Simi Garewal

Introduction

Simi Garewal is a multi-talented Indian actress, filmmaker, and talk show host. She became really famous for her English talk show called 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal,' which aired on Star World in 1997.

Early Life

Simi Garewal, also known as Simrita Garewal, was born on Friday, October 17, 1947 (she is currently 76 years old as of 2023) in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. After a few years, her family moved to London, UK, where she attended Newland High School. Afterward, she enrolled in the Filmalaya Acting School located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Family and Other Relatives

Simi Grewal comes from a Jatt Sikh family. Her father, Jalawar Singh Garewal, was a brigadier in the Indian Army, specifically the 3rd Cavalry. He became the 19th officer to join the Indian Army. Her mom goes by the name Darshi Garewal, and she has an older sister named Amrita Garewal.

Simi Grewal's grandfather on her father's side, Captain Kehar Singh Garewal, had the honor of being appointed as the ADC (Aide-de-Camp) to Queen Victoria. On her mother's side, her maternal uncle, Premindra Singh Bhagat, served as a general in the Indian Army and was the first Indian to receive the 'Victoria Cross' during World War II.

Simi Grewal also had another maternal uncle named Bhupindar Singh, who held the rank of colonel in the Indian Army. Simi Grewal's first cousin, Gaganjit Singh, had a distinguished career in the Indian Army and rose to the rank of major general.

Simi Grewal's maternal cousin is Pamela Chopra, who happens to be the wife of the renowned Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra.

Husband

Simi Grewal tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend,Ravi Mohan, who came from the prestigious Chunamals family in Delhi. However, shortly after their marriage, they decided to live separately, and after nearly ten years, they eventually divorced.

Simi Grewal and her ex-husband did not have any children together. In a 2013 interview, she shared a heartfelt story about almost adopting a girl named Vijaya. Vijaya had been abandoned at a railway station by her parents, and Simi went through the process of adopting her. However, just when she was about to bring Vijaya home, her biological parents appeared, which was truly heartbreaking for Simi.

During that difficult time, Simi found solace in the words of the legendary Indian actor Dev Anand. Dev Anand would often say, "I don't let my sorrows weigh me down. I simply tuck them away in my pocket and keep moving forward." These words resonated with Simi and helped her find the strength to face her own challenges.

Relationships

Shatrushalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji

Simi Grewal had a special connection with her neighbor, Shatrushalyasinhji Digvijaysinhji, who happened to be the Maharaja of Jamnagar. They were together for a duration of three years.

Ratan Tata

She had a long-term relationship with the well-known Indian industrialist Ratan Tata. In an interview, she shared that Ratan Tata is someone she has known for a long time. She described him as a perfect gentleman with a great sense of humor humility, and not driven solely by money. Interestingly, she mentioned that he feels more relaxed when he's abroad compared to being in India.

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

She was in a relationship with the Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. They used to attend parties & events together. However, Mansoor eventually met the Indian actress Sharmila Tagore and fell in love with her. He then confessed his feelings to Simi, and unfortunately, they broke up.

Raj Kapoor

Simi Grewal was rumored to have a special connection with the Indian actor and producer Raj Kapoor. According to one of Simi's friends, Raj Kapoor had a soft spot for all his leading ladies, and it was quite evident that he had affection for Simi. There were whispers of a possible affair between them. Simi greatly admired Raj Kapoor and was initially hesitant to take on a role in Siddhartha due to some bold scenes, but it was Raj Kapoor who convinced her to do it.

Salman Taseer

There were speculations that Simi Grewal was in a romantic relationship with the Pakistani businessman Salman Taseer.

Rishi Kapoor

Her name was also linked with the Indian actor Rishi Kapoor.

Career

Film

Actor

In 1962, she started her Bollywood journey with the movie 'Raaz Ki Baat' as Kamal. In that same year, she also appeared in some Hindi movies like 'Son of India' and 'Tarzan Goes to India.'

After that, she starred in several hit Hindi movies such as 'Do Badan' (1966), 'Saathi' (1968), 'Mera Naam Joker' (1970), 'Kabhi Kabhie' (1976), 'Karz' (1980). She also made her debut in Bengali cinema with the film 'Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), where she played the character of Duli. In 1973, she also appeared in the Bengali movie 'Padatik.'

Director

In 1988, she took on the role of a director in Bollywood with the film 'Rukhsat,' where she also showcased her acting skills.

Television

Writer/Director

In 1983, Simi started her own film production company named Siga Arts International. Under her banner, she not only produced but also directed and hosted a TV series called 'It's a Woman's World' in 1983.

Additionally, in 1985, she worked as a writer and director for the documentary 'Living Legend Raj Kapoor,' which was aired on Channel Four Television in the UK. Simi's talent also extended to directing and writing a three-part documentary series titled 'India's Rajiv' in 1991, which focused on the Indian politician Rajiv Gandhi.

Simi has also tried her hand at directing Hindi TV commercials.

Host

In 1997, Simi began her journey as a host for the talk show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal' on Star World India. She hosted a whopping five seasons of the show, which included a total of 140 episodes.

Then, in 2011, she hosted another talk show called 'Simi Selects India's Most Desirable' on Star World India. Her talk shows became a huge hit, and she gained immense popularity.

Other works

In 1987, Simi had the opportunity to act in the BBC documentary drama 'Maharajas,' which was based on Charles Allen's book. And more recently, in 2023, she made a guest appearance as a host on the reality TV show 'Bigg Boss.'

Awards

- In 1966, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film "Do Badan."

- In 1968, she received another Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film "Saathi."

- In 1988, she was honored with the Pater's Award in Australia for directing TV commercials.

- In 1999, she got the Screen Awards for Best Talk Show Best Anchor.

- In 2001, she received the RAPA Award for Best Anchor and Talk Show.

- In 2003, she was honored with the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Anchor and also received the Rotary Award for Vocational Excellence in Media Television.

- In 2004, she won the Indian Filmgoers Association Award for Best Talk Show.

- Lastly, in 2018, she was recognized with the UKAFF Award for her contribution to Film and Television.

Controversies

• In the 1970s, Simi took on some daring roles in Hindi films like 'Siddhartha' and 'Mera Naam Joker,' where she did semi-nude and erotic scenes. However, these scenes faced heavy criticism during that time as it was considered taboo in Bollywood. Some of the scenes were even cut by the censorboard. It was a challenging period for Simi.
• In 2011, when Rani Mukerji appeared as a guest on 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal,' things got a bit intense. It seems like Simi kept asking Rani about her relationship with Aditya Chopra, which made Rani quite upset. After that incident, it seems like Simi and Rani didn't have the warmest relationship.

Facts about Simi Garewal

• When Simi was just 5 years old, she watched the Hindi film 'Awaara,' and it sparked her interest in acting. However, her parents initially didn't support her career choice. It's quite remarkable that she even went on a hunger strike to convince them! In her early time, she auditioned at Twickenham Studios in England, but unfortunately, she faced rejection because of her Indian looks. Undeterred, she then moved back to India and tried her luck in Bollywood. It wasn't easy for her at first as her looks were considered "too western" for Bollywood films. But she didn't give up and kept pushing forward until she discovered her path.
• Simi has actually undergone a Botox treatment below her eyebrows. In an interview, she mentioned that she doesn't see a big deal about it. She even mentioned that girls who are half her age use it, too. According to her, botox is only used in that specific area above the eyebrows to prevent frown lines and not anywhere else.
• Simi has also made a dietary change. She has transitioned from being a non-vegetarian to a vegetarian.
• Simi sees Raj Kapoor, the Indian filmmaker, as her mentor.
• Simi is often seen enjoying a drink at parties and events.
• She has also been featured on the covers of popular magazines like Filmfare and Star Style magazine.
• She owns a Mercedes-Benz E200 car. paraphrase it
• Simi is a huge animal lover and has a furry friend named Chutki Garewal. She's also dedicated to helping dogs.
• She enjoys spending her free time baking delicious cakes, playing snooker, and diving into video games.
• Simi is frequently seen wearing white outfits. She has expressed her love for the color and the joy it brings her.

Conclusion

Simi Garewal is a multi-talented Indian actress, filmmaker, and talk show host who has had an incredible career in the entertainment industry. Her family's military background, connections to influential individuals, and her own personal journey have enriched her life story. With her poise and determination, Simi continues to be a prominent and enduring figure in Indian entertainment, admired for her grace and love for animals.