Born on January 7, 1984, Koena Mitra was raised in Kolkata, India. Koena attended Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and has done majors in psychology. Koena started her career in the showbiz as a model, while she was still studying in school. (All photos/mid-day archives and AFP)

Koena Mitra was 17 when she won Gladrags Mega Model India 2001. The bong beauty also emerged as one of the top-12 semifinalists of Miss Intercontinental Pageant in Germany out of 84 countries.

Koena Mitra bagged many commercials post her modelling stint and appeared in ads for brands such as Mirinda, Clinic All Clear, Maruti Alto, and various local jewellery products.

Koena Mitra was 18 when she made her Bollywood debut by doing an item song 'Khullam Khulla' with Ganesh Acharya in the popular Vivek Oberoi, Manoj Bajpayee and Antara Mali-starrer Road.

However, in 2004, Koena Mitra finally bagged a film and made her acting debut. She played the role of Lara in Sanjay Dutt-starrer Musafir. Though she had little to do in the film, her biggest success came with Musafir's song 'O Saki Saki'.

After Musafir, Koena Mitra starred in 2005's Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, which went on to become quite a successful film. Koena played a pivotal role in the film, opposite Fardeen Khan.

Koena Mitra tasted success again with Apna Sapna Money Money, which released in 2006. The comic caper starring Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade, Celina Jaitly, Anupam Kher, Riya Sen, Jackie Shroff, Bobby Darling, Rajpal Yadav, Chunky Panday, and Suniel Shetty, had Koena playing Shreyas' love interest.

But, Koena Mitra couldn't make a mark in the film industry post-Apna Sapna Money Money. And soon disappeared from the showbiz.

After almost a decade, Koena Mitra was back in the limelight. She was one of the contestants of Bigg Boss 13.

Before entering Bigg Boss house, Koena Mitra had told IANS, "At the age of 18, I had participated in a beauty pageant. I represented India and won the title. That was my last competition. First and last. After that, I never really took part in any competition or reality show. This is my first (reality show) experience and it is going to be an adventurous journey!"

Like any other celebrity, Koena Mitra, too felt, being a contestant on Bigg Boss will help fans know her better as a person. "They have seen me in different characters, they have seen me as a model, they have watched my films and interviews, but on this show, they will see the person that I am. I thought it is going to be a great opportunity to reach out to them. My fans on social media try to assume things (about me) most of the time. This time they will see the person. So, that's a brilliant opportunity," said Koena.

While in the house, Koena Mitra made shocking revelations about her past relationship to housemates Sidharth Shukla and Daljiet Kaur. Koena narrated an incident of her ex being obsessed with her and how he threatened her to leave India and settle with him in Turkey.

Without revealing the boyfriend's name, Koena also shared an incident when she was locked in her bathroom for more than three hours when he came to visit her. This experience shattered Koena and she broke up with him. Also, for at least three years she reportedly didn't 'dare to date anyone'.

Just like her Bollywood career, Koena, unfortunately, couldn't make a mark in the Bigg Boss house too and got evicted on Day 15 itself.

On the work front, Koena Mitra is planning to turn producer. She revealed that she has received some really nice scripts and is eager to produce both movies and web series once she is done with Bigg Boss 13.

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Koena Mitra!