Lisa Ray

Born:April 4, 1972

Place of Birth:Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Known For:Acting

Biography

Lisa Rani Ray, a multi-talented Canadian artist, has left a remarkable impact on the world of entertainment through her work as an actress, model, television host, philanthropist, and social activist. Her career took a significant turn in 2005 when she starred in the Canadian film "Water," which premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, garnering critical acclaim for her performance.

Transitioning seamlessly between different film industries, Ray made her Indian cinematic debut in 1994 with the Tamil film "Nethaji," marking the beginning of her successful journey in Bollywood and regional cinema. She showcased her versatility in 2001 with the Bollywood film "Kasoor" alongside Aftab Shivdasani and later in the Telugu film "Takkari Donga" in 2002, where she acted alongside Mahesh Babu, proving her ability to excel in diverse roles across various languages.

Beyond the silver screen, Lisa Ray's talent extended to television as she ventured into hosting with the series "Oh My Gold," a 5-part show by TLC India that premiered in 2011. In this series, set against the backdrop of India's rich culture and contemporary lifestyle, Ray not only served as a host but also a captivating travel guide, showcasing the beauty of different cities with grace and charm.

In 2008, Ray captivated audiences with her performances in the romance films "I Can't Think Straight" and "The World Unseen," where she starred alongside Sheetal Sheth, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and talented actress capable of portraying complex and compelling characters on screen.

In 2016, Lisa Ray took on the challenging role in Ram Gopal Varma's biographical film "Veerappan," showcasing her dedication to her craft and her willingness to explore diverse genres and narratives. Her portrayal in the film added another dimension to her already impressive body of work, earning her praise from both critics and audiences alike.

Apart from her contributions to the world of entertainment, Lisa Ray is also known for her philanthropic efforts and social activism, using her platform to raise awareness on various important issues and support causes close to her heart. Her commitment to making a difference in the world beyond the screen is a testament to her compassion and dedication to creating a positive impact in society.

With a career that spans across different industries and genres, Lisa Ray continues to inspire audiences with her talent, grace, and unwavering commitment to her craft. Her journey from Canadian cinema to Bollywood and beyond is a testament to her versatility and passion for storytelling, making her a respected figure in the global entertainment industry.

Photos

Filmography

Acting

I Can't Think Straight

Tala

2008

Tala, a London-based Palestinian, is preparing for her elaborate Middle Eastern wedding when she meets Leyla, a young British Indian woman who is dating her best friend. Spirited Christian Tala and shy Muslim Leyla could not be more different from each other, but the attraction is immediate and goes deeper than friendship. But Tala is not ready to accept the implications of the choice her heart has made for her and escapes back to Jordan, while Leyla tries to move on with her new-found life, to the shock of her tradition-loving parents. As Tala's wedding day approaches, simmering tensions come to boiling point and the pressure mounts for Tala to be true to herself.

Defendor

Dominique Ball

2009

A crooked cop, a mob boss and the young girl they abuse are the denizens of a city's criminal underworld. It's a world that ordinary Arthur Poppington doesn't understand and doesn't belong in, but is committed to fighting when he changes into a vigilante super-hero of his own making, Defendor. With no power other than courage Defendor takes to the streets to protect the city's innocents.

Water

Kalyani

2005

The year is 1938, and Mahatma Gandhi's groundbreaking philosophies are sweeping across India, but 8-year-old Chuyia, newly widowed, must go to live with other outcast widows on an ashram. Her presence transforms the ashram as she befriends two of her compatriots.

The World Unseen

Miriam

2007

A drama centered on two women who engage in a dangerous relationship during South Africa's apartheid era.

99 Songs

Sheela

2021

Challenged to compose 100 songs before he can marry the girl he loves, a tortured but passionate singer-songwriter embarks on a poignant musical journey.

Kasoor

Simran Bhargav

2001

The film starts with the murder of Priti (Divya Dutta), wife of Shekhar (Aftab Shivdasani), a well-known journalist. Inspector Lokhande (Ashutosh Rana) investigates the case and accuses Shekhar of the murder, saying he has enough evidences to arrest him. Upon getting bail from the court, Shekhar's lawyer tells him that he will not be able to fight his case because he is a corporate lawyer. He asks him to contact Simran Bhargav (Lisa Ray), who is a criminal lawyer to fight his case.

All Hat

Etta Parr

2007

An ex-con returns to his rural Ontario roots and outwits a corrupt and wealthy thoroughbred owner trying to take over a slew of local farms. Ray Dokes, a charming ex-ballplayer, returns from jail to discover the rural landscape of his childhood transformed by urban development. Determined to stay out of trouble, Ray heads to the farm of his old friend Pete Culpepper, a crusty Texas cowboy who trains losing racehorses and whose debts are growing faster than his corn.

Bollywood/Hollywood

Sue (Sunita) Singh

2002

Rahul Seth is a dashing young millionaire who believes he is "western" enough to rebel against his mother and grandmother. They are not too keen about his Caucasian girlfriend Kimberly who, to make matters worse, is a pop star. Before you can say "karmic intervention," Kimberly dies in a freak accident and Rahul is devastated. Instead of allowing him to mourn in peace, Rahul's mother sees the opportunity she's been waiting for. She threatens to call off his sister's wedding unless he finds himself a "nice Indian girl." Rahul enlists the services of Sue, a fiercely independent escort whom he believes to be Hispanic, and therefore not "married" to the conventions taught to young Indian women. With a wink in her eye, Sue accepts the deal to pose as his Indian bride-to-be. She needs the money and having never been a fan of the typical Indian male, she feels her heart is safe. The charade begins....

Veerappan

Priya (Spy)

2016

The journey of the world's most notorious sandalwood and ivory smuggler, Veerappan who was finally captured on October 18, 2004.

Trader Games

Sarah

2010

A hot young Wall Street trader finds a formula based on climatology to play the market and win big... but at what cost?

Takkari Donga

Bhuvana

2002

A fearless outlaw offers to safeguard the daughter of his accomplice in return for a map to a secret diamond mine. However, his quest is compromised after a bandit gets wind of the secret map.

Kill Kill Faster Faster

Fleur

2008

Recently paroled after serving a long stretch for his wife's murder, Joey One-Way aligns himself with a producer who has optioned the play he wrote in prison. As he sets about adapting his work for the big screen, Joey falls for his new pal's ex-con wife, and enters into a doomed affair.

Ball and Chain

Saima

2004

Somewhere in the middle of Texas, Ameet (Sunil Malhotra) and Saima (Lisa Ray) have a problem. They were perfectly happy avoiding each other until their parents set them up to get married. The reluctant couple decide to do whatever it takes to break off the engagement. After some very embarrassing efforts, they finally succeed in getting their parents to call off the wedding, only to realize they have another problem, they're in love! Meanwhile, Saima's father (Asrani), deciding that she's passed her expiration date, promises her to Ashol (Ismail Bashey)- a sleazy playboy.

Let the Game Begin

Eva Stout

2010

Successful entrepreneur Max learns that the woman he married has always really been interested more in his money than in being his wife. After his cousin Ricky gets burned by a gold-digger himself, Ricky introduces Max to the world of the pickup artist, hoping to give Max confidence and the tools to find a woman who likes him for who he is.

Dobaara: See Your Evil

Liza Merchant

2017

An official adaptation of the cult horror film Oculus. The film revolves around a haunted mirror. It shows the emotional journey of siblings Natasha Merchant played by Huma Qureshi and Kabeer Merchant played by Saqib Saleem dealing with the death of their parents.

Patch Town

Bethany Franks

2011

This satirical comedy-meets-musical clashes the folklore of Soviet era oppression with the mindless, excessive consumerism of the 1980. Welcome to Patch Town.

Hanste Khelte

Girl in song

1994

God issues instructions for Earth's destruction due to lack of love, sacrifice, kindness, and compassion. Three heavenly angels, Om, Namah, and Shiva, request a week to demonstrate these virtues, allowing them to visit Earth but not to be visible or assist humans.

Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche

Self (archive footage)

2004

This compelling documentary explores Canadian film culture and tries to discover what defines Canadian film through interviews with notable filmmakers.

Nethaji

Priya

1996

Karunamurthy (Kitty) an honest man and the Home Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu is forced to help the terrorists to kill the Governor. Nethaaji (Sarathkumar) a journalist and a press owner runs a newspaper called 'India'. He comes to know that the Home Minister is involved in the Governor's murder and tries to investigate it. In the course of his investigation he too gets involved with the terrorists and is forced to kidnap the scientist Shivashankari. Now the police are out to get Nethaaji. Nethaaji runs from pillar to post to prove himself innocent. Will he be able to prove himself innocent? Will he be able to expose the sinister plans of the terrorists, or will he pay the prize for a crime which he never committed?

Ishq Forever

2016

The film stars Ruhi Singh as Rhea, a free-spirited girl, whose life turns upside down when her father gets appointed as the Prime Minister of India. The fiercely independent Rhea starts to feel stifled because of the security team that accompanies her wherever she goes and the young lady jumps at the chance of an adventure provided by a mysterious stranger Aryan Shekhawat (Krishna Chaturvedi), who she runs off with while on a vacation in South Africa, much to the anguish of her security team led by RAW agents Lisa Ray and Jaaved Jaaferi.

Cooking With Stella

Maya Chopra

2010

Inside the Canadian diplomatic compound in New Delhi, a mischievous cook affects the lives of her employers and fellow staff.

Toronto Stories

Beth

2008

Various lives intersect over the course of 48 hours in Canada's largest and most culturally diverse city.

Quarter Life Crisis

Angel

2006

Dumped on his 27th birthday by his college sweetheart for being indecisive, Neil makes a silly bet that takes him on a wild ride through New York’s singles scene, accompanied by four testosterone-packed imbecile buddies and one crazy scheming New York taxi driver. On these madcap adventures Neil journeys from life choice paralysis to real life manhood.

A Stone's Throw

Lia

2006

Olivia lives in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada along with her son, Thomas, a daughter, Sarah, and has been separated from her French-speaking husband, Jean Marc. She has an estranged brother named Jack Walker who she has not seen for many years, as he refused to return her phone calls, and neglected to attend their father's funeral in Montana, U.S.A.. Due to opening of Cynaco and MacNeil Mining Company, the town expects to have about new 125 new jobs. One day she gets a surprise visit from Jack, both brother and sister update each other, and Jack also gets to meet Thomas and Sarah, as well as Olivia's attractive South Asian neighbor, Lia, a single mother. He soon starts an affair with her, and even moves in her house.