On 8 June 2025, Chitrangada Singh celebrated her 49th birthday, marking another year of her inspiring journey in Indian cinema. She is a well-known actress, model, and producer in Bollywood. Her life story is one of talent, hard work, and resilience. This biography tells the story of Chitrangada Singh in simple words for Indian readers who are new to English. It covers her early life, education, career, personal life, and achievements in detail.
Early Life And Family
Chitrangada Singh was born on August 30, 1976, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Her full name is Chitrangada Singh Chahal. She was named after Chitrangada, a character from the Indian epic Mahabharata. Her father, Colonel Niranjan Singh, was an officer in the Indian Army. Because of his job, the family moved to many places. Chitrangada grew up in Jodhpur, Kota, Bareilly, and Meerut. Her mother was a homemaker who took care of the family. Chitrangada has a brother named Digvijay Singh Chahal, who is a professional golfer. She also has a sister named Tina Singh.
As a child, Chitrangada was compared to the famous actress Smita Patil because of her looks. When she was in Class IX, a filmmaker asked her to play young Smita Patil in a documentary. This was her first brush with acting. She loved performing arts from a young age and trained in Kathak, a classical Indian dance form. Her family’s military background gave her a disciplined upbringing. She was a bright and curious child who enjoyed both studies and creative activities.
Education
Chitrangada went to Sophia Girls’ School in Meerut for her schooling. The school was known for its strict discipline. She was a good student and completed her school education with good grades. After school, she moved to Delhi for higher studies. She joined Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, and earned a degree in Home Science, specializing in Food and Nutrition. Her education helped her learn about health, wellness, and discipline. These qualities later helped her in her career as a model and actress. During college, she dreamed of becoming an air hostess. She applied to airlines three times but was rejected each time. This disappointment pushed her toward modeling.
Chitrangada Singh Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Son, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chitrangada Singh Chahal |
| Date of Birth | August 30, 1976 |
| Age (as of June 8, 2025) | 49 years |
| Place of Birth | Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Family | Father: Colonel Niranjan Singh (Indian Army officer) Mother: Homemaker Brother: Digvijay Singh Chahal (Golfer) Sister: Tina Singh |
| Education | School: Sophia Girls’ School, Meerut College: Lady Irwin College, Delhi University Degree: Home Science (Food and Nutrition) |
| Early Life | Grew up in Jodhpur, Kota, Bareilly, Meerut due to father’s army job Trained in Kathak dance Compared to Smita Patil as a child |
| Marital Status | Married Jyoti Randhawa (Golfer) in 2001 Son: Zorawar Randhawa (born 2008) Divorced in 2014 Single mother |
| Career Start | Began as a model Appeared in music videos: “Sunset Point” (Gulzar), Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s video Modeled for ICICI Bank, Alukkas Jewellery |
| Bollywood Debut | Film: Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003) Role: Geeta Rao Director: Sudhir Mishra |
| Notable Films | Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow (2005), Sorry Bhai! (2008), Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011), Desi Boyz (2011), Inkaar (2013), I, Me Aur Main (2013), Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018), Baazaar (2018), Bob Biswas (2021), Gaslight (2023) |
| Item Songs | “Kaafirana” (Joker, 2012), “Aao Raja” (Gabbar Is Back, 2015) |
| Web Series | Modern Love Mumbai (2022, Role: Latika) Khakee: The Bengal Chapter (2023, Role: Opposition Leader) |
| As Producer | Soorma (2018, Biographical sports drama on Sandeep Singh) |
| Upcoming Projects | Housefull 5 (Expected soon, directed by Tarun Mansukhani) |
| Awards | Bollywood Movie Award for Best Female Debut (2006, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi) FICCI Young Women Achiever Award (2009) Indian Council for UN Relations Award (2020) |
| Achievements | Ranked 10th in Rediff.com’s Best Bollywood Actresses (2005) Ranked 11th in Times Most Desirable Women (2011) Ranked 4th in Times Most Desirable Women (2012) |
| Hobbies | River rafting, skydiving, swimming, kickboxing, traveling, golfing |
| Favorite Foods | Japanese cuisine, mutton biryani, malai tikka, fried eggs, bacon |
| Favorite Actors | Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Ranveer Singh, Rekha, Hema Malini, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan, Audrey Hepburn |
| Other Interests | Trained Kathak dancer Animal lover (has a pet dog and cat) PETA brand ambassador |
| Brand Endorsements | Airtel, Parachute, Borges Olive Oil, Taj Mahal Tea, Titan Eye Plus, Dollar Missy |
| Challenges Faced | Experienced sexual harassment in college Left Krrish 3 due to date clashes Divorce and single motherhood |
| Current Status (2025) | Active in Bollywood, balancing acting and production Raising son Zorawar Continues to inspire with talent and resilience |
Early Career in Modeling
After completing her degree, Chitrangada started her career as a model. She worked with big brands like ICICI Bank and Alukkas Jewellery. Her striking looks and confidence made her popular in the advertising world. She gained attention after appearing in the music video “Sunset Point” by Gulzar. She also featured in a music video by singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya. These projects brought her into the spotlight. Her work in music videos caught the eye of film director Sudhir Mishra. He saw her talent and offered her a role in a movie. This was the start of her journey in Bollywood.
Bollywood Debut and Breakthrough
Chitrangada made her acting debut in 2003 with the film *Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi*, directed by Sudhir Mishra. She played the role of Geeta Rao, a college student and social worker. The film was a crime drama set during India’s turbulent 1970s. Critics loved her performance. Many compared her to the legendary actress Smita Patil for her natural acting and strong screen presence. The Washington Post praised her for giving her character “dignity and decency.” The film was not a big commercial hit but earned critical acclaim. Chitrangada won the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Female Debut in 2006. She was also listed in Rediff.com’s “Best Bollywood Debut Ever” for her role.
In 2005, Chitrangada acted in another film, *Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow*. She played the lead role of Bhavna Dayal. The film was appreciated by critics, but it did not do well at the box office. After this, Chitrangada took a break from acting. She got married and focused on her personal life for a few years.
Marriage and Break from Acting
In 2001, Chitrangada married Jyoti Randhawa, a famous Indian golfer. They had known each other since she was in Class VIII. Their fathers were in the same army regiment, and they dated for five years before tying the knot. In 2008, the couple welcomed their son, Zorawar Randhawa. Chitrangada took a break from acting from 2005 to 2008 to focus on her family. During this time, she moved away from the film industry. However, her love for acting remained strong. In 2013, Chitrangada and Jyoti separated, and they divorced in 2014. Chitrangada got custody of their son, Zorawar. She raised him as a single mother, balancing her career and motherhood.
Comeback to Bollywood
Chitrangada returned to acting in 2008 with the film *Sorry Bhai!*, a romantic comedy directed by Onir. She played the lead role opposite Sanjay Suri. The film was released during the Mumbai terror attacks, which affected its box office performance. Despite the film’s failure, Chitrangada’s acting was noticed. In 2011, she starred in *Yeh Saali Zindagi*, another film by Sudhir Mishra. The crime thriller was a hit, and her role as Priti earned her praise. The same year, she appeared in *Desi Boyz*, her first mainstream commercial film. The movie, starring Akshay Kumar and John Abraham, was a commercial success. Chitrangada’s role as Tanya Sharma showed she could handle both serious and glamorous roles.
In 2013, Chitrangada had three releases. She played a prostitute in the short film *Kirchiyaan*. She also starred as Maya in *Inkaar*, a film about workplace harassment, opposite Arjun Rampal. Critics praised her chemistry with Rampal. Her third film, *I, Me Aur Main*, was a romantic comedy with John Abraham. The film did not do well, but Chitrangada’s performance was appreciated. She also did dance numbers in films like *Joker* (2012), *Anjaan* (2014), and *Gabbar Is Back* (2015). Her item song “Aao Raja” in *Gabbar Is Back* became very popular.
Venturing into Production
In 2018, Chitrangada turned producer with the film *Soorma*. The biographical sports drama was based on the life of hockey player Sandeep Singh. The film was a success and won hearts for its inspiring story. Chitrangada’s work as a producer was praised. She also acted in *Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3* and *Baazaar* in 2018. In *Baazaar*, she played a strong role opposite Saif Ali Khan. The financial thriller was well-received.
Recent Work and Web Series
Chitrangada continued to take on diverse roles. In 2021, she played Mary in *Bob Biswas*, a crime thriller with Abhishek Bachchan. Critics liked her performance as the wife of an assassin. In 2022, she entered the world of web series with *Modern Love Mumbai*. She played Latika, an aspiring novelist, opposite Arshad Warsi. The series was part of Amazon Prime’s anthology and was loved by audiences. In 2023, she starred as Rukmani in *Gaslight*, a mystery thriller with Sara Ali Khan and Vikrant Massey. Critics praised her ability to play a complex character. In 2025, she appeared in *Khakee: The Bengal Chapter* as the leader of the opposition. She also had a cameo in *Khel Khel Mein* in 2024.
Awards and Achievements
Chitrangada has won several awards. In 2006, she received the Bollywood Movie Award for Best Female Debut for *Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi*. In 2009, she was honored with the FICCI Young Women Achiever Award. In 2020, the Indian Council for UN Relations recognized her contribution to entertainment. She has also been featured in lists like Rediff.com’s “Best Bollywood Actresses” (10th in 2005) and Times Most Desirable Women (11th in 2011, 4th in 2012).
Personal Interests
Chitrangada loves adventure sports like river rafting and skydiving. She enjoys swimming, kickboxing, traveling, and golfing. Her favorite foods include Japanese cuisine, mutton biryani, malai tikka, fried eggs, and bacon. She admires actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Ranveer Singh, Rekha, Hema Malini, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan, and Audrey Hepburn. Chitrangada is a trained Kathak dancer and an animal lover. She is a brand ambassador for PETA and has a pet dog and cat. She has endorsed brands like Airtel, Parachute, Borges Olive Oil, Taj Mahal Tea, Titan Eye Plus, and Dollar Missy.
Challenges and Resilience
Chitrangada has faced challenges in her life. She spoke about experiencing sexual harassment during her college days in Delhi, a common issue for women. She also faced setbacks in her career, like when she left *Krrish 3* due to date clashes. Despite these challenges, she remained strong. Her divorce and single motherhood were tough, but she handled them with grace. She continues to inspire fans with her talent and determination.
Legacy and Future
Chitrangada Singh is a versatile actress known for strong and independent roles. Her journey from a model to a respected actress and producer is inspiring. She balances mainstream and offbeat cinema with ease. Her upcoming film *Housefull 5* with director Tarun Mansukhani is expected to release soon. At 49, Chitrangada continues to shine in Bollywood. Her story shows that with hard work and passion, one can achieve great things.