Nimrat Kaur’s rise to fame is a story of resilience, hard work, and determination. Born on 13th March 1982 in a Sikh family in Pilani, Rajasthan, Nimrat faced tragedy early in life. Her father, Major Bhupinder Singh, an Indian Army officer, was martyred in 1994 when Nimrat was just 11 years old. He was kidnapped and killed by terrorists, and this loss shaped Nimrat’s life in many ways.
After this heartbreaking event, Nimrat, her mother Avinash Kaur, and her younger sister Rubina relocated to Noida. Despite the emotional and financial struggles, Nimrat continued her education. She attended Delhi Public School, Noida, and later pursued her studies at Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University.
Early Struggles in Mumbai
Nimrat moved to Mumbai with dreams of becoming an actress, but the journey was far from easy. She faced many struggles in her early days, from financial hardships to rejection. In an interview, Nimrat revealed that she didn’t even have money for a cab at times. Talking to her mother was expensive, so she would call from public booths (PCOs) to save money.
In her initial days, Nimrat clicked her portfolio photos and distributed them to 100 agencies, hoping for work. She also took up theatre, which helped her improve her acting skills.
First Steps in the Entertainment Industry
Before making it big in films, Nimrat appeared in music videos. In 2004, she featured in Kumar Sanu’s Tera Mera Pyaar and Shreya Ghoshal’s Ye Kya Hua. These small roles gave her exposure, but her career didn’t take off immediately.
In 2005, she had a blink-and-miss appearance in Shoojit Sircar’s war drama Yahaan. Her official debut in films came in 2006 with the English movie One Night with the King, but it didn’t bring her much recognition. She got her first lead role in Peddlers (2012), directed by Vasan Bala, but unfortunately, the film never saw a full release.
Breakthrough with The Lunchbox
Nimrat’s big break came in 2013 with The Lunchbox, a film that went on to receive global acclaim. Directed by Ritesh Batra and co-starring Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, The Lunchbox was a heartwarming tale that showcased Nimrat’s acting talent. The film became one of the most celebrated Indian films, helping her gain recognition as a serious actress.
Success in Bollywood and Hollywood
After The Lunchbox, Nimrat’s career soared. She starred alongside Akshay Kumar in the 2016 film Airlift, which further cemented her position in Bollywood. Her role in Airlift made her a household name, and she started receiving more offers from both Indian and international productions.
In 2022, she appeared in Dasvi with Abhishek Bachchan and the 2023 film Sajini Shinde’s Viral Video. Nimrat also made her mark on the international stage with roles in popular TV shows like Homeland, Wayward Pines, and Foundation. In India, she took on significant roles in web series such as The Test Case and School of Lies, gaining praise for her performances.
A Journey of Persistence
Today, Nimrat Kaur is recognized for her hard work, versatility, and persistence. From struggling for small roles in the early 2000s to earning fame in Bollywood, Hollywood, and OTT platforms, Nimrat’s journey reflects her resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faced after her father’s death and the early struggles in her acting career, Nimrat’s story is one of success through perseverance.
