Ileana D’Cruz is a Portuguese actress who has made a significant impact in Indian cinema, particularly in Telugu and Hindi films. Known for her versatile performances, striking beauty, and strong screen presence, she has won multiple awards and established herself as a leading actress.
From her humble beginnings to becoming a Bollywood sensation, this blog explores her early life, career, achievements, controversies, and interesting facts.
Early Life and Upbringing
Ileana D’Cruz was born on November 1, 1986, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, to a Goan Catholic father and a Muslim mother. She spent her early childhood in Mumbai before her family moved to Parra, Goa, when she was 10 years old.
Her first modeling portfolio, created in 2003, was a disaster, according to her. However, subsequent photo shoots and ramp shows led to a second portfolio, which landed her advertisements for Electrolux, Emami Talc, and Fair & Lovely. The Fair & Lovely ad, directed by Rakesh Roshan, gave her exposure and brought in acting offers.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ileana D’Cruz |
| Nickname | Illu |
| Alternative Names(s) | Ilean D’cruz |
| Date of Birth | 1 November 1987 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 36 years |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Hometown | Parra, Goa, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Education Qualification | Graduation |
| Hobbies and Interests | Swimming, photography, reading |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Konkani |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Ileana D’Cruz |
| IMDb Profile link | [Ileana D’Cruz] |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 33-23-34 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5 ft 2 in or 157.5 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 52 kg or 115 lbs |
| Chest | 33 inches |
| Waist | 23 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Often changes her hairstyle according to her roles and preferences. She has sported long, short, curly, straight, and wavy hair in different films and events |
| Distinctive Features | Small face, thick eyebrows, dimpled smile |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Ileana D’Cruz has kept her personal life relatively private, but here are some known details:She was previously in a long-term relationship with Australian photographer Andrew Kneebone, but they broke up in 2019.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Michael Dolan |
| Father | Ronaldo D’Cruz |
| Mother | Samira D’Cruz |
| Children | Koa Phoenix Dolan (Son) |
| Siblings | Rhys D’Cruz (Brother) |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Andrew Kneebone (Ex-boyfriend) , Sebastien Laurent Michel (Rumoured) |
| Significant Relationships | Michael Dolan (Current husband and father of her son) |
Rise to Stardom
Ileana D’Cruz made her film debut in 2006 with the Telugu-language romantic drama Devadasu, which was a commercial success. The film won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South.
She quickly established herself as a leading actress in Telugu cinema, starring in Pokiri (2006), Jalsa (2008), Kick (2009), and Julayi (2012). She also starred in the Tamil film Nanban (2012), which was a commercial success.
Her Bollywood debut came in 2012 with Barfi!, directed by Anurag Basu, where she starred alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.
She later starred in Main Tera Hero (2014), Rustom (2016), and Raid (2018), all of which were box office hits.
Ileana D’Cruz – Selfie
Ileana D’Cruz – Debut Film – Devadasu
Ileana D’Cruz – Successful Film – Rustom
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Ileana D’Cruz has received several accolades for her performances. Some of her notable awards include:
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South (Devadasu, 2006)
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut (Barfi!, 2012)
- Zee Cine Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Rustom, 2016)
- IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress (Barfi!, 2012)
She has also been a brand ambassador for Rado, Skechers, and Colgate.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, model |
| Debut Film | Devadasu (2006) |
| Notable Roles | Shruti Ghosh in Barfi!, Rani in Rustom, Naina in Raid, Sunaina in Main Tera Hero, Madhu in Julayi |
| Recent Films – New Movies | The Big Bull (2021), Pagalpanti (2019), Amar Akbar Anthony (2018), Raid (2018), Baadshaho (2017) |
| Upcoming Films | Unfair & Lovely (2021), Big Bull (2021) |
| Popular Television Series | Bigg Boss,The Kapil Sharma,The Big Bull,Nanban |
| Awards and Achievements | Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for Barfi! (2013), Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South for Devadasu (2007), Vogue Beauty Award for Fresh Face of the Year (2012), Screen Award for Most Promising Debut Actress for Barfi! (2013) |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Clear Shampoo, CavinKare, Tourism Fiji, Electrolux, Emami Talc, Fair & Lovely, Pilgrim, Hidesign, The Moms Co., Oriflame, IICE Vodka, AOC TV, Huggies, Micromax, Coca Cola |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Attended a charity event for the underprivileged kids in 2016 , supported UN Women’s HeForShe campaign , participated in P&G Shiksha campaign for education , donated her eyes to Ramayamma International Eye Bank |
| Professional Associations | N/A |
| Training and Education | Graduated from University of Mumbai , started modelling and acting classes with Aruna Bhikshu |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Barfi!, Rustom, Raid, Nanban, Kick, Jalsa |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Barfi!, Rustom, Nanban |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | 109 Crore INR or $15 Million USD |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | 3 to 4 Crore INR or $400,000 to $500,000 USD |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | 1 Crore INR or $130,000 USD |
| Sponsorship Deals | Tourism Fiji, Audi, Indica, etc |
| Business Ventures | Royzez.com |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | House in Goa |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Jewelry, designer clothes, etc |
| Cars Collection | Audi S5 Sportback, Audi Q7, etc |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favourite Actor | Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan |
| Favourite Actress | Kajol, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Salma Hayek |
| Favourite Film | Barfi, Devdas (Bollywood), Notting Hill (Hollywood) |
| Favourite Music Bands | Pehli Dafa |
| Favourite Sport | N/A |
| Favourite Books | Sidney Sheldon’s novels |
| Favourite Colour | White, Green, Black |
| Favourite Food | Biryani, Chinese, Italian food, Rasgullas, Rasmalai, Dark Chocolate |
| Things s/he likes | Swimming, Photography, Reading |
| Things s/he dislikes | N/A |
Top 5 Best Films – Ileana D’Cruz
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Devadasu | 2006 | Bhanumathi |
| Barfi! | 2012 | Shruti Ghosh |
| Rustom | 2016 | Cynthia Pavri |
| Raid | 2018 | Malini Patnaik |
| Main Tera Hero | 2014 | Sunaina |
Controversies – Ileana D’Cruz
- Tamil Film Industry Ban – Reports claimed she was banned from Tamil cinema for not fulfilling an agreement, but the Tamil Film Producers Council denied the claims.
- Ego Clash with Jr. NTR – She allegedly had issues with the makers of Shakti, leading to her exit from South Indian films.
- Raid 2 Casting Change – She was replaced by Vaani Kapoor in Raid 2 due to scheduling conflicts post-pregnancy.
- Bold Comments on Sex – She once stated that sex is a major relaxation for her body, which sparked controversy.
- Producer Dispute – A producer accused her of not returning an advance payment, leading to legal issues.
Interesting Facts – Ileana D’Cruz
- She became a Portuguese citizen in 2014, citing her ancestral roots.
- She started her career as a model before entering films.
- She is a trained classical dancer.
- She struggled with body dysmorphic disorder and has spoken openly about mental health.
- She was hesitant to enter Bollywood but was convinced by Anurag Basu.
- She loves beaches and frequently visits the Maldives.
Ileana D’Cruz’s journey in Bollywood is a testament to talent, hard work, and perseverance. From her debut in Devadasu to her critically acclaimed roles, she has carved a unique space in the industry. With upcoming projects and a growing fan base, she continues to be a prominent figure in Indian cinema.
