Poonam Dhillon

Poonam Dhillon was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. She is an Indian actress and has served as the President of 𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐀 (𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐞 & 𝐓𝐕 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧) since 2024. Fondly referred to as the “Noori girl,” she rose to fame with her innocent and fresh-faced portrayal of Noori in Yash Chopra’s 1979 surprise hit Noori. The tragic love story between Noori and Yusuf, played by Farooq Sheikh, set against the backdrop of Kashmir, became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Though she had earlier made her debut in Trishul 1978, opposite Sachin Pilgaonkar, her song Gapuchi Gapuchi Gum Gum from that film gained immense popularity.

A former Miss Young India 1977, Poonam Dhillon left a mark in Hindi cinema, regional films, television, and theater. Apart from Noori, she is best known for her memorable performances in hit films such as Trishul 1978, Red Rose 1980, Dard 1981, Teri Kasam 1982, Yeh Vaada Raha 1982, Romance 1983, Sohni Mahiwal 1984, Teri Meherbaniyan 1985, Karma 1986, and Naam 1986. She received a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress for Noori and later won the Indian Telly Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2015 for Ek Nayi Pehchaan.

Born into an academically accomplished family, her father was an Air Force aeronautical engineer, and her mother was a school principal. She was the sports captain of her school and excelled in athletics, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and skating. After winning Miss Young India, her photograph caught the attention of Yash Chopra, who offered her a film role. Although initially hesitant, she accepted the offer after Class 10 and continued her studies alongside acting, later graduating in Political Science, Public Administration, and Economics. *Unlike many of her contemporaries, Poonam Dhillon prioritized education even at the height of her acting career. She successfully completed her graduation while working in films, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and academic excellence. Continuing her pursuit of lifelong learning, she later earned an MBA in International Business, further reflecting her dedication to education and professional development.*