Kalki Koechlin

Kalki Koechlin
Koechlin in 2017
Born	(1984-01-10) 10 January 1984 (age 40) Pondicherry, India
Citizenship	French
Alma mater	Goldsmiths, University of London
Occupations	Actress writer
Years active	2007–present
Spouse	Anurag Kashyap ​ ​ (m. 2011; div. 2015)​
Partner	Guy Hershberg
Children	1
Relatives	See Koechlin family
Awards	Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (2018)

Kalki Koechlin (/ˈkʌlki kɛˈklæ̃/ ^ⓘ; born 10 January 1984) is a French actress and writer who works in Hindi films. Known for her unconventional body of work, she is the recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and two Screen Awards. Although a French citizen, she has been raised and lived most of her life in India.

Born in Pondicherry, India, Koechlin was drawn to theatre from a young age. She studied drama at Goldsmiths, University of London, and worked simultaneously with a local theatre company. After returning to India, she made her Hindi film debut as Chanda in the black comedy-drama Dev.D (2009), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. Subsequently, she starred in two of the highest-grossing Hindi films of their respective release years, the romantic comedy-dramas Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), both of which garnered her nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Koechlin expanded her career into screenwriting with the crime thriller That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011), in which she also played the lead role.

Koechlin's commercial success continued with the supernatural thriller Ek Thi Daayan (2013) and the musical drama Gully Boy (2019), while also receiving critical praise for her performances in independent films, including the comedy-drama Waiting (2015) and the slice-of-life film Ribbon (2017). She earned high acclaim and the National Film Award – Special Jury Award for her role of a young woman with cerebral palsy in the coming-of-age drama Margarita with a Straw (2014). Koechlin made a transition to web content in the late 2010s, starring in a spate of successful web series. She drew particular praise for her portrayal of a lonely socialite in Amazon Prime Video's romantic drama Made in Heaven and a self-styled godwoman in Netflix's crime thriller Sacred Games (both 2019).

Koechlin has written, produced, and acted in several stage productions. She co-wrote the drama Skeleton Woman (2009), which won her The MetroPlus Playwright Award, and made her directorial debut on stage with the tragicomedy Living Room (2015). Koechlin is also an activist and promotes various causes ranging from health and education to women empowerment and gender equality.