Sangeeta Bijlani
Bijlani in August 2017
Born (1960-07-09) 9 July 1960 (age 63)[1]
Bombay, Maharashtra, India[1]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active1988–1997
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1996; div. 2010)​
[2]

Sangeeta Bijlani (born 9 July 1960) is an Indian former actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who is known for winning the title of Femina Miss India 1980. She represented India at Miss Universe 1980.[3] She started her acting career starring in Hindi films, playing a lead role in the film Qatil (1988) and was one of the three female leads in the film Tridev (1989).

Early life

Bijlani was born on 9 July 1960 in Bombay (present Mumbai), Maharashtra, India into a Sindhi Hindu family.[1][4]

Modelling and commercials

Bijlani began modelling at the age of 16.[1] She went on to do many commercials including ads of Nirma and Pond's soap.[3] Sangeeta received her popular name "Bijli" from her modelling days.[1]

Miss India Universe and international recognition

Bijlani was crowned Miss India Universe Title in 1980.[1] She represented India at the Miss Universe pageant in Seoul, South Korea where she won Best National Costume award designed by her mother Poonam Bijlani.[citation needed]

Bollywood debut and success

Bijlani made her Bollywood debut in 1988 with Qatil, opposite Aditya Pancholi and then went on to act in Tridev, Hathyar, Jurm, Yodha, Yugandhar, Izzat and Lakshman Rekha.[citation needed] She did a bilingual in Hindi and Kannada opposite Vishnu Vardhan. She was nominated by the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress category for Jurm opposite Vinod Khanna and was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and scripted by Salim Khan. She has also worked with Mahesh Bhatt, Mukul Anand, J.P. Dutta, Rahul Rawail and N. Chandra.[citation needed]

Television career

Bijlani made her small-screen debut with Chandni - "a tale of power, revenge and love" in early 1996 opposite actor Shahbaz Khan. She also went on to produce Hasna Mat, with Kader Khan on Star Plus and Kinarey Milte Nahi on Zee TV.

Year Series Role Network Notes Ref
2021 Super Dancer Guest Sony Entertainment Television With Jackie Shroff [5]

Personal life

Bijlani and Salman Khan started dating each other in 1986 when they were still modelling .[1] Years later, the duo shared hugs and kisses during Salman's 57th birthday.

On 14 November 1996, Bijlani married cricketer Mohammed Azharuddin in Mumbai. The marriage ended in a divorce in 2010.[6][7]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1988 Qatil Kiran Mathur
1989 Hathyar Jenny
1989 Tridev Natasha Tejani
1990 Jai Shiv Shankar Unreleased
1990 Gunahon Ka Devta Bhinde's sister
1990 Hatim Tai Gulnar Pari, Husna Pari
1990 Jurm Geeta Sarabhai
1990 Paap Ki Kamaee
1991 Yodha Vidya Agnihotri
1991 Police Matthu Dada Kannada film
1991 Dhun Unreleased film
1991 Numbri Aadmi Sangeeta Rana
1991 Inspector Dhanush Sangeeta
1991 Vishnu-Devaa Sangeeta Samppat
1991 Khoon Ka Karz Sagarika D. Mehta
1991 Gunehgar Kaun Nisha
1991 Izzat Surya
1991 Shiv Ram
1991 Lakshmanrekha Beenu
1993 Yugandhar
1993 Tahqiqaat Roopa
1993 Game Advocate Shraddha
1996 Nirbhay Radha
1997 Jagannath
1997 ABCD

Television commercial

In popular culture

A 2016 Bollywood film Azhar, directed by Tony D'Souza, was based on her life and depicts her relationship with her ex-husband and Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. Bijlani's character was played by Nargis Fakhri in the film.[9][10] According to media reports, Bijlani was not happy with her portrayal in the film as she was called the "house breaker" and further planned to sue the filmmakers.[11][12] However, Emran Hashmi the lead actor in the film slammed the media reports that Bijlani is unhappy with her character.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "10 साल तक संगीता बिजलानी और सलमान खान ने किया था डेट, इस वजह से नहीं हो सकी शादी". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). 8 July 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  2. ^ Gupta, Rajarshi (21 December 2015). "Mohammad Azharuddin furious with reports of third marriage". India Today. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b Sangeeta Bijlani. movies.yahoo.com
  4. ^ Dixit, Shivani (9 July 2021). "10 Then vs now photos! 61-year old Sangeeta Bijlani's transformation is sure to make your eyes pop". Zoom TV. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Sangeeta Bijlani recreates Tridev magic with Jackie Shroff on Super Dancer 4". Hindustan Times. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Third time's the charm: Mohammad Azharuddin gets married, again". The Times of India. 20 December 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Met Sangeeta Bijlani during an ad shoot in 1985, it was love at first sight: Azharuddin". India Today. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  8. ^ "When Vicco Turmeric 'nahi cosmetic' spread the love". Economic Times. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Nargis Fakhri to play Sangeeta's role in Azharuddin biopic". Hindustan Times. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  10. ^ PTI (4 July 2015). "Nargis Fakhri to Play Sangeeta Bijlani in 'Azhar'". The Quint. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Sangeeta Bijlani to sue Azhar team?". Tribune. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  12. ^ Trivedi, Hiten J (28 January 2017). "Sangeeta Bijlani and Manoj Prabhakar to sue the makers of 'Azhar'? - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  13. ^ PTI (28 January 2017). "Emraan Hashmi: Reports of Sangeeta Bijlani miffed with 'Azhar' false". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  14. ^ PTI (29 April 2016). "Emraan Hashmi clears the air on Sangeeta Bijlani being miffed with 'Azhar'". DNA India. Retrieved 22 March 2021.

External links

Preceded bySwaroop Sampat Miss India Succeeded byRachita Kumar
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sangeeta Bijlani.
Miss Universe 1980, national titleholders
Categories