Chitrangada (born 28 March 1976^[1]) is an Indian film actress.^[2] She is best known for starring in Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi (2005) and for her first mainstream commercial film, Desi Boyz (2011).^[3] She is married to Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa.

Chitrangada Singh was born in a Hindu Jat family and brought up in Meerut in Western Uttar Pradesh. Her brother is golfer Digvijay Singh. As a girl, she was known for looking like the late actress Smita Patil.^[5] "You have outdone Smita Patil", said Shekhar Kapur, when he saw Chitrangada Singh's performance in her debut movie Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003). She received training in Kathak (a classical dance) and enjoyed acting.^[6][7][8]

Chitrangada Singh was married to golfer Jyoti Singh Randhawa and has a son named Zorawar Randhawa. While Jyoti has been ranked among the world's top 100 golfers and has 10 professional Tour wins, Chitrangada Singh has done some of the most successful films like Yeh Saali Zindagi, Desi Boyz, Inkaar, I, Me Aur Main.

She began her career in Delhi as a model before making the transition to the silver screen. After completing her education, she entered modeling, where her ad credits include ICICI bank and Alukkas Jewellery, and gradually shifting to music videos, she performed in Gulzar's "Sunset Point."^[9]

It was in a music video of singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, that she was spotted by Sudhir Mishra’s production manager.^[7]Subsequently, she made her much acclaimed debut with Sudhir Mishra's film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2003.^[10]The role got her wide acclaim: a Washington Post review noted her for giving "her character a deep sense of dignity and decency."^[11] After that Chitrangada acted in the 2005 film Kal: Yesterday and Tomorrow. Chitrangada made her debut as an item girl in Shirish Kunder's Joker. Also she is to lend her voice to a score in the movie.^[12]

She took a break from acting from 2005 to 2008.^[13][14] In 2008, she made her comeback with the leading role opposite Sanjay Suri in the director Onir's romantic-comedy, Sorry Bhai!.^[5] Its release over the weekend of the Mumbai terror attacks proved disastrous at the box office.^[15][16]

In Sudhir Mishra's movie Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011), Chitrangada played the role of an aspiring singer from Delhi who goes to Mumbai to get fame and money. She then starred in Rohit Dhawan's Desi Boyz, where she played the role of an economics teacher opposite Akshay Kumar. Desi Boyz also starred John Abraham andDeepika Padukone. Chitrangada is brand ambassador for Airtel, Parachute,Puma, Borges Olive Oil, Garnier, Aliva Crackers, Taj Mahal Tea and JoyalukkasJewellers. She unveiled Tanishq's new collection at Tote in Mumbai on Wednesday 13 Oct 2010 afternoon.^[17]

Her latest movie is I, Me Aur Main, which is a directorial debut by Kapil Sharma starring John Abraham and Prachi Desai.^[18]