Sophie Choudry
Encyclopedia
Sophie Choudry is an Indian film actress, singer, former MTV India
VJ and occasional model and anchor.
, England
. Her father adored Sophia Loren
and hence her birthname is "Sophia", however she now goes by the name "Sophie". She has one elder brother. She now lives with her mother and grandmother.
She studied at the London School of Economics
, graduating in European politics and French
and is also a gold medallist from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
. Furthermore, she studied for nearly two years at the "Sciences Po"
, an esteemed political institute in Paris
, France
, where many French politicians studied. BollySpice reports, that while still studying, Choudry became a VJ for Zee UK
.
Sophie is a polyglot
, able to speak fluently English
, Hindi, Urdu, French
and Italian
and sings in these languages as well as in Spanish
, Punjabi
and Arabic
. She is trained in various dance styles, including Indian classical dance as Bharatnatyam, which she learnt in London for four years, and Kathak
, which she learnt in Mumbai for two years as well as in Western dance as salsa
. She is also well trained in Western classical music, which she learnt for three years in the UK from Helena Shenel, as well as in Indian classical music
, which she learnt from Pandit Ashkaran Sharma.
, who launched her musical career. She, at first, lent her voice as back-up for pop- and playback singers Shweta Shetty
and Alisha Chinai
.
In 2000, she started her career as a pop singer with her all-girl band "Sansara" with a song which Sophie herself wrote ("Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai"). Very soon the band separated and Choudry started her solo singing career, donning the videos "Habibi" and "Le Le Mera Dil" in 2001.
She then moved to Mumbai
in 2002, becoming a VJ for MTV India
and hosting the popular show MTV Loveline, which eventually gained her popularity. In November 2003, she released her first remix album Sophie & Dr. Love. The album was a chart-topper for six months in India and broke records in the U.K Asian Pop Charts by holding the number 1 spot for 12 weeks. The album contained old classics by Runa Laila
, Nazia Hassan
and Salma Agha
. The video was directed by Rao and Sapru of Kaanta Laga fame and music remixed by Harry Anand.
Less than one year on, Sophie returned with her newest offering Baby Love
. According to Sophie, she listened to over 400 songs in order to come up with her perfect 12. Songs on this album include Dil Ke Armaan, Ghar aaya Mera Pardesi, Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Legaya.
In December 2009, she launched her album Sound of Sophie
, which had no remixes, but only original numbers. The launch of this album marked her association with the Indian fashion brand MADAME, who sponsored the album and also hired her as their first brand ambassador
. She worked with well known music composers such as Rishi Rich
, Bappi Lahiri
, Biddu and Gaurav Das Gupta in the album.
MTV India
MTV India is the Indian version of MTV , a channel specialising in music and youth culture programming. It was launched in 1996 and is now part of the Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd based in Mumbai. . "MTV India" is one of the oldest Music Television Networks in Asia...
VJ and occasional model and anchor.
Early life
Sophie was born and brought up in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Her father adored Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren, OMRI is an Italian actress.In 1962, Loren won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Two Women, along with 21 awards, becoming the first actress to win an Academy Award for a non-English-speaking performance...
and hence her birthname is "Sophia", however she now goes by the name "Sophie". She has one elder brother. She now lives with her mother and grandmother.
She studied at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, graduating in European politics and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and is also a gold medallist from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a leading British drama school in west London. LAMDA's president is Timothy West and its new principal is Joanna Read, who recently succeeded Peter James...
. Furthermore, she studied for nearly two years at the "Sciences Po"
Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris
The Institut d'études politiques de Paris , simply referred to as Sciences Po , is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France, specialised in the social sciences. It has the status of grand établissement, which allows its admissions process to be highly selective...
, an esteemed political institute in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where many French politicians studied. BollySpice reports, that while still studying, Choudry became a VJ for Zee UK
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,...
.
Sophie is a polyglot
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
, able to speak fluently English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Hindi, Urdu, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
and sings in these languages as well as in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
and Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
. She is trained in various dance styles, including Indian classical dance as Bharatnatyam, which she learnt in London for four years, and Kathak
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
, which she learnt in Mumbai for two years as well as in Western dance as salsa
Salsa (dance)
Salsa is a syncretic dance form with origins in Cuba as the meeting point of Spanish and African cultures.Salsa is normally a partner dance, although there are recognized solo forms such as solo dancing "suelta" and "Rueda de Casino" where multiple couples exchange partners in a circle...
. She is also well trained in Western classical music, which she learnt for three years in the UK from Helena Shenel, as well as in Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
, which she learnt from Pandit Ashkaran Sharma.
Music
Having completed her education, Sophie decided it was time to follow her dreams and she began her singing career. When she was 12 years old, her talent was discovered by noted music director BidduBiddu
Biddu or Biddu Appaiah is an Indian-British music producer, composer, song-writer and singer who produced and composed many hit records worldwide during a career spanning five decades...
, who launched her musical career. She, at first, lent her voice as back-up for pop- and playback singers Shweta Shetty
Shweta Shetty
Shweta Shetty is an Indian pop singer known for her albums and for her contributions to Bollywood film soundtracks. She currently lives in Hamburg. She is married to a German, Christian Brandt.Her song johnny joker was a famous one....
and Alisha Chinai
Alisha Chinai
Alisha Chinai in Gujarati family and an Indian pop singer known for her several albums as well as playback singing in Hindi cinema.-Career:...
.
In 2000, she started her career as a pop singer with her all-girl band "Sansara" with a song which Sophie herself wrote ("Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai"). Very soon the band separated and Choudry started her solo singing career, donning the videos "Habibi" and "Le Le Mera Dil" in 2001.
She then moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in 2002, becoming a VJ for MTV India
MTV India
MTV India is the Indian version of MTV , a channel specialising in music and youth culture programming. It was launched in 1996 and is now part of the Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd based in Mumbai. . "MTV India" is one of the oldest Music Television Networks in Asia...
and hosting the popular show MTV Loveline, which eventually gained her popularity. In November 2003, she released her first remix album Sophie & Dr. Love. The album was a chart-topper for six months in India and broke records in the U.K Asian Pop Charts by holding the number 1 spot for 12 weeks. The album contained old classics by Runa Laila
Runa Laila
Runa Laila is a singer of the Indian subcontinent who is from Bangladesh. She started her career from Pakistan film industry and is effective in Ghazals also. She made a hit pair with famous singer Ahmed Rushdi after replacing Mala. She also has done numerous playbacks for movies in Bangladesh,...
, Nazia Hassan
Nazia Hassan
Nazia Hassan was an iconic Pakistani pop singer. Her song "Aap Jaisa Koi" from the Indian film Qurbani made her a legend and pop icon in Pakistan and all of South Asia in the 1980s, where she is admired and loved even today, years after her death...
and Salma Agha
Salma Agha
Salma Agha is a singer and actress from Pakistan who sang as well as acted in Indian films in the 1980s and the early 1990s. She won the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in 1982 for the ghazal "Dil ke Armaan" in Nikaah.-Early life:...
. The video was directed by Rao and Sapru of Kaanta Laga fame and music remixed by Harry Anand.
Less than one year on, Sophie returned with her newest offering Baby Love
Baby Love
"Baby Love" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland ,...
. According to Sophie, she listened to over 400 songs in order to come up with her perfect 12. Songs on this album include Dil Ke Armaan, Ghar aaya Mera Pardesi, Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Legaya.
In December 2009, she launched her album Sound of Sophie
Sound of Sophie
Sound Of Sophie is the first studio album by British Indian dance-pop singer Sophie Choudry. It was released by Times Music in December 2009.The album features Mumzy Stranger and Veronica.-Album history:...
, which had no remixes, but only original numbers. The launch of this album marked her association with the Indian fashion brand MADAME, who sponsored the album and also hired her as their first brand ambassador
Brand ambassador
A Brand Ambassador is a person employed by a company to be the sales rep and physical representative of the company with respect to sales and marketing. The Brand Ambassador is meant to embody the corporate image in appearance, demeanor, values, and ethics....
. She worked with well known music composers such as Rishi Rich
Rishi Rich
Rishpal Singh Rekhi better known by his stage name Rishi Rich is a British Indian music producer born in Croydon, England and based in London...
, Bappi Lahiri
Bappi Lahiri
Bappi Lahiri or Alokesh Lahiri , born 27 November 1952, is a music director in the Hindi film industry. He pioneered the use of disco music in Indian cinema and sang some of his own compositions. He was popular in the 1980s with films like Disco Dancer, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi among others.-Early...
, Biddu and Gaurav Das Gupta in the album.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Aamdani Atthani Kharchaa Rupaiyaa is a 2001 Zee Cine Awards nominated Bollywood comedy film directed by K. Raghavendra Rao starring Govinda, Juhi Chawla and Tabu. This was the remake of the hit Telugu film Kshemanga Velli Labanga Randi... |
Special Appearance | Hindi Hindi Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi... |
||
| 2005 | Shaadi No. 1 Shaadi No. 1 Shaadi No.1 is an Indian film released in November 2005. The film directed by David Dhawan stars Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Sharman Joshi, Ayesha Takia, Soha Ali Khan, Esha Deol, Riya Sen, Aarti Chhabria, Sophia Chaudhary and Satish Shah... |
Dimple Kothari | Hindi | |
| Pyaar Ke Side Effects Pyaar Ke Side Effects Pyaar Ke Side Effects is a Bollywood movie released in September 2006. It was produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy communications and was written and directed by first time director Saket Chaudhary. Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat played the lead cast. The film is a romantic comedy, and... |
Tanya | Hindi | ||
| I See You I See You I See You is a Bollywood movie, released on 12 November 2006. It is produced by Arjun Rampal and his wife Mehr Jesia through their production company Chasing Ganesha Films and directed by Vivek Agrawal. Its tag line is You find love in the strangest places. The movie was shot entirely in London,... |
Dilnaaz Bagga | Hindi | ||
| 2007 | Heyy Babyy Heyy Babyy Heyy Babyy is a 2007 Hindi comedy film starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Boman Irani. It is the first full-length feature film directed by Sajid Khan. It released on 24 August 2007 to a good response and was the seventh highest grossing Bollywood film of 2007... |
Hindi | Special appearance | |
| Aggar | Nisha Raval | Hindi | ||
| Speed Speed (2007 film) Speed is an Bollywood action comedy film directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by Harry Baweja. The film stars Zayed Khan, Urmila Matondkar, Aashish Chaudhary, Aftab Shivdasani and Sanjay Suri. It is a remake of the 2004 action flick, Cellular.... |
Monica Monteiro | Hindi | ||
| 2008 | Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Money Hai Toh Honey Hai is a Bollywood comedy film directed by Ganesh Acharya and produced by Kumar Mangat. It features a cast of stars including Govinda, Aftab Shivdasani, Upen Patel, Hansika Motwani, Celina Jaitley and Manoj Bajpai in the lead roles with Ravi Kissen and Prem Chopra in supporting... |
Hindi | ||
| Kidnap Kidnap (2008 film) Kidnap is a Bollywood film starring Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Minissha Lamba and Vidya Malvade. The film is directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, who earlier directed the hit films Dhoom and Dhoom 2 .-Plot:... |
Hindi | |||
| 2009 | Aa Dekhen Zara | Bindiya Avasti | Hindi | |
| Daddy Cool | Ayesha | Hindi | ||
| Chintuji | Menka | Hindi | ||
| Alibaug | Nisha | Hindi | Filming | |
| 2011 | Vedi (film) | Mumbai ponnu | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Special appearance |
Discography
- Le Le Mera Dil (2001)
- Sophie & Dr. Love (2003)
- Baby LoveBaby Love"Baby Love" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland ,...
(2004) - Sound of SophieSound of SophieSound Of Sophie is the first studio album by British Indian dance-pop singer Sophie Choudry. It was released by Times Music in December 2009.The album features Mumzy Stranger and Veronica.-Album history:...
(2009)
Awards
- 2001: UK Asian Pop Award for Best Female Newcomer
- 2004: Lycra MTV Style Award for Most Stylish Female in Music
- 2005: Bollywood Music Award for Best Female Pop Artist