Shriya Saran



Shriya Saran(pronounced [ʂrɪjaː saːɽɳ];[1]  born 11 September 1982),[2] [3]  also known by the mononym Shriya, is an Indian film actress and model. She has acted in Telugu,Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi language films, as well as a few films in English and Kannada.

Saran was born in Dehradun to Pushpendra Saran, a Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited employee and Neeraja Saran a chemistry teacher. As such, Saran completed her secondary studies where her mother worked. She spent most of her childhood in Haridwar. As a teenager, she showed great promise in dance in which she has great passion and perused professional in this art. In 2001, her dance master gave her the opportunity to appear in Renoo Nathan's debut music video "Thirakti Kyun Hawa", which brought Saran to become known by many Indian filmmakers.

Although Saran aspired to become a well known dancer and believed she could enter the field of cinema as such, she was rather offered a leading role. Thus, Saran made her film debut in 2001 with the Telugu film Ishtam, and had her first commercial success with Santhosham (2002). She subsequently appeared in several more Telugu films, while making in-roads in the Hindi and Tamil film industries. In 2007, Saran starred in Sivaji, the highest-grossing Tamil film at that time. She also gained critical acclaim for her role in the 2007 Bollywood film Awarapan. In 2008, Saran played the lead role in her first English film, the American-Indian co-production The Other End of the Line. Her following projects included popular films such as Kanthaswamy (2009) in Tamil, and Pokkiri Raja (2010) in Malayalam, her roles in which have established her as one of the leading actresses in the South Indian film industries.[4]  In 2012, she was cast in the British-Canadian film Midnight's Children under the direction ofDeepa Mehta, based on Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize winning novel of the same name, for which she got international critical acclaim. She achieved further commercial success by starring in films such as Pavitra (2013) and Chandra (2013).

In addition to her work in films, Saran has been the brand ambassador for several brands across India, endorsing beauty and health products. Among other philanthropic activities, she has volunteered for a number of charity organizations, and in 2011 she opened a spa employing exclusively visually challenged people. She also was the brand ambassador Celebrity Cricket League for its two first seasons.



Contents
[hide]  *1 Early life and background  ==Early life and background[edit] == Shriya Saran was born on 11 September 1982[2] [3]  in the Dehradun region of Uttarakhand in Northern India to Pushpendra Saran and Neeraja Saran.[2] [4]  Her father worked for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and her mother was a chemistry teacher in Delhi Public School, Ranipur in Haridwar and Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-website_2-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  Saran completed her schooling from both schools where her mother had taught.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-yt-int_5-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] She has an older brother named Abhiroop who lives in Mumbai.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-dub_6-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Her family lived in the small town of BHEL colony in Haridwar when she was growing up.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[7]  She later studied at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-website_2-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2]  and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in literature.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-website_2-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[2] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-dub_6-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[6]  Saran is an accomplished dancer. She was first trained as a child by her mother in Kathak and Rajasthani folk dance, and later trained in Kathak style by Shovana Narayan.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-kathak_8-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[8]  She was involved with many dance teams in college and with her teacher. They would incorporate social issues into their dance routines.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-yt-int_5-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[5] ==Career<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;">[edit] == ===Early career (2001–03)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[edit] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">While in her sophomore year at the LSR College in Delhi, Saran got her first opportunity to appear in front of the camera for a video shoot. Following her dance teacher's recommendation, she was invited to appear in the music video of Renoo Nathan's "Thirakti Kyun Hawa".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NDTV1_4-2" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4]  Shot in Banaras, the video was seen by Ramoji Films who offered her the lead role of Neha in their film Ishtam.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NDTV1_4-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4]  Saran accepted the part, and even before it was released she was signed to four more films,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NDTV1_4-4" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[4]  including Nuvve Nuvve, in which she played a millionaire's daughter who falls for a middle class man. In 2002, she starred in Santosham, co-starring Nagarjuna,Prabhu Deva and Gracy Singh, which was her first commercial success.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[9]  The film took the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film and Filmfare Best Film Award (Telugu). Saran played a girl who lets someone she loves go with another, but wins him back later in life. For her performance, she earned a nomination for the CineMAA Award for Best Actor- Female, giving her a good foothold in the Telugu industry in the early part of her career.
 * 2 Career
 * 2.1 Early career (2001–03)
 * 2.2 Ups and downs (2004–07)
 * 2.3 Recent work (2008–10)
 * 2.4 Latest work (2011–Present)
 * 3 Other work
 * 3.1 CCL (Celebrity Cricket League)
 * 4 Personal life
 * 5 Awards
 * 6 Filmography
 * 7 See also
 * 8 References
 * 9 External links

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2003, Saran acted a supporting role in her first Hindi film, Tujhe Meri Kasam, starring debutants Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza in leading roles. She also performed the lead female role in several Telugu films including Tagore, which was screened at the International Indian Film Academy Awards, and was a commercial success.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[10]  She followed it with her Tamil film debut in Enakku 20 Unakku 18, alongside Tarun andTrisha Krishnan,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[11]  which was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu, in which she played a football coach. Though she acted in films in three languages that year, overall eight of the first ten films of her career were in Telugu. ===Ups and downs (2004–07)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[edit] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2004, Saran acted in two Hindi and two Telugu films, including Nenunnanu, where she played a student in classical singing. She had ten 2005 releases, nine of which were Telugu films, the most notable for her being Chatrapathi. There she appeared opposite Prabhas, and earned her first nomination for the Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award. A reviewer for Moviebuzz said that as an action film, Saran's character of the lead's love interest was not well developed; that she was there primarily for the songs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[12]  Meanwhile, she tried to make her comeback in Tamil with Mazhai, a remake of the Telugu film Varsham. Neither the movie nor her performance were received well.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[13]  Also in 2005, she appeared as one of only three characters in the film Mogudu Pellam O Dongodu, which was about a married couple's first night together, and made a guest appearance in a children's film called Bommalata, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. Saran's only lead role in 2006, excluding three special appearances, was in the Tamil filmThiruvilayadal Arambam.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2007, she was chosen to play the lead female role opposite Rajinikanth in S. Shankar's Sivaji: The Boss,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[14]  which was the most expensive Indian film at that time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-expensive_16-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[16]  R. G. Vijayasarathy wrote in his review forRediff that aside from her beauty, Saran "proves that she can act too".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-rediffreview_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[17]  Her performance earned her a South Scope Style Award for Best Tamil Actress, her first award win, and a nomination at the Vijay Awards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sscope_18-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18] The role also made her a star in the south Indian film industry.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HTimes_19-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  During this phase of her career, she made several special appearances in item numbers, including in the films Devadasu, Munna, and Tulasi.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Also in 2007, Saran made her comeback in Hindi cinema with Awarapan, which was a joint production between India and Pakistan, and in which she played a Muslim girl and had to learn Urdu.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hindu2_20-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]  This was her fourth Hindi film, but the others had failed to make any impact.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IndianStar_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21]  Sanjay Ram, writing for Business of Cinema, gave the film 2.5 of 5 stars, and said that Saran provided a brief but compelling performance.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[22]  Saran later said that the film strengthened her conviction that all religions are equal.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-IndianStar_21-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[21]  Later that year she appeared in one more Tamil film, Azhagiya Tamil Magan opposite Vijay. Though critics exalted her looks, her performance received mixed reviews, with one reviewer, Nandhu Sundharam of Rediff, going so far as to say that her "acting is as bad as her looks are good".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[23]  That same year Saran made a special appearance in a scene in the Kannada film Arasu. In all she appeared in six films in 2007, in four different languages. ===Recent work (2008–10)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[edit] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2008, Saran acted in the Hindi film Mission Istaanbul with Zayed Khan, Vivek Oberoi and Shabbir Ahluwalia. She played the character of Anjali Sagar which was inspired by the character of Romila Dutta played byPreity Zinta in the film Lakshya;<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[24]  a journalist who desires to have a child with her husband, which leads to their separation, since he is reluctant. Bollywood Hungama critics said that her character was wasted, as again she gets very little screen time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[25]  However, she did pick up the Stardust Exciting New Face Award.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-starexcite_26-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran then made her Hollywood debut in Ashok Amritraj's The Other End of the Line.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[27]  She played the role of Priya Sethi who works as a telephone operator in an Indian call centre, while acting alongside Jesse Metcalfe,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[28]  Anupham Kher and Tara Sharma. Shriya's performance was praised by critics, particularly her on-screen chemistry with Jesse Metcalfe.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[29]  John Anderson, writing for Variety magazine, said it was "a winning Stateside debut for beautiful Indian actress Shriya Saran."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[30]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Her most important 2009 release was the commercially successful<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-msn_31-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31]  Tamil film Kanthaswamy, alongside Vikram. She earned a nomination at the Vijay Awards. Vikram himself said in an interview that her role was on par with his, and she easily stole the show on most occasions.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-32" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[32]  Of her character in the film, Saran said that it was the best she has done so far.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-msn_31-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[31]  Also that year she appeared as the female lead in Thoranai. A reviewer said that her glamour and the songs were the only high points of the film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-33" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[33]  For Thoranai and Kanthaswamy together, she received her third award win, the Amrita Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actress.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mathrubhumi_34-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[34] She then appeared in another English film, Cooking with Stella, which is a comedy, but also takes a look at the serious nature of relationships between servants and employers. It was selected to the Toronto International Film Festival, which Saran attended.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-35" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[35]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2010, Saran made her Malayalam debut with Pokkiri Raja, in which she appeared opposite Mammootty and Prithviraj.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-36" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[36]  The film was declared a super hit in the first week, breaking the record in Malayalam cinema for opening week gross income,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-37" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[37]  though it was not received well critically, and it was said of Saran that all she had to do was look pretty.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-38" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[38]  She then enacted her first lead role in a Telugu film after five years, in the commercially successful action-comedy film Don Seenu opposite Ravi Teja, where she plays the sister of a mobster. In the opinion of some critics, she stole the show with her dances and romantic scenes.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-39" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[39]  The year 2010 was her second busiest after 2005, having appeared in eight films in all, this time in four languages. ===Latest work (2011–Present)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[edit] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2011, Saran appeared in Rowthiram, where she worked with Tamil actor Jeeva for the first time.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-40" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[40]  The film received fairly low reviews. Although some reviews said that Saran was not given much opportunity to show her acting skills, mainly just adding a romantic touch to a mostly violent film,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-41" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[41] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-42" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[42]  she was referred to by another as the pivot around which the film revolves.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-43" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[43]  Her performance earned her Best Actress Awardat the International Tamil Film Awards.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-44" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[44]  Her only other film in 2011 was a special appearance in a song for Tamil film Rajapattai.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-45" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[45]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran's first release of 2012 was her second Malayalam project, Casanovva, co-starring Mohanlal and directed by Rosshan Andrrews. The movie was delayed many times, and it was rumored that Saran would leave the project,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-46" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[46]  but in October 2010, the producer of the film announced that shooting would commence in Dubai with Saran among the cast.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-47" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[47]  It was released on 26 January. Her next release was in Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai, from director Rumy Jafry, which began shooting in September 2011,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ggmch_48-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[48]  and released on 3 February.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-49" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[49] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ggmch2_50-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]  She then was seen in the critically average comedic Telegu film Nuvva Nena with actors Allari Naresh and Sharwanand,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-NN_51-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[51]  followed by Sekhar Kammula's much delayed Life is Beautiful.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-lib_52-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[52]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran has starred in Deepa Mehta's long delayed English project Midnight's Children,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-53" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[53]  which is based on Salman Rushdie's highly acclaimed novel of the same name.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-54" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[54]  It was filmed under the working title ofWinds of Change. It was screened at several film festivals in late 2012,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-55" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[55] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-56" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[56]  and finally made its general release in India on February 1, 2013.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-57" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[57]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In early 2013, Saran appeared in an item number in the film Zila Ghaziabad. This was her first item number in a Hindi film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ZG_58-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[58]  On 7 June Saran's Pavitra was released, in which she played as a prostitute.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Pav_59-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[59]  At a press conference in Hyderabad, she said that the film is very special for her, and that she was touched by the sensitivity that director/writer Janardhana Maharshi gave to the topic.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-60" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[60]  According to a review from The Times of India, the most cinematic part of the film is a sensual number "Sukumara Ra Ra..." in which the camera shows in the curves of the main character. He summed up the review saying, "Besides Shriya Saran's curves there is nothing in this movie that's worth watching per se."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-61" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[61]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Still in the making is her bi-lingual film Chandra directed by Roopa Iyer and simultaneously made in Kannada and Tamil languages. She plays the role of a princess in the film opposite Kannada actor Prem Kumar.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ch2_62-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[62] In June she began filming for the Telugu family comedy Manam,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-manam_63-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[63]  and will also appear in the Hindi film Valmiki Ki Bandook,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-vkb_64-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[64]  and the Tamil film Raja Raja Chozhanin Porval.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-rrcp_65-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[65]  She was also reportedly cast in the Malayalam film Prakasam Parathunna Penkutty,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-66" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[66]  and an upcoming Bala project.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-67" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[67] ==Other work<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;">[edit] == Shriya Saran cheering at the Celebrity Cricket League, 2011 in India<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2003, Saran hosted the 50th Filmfare South Award with actor R. Madhavan.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-68" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[68]  She was a part of Tamil director Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai, an event which sought to raise funds for "The Banyan", a voluntary organisation which rehabilitates homeless women with mental illness in Chennai.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-69" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[69]  She was one of the guests alongside actorSurya Sivakumar at the season 3 finale of TV dance show Maanada Mayilada.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-70" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[70]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran was the first actress, and the third celebrity after Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan to deliver a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) on 12 February 2010.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-71" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[71]  She said that, "The Indian media and entertainment industry is the fastest growing sector at present, so considering this IIM Ahmedabad had started a new program CFI – Contemporary Film Industry – A Business Perspective. I was there to give a lecture to 2nd year students of CFI and did a lot of research for the lecture for nearly five days." She held a lecture on marketing and branding of a film.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-72" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[72]  In 2011, she gave a lecture to students at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Madras on the history of films, and films as a medium of cultural exchange.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-73" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[73]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran started her modelling career by acting in a Pond's Creams advertisement. She then did a Coca-Cola advertisement alongside Tamil actor Vijay which was directed by prominent director Rajiv Menon. She also starred in a Fair & Lovely creams advertisement during her early career.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-74" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[74]  In 2007, she become the brand ambassador of Saravana Stores.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-75" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[75]  She is now the brand ambassador of the Lux <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-76" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[76] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-77" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[77]  and Head & Shoulders.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-78" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[78]  Saran was also signed as brand ambassador along with actor Saif Ali Khan for Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-79" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[79] Saran says no to soft drinks advertisements because she feels that soft drinks may harm children's health.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-80" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[80]  In 2011, Saran was appointed as the promotional model for McVitie's byUnited Biscuits along with actress Bipasha Basu.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-81" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[81] ===CCL (Celebrity Cricket League)<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[edit] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On the sports front, Saran is brand ambassador of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL),<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-82" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[82]  a concept that mixes two passions in India, film and cricket.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-83" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[83]  In April 2010, she danced with Shahrukh Khan at the fourth season opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL), another cricket league.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-84" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[84]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In 2007, Saran launched the first issue of Galatta Cinema and has been featured on its cover many times. In 2008, she was featured in, and appeared on the cover of the June issue of Maxim India. Editor Anup Kutty said, "We had been thinking of getting someone who bridges this strange divide we have between the North, South and the West ... Shreya fit the bill perfectly."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-85" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[85]  She has appeared on various other magazine covers over the years, including Jade and South Scope.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-86" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[86] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-87" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[87] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-88" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[88]  In 2012, she again did a photoshoot for Maxim India.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-89" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[89] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-90" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[90] ==Personal life<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;">[edit] == Shriya Saran bridal week 2010<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran is very reluctant to talk about her private life, and usually denies that reported linkups are romantic in nature.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-91" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[91]  She is Hindu, but has been known to celebrate Muslimholidays as well.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-92" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[92]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran is well known for her charity work. She describes herself as someone used to "sharing time and resources with the underprivileged since childhood." She says that "celebrities can show the way by sensitising people to social issues, campaigning for causes or being part of fund-raisers." Her family has always encouraged her to think of the needy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-93" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[93]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran is a brand ambassador for the Naandi Foundation,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-94" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[94]  and for the Save A Child's Heart Foundation (SACH), which works for the benefit of poor children and people affected by natural calamities. She helps finance a Prevention of Aids foundation. In 2009, Saran joined with other eminent personalities to promote 'The Joy of Giving Week', to encourage people from all walks of life to engage in acts of giving.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-95" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[95]  She regularly participates in carnivals and campaigns that associate with children benefits. She is associated with animal welfare and the Blue Cross of India.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-96" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[96]  She is also associated with an NGO called World Vision that finds parents for deprived kids, and works for Apollo’s RDF to raise funds for underprivileged children.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Hindu2_20-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">Saran is a long time patron for the blind. In 2011, she opened a spa which exclusively employs the visually challenged. It is called Shree Spa, and is located in Mumbai.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-spa_97-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[97] Saran has said "When I studied in DPS Mathura Road in Delhi, there was a school for blind exactly opposite to our school. I used to go there every week and spend time seeing how these students played cricket and did other things normally. That is what inspired me to do something for these people".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-98" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[98]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">In January 2008, Saran was the subject of a controversy, when a Hindu organisation in Chennai lodged a police complaint against Saran, objecting to the outfit worn by her during the 175th day celebration of her film, Sivaji: The Boss.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-outfit_99-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[99]  In a complaint, the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) alleged that Shriya's outfit had "offended Hindu culture".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-outfit_99-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[99] Shriya publicly apologised to Tamilians and Hindus, saying it was a mistake, and that she had "great respect for the tradition and culture of Tamil Nadu [...] I was shooting for a Hindi film in Thanjavur. I came to the function directly from the shooting, [...] I was unaware of the repercussions because of the attire I wore during the function."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ian_100-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[100]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:22.399999618530273px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;">On working in different regional film industries in India she has stated, "I don’t consider Kollywood or Bollywood as separate entities. For me, there’s only a single category, the Indian film industry, which is extremely rich owing to its diverse genres and languages.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-HTimes_19-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[19]  She is fluent in Hindi, English, and can understand Tamil and Telugu well.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-ggmch2_50-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[50]  On 19 January 2013, she quit twitter due to derogatory comments from her followers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-101" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[101] ==Awards<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;">[edit] == ==Filmography<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;padding-right:0.25em;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;">[edit] ==
 * Wins
 * 2008 – South Scope Style Award – Best Tamil Actress for Sivaji: The Boss<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-sscope_18-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[18]
 * 2009 – Stardust Exciting New Face Award for Mission Istaanbul<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-starexcite_26-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[26]
 * 2010 – Amrita Mathrubhumi Award for Best Actress for Kanthaswamy and Thoranai<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mathrubhumi_34-1" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[34]
 * 2011 – ITFA Best Actress Award for Rowthiram<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-102" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[102]
 * Nominations
 * 2003 – CineMAA Award for Best Actress for Santhosham
 * 2006 – Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award for Chatrapathi<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-103" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[103]
 * 2008 – 53rd Filmfare Awards – Fresh Face of the Year Award
 * 2008 – Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for Sivaji: The Boss
 * 2008 – Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance for Awarapan
 * 2010 – Vijay Award for Favourite Heroine for Kanthaswamy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-104" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[104]
 * National honours and recognitions
 * 2010 – T. Subbarami Reddy Lalitha Kala Parishath Awards for Contributions to Telugu Cinema<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-105" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[105]
 * 2010 – Featured in a poll conducted by Rediff about woman achievers in Indian entertainment, ranking her among the top actresses<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-106" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[106]
 * 2010 – Ranked thirteenth on The Times of India's list of "50 Most Desirable Women"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-107" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[107]
 * 2011 – Ranked fifteenth on The Times of India's list of "50 Most Desirable Women"<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-108" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[108]
 * 2012 – JFW Divas of South India<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-109" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;">[109]