Madhoo
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1969-03-26
    • Born Place: Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Also Known As:

    Madhubala , Madhoobala Raghunath, Madhoo Shah, Madhu, मधू

Madhoo

Madhoo (born Madhoobala Raghunath Malini on 26 March 1969 in Chennai) is an acclaimed Indian actress celebrated for her work across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films . A niece of veteran actress Hema Malini, she is also the cousin of Esha Deol and sister-in-law of Juhi Chawla through her marriage to Anand Shah in 1999. She began her career in 1991, debuting first in the Tamil film Azhagan, followed by her Hindi debut in Phool Aur Kaante, which became a superhit and earned her a Filmfare nomination. Her iconic portrayal of the titular role in Mani Ratnam’s Roja (1992) catapulted her to nationwide recognition and garnered critical acclaim across several languages. Known for her expressive performances and classical elegance—she trained in Bharatanatyam under her mother—Madhoo starred in around 30 films until taking a hiatus in 2002. She made a successful comeback in 2008 with the Hindi film Kabhi Socha Bhi Na Tha and continued to deliver notable performances in films like Vaayai Moodi Pesavum, Ranna, Thalaivi, and the web series Sweet Kaaram Coffee, where she embraced roles reflecting her maturity. Apart from films, Madhoo has hosted popular music shows on DD National, including Chitrahaar and Rangoli, and has appeared on television in series such as Aarambh” . She openly shares her values—recently mentioning her discomfort with an unnecessary kissing scene—and her commitment to maintaining a traditional image rooted in her upbringing. A mother of two daughters, Ameyaa and Keia, Madhoo is based partly in the U.S., balancing her life between family and creative pursuits. Today, she is respected for her artistic resilience, professional integrity, and inspirational journey in the Indian entertainment industry.

Person History