Diana Penty
Diana Penty

Diana Penty

Diana Penty Wiki

Diana Penty (pronounced [ɖaːjəna ˈpeːɳʈi]; born 2 November 1985) is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi films. She began her modelling career in 2005 when she was signed up by Elite Models India. Penty then made her acting debut with the romantic comedy film Cocktail (2012), for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination.After a four-year hiatus, Penty played the title role in Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016), a sleeper hit. She went on to play an army officer in Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018), a public service volunteer in Shiddat (2021), and the leading lady in the Malayalam film Salute (2022). She then portrayed a NCB officer in Bloody Daddy (2023).In addition to her acting career, Penty is a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.

Early life and education

Penty was born on 2 November 1985 in Mumbai, Maharashtra to a Parsi father and a Konkani Christian mother. She attended St. Agnes High School in Mumbai, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mass Media from St. Xavier's College.

Career

In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. Thereafter, Penty modelled for several other Indian designers, including Wendell Rodricks, Rohit Bal and Rina Dhaka. By 2007, she had established a successful modelling career after appearing in print campaigns for some of India's most prominent brands, including Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Parachute and Westside; as well as featuring on the covers of a few Indian fashion magazines.The following year, Penty went on to model at an international circuit when she started to endorse global brands excluding Maybelline, Garnier and Forever 21. On Penty's international appeal, the CEO of Elite Models India Sushma Puri commented, "Diana has a face that is very versatile and appeals to both Indian and international markets and she is also young, beautiful and confident. This makes her the ideal choice for any international brand." Later in her modelling career Penty started to receive film offers, though she believed herself to be too inexperienced, and rejected them to focus on modelling. From 2008 to 2010, Penty established herself internationally after modelling for fashion weeks in Paris and New York.Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's ''Rockstar'' opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri. She later signed up for Homi Adajania's ''Cocktail'' instead; at Ali's suggestion. Cast alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film received mixed to positive reviews. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented that "Diana, who makes her acting debut, gets to portray a rather difficult character for her debut film. There's a very disarming kind of innocence that she brings to the role and she impresses a great deal." Raja Sen agreed, mentioning that she is "refreshingly natural". Anupama Chopra added that "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but [...] infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own." Her performance earned her nominations for best debut and best supporting actress at numerous Indian award ceremonies, including International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. ''Cocktail'' emerged as a box office hit. The film earned mixed reviews from critics but was a sleeper hit. Rohit Bhatnagar wrote that Penty "steals the spotlight in every frame", while Anna M. M. Vetticad of ''Firstpost'' said: "Penty is brimming with potential [...] but her Happy, despite being the titular protagonist, is the most under-written character."Her sole role in 2017 was that of Gayatri Kashyap, a diligent NGO worker who champions the cause of a band formed by a group of prison inmates, in debutante Ranjit Tiwari's prison film ''Lucknow Central'', which starred her alongside Farhan Akhtar. ''Times of India'' noted that she plays her part well.Penty had two releases in 2018. Her first appearance was as Captain Ambalika Bandyopadhyay, in Abhishek Sharma's period drama ''Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran'' opposite John Abraham, which was a commercial success. ''Bollywood Hungama'' mentioned, "Diana Penty has a crucial part and essays the no nonsense character very well." In her second appearance of the year, she reprised her titular role in ''Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi'', a sequel to ''Happy Bhag Jayegi'', alongside Sonakshi Sinha, who played an eponymous namesake; the film underperformed compared to the prequel.In 2019, she had special song appearance alongside singer Badshah and actors Suniel Shetty and Raveena Tandon as the proverbial "Shehar Ki Ladki" in a promotional music video of the song, a remake of an eponymous hit, for ''Khandaani Shafakhana'' (2019).Penty portrayed Ira Sharma Sehgal, a public service volunteer who has a friction of ideology with her husband, in director Kunal Deshmukh's 2021 romantic drama ''Shiddat''. ''India Today'' noted, "Though Diana Penty gets extremely limited screen time in comparison to her male counterparts, she leave a mark as free-spirited, practical and open-minded women." Penty marked her Malayalam film debut with the 2022 film ''Salute'' alongside Dulquer Salmaan portraying Dia, Salmaan's love interest. ''Hindustan Times'' mentioned, "The women have very less to contribute to the film and Diana Penty gets wasted in a role that has no impact."Penty portrayed Naina, opposite Akshay Kumar in Raj Mehta's ''Selfiee''. ''Bollywood Hungama'' stated, "Though Diana Penty doesn’t have much to do but she underplays her part well." Penty will next appear in Ali Abbas Zafar's ''Bloody Daddy'' opposite Shahid Kapoor Penty will next appear in Ali Abbas Zafar's ''Bloody Daddy'' opposite Shahid Kapoor and Shabbir Khan's ''Adbhut'' alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui. She also has ''Section 84'' with Amitabh Bachchan in her kitty.

Modelling career (2005–11)

Penty began her modeling when she sent her photographs to Elite Models India, who liked her work and suggested she take up modelling assignments. At this stage, she was in college and was reluctant to choose a career in modeling, so Penty decided to work part-time as a fashion model.
In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. Thereafter, Penty modelled for several other Indian designers, including Wendell Rodricks, Rohit Bal and Rina Dhaka. By 2007, she had established a successful modelling career after appearing in print campaigns for some of India's most prominent brands, including Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Parachute and Westside; as well as featuring on the covers of a few Indian fashion magazines.

The following year, Penty went on to model at an international circuit when she started to endorse global brands excluding Maybelline, Garnier and Forever 21. On Penty's international appeal, the CEO of Elite Models India Sushma Puri commented, "Diana has a face that is very versatile and appeals to both Indian and international markets and she is also young, beautiful and confident. This makes her the ideal choice for any international brand." Later in her modelling career Penty started to receive film offers, though she believed herself to be too inexperienced, and rejected them to focus on modelling. From 2008 to 2010, Penty established herself internationally after modelling for fashion weeks in Paris and New York.

Modelling career (2005–2011)

In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. Thereafter, Penty modelled for several other Indian designers, including Wendell Rodricks, Rohit Bal and Rina Dhaka. By 2007, she had established a successful modelling career after appearing in print campaigns for some of India's most prominent brands, including Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Parachute and Westside; as well as featuring on the covers of a few Indian fashion magazines.The following year, Penty went on to model at an international circuit when she started to endorse global brands excluding Maybelline, Garnier and Forever 21. On Penty's international appeal, the CEO of Elite Models India Sushma Puri commented, "Diana has a face that is very versatile and appeals to both Indian and international markets and she is also young, beautiful and confident. This makes her the ideal choice for any international brand." Later in her modelling career Penty started to receive film offers, though she believed herself to be too inexperienced, and rejected them to focus on modelling. From 2008 to 2010, Penty established herself internationally after modelling for fashion weeks in Paris and New York.

Bollywood debut and breakthrough (2012–present)

Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri.Diana Penty also worked with some of the industry talents like Nikhil Kumar and Devanshu Pahuja. She was also rumored to be dating Nikhil Kumar but they broke up after 2 years of dating. Nikhil is currently settled in US.


She later signed up for Homi Adajania's Cocktail instead; at Ali's suggestion. Cast alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film received mixed to positive reviews. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented that "Diana, who makes her acting debut, gets to portray a rather difficult character for her debut film. There's a very disarming kind of innocence that she brings to the role and she impresses a great deal." Raja Sen agreed, mentioning that she is "refreshingly natural". Anupama Chopra added that "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but [...] infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own." Her performance earned her nominations for best debut and best supporting actress at numerous Indian award ceremonies, including International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Cocktail emerged as a box office hit.After a four-year absence from the screen, Penty played the titular runaway bride in Aanand L. Rai's production Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016). About the break from acting, Penty said: "It wasn't a conscious break. I was taking my time looking to be a part of an interesting story. I didn't want to do anything that came my way." The film earned mixed reviews from critics but was a sleeper hit. Rohit Bhatnagar wrote that Penty "steals the spotlight in every frame", while Anna M.M. Vetticad of Firstpost said: "Penty is brimming with potential [...] but her Happy, despite being the titular protagonist, is the most under-written character."

In 2017, Penty played a diligent NGO Worker in Lucknow Central. In 2018, she appeared in Abhishek Sharma's Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran opposite John Abraham and reprised her role in Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi alongside Sonakshi Sinha. In 2021, Penty was roped in play female lead in Malayalam film Salute along with Dulquer Salmaan marking her debut in Malayalam films.She will next be seen in the romantic drama “Shiddat”.

Film debut and breakthrough (2012–2018)

Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's ''Rockstar'' opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri. She later signed up for Homi Adajania's ''Cocktail'' instead; at Ali's suggestion. Cast alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film received mixed to positive reviews. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented that "Diana, who makes her acting debut, gets to portray a rather difficult character for her debut film. There's a very disarming kind of innocence that she brings to the role and she impresses a great deal." Raja Sen agreed, mentioning that she is "refreshingly natural". Anupama Chopra added that "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but [...] infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own." Her performance earned her nominations for best debut and best supporting actress at numerous Indian award ceremonies, including International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. ''Cocktail'' emerged as a box office hit. The film earned mixed reviews from critics but was a sleeper hit. Rohit Bhatnagar wrote that Penty "steals the spotlight in every frame", while Anna M. M. Vetticad of ''Firstpost'' said: "Penty is brimming with potential [...] but her Happy, despite being the titular protagonist, is the most under-written character."Her sole role in 2017 was that of Gayatri Kashyap, a diligent NGO worker who champions the cause of a band formed by a group of prison inmates, in debutante Ranjit Tiwari's prison film ''Lucknow Central'', which starred her alongside Farhan Akhtar. ''Times of India'' noted that she plays her part well.Penty had two releases in 2018. Her first appearance was as Captain Ambalika Bandyopadhyay, in Abhishek Sharma's period drama ''Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran'' opposite John Abraham, which was a commercial success. ''Bollywood Hungama'' mentioned, "Diana Penty has a crucial part and essays the no nonsense character very well." In her second appearance of the year, she reprised her titular role in ''Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi'', a sequel to ''Happy Bhag Jayegi'', alongside Sonakshi Sinha, who played an eponymous namesake; the film underperformed compared to the prequel.

Career progression (2019-present)

In 2019, she had special song appearance alongside singer Badshah and actors Suniel Shetty and Raveena Tandon as the proverbial "Shehar Ki Ladki" in a promotional music video of the song, a remake of an eponymous hit, for ''Khandaani Shafakhana'' (2019).Penty portrayed Ira Sharma Sehgal, a public service volunteer who has a friction of ideology with her husband, in director Kunal Deshmukh's 2021 romantic drama ''Shiddat''. ''India Today'' noted, "Though Diana Penty gets extremely limited screen time in comparison to her male counterparts, she leave a mark as free-spirited, practical and open-minded women." Penty marked her Malayalam film debut with the 2022 film ''Salute'' alongside Dulquer Salmaan portraying Dia, Salmaan's love interest. ''Hindustan Times'' mentioned, "The women have very less to contribute to the film and Diana Penty gets wasted in a role that has no impact."Penty portrayed Naina, opposite Akshay Kumar in Raj Mehta's ''Selfiee''. ''Bollywood Hungama'' stated, "Though Diana Penty doesn’t have much to do but she underplays her part well." Penty will next appear in Ali Abbas Zafar's ''Bloody Daddy'' opposite Shahid Kapoor Penty will next appear in Ali Abbas Zafar's ''Bloody Daddy'' opposite Shahid Kapoor and Shabbir Khan's ''Adbhut'' alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui. She also has ''Section 84'' with Amitabh Bachchan in her kitty.

Off-screen work

She also supports a number of causes. In 2020, she provides safety gear to Mumbai police amid the COVID-19 pandemic and additionally collaborated with Ketto India for the initiative #EveryLifeMatters, to help provide relief and financial support during the crisis.Penty made her Cannes Film Festival debut in 2019 and has subsequently appeared on the red carpet the following years. She has ramp walked at the Lakme Fashion Week. She has been cover model for several magazines including Vogue, Elle, Verve, Women's Health India, Grazia India and Femina among others.Penty has been very vocal on various issues. Praising the #MeToo movement, she said, "I am proud that the #MeToo movement has kick-started. It is commendable that women are coming out and bringing light to the issues which they went through in the past. It takes a lot of courage."During ''Happy Bhag Jayegi'' musical event in 2016, Mika Singh cracked a joke on Penty's surname, that did not go well with her. After much prodding, the actress opened up on the matter and said, "I don’t find these jokes funny. I don’t even understand how people laugh at such comments."

Controversy

During ''Happy Bhag Jayegi'' musical event in 2016, Mika Singh cracked a joke on Penty's surname, that did not go well with her. After much prodding, the actress opened up on the matter and said, "I don’t find these jokes funny. I don’t even understand how people laugh at such comments."
Source: Wikipedia

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