Born on December 19, 1975, Mahie Gill hails from Chandigarh, Punjabi. A very few know that she has a Masters degree in theatre from Punjab University. Named as Rimpy Kaur Gill, she is the only girl in her family. Although she belongs to a Jat-Sikh family, who are known to be very conservative, Mahie had confessed that she didn't have to face any restrictions, whether it was regarding her career or personal choices. Since she only had brothers around her, Mahie Gill has been raised just like a boy. (All photos/Mahie Gill's official Instagram account and mid-day archives)

Very few know that Mahie Gill is a divorcee. 'I was only 17 when I got married. My parents were against it but I wouldn't listen. But at one point of time, both of us realised we were not meant for each other and parted ways. I have no regrets in life,' said Mahie.

She is known for her power-packed performances in Dev D, Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster and Paan Singh Tomar but Mahie Gill says she never wanted to become an actress. 'I never wanted to become an actress but I am thankful to God that whatever I am doing and have done in the past people are appreciating my work. So, I just take the dare and come onscreen,' said Mahie.

Mahie Gill made her acting debut in 2003 with Hawayein, starring Babbu Mann, Mukul Dev. The film was set against the backdrop to the anti-Sikh riots of 1984.

In 2004, she was again seen in the Punjabi film Khushi Mil Gayee and later went on to star in films such as Sirf Panch Din (2006), Mitti Wajaan Maardi (2007), Chak De Phatte (2008), Carry On Jatta (2012), Hikk Naal (2013), Singh Of Festival (2015), Shareek (2015) and Aatishbazi Ishq (2016).

Though her Bollywood debut almost went unnoticed, she made a small appearance in Shiney Ahuja, Soha Ali Khan starrer Khoya Khoya Chand, where Mahie Gill managed to grab eyeballs, if not of the audience, she surely took away filmmakers' attention.

In 2008, Mahie Gill played the new-age Paro in Anurag Kashyap's Dev D, also starring Abhay Deol and Kalki Koechlin. Gill was supposed to debut in Kashyap's No Smoking, but it didn't work out and ultimately Bipasha Basu was roped in.

Mahie Gill literally danced her way into director Anurag Kashyap's Dev D when he spotted her the first time. 'It was at a birthday party hosted by actor Dibyendu Bhattacharya (he plays Chunnilal in Dev D) where I indulged in frenzied dancing to filmi numbers for nearly three hours. That's when Anuragji who was watching, connected with me and decided I would be his Paro,' she recalled fondly. After Dev D, she collaborated with Kashyap again for Gulaal, which released in the same year.

Soon, Mahie Gill earned an image of being the 'Bold actress'. She portrayed a bold avatar in films such as Utt Pataang, Not A Love Story, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Zanjeer, among others.

Mahie Gill, who essayed Paro in 'Dev D', a begum in 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster' and a small-town wife in 'Paan Singh Tomar' feels she is happy that this genre too is seeing commercial success. 'I am confused. I don't know where I am in the industry today. But luckily films 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster', 'Paan Singh Tomar' have started getting commercial success today,' she said.

According to Mahie Gill, she stumbled upon out-of-box roles by chance. 'People think I am an intelligent actress and they think of giving me those kinds of roles. I am not an intelligent actress... it just happened,' she said.

'I have grown up watching Yash Chopra's films. I was not aware if this kind of cinema exists. Earlier, there were times when Hrishikesh Mukherjee used to make that kind of cinema. For some time this kind of films were not getting made. I think after 'Dev D' a new age of cinema came in,' she said.

Simple living, high thinking is Punjabi kudi Mahie Gill's motto. If she's not acting, you're bound to find the actress living a simple life. 'I love cooking. Though I am a hardcore non-vegetarian, I love cooking all kinds of vegetarian dishes as well. Apart from that, I love long drives and travel a lot.'

Says Mahie, 'I'm a very desi girl at heart. I love gorging on fish, crabs, dal and sabzis. Whenever I get some time, I love to cook for myself. It's kind of therapeutic. Even my dressing is very simple. On most days, you'll find me wearing jeans, t-shirt and chappals. However, I like dressing up on occasions like a function or film awards. Then, you'll spot me in saris paired with chunky earrings.'

In July 2019, Mahie Gill revealed that she has a three-year-old-daughter, Veronica, with her live-in boyfriend. The actor got candid during the promotions of last film, Family Of Thakurganj. She feels people should not make an issue about having children out of wedlock.

'It wasn't a secret. A lot of people knew about my pregnancy and I used to roam out in the open but nobody saw me. I am a very private person and I just don't like to talk about my life, unless asked. It's just that I never spoke about my daughter. It so happened, that somebody asked me this question and I spoke about it,' said Mahie Gill to mid-day.

After years of speculations, Mahie finally accepted that she is in a relationship. Talking about her relationship, she was quoted saying, "It's been many years. And I'm very happy."

Mahie Gill, a proud mother of a daughter now, said, "Yes, I have not been married yet. When I want to marry, I will do it."

Though Mahie has still never shared her boyfriend or even daughter's photos on Instagram and one awaits for the day when the family picture will be out!

We loved the way how Mahie chose to live her life, on her terms. And we can't help but say 'That's the way, Mahie way!'

On the work front, Mahie Gill will be seen in the upcoming comedy-drama Doordarshan, a film which promises to take the audience back to the '90s in a hilarious way. The story of the film revolves around a grandmother played by veteran actress Dolly, who is bedridden and in a coma since 1989. In 2020, she suddenly gets back to her consciousness and when the generation has shifted from watching Doordarshan to digital entertainment, the grandmother is still living in the past. How the whole family goes mad over the situation to create the world of '90s era in the household and grandmother's make-belief world makes the narrative hilarious.

Doordarshan stars Mahie Gill, Dolly Ahluwalia, Rajesh Sharma and Manu Rishi Chadha. Here's wishing good luck to Mahie Gill for the film!