Mandana Karimi Gupta | |
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Karimi at Grass & Root new designs launch in August 2015
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Born |
Manizeh Karimi 19 May 1988 Tehran, Iran |
Nationality | Iranian |
Occupation | Actress, model |
Years active | 2010–present |
Known for | Bigg Boss 9, Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 |
Spouse(s) | Gaurav Gupta (2017–present) |
Parent(s) | Reza Karimi (father), Saba Karimi (mother) |
Manizhe Karimi (better known by her stage name Mandana Karimi), is an Iranian actress of mixed Iranian and Indian ethnicity, model based in India. After working on several successful modelling projects around the world, she appeared as a lead actress in the Bollywood film, Bhaag Johnny. She was also the second runner up in the popular reality TV show, Bigg Boss 9.
Karimi was born in Tehran, Iran, into a Muslim family of mixed ethnicity. Her father, Reza Karimi, is an Indian and her mother, Saba Karimi, is an Iranian. She was raised in Tehran. She said in an interview, "I was born in a conservative Muslim family and while growing up, I was very shy and quiet. I studied art. I used to spend most of my time in my room playing around with papers, cameras and colours." About her Indian connection she commented, "I had come to India many times, visiting my family or for holidays. Also, when I started modelling, I got offers from India but was never interested." Being a Middle Eastern, she has reportedly seen a lot of conflict and emotional upheavals while growing up.
Karimi started her career as an air hostess, and later quit that job to pursue a career in modelling. In 2010, after working on various international modelling projects, she came to Mumbai for three months on a modelling contract. About her experience in India she said, "I had a different experience, staying without my family. I absolutely loved it! Work was great, but at that time, I had other contracts around the world. Then, in 2013, I decided to move to Mumbai and try acting."
Karimi has done TV commercials with Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor.
In February 2015, she made a guest appearance in the film Roy. Later that year, in September, her movie Bhaag Johnny was released. She also appeared in the October 2015 film, Main Aur Charles, where she played the role of Charles Sobraj's assistant. Karimi's next film, Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3, a sex comedy, was released on January 22, 2016.