Ayesha Jhulka

Ayesha Jhulka (born 28 July 1972) is an Indian actress who primarily appears in Hindi films, in addition to Bengali, Kannada and Telugu films. In a career spanning over three decades, she has worked in over 60 films.

Jhulka is best known for her portrayals in successful films such as, Kurbaan (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Khiladi (1992), Meherbaan (1993), Dalaal (1993), Balmaa (1993), Waqt Hamara Hai (1993), Rang (1993), Sangram (1993), Jai Kishen (1994), Masoom (1996) and Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya (1999). For Khiladi and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Jhulka received a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination.

After a hiatus, she went onto work in films like - Socha Na Tha (2005), Umrao Jaan (2006), Ada... A Way of Life (2010) and Genius (2018). Jhulka made her web debut with Hush Hush (2022) and has since appeared in Happy Family: Conditions Apply (2023).

Early life
Jhulka was born on 28 July 1972 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Her father Wing Commander Inder Kumar Jhulka, is a retired Air Force officer. Her mother Sneh Jhulka, is a costume designer who has worked in films such as Dalaal and Vishwavidhata. Jhulka worked as a child artist in the 1983 film Kaise Kaise Log.

Breakthrough and success (1990-1993)
After making her acting debut with the telugu film Neti Siddhartha in 1990, Jhulka made her Hindi film debut opposite Salman Khan with the 1991 film Kurbaan, a box office success. The same year, she appeared in Meet Mere Man Ke, Hai Meri Jaan and the Bengali film Katha Dilam.

Jhulka had four films released in 1992. She first appeared in Mashooq opposite Ayub Khan. Jhulka's portrayal of a college prankster in Khiladi opposite Akshay Kumar, marked a turning point in her career. Further success came with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar opposite Aamir Khan, where she portrayed a college student. For both of these films, she received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Anaam was her last release of the year.

Jhulka established herself and went onto work in ten films in 1993. She appeared in fipms like Kohra, Kaise Kaise Rishte, Balmaa, Meherbaan and Aulad Ke Dushman. She received praise for portraying a village belle in Sangram opposite Ajay Devgn, and for her portrayals in Waqt Hamara Hai and Dil Ki Baazi opposite Akshay Kumar. Jhulka appeared in Dalaal, one of the year's highest grossers opposite Mithun Chakraborty. She also won praise for Rang alongside Divya Bharti and Kamal Sadanah.

Further work and setback (1994-2000)
In 1994, Jhulka appeared in Brahma and Ekka Raja Rani opposite Govinda, in Jai Kishen opposite Kumar and in Maha Shaktishaali. She then played the lead in the 1995 film Aashique Mastaane. In 1996, she appeared in Masoom and Muqaddar opposite Mithun Chakraborty.

Jhulka had four releases in 1997, including Suraj and Ghoonghat. The same year, she received praise for her portrayal in Chachi 420 opposite Kamal Haasan. Her final film of the year was Vishwavidhaata opposite Jackie Shroff. Her films in 1998 include - Dand Nayak, Kannada film Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene and Himmatwala opposite Chakraborty.

Personal life
Jhulka met construction tycoon Sameer Vashi through her mother. Jhulka married Vashi in 2003. The couple decided not to have any children.