Simran
Biography
Simran, whose birth name is Rishibala Naval, is an Indian actress, producer, dancer, and singer born on April 4, 1976, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She is known professionally by her stage name Simran and also as Simran Rishi Bagga. She has predominantly appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She debuted in Bollywood and acted in several Hindi films before starring in her first Tamil film, V.I.P., and her first Telugu film, Abbai Gari Pelli, in 1997. Her 1997 Tamil film releases included Once More and V.I.P., which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. She later won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and went on to establish herself as a successful actress in the Tamil and Telugu film industries.
Career overview
Rishibala Naval, professionally known as Simran, is an Indian actress, producer, dancer, and singer born on April 4, 1976, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She has established a significant career in the film industry, appearing predominantly in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada films. She initially debuted in Bollywood and acted in several Hindi films before expanding her career into other regional cinemas.
In 1997, she starred in her first Telugu film, Abbai Gari Pelli, and made her debut in Tamil films with the successful releases Once More and V.I.P. Her work in those early Tamil films earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut in the South. Following these projects, she appeared in a series of highly successful films that helped her establish herself as a leading actress in the Tamil and Telugu film industries.
While she initially began her career taking on glamour roles, she reinvented herself by the middle of 1998 to take on powerful characters and offbeat roles. Throughout her career, she has accumulated numerous known credits in acting and has been recognized as one of the most versatile actresses in Indian cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Ziddi Girls (2025)
- Good Bad Ugly (2025) as Priya
- Tourist Family (2025) as Vasanthi Dharmadas
- Sabdham (2025) as Dr. Daina
- Citadel Honey Bunny (2024) as Zooni
- Andhagan (2024) as Simi
- Tiger 3 (2023) as Nasreen Irani
- Gulmohar (2023) as Indira Batra
- Mahaan (2022) as Nachi
- Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022) as Meena
- Captain (2022) as Dr. Keerthi
- Paava Kadhaigal (2020) as Mathiazhagu
- Petta (2019) as Mangalam
- Odu Raja Odu (2018) as Kala Bhairavi (cameo appearance)
- Seemaraja (2018) as Kaaleeshwari
- Koditta Idangalai Nirappuga (2017) as Guest Appearance
- Thupparivaalan (2017) as Mrs. Dhivakar
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Self
- Karaiyoram (2016)
- Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) as Simran
- Aaha Kalyanam (2014) as Chandralekha (Special appearance)
- Ainthaam Padai (2009) as Devasena Karunakaran
- TN 07 AL 4777 (2009) as Subbulakshmi
- Vaaranam Aayiram (2008) as Malini Krishnan
- Okka Magaadu (2008)
- Seval (2008) as Gayatri
- John Appa Rao 40 plus (2008)
- Heart Beats (2007) as Thankam George
- Kicha Vayasu 16 (2005) as Nirmala
- Koi Tujh Sa Kahan (2005)
- Udhaya (2004) as Vasanthi
- Yuva (2004) as Michael's Friend
- New (2004) as Priya
- Jai (2004)
- Pop Carn (2003) as Jamuna
- Seetayya (2003) as Bangaram
- Ottran (2003) as Sudha
- Raghavendra (2003)
- Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi (2003) as Veeralakshmi
- Arasu (2003) as Meera
- Pithamagan (2003) as Self
- Ezhumalai (2002) as Lakshmi
- Pammal K. Sambandam (2002) as Janaki
- Thamizh (2002) as Meenakshi
- I Love You Da (2002) as Priya
- Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) as Indira
- Panchatanthiram (2002) as Mythili Ramachandramurthy
- Youth (2002) as Item number for the song "Aal Thotta Boopathy"
- Ramanaa (2002) as Chitra
- Seema Simham (2002)
- Aakheer (2002)
- Paarthale Paravasam (2001) as Simi
- Daddy (2001) as Shanti
- Mrugaraju (2001)
- Premato Raa (2001) as Geetha
- 12 B (2001) as Priya
- Narasimha Naidu (2001) as Sravani
- Bava Nachadu (2001) as Actress
- Priyamaanavale (2000) as Priya Vijay
- Nuvvu Vasthavani (2000) as Indu
- Goppinti Alludu (2000)
- Yuvaraju (2000) as Srilatha
- Parthen Rasithen (2000) as Banu
- Kalisundam Raa (2000) as Manga
- Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven (2000) as Indu
- Annayya (2000) as item song
- Khauff (2000) as Ritu Pereira
- Vaali (1999) as Priya
- Jodi (1999) as Gayathri
- Time (1999) as Thulasi
- Anthapuram (1999)
- Anari No. 1 (1999) as Sona
- Kachche Dhaage (1999)
- Kannupada Poguthaiya (1999) as Gowri
- Ethirum Pudhirum (1999) as Special Appearance
- Samarasimha Reddy (1999) as Srikakulam Chittamma
- Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999) as Rukmani
- Kanave Kalaiyadhe (1999)
- Auto Driver (1998) as Actress
- Aval Varuvala (1998) as Divya
- Kondattam (1998) as Lalitha
- Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998) as Priya
- Natpukkaga (1998)
- Nerrukku Ner (1997) as Asha
- V.I.P (1997) as Priya
- Gundagardi (1997)
- Maa Nanna Ki Pelli (1997) as Lahari
- Once More (1997) as Kavitha
- Daadagiri (1997)
- Agnee Morcha (1997)
- Priya O Priya (1997)
- Poochudava (1997) as Nandhini
- Indraprastham (1996) as Chitra Narayan
- Tere Mere Sapne (1996) as Priya
- Angaara (1996)
- Muqaddar (1996)
- Bal Bramhachari (1996) as Seema Choudhury
- Sanam Harjai (1995) as Tinu
- Dharman
- Gabru
- Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One – Yuddha Kaandam
- Kavin 09
- Vanangamudi