with lyrics by Jaani, is a recreation of the film song "Achha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka" which was featured in the 1995 Hindi film Bewafa Sanam.In 2024, Fatehi took on more acting roles. She appeared as Alia, a social media influencer, in ''Crakk'' opposite Vidyut Jammwal. The film received negative reviews and Monika Rawal Kukreja of ''Hindustan Times'' stated, "Nora is used as a mere prop and even though her character arc takes the story forward, she doesn't get ample scope to perform." Fatehi next played Tasha, opposite Divyenndu in Kunal Khemu's directorial debut ''Madgaon Express''. Mayur Sanap from ''Rediff.com'' noted, "For a change, Nora Fatehi gets a legit role to play and she is suitably affable."

Debut and dancing roles (2014-2019)

She then ventured into Telugu films with item number, "Ittage Recchipodham", in Puri Jagannadh's film ''Temper''. She also made a special appearance in the film ''Mr. X'' directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Mahesh Bhatt, alongside Emraan Hashmi and Gurmeet Choudhary. Fatehi further appeared in item numbers for films such as ''Baahubali: The Beginning''s song "Manohari" and in ''Kick 2''s song "Kukkurukuru".In late June 2015, she signed a Telugu film ''Sher''. In late August 2015, she signed a Telugu film ''Loafer'' which is directed by Puri Jagannadh starring opposite Varun Tej. She also appeared as an item number in Karthi's Bilingual film ''Oopiri''/''Thozha'' in late November 2015. In December 2015, Fatehi entered the Bigg Boss house as a wild card entrant in the ninth season. She spent 3 weeks inside the house before getting evicted in the 12th week (Day 83). She also participated in the reality television show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'' in 2016. She starred in the film ''My Birthday Song'' as the lead actress opposite Sanjay Suri.In February 2019, she signed a contract with the record label T-Series as an exclusive artist, and will feature on their upcoming films, music videos, web series, and web films. In the same year, she appeared in ''Batla House'', in the song "O Saki O Saki" and in ''Marjaavaan'' in the song "Ek Toh Kum Zindagani". Fatehi then played Suzan Vilayati Khan opposite Sunil Grover, in ''Bharat''. She spent 3 weeks inside the house before getting evicted in the 12th week (Day 83). She also participated in the reality television show ''Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'' in 2016. She starred in the film ''My Birthday Song'' as the lead actress opposite Sanjay Suri.In February 2019, she signed a contract with the record label T-Series as an exclusive artist, and will feature on their upcoming films, music videos, web series, and web films. In the same year, she appeared in ''Batla House'', in the song "O Saki O Saki" and in ''Marjaavaan'' in the song "Ek Toh Kum Zindagani". Fatehi then played Suzan Vilayati Khan opposite Sunil Grover, in ''Bharat''.

Expansion to acting roles (2020-present)

Fatehi played Mia, a dancer in the 2020 dance film ''Street Dancer 3D'', opposite Varun Dhawan. On 6 March 2021, Fatehi became the first African-Arab female artiste whose song "Dilbar" crossed one billion views on YouTube. She also made her international single debut with the song "Dirty Little Secret" in collaboration with Zack Knight which was subsequently performed by her in the 22nd IIFA Awards. In that year, she played a spy Heena in ''Bhuj: The Pride of India'', replacing Parineeti Chopra. She also appeared in the song "Jehda Nasha" from the film ''An Action Hero'' alongside Ayushman Khuranna. In the same year she gave a performance in the closing ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. She also took on the role of a judge in dance shows like "Dance Deewane Juniors" (season 1) and "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10" alongside other judges. In 2023, she made an appearance in the song "Achha Sila Diya" alongside Rajkummar Rao after her collaboration with him in the song "Kamariya" for the film ''Stree'' in 2018. The song, composed and sung by B Praak with lyrics by Jaani, is a recreation of the film song "Achha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka" which was featured in the 1995 Hindi film Bewafa Sanam.In 2024, Fatehi took on more acting roles. She appeared as Alia, a social media influencer, in ''Crakk'' opposite Vidyut Jammwal. The film received negative reviews and Monika Rawal Kukreja of ''Hindustan Times'' stated, "Nora is used as a mere prop and even though her character arc takes the story forward, she doesn't get ample scope to perform." Fatehi next played Tasha, opposite Divyenndu in Kunal Khemu's directorial debut ''Madgaon Express''. Mayur Sanap from ''Rediff.com'' noted, "For a change, Nora Fatehi gets a legit role to play and she is suitably affable."