Diana Penty

Diana Penty

at ‘Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards October 2016’
Born (1985-11-02) 2 November 1985
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 2005–present

Diana Penty (pronounced [ɖaːjnaː peːnʈiː]; born 2 November 1985) is an Indian model and film actress who appears in Hindi films. Born in Mumbai, in a Parsi-Christian family Penty completed her education from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and simultaneously began modeling as a part-time profession.

After initial disinclination, Penty began a full-time modelling career in 2005 when she was signed up by Elite Models India. She soon established a successful career as a model after walking the ramp for many of India's top designers. Penty made her acting debut in Homi Adajania's commercially successful romantic comedy Cocktail (2012). Her performance in the film garnered praise, and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Penty went on a sabbatical from acting and made a comeback in 2016 with the romantic comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi, playing the titular role. Her performance was well received and film went on be a surprise hit at the box-office. Penty is an active celebrity endorser and has been associated with brands including TRESemmé and Nokia.

Personal life

Penty was born on 2 November 1985 in Mumbai to a Parsi father and a Christian Konkani mother.[1][2] She attended St. Agnes High School in Mumbai, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mass Media from St. Xavier's College.[3][4] Diana is currently dating a diamond merchant Harsh Sagar.[5]

Career

Modelling career (2005–11)

Penty walking the ramp for the Mijwan fashion show, 2012

Penty began her modeling when she sent her photographs to Elite Models India, who liked her work and suggested she take up modelling assignments. At this stage, she was in college, and was reluctant to choose on a career in modelling, so Penty decided to work part-time as a fashion model.[6]

In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré.[7] Thereafter, Penty modelled for several other Indian designers, including Wendell Rodricks, Rohit Bal and Rina Dhaka.[8] By 2007, she had established a successful modelling career after appearing in print campaigns for some of India's most prominent brands, including Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Parachute and Westside; as well as featuring on the covers of a few Indian fashion magazines.[9][10]

The following year, Penty went on to model at the international circuit when she began to endorse global brands including Maybelline, Garnier and Forever 21.[10] On Penty's international appeal, the CEO of Elite Models India Sushma Puri commented, "Diana has a face that is very versatile and appeals to both Indian and international markets and she is also young, beautiful and confident. This makes her the ideal choice for any international brand."[11] Later in her modelling career Penty started to receive film offers, though she believed herself to be too inexperienced, and rejected them to focus on modelling.[12] From 2008 to 2010, Penty established herself internationally after modelling for fashion weeks in Paris and New York.[13][14]

Bollywood debut and breakthrough (2012–present)


Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri.[15] She later signed up for Homi Adajania's Cocktail instead; at Ali's suggestion.[16] Cast alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film received mixed to positive reviews. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented that "Diana, who makes her acting debut, gets to portray a rather difficult character for her debut film. There's a very disarming kind of innocence that she brings to the role and she impresses a great deal."[17] Raja Sen agreed, mentioning that she is "refreshingly natural".[18] Anupama Chopra added that "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but [...] infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own."[19] Noted writer Shobhaa De also wrote positively, saying that "Diana Penty's debut rates amongst the best in recent times. Not only is the girl absolutely lovely but she can act! That's a bonus. Nobody expects actual acting prowess from our lissome models — well, here's one with a terrific future."[20] Further, her performance earned her nominations for best debut and best supporting actress at numerous Indian award ceremonies. The film also emerged as a box office hit.[21]

As of September 2015, Penty has begun filming for Anand L. Rai's production Happy Bhag Jayegi in which she played the titular character opposite Abhay Deol.The movie released on August 26, 2016. [22]

In the media

In addition to modelling and acting, Penty is currently the Indian brand ambassador of TRESemmé,[23] Nokia, in particular the Lumia 510 phone[24] and Micromax Mobile.

Penty has also featured on several magazine covers, such as the July 2012 issue of Vogue,[25] the October 2012 issue of Elle,[26] the January 2013 issue of Verve,[27] the January/February 2013 issue of Women's Health India,[28] the February 2013 issue of Grazia,[29] the May 2013 issue of Femina,[30] among others.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Cocktail Meera Sahni
2016 Happy Bhag Jayegi Harpreet "Happy" Kaur

Awards and nominations

Year Film Award Category Result
2012 Cocktail Vogue Beauty Awards Female Debut Won[31]
UK Bollywood Cosmopolitan Awards Best Debut (Female) Won[32]
BIG Star Entertainment Awards Most Entertaining Actor (Film) Debut - Female Nominated[33]
2013 ETC Bollywood Business Awards Most Profitable Debut (Female) Nominated[34]
Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Nominated[35]
Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Nominated[36]
Zee Cine Awards Best Female Debut Nominated[37]
Star Guild Awards Best Female Debut Nominated[38]
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated[38]
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated[39]

Other honours

References

  1. ↑ "Diana Penty". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Agrawal, Rati (27 April 2013). "Bollywood Celebs with Inter-Faith Parents". iDiva. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Jajoo, Amar A. (8 February 2013). "Bollywood actors who have good academic background". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  4. ↑ Ajmera, Ankit (29 August 2012). "Diana Penty has a huge appetite for desserts". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Diana Penty: I'm not getting married - The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  6. ↑ Sharma, Viseshika (January 2013). "Flaming Blush". Verve. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  7. ↑ Hari, Veena (21 September 2006). "These faces have made their mark". Rediff.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Acting is more demanding, says Diana Penty". Hindustan Times. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "Debut Deck: Diana Penty". MSN. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  10. 1 2 Singh, Prashant (18 June 2009). "Indian sizzler for New York fashion runway". India Today. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  11. ↑ "Indian model Diana Penty is new brand ambassador of Maybelline". Thaindian News. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  12. ↑ "Diana replaces Deepika as a brand ambassador!". The Indian Express. 22 December 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  13. ↑ Singh, Prashant (9 July 2012). "Diana Penty quits ramp for Bollywood". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  14. ↑ Prabhu, Vidya (21 August 2009). "Models in India are very impatient, says Diana Penty". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  15. ↑ Saini, Minakshi (21 July 2012). "Rockstar was offered to me first: Diana Penty". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  16. ↑ "Ranbir's girl goes to Saif". 6 April 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  17. ↑ Adarsh, Taran (13 July 2012). "Cocktail (2012) Review". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  18. ↑ Sen, Raja (13 July 2012). "Review: Cocktail is let down by its inane plot". Rediff.com. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  19. ↑ Chopra, Anupama (13 July 2012). "Anupama Chopra's review: Cocktail". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  20. ↑ De, Shobhaa (16 July 2012). "What's a cocktail without a kick?". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  21. ↑ "Box Office Earnings 10/08/12 - 16/08/12". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  22. ↑ "'Happy Bhaag Jayegi' shoot brings traffic to a halt". The Tribune. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "My Personal Style Is Casual And Simple: Diana Penty". Businessofcinema.com. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  24. ↑ Sharma, Suruchi (25 October 2013). "Diana Penty's phone is her all-time companion". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "Vogue July 2012 Cover: Diana Penty". Vogue. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  26. ↑ "Diana Penty on Elle India – October 2012". Indicine. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  27. ↑ "Diana on Verve". Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  28. ↑ "Diana Penty unveils Women's Health magazine's double issue". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  29. ↑ "Beauty Secrets of our cover girl Diana Penty". Grazia. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  30. ↑ Kumar, Anjali. "Diana Penty in Stella McCartney on cover of Femina May 2013 issue". Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  31. ↑ "Diana Penty At VOGUE BEAUTY AWARDS 2012 In Mumbai 2". Rediff.com. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  32. ↑ Saandhu, Kiaara (7 December 2012). "Best Debut Female in 2012 at " UK Bollywood Cosmopolitan Awards " goes to Diana Penty for Cocktail....Congrats !!!". Twitter. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "Big Star Awards 2012 / 2013 – Winners, Nominations". Indicine. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  34. ↑ Bollywood Business Awards 2012. ETC Bollywood Business. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2014. Event occurs at 28:01
  35. ↑ "Diana Penty—Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  36. ↑ Behrawala, Krutika (11 January 2013). "Screen Awards nominations 2012: 'Quote-unquote'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  37. ↑ Best Actor Debut Female. Zee TV. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  38. 1 2 "Star Guild Awards — Nominees". Star Guild Awards. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "Nominations for IIFA Awards 2013". Bollywood Hungama. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "Deepika, John and Diana rock the Grazia awards". Filmfare. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  41. ↑ "Diana Penty Most Desirable Woman at No.25". First Post. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  42. ↑ Priya Gupta, Garima Sharma (29 August 2013). "The most promising newcomer female for 2012 is". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2014.

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