Sofia Hayat
Encyclopedia
Sofia Hayat is a British Asian of Indian origin actress, singer and model
. She has worked on both British and Indian projects.
Hayat first came to public attention on Satellite Channel, Zee TV
, where she hosted her own TV show for 3 years starting in 2000. The show became a cult favourite amongst young British Asians. Later, Hayat was in the UK TV talent show Bollywood Star, in which she lost out on the first prize by about 3 places. She holds a BA (Hons) in Music and Performing Arts. She has been instructed under David Schwimmer
, famously from the American TV show Friends
.
She started acting professionally at 16, where she landed her first role with the BBC on the hit show, "Absolute Power", where she starred alongside Stephen Fry. (V for Vendetta)
She then went on to star in the BAFTA award winning show Fur TV, where she played a Latino, complete with Brazilian accent! The show was an international success and has been translated in over 5 different languages.
For her first Bollywood film, Sofia had to learn Hindi, as she did not speak it, however she did understand some, and took on classes and watched films to perfect the language. It was initially decided that her voice would be dubbed in her first film, but after spending 3 months in India, the producer and Director agreed that Sofia should dub her own voice.
Her autobiography was published on September 2009.
Sofia was India's mascot for the 2011 Cricket World Cup
(which India went on to win) and donned a "Paul the Octopus" hairstyle, with the World Cup tattooed on her back.
, (starring Ameet Chana) and Exitz. (starring Malcolm Mcdowell and Stephen Billington). The Unforgettable premiered at The Venice Film Festival in 2008 to rave reviews. Hayat played the lead role opposite Raji James. In Cash and Curry she plays the gun-toting wife of a gangster.
Sofia has since appeared in BBC's "Waterloo Road", and "Jonathan Creek", as well as playing "Lucia", in the BAFTA award winning series, "Fur Tv", aired on MTV world wide.(Translated for different countries)
She has also published her autobiography called, "Dishonoured", which was published by Blakes Publishing in October 2009.
She also appears on the BBC Asian Network on a regular basis for their popular debate shows, and writes for Asiana magazine, and Asian Woman Magazine. Sofia is asked to regularly contribute to shows and magazines on the issues surrounding the Asian culture, as she is one of the few that does speak out openly and honestly, being affected by many of the issues, like arranged marriage and honor killings in her past.
She is also a keen supporter of the charity Ashiana (www.ashiana.org.uk) whom she regularly speaks for, raise money, and help to raise awareness for them. She is a role model to young women affected by violence, abuse, rape and honour killings.
Hayat made her Bollywood debut playing a leading role in the film "Diary of a Butterfly", which was released in April 2011. She has since signed two more Bollywood projects.
she has been shooting for the film "A Godnite" Starring bollywood acreen legend Kay Kay Menon, Kumar Gaurav and Raj Zutchi(Slum Dog Millionaire.
In November 2011 she graced the cover of Indias most prestigious "Health" Magazine, as well as "Women Era" Cover.
In November 2011, she also opened for the "Desi Boyz" concert at Ritubhura College, Juhu Mumbai, for John Abraham, Akshay Kumar and Deepika pudokone.
She performed live at the Gitanjali races in November 2011.
Sofia never intended to enter Bollywood, but before even releasing 1 film she signed 4 more.
She has appeared numerous times in Indias infamous page 3 coloumns and magazines as well as news channels.
She has also received a Pearl Award being honoured by Subhash Ghai for her excellency in Singing. Both awards received in Mumbai March 2011
May 24, 2011 Sofia Received the highy coveted All India Achievers Award for her contribution to Performing Arts. Other award winners were Celina Jaitley, Gaurav Chopra, Sonu Sood, Kanwaljeet Singh, Mukesh Rishi, Shweta Tiwari, Gayatri Patel, Vaishali desai, Bhavana Pani, Indira Krishnan, Suresh Menon, Anil Dhawan, Penaz Masani, Anil Nagrath.
. The appeal concert was at The Royal Albert Hall
in London.
In 2006, Hayat was in a band that released a song on MTV
Base. The song reached #6 in the charts, with all proceeds going to "Mothers Against Guns". This was the second time Hayat had represented a charity and given up all royalty proceeds to the charity. Sofia worked with artist Jesse J on this project. A special performance of the songs was shot at the Mayor of Londons HQ with Ken Livingstone and the Mothers of victims of gun crime.
Hayat also entertained UN troops in 2008.
In 2010, Sofia set up her own record label, Hayat Music, and released her debut single, "What's The Matter". The song charted at 15 in the UK dance charts and 19 world wide. She produced her own video, which she said was a challenge, "having to style myself, run a round buying everything from catsuits to sandwiches for the crew, and praying that my ideas would work!
The video was an international success and was played across many continents.
May 2011-Sofia gave her first ever Live show, singing Jazz with the God Father of Jazz in India, Louis Banks, at the famous venue, The Blue Frog in Mumbai.
In November 2011, Sofia sang at the promo tour for the block buster movie "Desi Boyz", and then went on to perform for the Gitanjali Juvenille Millenium race at the Mahalaxmi race course before Vidya Balan gave an award for the "Dirty Picture" cup.
She has recoded a song for her new film, which she will shoot January 2012, and is fast known in India as not only a talented actress but also a singer.
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. She has worked on both British and Indian projects.
Hayat first came to public attention on Satellite Channel, Zee TV
Zee TV
Zee TV is an India-based satellite television channel owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, which broadcasts various programmes in Hindi and other regional languages of India. Broadcasting is also present in various nations of South Asia, Europe, the Middle East,...
, where she hosted her own TV show for 3 years starting in 2000. The show became a cult favourite amongst young British Asians. Later, Hayat was in the UK TV talent show Bollywood Star, in which she lost out on the first prize by about 3 places. She holds a BA (Hons) in Music and Performing Arts. She has been instructed under David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer
David Lawrence Schwimmer is an American actor and director of television and film. He was born in New York City, and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was two. He began his acting career performing in school plays at Beverly Hills High School. In 1988, he graduated from Northwestern...
, famously from the American TV show Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
.
Career
Sofia has appeared in TV Advertising campaigns for big international brands like Walkers Crisps, McDonalds, and was the first model/actor who featured in the campaign for Timotei hair shampoo. A brand well known for hair products for blondes. This was the first time they shot with a brunette from Indian origin.She started acting professionally at 16, where she landed her first role with the BBC on the hit show, "Absolute Power", where she starred alongside Stephen Fry. (V for Vendetta)
She then went on to star in the BAFTA award winning show Fur TV, where she played a Latino, complete with Brazilian accent! The show was an international success and has been translated in over 5 different languages.
For her first Bollywood film, Sofia had to learn Hindi, as she did not speak it, however she did understand some, and took on classes and watched films to perfect the language. It was initially decided that her voice would be dubbed in her first film, but after spending 3 months in India, the producer and Director agreed that Sofia should dub her own voice.
Her autobiography was published on September 2009.
Sofia was India's mascot for the 2011 Cricket World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
(which India went on to win) and donned a "Paul the Octopus" hairstyle, with the World Cup tattooed on her back.
Film career
Hayat has recently completed feature films The Unforgettable, Cash and CurryCash and Curry (film)
Cash and Curry is an independent British movie directed by Sarjit Bains and written by Christine Edwards and Manish Patel. It was filmed in 2008 on location in Harrow, Barnet and Wembley. The film has been premiered at the Portobello Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival and the Tongues on Fire Film...
, (starring Ameet Chana) and Exitz. (starring Malcolm Mcdowell and Stephen Billington). The Unforgettable premiered at The Venice Film Festival in 2008 to rave reviews. Hayat played the lead role opposite Raji James. In Cash and Curry she plays the gun-toting wife of a gangster.
Sofia has since appeared in BBC's "Waterloo Road", and "Jonathan Creek", as well as playing "Lucia", in the BAFTA award winning series, "Fur Tv", aired on MTV world wide.(Translated for different countries)
She has also published her autobiography called, "Dishonoured", which was published by Blakes Publishing in October 2009.
She also appears on the BBC Asian Network on a regular basis for their popular debate shows, and writes for Asiana magazine, and Asian Woman Magazine. Sofia is asked to regularly contribute to shows and magazines on the issues surrounding the Asian culture, as she is one of the few that does speak out openly and honestly, being affected by many of the issues, like arranged marriage and honor killings in her past.
She is also a keen supporter of the charity Ashiana (www.ashiana.org.uk) whom she regularly speaks for, raise money, and help to raise awareness for them. She is a role model to young women affected by violence, abuse, rape and honour killings.
Hayat made her Bollywood debut playing a leading role in the film "Diary of a Butterfly", which was released in April 2011. She has since signed two more Bollywood projects.
she has been shooting for the film "A Godnite" Starring bollywood acreen legend Kay Kay Menon, Kumar Gaurav and Raj Zutchi(Slum Dog Millionaire.
In November 2011 she graced the cover of Indias most prestigious "Health" Magazine, as well as "Women Era" Cover.
In November 2011, she also opened for the "Desi Boyz" concert at Ritubhura College, Juhu Mumbai, for John Abraham, Akshay Kumar and Deepika pudokone.
She performed live at the Gitanjali races in November 2011.
Sofia never intended to enter Bollywood, but before even releasing 1 film she signed 4 more.
She has appeared numerous times in Indias infamous page 3 coloumns and magazines as well as news channels.
Awards
Hayat has received a 'Hira Manek Award' in India on International Women's Day for her contribution to the arts and acting in MumbaiShe has also received a Pearl Award being honoured by Subhash Ghai for her excellency in Singing. Both awards received in Mumbai March 2011
May 24, 2011 Sofia Received the highy coveted All India Achievers Award for her contribution to Performing Arts. Other award winners were Celina Jaitley, Gaurav Chopra, Sonu Sood, Kanwaljeet Singh, Mukesh Rishi, Shweta Tiwari, Gayatri Patel, Vaishali desai, Bhavana Pani, Indira Krishnan, Suresh Menon, Anil Dhawan, Penaz Masani, Anil Nagrath.
Music career
Hayat was asked to write the official song for the victims and survivors of the Pakistani and Indian earthquake2005 Kashmir earthquake
The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a major earthquake centered in Pakistan-administered Kashmir known as Azad Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad, affecting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It occurred at 08:52:37 Pakistan Standard Time on 8 October 2005...
. The appeal concert was at The Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London.
In 2006, Hayat was in a band that released a song on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Base. The song reached #6 in the charts, with all proceeds going to "Mothers Against Guns". This was the second time Hayat had represented a charity and given up all royalty proceeds to the charity. Sofia worked with artist Jesse J on this project. A special performance of the songs was shot at the Mayor of Londons HQ with Ken Livingstone and the Mothers of victims of gun crime.
Hayat also entertained UN troops in 2008.
In 2010, Sofia set up her own record label, Hayat Music, and released her debut single, "What's The Matter". The song charted at 15 in the UK dance charts and 19 world wide. She produced her own video, which she said was a challenge, "having to style myself, run a round buying everything from catsuits to sandwiches for the crew, and praying that my ideas would work!
The video was an international success and was played across many continents.
May 2011-Sofia gave her first ever Live show, singing Jazz with the God Father of Jazz in India, Louis Banks, at the famous venue, The Blue Frog in Mumbai.
In November 2011, Sofia sang at the promo tour for the block buster movie "Desi Boyz", and then went on to perform for the Gitanjali Juvenille Millenium race at the Mahalaxmi race course before Vidya Balan gave an award for the "Dirty Picture" cup.
She has recoded a song for her new film, which she will shoot January 2012, and is fast known in India as not only a talented actress but also a singer.