Giselli Monteiro is a Brazilian former model and Bollywood actress. She made her film-debut playing Harleen Kaur in the 2009 Bollywood film Love Aaj Kal, directed by Imtiaz Ali.
Early life and career
Monteiro was born in Espirito Santo, Brazil. She started her modeling career at the age of seventeen and has travelled to Italy, Germany, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines. She came to Mumbai, India in 2008.[1][2] She began her acting career in Bollywood, portraying the role of the old-fashioned Punjabi girl, Harleen Kaur, in Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone.[3] She was purposely kept under wraps during the film's promotion.[4] Following the film's release, her identity was revealed, and it was also revealed that she had approached Ali through designer Anaita Shroff Adajania to audition for the role of Jo, Saif Ali Khan's girlfriend in the second half of the film, but, on his wife's suggestion Ali took her for Harleen's part, especially since he had not been able to cast for that role despite auditioning girls from all over India.[2][5] She was appeared on the covers of the Indian editions of Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Marie Clarie and Femina.
In addition to acting, Monteiro has been a brand ambassador of Wills Lifestyle,[6] Movil Mobiles[7] and PC Jewellers[8] in India. She has walked the ramp for Rohit Bal, Ritu Kumar and Ranna Gill.
In May 2010 Monteiro appeared on the Fantástico broadcast by Rede Globo in her home country, Brazil speaking about Mumbai.[9] She next appeared in Always Kabhi Kabhi, a film under the Red Chillies Entertainment banner that released on 17 June 2011. Lately she appeared on Westside, the chain of fashion retail stores' new brand campaign Advertisement starting September 2011.
Quitting films
After a successful career in modelling Monteiro quit after three films altogether in 2014 to pursue architecture at the University of Vila Velha, in Espirito Santo, Brazil. According to her she never intended to be in films, and studying architecture was her passion that she wanted to pursue.[10]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Love Aaj Kal | Harleen Kaur | Nominated: Star Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer[11]
Nominated: Stardust Awards (Exciting New Face) Nominated: IIFA Awards |
| 2011 | Always Kabhi Kabhi | Aishwarya Dhawan | |
| 2015 | Pranaam Walekum |
References
- ↑ Giselli aaj, Harleen kal. The Telegraph(12 August 2009).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Love Aaj Kal's Punjabi kudi 'Harleen' is actually Brazilian model Giselle Monteiro. Bollywood Hungama(3 August 2009).
- ↑ Giselle´s Life. Mumbai Mirror.
- ↑ "Saif isn't even aware about my fees for Love Aaj Kal" – Imtiaz Ali. Bollywood Hungama(30 July 2009).
- ↑ Kissa Kudis Ka. Retrieved 26 October 2017.. Mumbai Mirror (2 August 2009). Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ↑ Giselli Monterio lights up the S/S'10 Campaign. imagesfashion.com (23 April 2010).
- ↑ Movil Mobiles eyes 5000 shops in southern India Template:Webarchive. Business-standard.com (4 March 2010). Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ↑ Giselle Monteiro new face of PC Jewellers Template:Webarchive. Extramirchi.com (27 September 2009). Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ↑ Fantástico – Todos os programas – NOTÍCIAS – Mumbai tem residência mais cara do mundo e maior favela da Ásia Template:Webarchive. Fantastico.globo.com (24 May 2010). Retrieved 2012-06-29.
- ↑ Love Aaj Kal star Giselli Monteiro quits Bollywood(7 June 2014).
- ↑ Review: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag Movie Review (Laga Chunari Mein Daag / Dag). Indicine.com (12 October 2007). Retrieved 2012-06-29.