Better known for her roles in the films like Son of India (1962), Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker (1970), Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), Mrinal Sen's Padatik (1973), Raj Khosla's Do Badan (1966), Sunder Das' Chalte Chalte (1976) and Subhash Ghai's Karz (1980), veteran actress Simi Garewal is also known for her shows like It's A Woman's World, Rendezvous With Simi Garewal and India's Most Desirable. (All pictures courtesy: mid-day archive and Simi Garewal's Twitter account)
Simi Garewal started her career with Raaz Ki Baat (1962) and ever since then there was no turning back for this actress. Simi worked in more than 50 films in the career span of 26 years in the industry. In picture: This is how Simi Garewal looked when she was 16 years old. The actress shared this throwback picture on Twitter, earlier.
Simi Garewal was born on October 17, 1947, in Punjab, India, in a Jat Sikh family. Her father, Brigadier J. S. Garewal served in the Indian Army. But did you know Simi is connected to Chopra family? She is the cousin of Pamela Chopra, wife of late filmmaker Yash Chopra. Simi's mother Darshi and Pamela's father Mohinder Singh were siblings. In picture: Simi Garewal with Dimple Kapadia and Hema Malini at an event.
Simi Garewal grew up in England and studied at Newland House School with her sister Amrita. The actress' parents Darshi and JS Garewal were the toast of London society. In fact, Polo matches and high tea were the order of the day for the Garewals. Talking about her bond with her sister, Simi said, 'We are just the two of us, now. No parents, no children, no siblings.'
Talking about her journey in Bollywood, Simi Garewal mentioned on her website, 'I saw only one Hindi film before joining Bollywood. It was 'Awara'. I was five. But the fascination with cinema continued... till today... In London, my free time was spent outside the gates of Twickenham Studios... absorbing the smells.. the magic... I knew, without a doubt that I wanted to be an actor. [sic]'
Talking further about her journey, Simi also said, 'I've been fortunate! I worked with cinema legends like Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray. How privileged I was that these two great filmmakers chose to cast me in their films! One in mainstream commercial cinema - and the other in art cinema! And both at the same time! An actor couldn't ask for more! There were other auteurs extraordinaire like Mrinal Sen, Subhash Ghai, Ramesh Sippy, Conrad Rooks many more..who elevated my experiences as an actor. [sic]' In picture: Simi Garewal with Shashi Kapoor in a still from Siddhartha. The actress did a nude scene in the film that caused uproar back then and was only released for exhibition after cuts ordered by the Censor Board.
Simi Garewal may be synonymous with her chat show. During the '60s and '70s, she was seen in several films and by the early '80s, she switched to producing small-screen shows and also played host in her chat show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.
Always known for her ahead-of-time on-screen appearance, Simi Garewal said, 'But it's also true I was here before my time. I was too westernized then, and Bollywood was not what it is today. I craved for bound scripts... Wished films could be made at one stretch... I yearned for more professionalism. For punctuality.' In picture: Simi Garewal poses with her sister Amrita, who is active on Twitter and keeps her fans and followers updated by sharing photos from her personal and professional life.
Talking about her personal life on her website, the actress recounted how she fell in love at the age of seventeen and was vocal about her personal life. Simi Garewal mentioned that it was her neighbour who painted the town red for the actress. The first man of her life happened to be a Maharaja of Jamnagar, but unfortunately, the passionate affair lasted for only three years.
Describing her romance with the Maharaja of Jamnagar, she elaborated, 'It was a turbulent and passionate affair that lasted for three years. He showed me a wonderful world of animals, sports and food...of passion and compassion. We did mad, crazy things but it grew obsessive. I look back at it now with a smile. But I realised what possessiveness could do to a relationship. It cured me forever of jealousy in love.'
Later, Simi Garewal married to Ravi Mohan, an old aristocratic family of Delhi - the Chhunamals. The duo knew each other through long distance for only three months. However, Simi and Ravi divorced over a decade later.
Talking about her love life, Simi said, 'We were two nice people but not made for each other. It was a long-distance marriage. We started living apart but got divorced over a decade later. The good thing is that there was never any ill-will. I'm close to his family even now.'
In an old interview with mid-day, Simi's spokesperson revealed, 'It was truly a mismatch, the whole marriage was done in a hurry. Simi was never interested in moving to Delhi and you can't blame her as her career was in Mumbai and she wasn't going to play second fiddle to anyone. Through thick and thin, her constant companion has always been her younger sister, Amrita, so she had a support system in the city as well.'
In picture: Simi Garewal clicks a pretty selfie with the global icon, Priyanka Chopra!
In an interview with PTI, Simi Garewal stated a few years ago, 'I am a difficult person to cast. I don't know what roles filmmakers will be able to offer me. I would love to act in films again... acting is my first love. I have been getting offers but nothing tempting or attractive to captivate me.'
Simi Garewal also said that there have been a lot of changes in the way things function today in the film industry. 'There are tremendous changes that have come in the film industry like technology-wise, storytelling, diverse films are made today, our films match international standards, there are roles and subjects for everyone, change in background score and music,' she said.
'I am enjoying watching the film. I think she was wonderful in 'The Dirty Picture'...not many actors would have been able to do this film. She can do diverse films like 'The Dirty Picture', 'Kahaani' etc,' the actress further added.
After charming her way through acting in the world of Bollywood, Simi Garewal has also worked behind the cameras. The actress wanted to touch the creative freedom like any other person who works behind the lens and wished to express herself beyond being the muse to the director. In picture: Simi Garewal with Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan on her show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'.
The actress-turned-television-host has tried her hand in the world of direction, writing and also as a producer. Simi Garewal owns a production company, Siga Production International, which has done numerous documentaries, television shows and also television commercials.
In picture: Simi Garewal with then-couple, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh on her show 'Rendezvous with Simi Garewal'
Simi Garewal has shared several selfies on Twitter with the actors she meets at events and parties, as well as celebs who were guests at her talk shows. Check out Simi Garewal's pictures with Bollywood stars! In this beautiful snap, Simi Garewal is seen posing with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Simi Garewal was all smiles when clicked with the dream girl of Bollywood Hema Malini, and her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol at an event.
Simi Garewal and late Krishna Raj Kapoor click a pretty selfie when they met a few years ago.
Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Simi Garewal!
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![Talking about her journey in Bollywood, Simi Garewal mentioned on her website, 'I saw only one Hindi film before joining Bollywood. It was 'Awara'. I was five. But the fascination with cinema continued... till today... In London, my free time was spent outside the gates of Twickenham Studios... absorbing the smells.. the magic... I knew, without a doubt that I wanted to be an actor. [sic]'](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/b-town-specials/remember-actress-simi-garewal-she-looks-incredible-even-at-70/simi-garewal-old-pics-8.jpg "Talking about her journey in Bollywood, Simi Garewal mentioned on her website, 'I saw only one Hindi film before joining Bollywood. It was 'Awara'. I was five. But the fascination with cinema continued... till today... In London, my free time was spent outside the gates of Twickenham Studios... absorbing the smells.. the magic... I knew, without a doubt that I wanted to be an actor. [sic]'")
![Talking further about her journey, Simi also said, 'I've been fortunate! I worked with cinema legends like Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray. How privileged I was that these two great filmmakers chose to cast me in their films! One in mainstream commercial cinema - and the other in art cinema! And both at the same time! An actor couldn't ask for more! There were other auteurs extraordinaire like Mrinal Sen, Subhash Ghai, Ramesh Sippy, Conrad Rooks many more..who elevated my experiences as an actor. [sic]' In picture: Simi Garewal with Shashi Kapoor in a still from Siddhartha. The actress did a nude scene in the film that caused uproar back then and was only released for exhibition after cuts ordered by the Censor Board.](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/b-town-specials/remember-actress-simi-garewal-she-looks-incredible-even-at-70/simi-garewal-pics-u.jpg "Talking further about her journey, Simi also said, 'I've been fortunate! I worked with cinema legends like Raj Kapoor and Satyajit Ray. How privileged I was that these two great filmmakers chose to cast me in their films! One in mainstream commercial cinema - and the other in art cinema! And both at the same time! An actor couldn't ask for more! There were other auteurs extraordinaire like Mrinal Sen, Subhash Ghai, Ramesh Sippy, Conrad Rooks many more..who elevated my experiences as an actor. [sic]' In picture: Simi Garewal with Shashi Kapoor in a still from Siddhartha. The actress did a nude scene in the film that caused uproar back then and was only released for exhibition after cuts ordered by the Censor Board.")
