Neha Dhupia (born 27 August 1980) is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. She is a former beauty queen and winner of Femina Miss India 2002.
Dhupia was born in Cochin, Kerala to a Punjabi Sikh family. Her father, Commander Sandip Dhupia, served in the Indian Navy and mother, Manpinder, is a homemaker. She went to Naval Public School, then transferred to Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi. She graduated from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University with honors majoring in History.
Dhupia made her acting debut in a play in New Delhi called Graffiti. Thereafter she appeared in a music video for Indipop band Euphoria and also modeled for various advertisement campaigns. She then appeared in the TV serial "Rajdhani".
In 2002 she entered the Femina Miss India pageant finishing in first place, winning the Femina Miss India Universe title, and was subsequently sent to the Miss Universe 2002 pageant in Puerto Rico. She placed in the top 10.
Dhupia made her film debut in the 2003 Bollywood film Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003), which performed averagely at the box office. She rose to fame with her role in the film Julie and then appeared in Sheesha (2005) in a dual role of twin sisters, but the film did not do well at the box office. She then appeared in films such as Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005) and Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), which did well at the box office, and also appeared in a segment of the anthology film Dus Kahaniyaan (2007).
In coming years, Dhupia appeared in supporting roles in multiple critically and commercially acclaimed films including Chup Chup Ke (2006), Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007), Mithya (2008), Maharathi (2008), Singh Is King (2008) and Dasvidaniya (2008). Two of her latest films have been Paying Guest, and De Dana Dan which failed at the box office. She also worked on her first international project with Chris Kattan in IFC's Bollywood Hero. She is currently working on Vipul Shah's next directorial venture Action Replayy.
