Simi Garewal
Encyclopedia
Simi Garewal is an India
n actress. She is known for her work in Mera Naam Joker
, Siddhartha
and Karz
.
, her father, J S Garewal served in the army
rising to the rank of brigadier
. Simi grew up in England and studied at Newland House School
with her sister Amrita.
to offer her a role. A gangly 15-year-old at the time, Garewal made her debut alongside Feroz Khan
in this film in 1962. Her performance here was good enough for her to receive many more film offers, and during the 1960s and '70s, she worked in several notable Indian films
, working with leading directors such as Raj Kapoor
in Mera Naam Joker
(1970), Satyajit Ray
in Aranyer Din Ratri
(Days and Nights in the Forest), Mrinal Sen
in Padatik
(The Guerilla Fighter) and Raj Khosla
in Do Badan
. She also starred opposite Shashi Kapoor
in Columbia Pictures
' Siddhartha
, an English-language movie based on the novel by Herman Hesse. Garewal did a semi-nude scene in this film which caused some controversy in India. Later, in the mid-1970s, she made an appearance in the popular film Kabhi Kabhie (1976), made by her brother-in-law Yash Chopra
, and had a starring role in Chalte Chalte (1976). Another notable role she played was as a vamp in Karz
(1980). She also starred in the BBC docu-drama Maharajas (1987), based on the book by Charles Allen.
In the early 1980s, her attention turned to writing and direction. She formed her own production company, Siga Arts International. She hosted, produced and directed a TV series for Doordarshan called It's a Woman's World (1983). She also made a documentary for Channel 4 in the UK called Living Legend Raj Kapoor (1984). This was followed by a 3-part documentary on Rajiv Gandhi
titled India's Rajiv. She also wrote and directed a Hindi feature film Rukhsat and produced television commercials, for which she won the 1st Prize from the 1988 Paters Award in Australia.
Garewal also anchored the talk show
Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.
She usually wears her signature white clothes on TV shows and at award ceremonies, and is popularly known as "The Lady in White". Garewal recently appeared on Say Shava Shava 2008 as a host and judge. After the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008, Simi Garewal caused a starm of criticism in India and abroad by publicly calling for the Indian government to "carpet-bomb" the terrorist camps of its neighbour, Pakistan
.
She has recently returned on Television with her new talk show India's Most Desirable on Star Plus
which would interview Bollywood actors, business & media icons and Indian cricketers about their "ideal and desirable beaus".
businessman and later Governor of Punjab
, Pakistan
. Simi Garewal was married to Ravi Mohan, but her marriage was short and she is now divorced.
with actor Shashi Kapoor
, the movie couldn't be released in India due to censorship and created controversy
Writer/Director:
Self:
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress. She is known for her work in Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker is a 1970 Hindi film directed by Raj Kapoor. The screenplay was written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. This film was the debut of Rishi Kapoor. Mera Naam Joker is a film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows. The film is reportedly inspired by Raj...
, Siddhartha
Siddhartha (film)
Siddhartha is a film based on the novel of the same name by Herman Hesse, directed by Conrad Rooks. It was shot on location in Northern India, and features work by noted cinematographer Sven Nykvist....
and Karz
Karz
Karz is a village in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, near the city of Kandahar. The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, is from Karz....
.
Early life
Simi Garewal was born in a Jatt Sikh family in DelhiDelhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, her father, J S Garewal served in the army
Indian Army
The Indian Army is the land based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. With about 1,100,000 soldiers in active service and about 1,150,000 reserve troops, the Indian Army is the world's largest standing volunteer army...
rising to the rank of brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
. Simi grew up in England and studied at Newland House School
Newland House School
Newland House School is an independent co-educational preparatory school located in Twickenham, Greater London, England. The current Head Master is David Alexander.-Introduction:...
with her sister Amrita.
Film and television career
After spending much of her childhood in England, Garewal returned to India while a teenager. It was her felicity with the English language that induced the makers of the English-language film Tarzan Goes to IndiaTarzan Goes to India
Tarzan Goes to India is the first film featuring Jock Mahoney as Tarzan. It was written by Robert Hardy Andrews and directed by John Guillermin who also directed Tarzan's Greatest Adventure. It was one of two Mahoney films that took Tarzan out of Africa and sent him to the far east...
to offer her a role. A gangly 15-year-old at the time, Garewal made her debut alongside Feroz Khan
Feroz Khan
Feroz Khan was an Indian actor, film editor, producer and director in the Hindi film industry...
in this film in 1962. Her performance here was good enough for her to receive many more film offers, and during the 1960s and '70s, she worked in several notable Indian films
Cinema of India
The cinema of India consists of films produced across India, which includes the cinematic culture of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Indian films came to be followed throughout South Asia and...
, working with leading directors such as Raj Kapoor
Raj Kapoor
Known as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
in Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker is a 1970 Hindi film directed by Raj Kapoor. The screenplay was written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. This film was the debut of Rishi Kapoor. Mera Naam Joker is a film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows. The film is reportedly inspired by Raj...
(1970), Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
in Aranyer Din Ratri
Aranyer Din Ratri
Aranyer Din Ratri , is an Indian Bengali film released in 1970 and directed by Satyajit Ray. It is based upon the Bengali novel of the same name by Sunil Gangopadhyay. It was one of the earliest films to employ the literary technique of the carnivalesque...
(Days and Nights in the Forest), Mrinal Sen
Mrinal Sen
Mrinal Sen is a Bengali Indian filmmaker. He was born on 14 May 1923, in the town of Faridpur, now in Bangladesh in a Hindu family. After finishing his high school there, he left home to come to Calcutta as a student and studied physics at the well-known Scottish Church College and at the...
in Padatik
Padatik
Padatik is a 1973 Bengali film directed by noted Indian art film director Mrinal Sen.This film is considered to be the third film of Mrinal Sen's Calcutta trilogy, the others being Interview, and Calcutta 71....
(The Guerilla Fighter) and Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla was one of the top directors, producer and screenwriter in Hindi films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was known for bringing in ‘neo-noir’ and style in Indian cinema since black & white times, and also as a "women's director" because he showcased actresses at their best. He is often...
in Do Badan
Do Badan
Do Badan is a 1966 Hindi film. The film became a hit at the box office. Produced by Huda Bihari the film is directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Simi Garewal and Pran...
. She also starred opposite Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor , born Balbir-Raj Prithviraj Kapoor on 18 March 1938 in Calcutta , is an award-winning Indian film actor and film producer. He has also been film director and assistant director in Hindi Films. He is a member of the Kapoor family, a film dynasty in India's Bollywood cinema...
in Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
' Siddhartha
Siddhartha (film)
Siddhartha is a film based on the novel of the same name by Herman Hesse, directed by Conrad Rooks. It was shot on location in Northern India, and features work by noted cinematographer Sven Nykvist....
, an English-language movie based on the novel by Herman Hesse. Garewal did a semi-nude scene in this film which caused some controversy in India. Later, in the mid-1970s, she made an appearance in the popular film Kabhi Kabhie (1976), made by her brother-in-law Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
, and had a starring role in Chalte Chalte (1976). Another notable role she played was as a vamp in Karz
Karz (film)
Karz is a 1980 Hindi film directed by Subhash Ghai, starring Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim as leads, also in a feat of perfect casting was Simi Garewal, who stood out in her role of Kamini Verma, the murderous wife from the past life, which won her a Filmfare nomination.Film's music was by...
(1980). She also starred in the BBC docu-drama Maharajas (1987), based on the book by Charles Allen.
In the early 1980s, her attention turned to writing and direction. She formed her own production company, Siga Arts International. She hosted, produced and directed a TV series for Doordarshan called It's a Woman's World (1983). She also made a documentary for Channel 4 in the UK called Living Legend Raj Kapoor (1984). This was followed by a 3-part documentary on Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India . He took office after his mother's assassination on 31 October 1984; he himself was assassinated on 21 May 1991. He became the youngest Prime Minister of India when he took office at the age of 40.Rajiv Gandhi was the elder son of Indira...
titled India's Rajiv. She also wrote and directed a Hindi feature film Rukhsat and produced television commercials, for which she won the 1st Prize from the 1988 Paters Award in Australia.
Garewal also anchored the talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.
She usually wears her signature white clothes on TV shows and at award ceremonies, and is popularly known as "The Lady in White". Garewal recently appeared on Say Shava Shava 2008 as a host and judge. After the Mumbai terrorist attacks of November 2008, Simi Garewal caused a starm of criticism in India and abroad by publicly calling for the Indian government to "carpet-bomb" the terrorist camps of its neighbour, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
She has recently returned on Television with her new talk show India's Most Desirable on Star Plus
STAR Plus
STAR Plus is a Hindi language general entertainment television channel based in India. The channel is part of the STAR TV network's bouquet of channels...
which would interview Bollywood actors, business & media icons and Indian cricketers about their "ideal and desirable beaus".
Personal life
In the early 1980s, Simi Garewal had a year long affair with Salman Taseer a renowned PakistaniPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
businessman and later Governor of Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Simi Garewal was married to Ravi Mohan, but her marriage was short and she is now divorced.
Popularity
Simi Garewal is a popular TV host and has acted in few bollywood movies. In 1972, for her nude scene in SiddharthaSiddhartha (film)
Siddhartha is a film based on the novel of the same name by Herman Hesse, directed by Conrad Rooks. It was shot on location in Northern India, and features work by noted cinematographer Sven Nykvist....
with actor Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor , born Balbir-Raj Prithviraj Kapoor on 18 March 1938 in Calcutta , is an award-winning Indian film actor and film producer. He has also been film director and assistant director in Hindi Films. He is a member of the Kapoor family, a film dynasty in India's Bollywood cinema...
, the movie couldn't be released in India due to censorship and created controversy
Selected filmography
- India's Most Desirable (May 2011) .... As the show host
- Rukhsat (1988) .... Radha Talwar
- Love and God (1986) (as Simi Garewal) .... Ghazala
- Haathkadi (1982) .... Pammi Mittal
- Teri Meri Kahani (1982) (TV) .... Meena Sastry/Seema
- Biwi O Biwi (1981) .... Nisha
- Professor PyarelalProfessor PyarelalProfessor Pyarelal is a 1981 Hindi film produced by TM Bihari and directed by Brij Sadanah and featuring Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Simi Garewal, Shreeram Lagoo, Amjad Khan and Nirupa Roy in the lead roles. Kalyanji-Anandji have composed the music, while Anand Bakshi has written the lyrics for the film...
(1981) .... Rita - Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980 film) (as Simi) .... Lady Lawyer
- KarzKarz (film)Karz is a 1980 Hindi film directed by Subhash Ghai, starring Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim as leads, also in a feat of perfect casting was Simi Garewal, who stood out in her role of Kamini Verma, the murderous wife from the past life, which won her a Filmfare nomination.Film's music was by...
(1980) .... Kamini Verma - The Burning TrainThe Burning TrainThe Burning Train is a Bollywood action film released in 1980 directed by Ravi Chopra and featuring a huge all-star cast. The plot revolves around a fast train named Super Fast Express, that catches fire on its inaugural run from New Delhi to Mumbai....
(1980) .... School-teacher - AhsaasAhsaasAhsaas is a 1979 Hindi film produced by G. P. Sippy and directed by Surinder Suri. The film stars Shashi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Amjad Khan, Bindu, Simple Kapadia and Shammi Kapoor. There are guest appearances by Amitabh Bachchan and Bindiya Goswami. The films music is by Bappi Lahiri....
(1979) .... Asha Choudhry - Abhi To Jee LeinAbhi To Jee LeinAbhi To Jee Lein is a 1977 Bollywood film directed and written by Roshan Taneja.-Cast:*Jaya Bhaduri ... Jaya*Danny Denzongpa ... Danny*Simi Garewal ... Miss Mahajan *Iftekhar ... Deepak's Father*Farida Jalal ... The Nun...
(1977) .... Miss Mahajan (Lecturer) - Kabhi Kabhie - Love Is Life (1976) .... Shobha Kapoor
- Chalte Chalte (1976) .... Geeta
- Naach Uthe SansaarNaach Uthe SansaarNaach Uthe Sansaar is a 1976 Bollywood romance film directed by Yakub Hasan Rizvi.-Cast:*Chandrima Bhaduri ... Mrs. Mehto*Simi Garewal ... Somu*Rajan Haksar ... Catholic Priest*Aruna Irani ... Nital*Jankidas*Shashi Kapoor ... Karmu...
(1976) .... Somu - Haath Ki SafaiHaath Ki SafaiHaath Ki Safai is a 1974 Hindi film produced by I.A Nadiadwala. Directed by Prakash Mehra, the film features Vinod Khanna, who won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, the only nomination and win for the film. The rest of the cast include Hema Malini, Randhir Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Ranjeet...
(1974) .... Roma S. Kumar - Namak HaraamNamak HaraamNamak Haraam , is a 1973 Indian Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The music is by R.D. Burman and the screenplay by Gulzar and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. The film also stars Rekha, Asrani, Raza Murad, A.K. Hangal, Simi Garewal and Om Shivpuri...
(1973) .... Manisha - PadatikPadatikPadatik is a 1973 Bengali film directed by noted Indian art film director Mrinal Sen.This film is considered to be the third film of Mrinal Sen's Calcutta trilogy, the others being Interview, and Calcutta 71....
(1973) .... Woman Who Shelters Activist - SiddharthaSiddhartha (film)Siddhartha is a film based on the novel of the same name by Herman Hesse, directed by Conrad Rooks. It was shot on location in Northern India, and features work by noted cinematographer Sven Nykvist....
(1972) .... Kamala - Anokhi PehchanAnokhi PehchanAnokhi Pehchan is a 1972 Bollywood drama film directed by Satyen Bose. The film stars Sanjay Khan and Rakhee Gulzar .-Cast:*Sanjay Khan*Rakhee Gulzar *Simi Garewal*Jagdeep*Master Chintu*Nirupa Roy*Mohan Choti...
(1972) - Seema (1971 film)Seema (1971 film)Seema is a 1971 Hindi film directed by Surendra Mohan.-Cast:*Rakesh Roshan*Kabir Bedi*Simi Garewal*Padma Khanna *Chand Usmani*Abhi Bhattacharya*Sulochana*Bharathi Vishnuvardhan...
- Do Boon PaniDo Boon PaniDo Boon Pani is a 1971 Bollywood drama film directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. The film stars Simi Garewal and Madhu Chanda.-Cast:* Jalal Agha ... Ganga Singh* Madhu Chanda ... Sonki* Simi Garewal ... Gauri...
(1971) .... Gauri - AndazAndaz (1971 film)Andaz or Andaaz is a 1971 Hindi romantic movie starring Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Rajesh Khanna...
(1971) .... Mona - Aranyer Din RatriAranyer Din RatriAranyer Din Ratri , is an Indian Bengali film released in 1970 and directed by Satyajit Ray. It is based upon the Bengali novel of the same name by Sunil Gangopadhyay. It was one of the earliest films to employ the literary technique of the carnivalesque...
(1970) .... Duli - Mera Naam JokerMera Naam JokerMera Naam Joker is a 1970 Hindi film directed by Raj Kapoor. The screenplay was written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. This film was the debut of Rishi Kapoor. Mera Naam Joker is a film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows. The film is reportedly inspired by Raj...
(1970) .... Mary - Ek Raat (1968)
- Saathi (1968 film) (as Simi) .... Rajni
- Aadmi (1968) (as Simmi) .... Aarti
- Do BadanDo BadanDo Badan is a 1966 Hindi film. The film became a hit at the box office. Produced by Huda Bihari the film is directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Simi Garewal and Pran...
(1966) (as Simmi) .... Dr. Anjali - Johar-Mehmood in Goa (1965) (as Simmi) .... Simmi
- Teen Deviyan (1965) (as Simi) .... Simi/Radha Rani
- Tarzan Goes to IndiaTarzan Goes to IndiaTarzan Goes to India is the first film featuring Jock Mahoney as Tarzan. It was written by Robert Hardy Andrews and directed by John Guillermin who also directed Tarzan's Greatest Adventure. It was one of two Mahoney films that took Tarzan out of Africa and sent him to the far east...
(1962) (as Simi) .... Princess Kamara - Son of IndiaSon of India (1962 film)Son of India is a 1962 Bollywood film written and directed by Mehboob Khan. The film stars Kamaljith, Simi Garewal, Jayant and Kumkum in the lead roles...
(1962) .... Lalita - Raaz Ki Baat (1962) .... Kamal
Writer/Director:
- Rendezvous with Simi Garewal (1997) TV series .... Presenter (140 episodes)
- India's Rajiv (1991) 3 part TV documentary series
- Living Legend Raj Kapoor (1985) documentary on Raj Kapoor for Channel Four television, U.K.
- Rukhsat (1988)
Self:
- NaseebNaseeb (1981 film)Naseeb is a 1981 Hindi film produced and directed by Manmohan Desai. The film is a typical Manmohan Desai film with his regular star Amitabh Bachchan and a large cast, lavish sets, memorable music and the lost and found theme...
(1981) (as Simi) .... Herself
Awards and nominations
- 1966–Filmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
for her role in Do BadanDo BadanDo Badan is a 1966 Hindi film. The film became a hit at the box office. Produced by Huda Bihari the film is directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Simi Garewal and Pran... - 1968–Filmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actress AwardThe Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
for her role in SaathiSaathiSaathi is a 1968 Hindi Romantic drama film written and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film starred Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar in the lead with Simi Garewal, Pahari Sanyal, David Abraham Cheulkar, Veena and Ram Mohan as the ensemble cast while prominent actors such as Shashi Kapoor, Nanda,... - 1980–FilmfareFilmfareFilmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
Nomination as Best Supporting Actress for her role in KarzKarzKarz is a village in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, near the city of Kandahar. The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, is from Karz.... - 1999–Screen Awards for Best Talk Show & Best Anchor
- 2001–RAPARapa-French Polynesia:* Rapa Iti, an island in the southernmost of the Austral Islands of French Polynesia-Poland:* Rapa, Poland, a village in the administrative district of Gmina Banie Mazurskie, in Gołdap County, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship-Portugal:...
Award for Best Anchor & Talk show - 2003–Indian Television Academy Award for Best Anchor
- 2003–Rotary Award for Vocational Excellence in Media & Television
- 2004–Indian Filmgoers Association Award Best Talk Show