Pooja Bedi was born 11th May 1970[1] in Bombay (present-day Mumbai) to the late Indian classical dancer Protima and actor Kabir Bedi. She is of Punjabi Sikh and British ancestry on her father's side and Bengali and Haryanvi ancestry on her mother's side.[2] She was brought up in what she calls a "bohemian progressive artistic environment".[1]
Career
Career beginnings (1991–2006)
From 1991 to 1995, Bedi worked in Bollywood films and appeared in many commercials and campaigns, notably the KamaSutra condom campaign which she endorsed and used as a vehicle to raise awareness of AIDS.[3]
In 2000, she compiled and edited Timepass, the memoirs of her mother Protima Bedi.[citation needed] She has been a columnist with the Times of India, the Hindustan Times, and MiD DAY newspapers, and has written articles for numerous publications, including L'officiel, Femina and The Week.[6]
In 2006, Bedi appeared in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in its first season followed by Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. In 2007, Bedi along with Hanif Hilal appeared in Nach Baliye. In 2011, Bedi was a celebrity contestant in the fifth season of the Indian version of the reality TV show Big Brother, Bigg Boss.[7] She was evicted after surviving for 8 weeks in the house, which was Day 56 (27 November).[8]
Personal life
Bedi married Farhan Furniturewala a Gujarati Muslim of Parsi and Khoja descent, whom she met in 1990. They were married 6 May 1994 and Bedi converted to Islam upon marriage taking up the name Noorjahan.[9][10][11]
They have two children, including Alaya Furniturewala. Bedi and Farhan divorced in 2003.[12]
In February 2019, Bedi became engaged to Maneck Contractor.[13]
