Occupation Model, actress Height 1.78 m Role Model | Name Diana Penty Years active 2005–present Nationality Indian | |
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Movies Cocktail, Dhoom:3, Dhoom, Happy Bhaag Jayegi, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited Similar People Profiles | ||
Cannes 2019: Diana Penty makes her red carpet debut
Diana Penty ([ɖaːjnaː peːnʈiː]; born 2 November 1985) is an Indian model and film actress who appears in Hindi films. Born in Mumbai, in a Parsi-Christian family Penty completed her education from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and simultaneously began modeling as a part-time profession.
Contents
- Cannes 2019 Diana Penty makes her red carpet debut
- Daina Penty BTS for HELLO HELLO
- Personal life
- Modelling career 200511
- Bollywood debut and breakthrough 2012present
- In the media
- Other honours
- Filmography
- References
After initial reluctance, Penty began a full-time modelling career in 2005 when she was signed up by Elite Models India. She soon established a successful career as a model after walking the ramp for many of India's top designers. In 2012, Penty made her acting debut in Homi Adajania's commercially successful romantic comedy Cocktail. Her performance in the film garnered praise, and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
After a four year break from acting, Penty played the title role in the sleeper hit Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016). Penty is an active celebrity endorser and has been associated with brands like TRESemmé and Nokia.
Daina Penty BTS for HELLO | HELLO!
Personal life
Penty was born on 2 November 1985 in Mumbai to a Parsi father and a Christian mother. She attended St. Agnes High School in Mumbai, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mass Media from St. Xavier's College.
Modelling career (2005–11)
Penty began her modeling when she sent her photographs to Elite Models India, who liked her work and suggested she take up modelling assignments. At this stage, she was in college, and was reluctant to choose on a career in modelling, so Penty decided to work part-time as a fashion model.
In 2005, Penty officially started working for Elite Models India, and made her runway debut at the Indo-Italian Festival for Italian designers Nicola Trussardi and Gianfranco Ferré. Thereafter, Penty modelled for several other Indian designers, including Wendell Rodricks, Rohit Bal and Rina Dhaka. By 2007, she had established a successful modelling career after appearing in print campaigns for some of India's most prominent brands, including Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri, Parachute and Westside; as well as featuring on the covers of a few Indian fashion magazines.
The following year, Penty went on to model at the international circuit when she began to endorse global brands including Maybelline, Garnier and Forever 21. On Penty's international appeal, the CEO of Elite Models India Sushma Puri commented, "Diana has a face that is very versatile and appeals to both Indian and international markets and she is also young, beautiful and confident. This makes her the ideal choice for any international brand." Later in her modelling career Penty started to receive film offers, though she believed herself to be too inexperienced, and rejected them to focus on modelling. From 2008 to 2010, Penty established herself internationally after modelling for fashion weeks in Paris and New York.
Bollywood debut and breakthrough (2012–present)
Penty was originally slated to make her Bollywood debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar opposite Ranbir Kapoor, although she rejected the film due to her modelling commitments at the time and was subsequently replaced by Nargis Fakhri. She later signed up for Homi Adajania's Cocktail instead; at Ali's suggestion. Cast alongside Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the film received mixed to positive reviews. Penty's portrayal of Meera, a simple Indian girl with traditional values was well received by critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama commented that "Diana, who makes her acting debut, gets to portray a rather difficult character for her debut film. There's a very disarming kind of innocence that she brings to the role and she impresses a great deal." Raja Sen agreed, mentioning that she is "refreshingly natural". Anupama Chopra added that "Diana is saddled with the most colourless character but [...] infuses her role with a quiet poise and holds her own." Her performance earned her nominations for best debut and best supporting actress at numerous Indian award ceremonies. Cocktail emerged as a box office hit.
After a four year absence from the screen, Penty played the titular runaway bride in Anand L. Rai's production Happy Bhag Jayegi (2016). About the break from acting, Penty said: "It wasn’t a conscious break. I was taking my time looking to be a part of an interesting story. I didn’t want to do anything that came my way." The film earned mixed reviews from critics but was a sleeper hit. Rohit Bhatnagar wrote that Penty "steals the spotlight in every frame", while Anna M.M. Vetticad of Firstpost said: "Penty is brimming with potential [...] but her Happy, despite being the titular protagonist, is the most under-written character."
As of March 2017, Penty has two upcoming projects. In Nikhil Advani's Lucknow Central, she is cast opposite Farhan Akhtar as an NGO worker who helps a group of prisoners rekindle their passion for music. Penty has also been confirmed to return for the sequel of Happy Bhag Jayegi. and in Abhishek Sharma's Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran, she is cast opposite John Abraham
In the media
In addition to modelling and acting, Penty is currently the Indian brand ambassador of TRESemmé, Nokia, in particular the Lumia 510 phone and Micromax Mobile.
Penty has also featured on several magazine covers, such as the July 2012 issue of Vogue, the October 2012 issue of Elle, the January 2013 issue of Verve, the January/February 2013 issue of Women's Health India, the February 2013 issue of Grazia, the May 2013 issue of Femina, among others.