Basic Information:
Name: Kalki Koechlin
Date of Birth: January 10, 1984
Nationality: Indian (of French descent). French citizen.
Profession: Actor, Writer, Producer
Social Media Links:
Instagram:
Twitter:
Biography:
Kalki Koechlin, a prominent figure in Indian cinema and theatre, was born on January 10, 1984, in Pondicherry, India, to French parents who were devotees of Sri Aurobindo and lived in Auroville. Her father, Joel Koechlin, is a photographer and filmmaker, while her mother, Françoise Armandie, is a theatre academic. Her paternal ancestor was Maurice Koechlin, a structural engineer involved in the Eiffel Tower's design. Growing up in an environment deeply rooted in art and culture, Koechlin developed an early interest in performing arts. She attended Hebron School in Ooty and initially aspired to study psychiatry. She later pursued a degree in drama at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Koechlin's career began on the stage, where she honed her acting skills in various theatrical productions in London. Upon returning to India, she made her Bollywood debut in 2009 with Anurag Kashyap's critically acclaimed film "Dev.D," where she portrayed the character of Chanda. The role earned her widespread recognition and several accolades.
Over the years, Koechlin has established herself as a versatile and unconventional actress, known for her willingness to take on challenging and diverse roles. She has appeared in a range of films, including "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" (2011), "Shanghai" (2012), "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani" (2013), "Margarita with a Straw" (2014), "Gully Boy" (2019), and "Kho Gaye Hum Kahan" (2023) each showcasing her ability to immerse herself in different characters. In addition to her work in mainstream Bollywood, Koechlin has also been actively involved in independent and experimental cinema, further solidifying her reputation as a boundary-pushing artist. She was also a part of the critically acclaimed web-series "Made in Heaven".
Beyond acting, Koechlin is also a writer and playwright. She has written and performed in several plays, exploring themes of identity, gender, and social justice. Her play "The Living Room" received positive reviews for its sharp wit and insightful commentary. Koechlin's multifaceted talent and her commitment to meaningful storytelling have made her a respected and influential figure in the Indian entertainment industry. She is fluent in Tamil, English, and French.
Career Timeline:
2009: Bollywood debut with "Dev.D"
2011: Acted in "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara"
2012: Acted in "Shanghai"
2013: Acted in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani"
2014: Acted in "Margarita with a Straw" (Won NETPAC Award at Toronto International Film Festival)
2015: Wrote the play, "The Living Room"
2019: Acted in "Gully Boy"
2019: Acted in "Sacred Games" (TV Series)
2019: Made in Heaven (TV series)
2023: Acted in "Kho Gaye Hum Kahan"
2023: Acted in "Sam Bahadur"
Achievements:
Kalki Koechlin maintains a career trajectory that values strong performance recognition in multiple character roles. Koechlin won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress when she portrayed her character in "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" (2011) which demonstrated her significance as a mainstream performer. Koechlin earned international acclaim from critics which resulted in multiple awards when she played a young woman with cerebral palsy in "Margarita with a Straw" (2014). Her performance earned her a National Film Award – Special Jury Award and the NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The artistic repertoire of Koechlin includes writing in addition to her acting accomplishments and dramatic works. Through her work "Skeleton Woman" she received The Hindu MetroPlus Playwright Award. "The Living Room" gained praise because of its clever writing and its analysis of modern social developments. During 2018 French Minister of Culture presented Aurore Koechlin with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters distinction. She obtained a Jury Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Web Series for "Made in Heaven" at the IWM Digital Awards in 2019. Through her diverse roles and dedication to storytelling with purpose She has become a well-respected figure throughout Indian entertainment.
Key Quotes / Catchphrases:
"I have always been someone who likes to experiment with different characters."
"It's important to me to do work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking."
"I believe in using my platform to speak out about issues that I care about."
"Feminism is about equal rights and opportunities for everyone."
