Entertainment

Take a look back at 'Ghajini' actress Asin's journey in films with these 30 rare photos

Asin Thottumkal is a consummate actress who has worked in several blockbuster films across languages. She has the looks, the on-screen effervescence and the acting chops! For all of us who have missed seeing her in action the last few years, here's a nostalgic trip down memory lane through a collection of her rare photos from the 'Express' archive.
Asin Thottumkal is a consummate actress who has worked in several blockbuster films across languages. She has the looks, the on-screen effervescence and the acting chops! For all of us who have missed seeing her in action the last few years, here's a nost
Asin Thottumkal is a consummate actress who has worked in several blockbuster films across languages. She has the looks, the on-screen effervescence and the acting chops! For all of us who have missed seeing her in action the last few years, here's a nost
Express News Service
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Born on October 26, 1985, in Kochi, Asin has acted in around 25 films in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi in her 14-year career. (Photo | File, EPS)
Born on October 26, 1985, in Kochi, Asin has acted in around 25 films in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi in her 14-year career. (Photo | File, EPS)
Actress Asin hails from a Malayali Syro-Malabar Catholic family and her father Joseph Thottumkal is an ex-CBI officer. Asin’s mother was a surgeon. (Photo | File, EPS)
Actress Asin hails from a Malayali Syro-Malabar Catholic family and her father Joseph Thottumkal is an ex-CBI officer. Asin’s mother was a surgeon. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother. Asin's father, however, named her Asin as he loved the meaning. Asin means 'pure and without blemish'. She has stated that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning 'without', and 'sin' is from English. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin was to be named Mary, after her paternal grandmother. Asin's father, however, named her Asin as he loved the meaning. Asin means 'pure and without blemish'. She has stated that the 'A' in her name is from Sanskrit meaning 'without', and 'sin' is from English. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin, who can speak 7 languages fluently, has had a pan-Indian upbringing. She is an English Literature graduate of St. Teresa's College in Kochi. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin, who can speak 7 languages fluently, has had a pan-Indian upbringing. She is an English Literature graduate of St. Teresa's College in Kochi. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin was 15 when she made her acting debut with Malayalam film 'Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka' in 2001. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin was 15 when she made her acting debut with Malayalam film 'Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka' in 2001. (Photo | File, EPS)
At 17, Asin won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her debut Telugu film 'Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi' opposite Ravi Teja, where she played a Tamil girl. The same year, she won another award for acting in 'Shivamani' opposite Nagarjuna. (Photo | File, EPS)
At 17, Asin won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her debut Telugu film 'Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi' opposite Ravi Teja, where she played a Tamil girl. The same year, she won another award for acting in 'Shivamani' opposite Nagarjuna. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin's portrayal of a bubbly Malayali girl in Jayam Ravi's 'M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi' won her many fans. It is the Tamil a remake of 'Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'. (Photo | PTI)
Asin's portrayal of a bubbly Malayali girl in Jayam Ravi's 'M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi' won her many fans. It is the Tamil a remake of 'Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi'. (Photo | PTI)
2005 was a breakout year for Asin. She did 'Ullam Ketkumae' opposite Shaam and Arya, 'Sivakasi', her first with actor Vijay, 'Majaa' opposite Chiyaan Vikram (seen in photo) and her big break: 'Ghajini' alongside Surya. 'Ghajini' fetched Asin the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. (Photo | File, EPS)
2005 was a breakout year for Asin. She did 'Ullam Ketkumae' opposite Shaam and Arya, 'Sivakasi', her first with actor Vijay, 'Majaa' opposite Chiyaan Vikram (seen in photo) and her big break: 'Ghajini' alongside Surya. 'Ghajini' fetched Asin the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin with then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Governor Surjit Singh Barnala during the Kalaimamani awards presentation ceremony in 2009. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin with then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Governor Surjit Singh Barnala during the Kalaimamani awards presentation ceremony in 2009. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin with Kashmiri politician Farooq Abdullah at the Lighting a Billion Lives event in Mumbai. (Photo | PTI)
Asin with Kashmiri politician Farooq Abdullah at the Lighting a Billion Lives event in Mumbai. (Photo | PTI)
Asin did 'Varalaru' and 'Aalwar' - two back-to-films with Thala Ajith, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Asin's refreshing chemistry with all leading heroes was her USP. (Photo | PTI)
Asin did 'Varalaru' and 'Aalwar' - two back-to-films with Thala Ajith, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Asin's refreshing chemistry with all leading heroes was her USP. (Photo | PTI)
Asin acted in the hugely popular action film 'Pokkiri' opposite Vijay in 2007. It was remade in Hindi as 'Wanted' starring Salman Khan. She held her own in a film that was purely made for Vijay. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin acted in the hugely popular action film 'Pokkiri' opposite Vijay in 2007. It was remade in Hindi as 'Wanted' starring Salman Khan. She held her own in a film that was purely made for Vijay. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin did a commendable performance in Kamal Haasan's ambitious big-budget 2010 film 'Dasavathaaram'. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin did a commendable performance in Kamal Haasan's ambitious big-budget 2010 film 'Dasavathaaram'. (Photo | File, EPS)
In 2008, Asin made her big Bollywood debut with 'Ghajini''s remake. Actor Aamir Khan personally suggested her name after being impressed with her acting in the Tamil original. (Photo | File, EPS)
In 2008, Asin made her big Bollywood debut with 'Ghajini''s remake. Actor Aamir Khan personally suggested her name after being impressed with her acting in the Tamil original. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin went on to star in six popular Hindi films – London Dreams (2009) opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, Ready (2011) with Salman Khan, the multistarrer Housefull 2 (2012), Bol Bachchan (2012) alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Ajy Devgn, Khiladi 786 (2012) with Akshay Kumar again. Her last film was 'All Is Well' in 2015 where she shared screen space with Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Supriya Pathak. Just like in Kollywood, Asin was a favourite of all the heroes. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin went on to star in six popular Hindi films – London Dreams (2009) opposite Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, Ready (2011) with Salman Khan, the multistarrer Housefull 2 (2012), Bol Bachchan (2012) alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Ajy Devgn, Khiladi 786 (2012) with Akshay Kumar again. Her last film was 'All Is Well' in 2015 where she shared screen space with Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Supriya Pathak. Just like in Kollywood, Asin was a favourite of all the heroes. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin's last Tamil film was 'Kaavalan' with actor Vijay, are a remake of hit Malayalam film 'Bodyguard'. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin's last Tamil film was 'Kaavalan' with actor Vijay, are a remake of hit Malayalam film 'Bodyguard'. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has starred in several popular ads. (Asin inaugurates a showroom of Bhima Jewellery at Ayurveda College Junction in Thiruvananthapuram/ EPS)
Asin has been the brand ambassador for several companies and products, and has starred in several popular ads. (Asin inaugurates a showroom of Bhima Jewellery at Ayurveda College Junction in Thiruvananthapuram/ EPS)
Asin has dubbed in her own voice for all her films. The only other actress besides Padmini. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin has dubbed in her own voice for all her films. The only other actress besides Padmini. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin's films Ghajini, Housefull 2, Ready, and Khiladi 786 are all part of Bollywood's 100 Crore Club. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin's films Ghajini, Housefull 2, Ready, and Khiladi 786 are all part of Bollywood's 100 Crore Club. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin is a trained Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer, and her dancing skills in all her songs are proof. (Photo | File, EPS)
Asin is a trained Bharatanatyam and Kathakali dancer, and her dancing skills in all her songs are proof. (Photo | File, EPS)
Actress Asin greets actor and politician Napoleon during the 2009 Kalaimamani award presentation ceremony. (Photo | File, EPS)
Actress Asin greets actor and politician Napoleon during the 2009 Kalaimamani award presentation ceremony. (Photo | File, EPS)
Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman lights a lamp to inaugurate the 40th International Film Festival 2009 at Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa. The the-then Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, former Chief Minister of Goa Digambar V. Kamat and actress Asin are also seen. (Photo | PTI)
Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman lights a lamp to inaugurate the 40th International Film Festival 2009 at Kala Academy in Panaji, Goa. The the-then Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, former Chief Minister of Goa Digambar V. Kamat and actress Asin are also seen. (Photo | PTI)
Asin met her soon-to-be partner Rahul Sharma at the airport when Asin was promoting Housefull 2. Rahul Sharma is a close friend of Akshay Kumar, who later acted as a match-maker. (Photo | PTI)
Asin met her soon-to-be partner Rahul Sharma at the airport when Asin was promoting Housefull 2. Rahul Sharma is a close friend of Akshay Kumar, who later acted as a match-maker. (Photo | PTI)
Asin married Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in January 2016 in a grand wedding, and quit acting soon after. (Photo |Asin Instagram)
Asin married Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma in January 2016 in a grand wedding, and quit acting soon after. (Photo |Asin Instagram)
Asin's husband Rahul has been listed in the list of the most influential young people in business under 40 years of age by the Fortune magazine. (Photo |Asin Instagram)
Asin's husband Rahul has been listed in the list of the most influential young people in business under 40 years of age by the Fortune magazine. (Photo |Asin Instagram)
Asin and Rahul have a daughter Arin, who was born on 24 October 2017. Sharing the arrival of her daughter, Asin had posted at the time, 'Ecstatic to announce the arrival of our Angelic Baby Girl earlier today. Thank you for all your love and wishes. She is the best birthday present I could ever ask for!' (Photo | Asin Instagram)
Asin and Rahul have a daughter Arin, who was born on 24 October 2017. Sharing the arrival of her daughter, Asin had posted at the time, 'Ecstatic to announce the arrival of our Angelic Baby Girl earlier today. Thank you for all your love and wishes. She is the best birthday present I could ever ask for!' (Photo | Asin Instagram)
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