Dolly Ahluwalia
Dolly Ahluwalia is a distinguished Indian actress and costume designer, celebrated for her contributions to Hindi cinema and theatre. A graduate of the National School of Drama, she began her career in the 1980s, initially focusing on costume design for theatre before transitioning to film. Her film debut as a costume designer was with Shekhar Kapur’s Bandit Queen (1993), which earned her the National Film Award for Best Costume Design. She continued to make significant contributions to films such as The Blue Umbrella (2005), Omkara (2006), Love Aaj Kal (2009), Kaminey (2009), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), Haider (2014), and Rangoon (2017), among others. In addition to her work behind the scenes, Ahluwalia has also made her mark as an actress. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Biji in Vicky Donor (2012), which earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has appeared in several other films, including Mudda: The Issue (2003), Yahaan (2005), The Blue Umbrella (2005), Aloo Chaat (2009), Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana (2012), and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). Throughout her career, Ahluwalia has received numerous accolades for her work. She has won the National Film Award for Best Costume Design twice, for Bandit Queen (1993) and Haider (2014), and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Vicky Donor (2012). She has also been honored with the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design for Omkara (2007), Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013), and Haider (2014). Additionally, she has been nominated for the Genie Award for Best Achievement in Costume Design three times. Beyond her professional achievements, Ahluwalia is known for her resilience and dedication to her craft. After battling cancer, she has continued to contribute to the film industry, balancing her passion for costume design with her acting career. She remains a respected figure in Indian cinema, admired for her multifaceted talent and unwavering commitment to her work.
