Though Ileana D'Cruz started her career from Tollywood, many people are not aware that she was born in a Goan Catholic family at Mahim, Mumbai on November 1, 1986. In her family, she has three sisters and one brother. She has done her Bachelors from Mumbai, St Xavier's college.
Ileana D'Cruz started her career as a model. Her mother was working in a hotel and the hotel manager advised Ileana that she has a vibrant smile and she should start modeling. Ileana describes her first photoshoot which was created in January 2003, a disaster. From her second portfolio, she received three assignments of advertisements, Emami, Electrolux, and Fair & Lovely. One was directed by Rakesh Roshan which gave her much needed exposure and brought several offers in acting.
In 2006, Ileana D'Cruz made her debut from Tollywood romantic movie Devadasu. She was nervous and felt pressured while shooting and she doesn't want to move ahead but it was her mother who motivated her. Ileana describes that conversation as the lecture of a lifetime at 3 AM. She went on to earn the Filmfare Award for the Best Female Debutant for Devadasu. She also featured in various successful movies like Pokiri, Julai, Jalsa, Aata, Kick, etc.
Ileana D'Cruz was offered superhit movie Wanted opposite Salman Khan as she was the one who did its original movie Pokiri opposite, Mahesh Babu. But she turned down the role because she had exams during that time.
Ileana D'Cruz was starred in the Kollywood movie Nanban, a remake of All-time Blockbuster movie 3 Idiots opposite Vijay. The movie was a financial success.
6. Bollywood Debut
Ileana made her Bollywood debut from Anurag Basu's Barfi in which she portrayed the role of Shruti Ghosh and also the role of a narrator. Her performance was well-received by the audiences and she bagged another Filmfare Award for Best Female Debutant. Later she did many Bollywood movies like Main Tera Hero, Rustom, Baadshaho, Raid, Mubarakan and become one of the leading actresses in Bollywood.