Khushbu started her career as a child artist in the Hindi film The Burning Train in the song "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman". Between 1980–1985 she performed as a child actor in the Hindi films Naseeb, Laawaris, Kaalia, Dard Ka Rishta, Bemisal. Her Pari/Fairy song "Main Pariyon Ki Shehzaadi" from Dard Ka Rishta, a 1982 Hindi movie, was very successful and is still a highly popular song at annual Day School performances, children's parties and Pari/Fairy themed parties in India.
Khushbu, in the film Meri Jung, danced with Javed Jaffrey in his first dancing role on screen in the super-hit song "Bol Baby Bol, Rock'n Roll". Khushbu played her first main lead inJaanoo, opposite Jackie Shroff. She also starred in Tan-Badan, opposite Govinda, which was the first lead role for Govinda. Khushbu played a significant supporting role in Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin, which also starred Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit. Her solo dance number "Sare Ladkon Ki Kar Do Shaadi" had become a major hit, and is still popular at "Ladies Sangeet" and marriage functions across North India. After that, she has mostly been working in South Indian film industries.
Khushbu was introduced to South Indian screens through the Telugu film Kaliyuga Pandavulu, opposite Venkatesh. She then moved her base to Chennai and started focusing on Tamil and other South Indian film industries. She has acted in more than 150 films after moving to the South.
She has mainly acted in Tamil films. She went to become a leading actress of Tamil Cinema and has performed in more than 100 films in Tamil.
Apart from Tamil films, she has also acted in various Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu films.
In Malayalam, she has acted in many films with Mammotty, Mohanlal, Jayaram and Dileep, notably Uncle Bun, Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka, Independence, Kaiyoppu and also recently, Mr Marumakan.
In Kannada, she has acted in many films with Ravichandran, notably Ranadheera, Anjada Gandu, Shanthi Kranthi and Yugapurusha. She has acted in GaganaAunty Preetse. and Jeevanadhi.
In Telugu, she has acted in many films, mainly opposite Venkatesh and Nagarjuna.
Khushbu was born on 29 September 1970 into a Muslim family in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She married film actor, director and producer Sundar C in 2000. They have two daughters, Avantika and Anandita, after whom they named their production house, Avni Cinemax. She has been living in Chennai for more than 34 years. Khushbu considers herself to be an atheist.
Popularity
Temple built for Khushbu
During her peak, Khushbu was the leading actress of Tamil cinema. She became the first ever Indian actress for whom her fans built a dedicated temple. The temple was later demolished in 2005.
Khushbu and sprinter Usain Bolt are honorary members of Richmond Football Club, based in Melbourne, Australia. Khushbu was made the number-one ticket holder of Richmond Football Club in 2016, and was the number-one female ticket holder in 2017. She is the first Indian celebrity, and the only Indian female to be bestowed with such an honour in the AFL. Khushbu was introduced to Australian Rules Football by former Ministerial Adviser Nitin Gupta. She had agreed to help promote AFL Football in India after taking a guided tour of the Richmond Football Club. This offer was a goodwill gesture to further strengthen Australia–India relations.
Food dishes, products named after Khushbu
During her peak in Tamil cinema, many food dishes and other goods in Tamil Nadu were named after Khushbu. Kushboo Idli, a rice cake, was the most popular food item named after the actress. Kushboo Jhumki, Kushboo Sarees, Kushboo Sharbet, Kushboo Coffee, Kushboo Cocktails and various other things were named after her. Many items still retain those names. Khushbu has offered to help in the promotion of Little India cultural precincts in Melbourne, Australia by becoming its Brand Ambassador.
Khushbu has been a very vocal supporter of the bull-riding sport jallikattu, and has voiced her opinion at various national and international platforms. She visited a cattle station in Warnambool, Australia to get a better understanding of how cattle is treated and raised on farms outside India.
AIDS awareness
In 2005, she said in an interview that if girls were to have pre-marital sex, they must safe guard themselves and take precautions to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, 22 complaints that she was "defaming Tamil womanhood and chastity" were brought against her, but in 2010 the Supreme Court dismissed all cases.
Khushbu joined the Indian National Congress on 26 November 2014 after meeting with then Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, and then Vice-President Mr. Rahul Gandhi. She is currently the National Spokesperson of the INC.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Khushbu joined the DMK on 14 May 2010. She was welcomed by DMK Leader Karunanidhi at the party headquarters in Chennai. Khushbu quit DMK on 16 June 2014.
Slapping a person for misbehaving at a political rally
In the lead up to Indian elections 2019, Khushbu slapped a person who allegedly groped her twice during a political event in Bengaluru. She was praised online by women who supported her for taking a stand against sexual assault.
Accusations against IFFM, Melbourne
In Aug 2017, Khushbu accused Mitu Bhowmick Lange, the tender provider and director of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne of discriminating against non-Hindi films and film stars. Khushbu has been very vocal about getting more recognition for South Indian cinema, and the non-Hindi cinema from India on global platforms and film festivals. She has always maintained that Indian cinema is not just about Bollywood movies.
In January 2006, in their first Indian edition,Maxim magazine featured a full-page composite photograph with her head pasted onto the body of a model wearing a two piece bikini. Khushbu filed two complaints: defamation and the indecent representation of women against the editor and 4 others involved with the magazine.The proceedings were later stayed by the Madras High Court in December 2007 based on a plea filed by one of those charged.
Filmography
Television
She is known for the TV game showJackpot and the serials Kalki, JananiKungumam, Nandini and Lakshmi Stores. Khushbu has also appeared as a judge on the reality shows, Maanada Mayilada, Azhagiya Thamizh Maghan and Junior Super Stars.
