Biography

Poonam Dhillon was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. She is an Indian actress and has served as the President of CINTAA (Cine & TV Artistes Association) since 2024. Fondly referred to as the "Noori girl," she rose to fame with her innocent and fresh-faced portrayal of Noori in Yash Chopra’s 1979 surprise hit Noori. The tragic love story between Noori and Yusuf, played by Farooq Sheikh, set against the backdrop of Kashmir, became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Though she had earlier made her debut in Trishul 1978, opposite Sachin Pilgaonkar, her song Gapuchi Gapuchi Gum Gum from that film gained immense popularity.

A former Miss Young India 1977, Poonam Dhillon left a mark in Hindi cinema, regional films, television, and theater. Apart from Noori, she is best known for her memorable performances in hit films such as Trishul (1978), Red Rose 1980, Dard 1981, Teri Kasam 1982, Yeh Vaada Raha 1982, Romance 1983, Sohni Mahiwal 1984, Teri Meherbaniyan (1985), Karma (1986) and Naam (1986). She received a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress for Noori and later won the Indian Telly Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2015 for Ek Nayi Pehchaan.

Born into an academically accomplished family, her father was an Air Force aeronautical engineer, and her mother was a school principal. She was the sports captain of her school and excelled in athletics, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and skating. After winning Miss Young India, her photograph caught the attention of Yash Chopra, who offered her a film role. Although initially hesitant, she accepted the offer after Class 10 and continued her studies alongside acting, later graduating in Political Science, Public Administration, and Economics. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Poonam Dhillon prioritized education even at the height of her acting career. She completed her graduation while working in films, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and academic excellence. Continuing her pursuit of lifelong learning, she later earned an MBA in International Business, further reflecting her dedication to education and professional development.

Poonam Dhillon has appeared in nearly 100 films across languages, including Hindi, Bengali Nyaya Danda, Kannada Yuddha Kanda, Telugu Ishtam, Marathi Kunasathi Kunitaari, Punjabi Double Di Trouble, and Gujarati cinema.

In television, she has featured in Kitty Party, Ek Nayi Pehchaan, Santoshi Maa, and Dil Hi Toh Hai. She was also the second runner-up in Bigg Boss Season 3 in 2009.

On stage, she starred in The Perfect Husband, an award-winning play that completed a golden jubilee run and was voted Best Comedy Play in 2005. She also acted in The Perfect Wife and Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi.

Poonam Dhillon is also known for her commitment to social causes such as drug awareness, AIDS awareness, family planning, and organ donation. She has spoken at SAARC business summits in Kathmandu and Delhi and has served as a cultural ambassador. In 2017, she was appointed a member of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal FCAT, the official body that heard appeals against CBFC decisions.

In recent years, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP, expanding her presence into politics while continuing to remain active in public life and creative pursuits.
- IMDb mini biography by: Ashvin Borad