Esha Gupta’s Bio, Age, Career, Movies, Family, Lifestyle & More

Esha Gupta is a model turned actress who moved from pageant stages to mainstream Hindi cinema with rare confidence

She won the Femina Miss India International 2007 crown, represented India at Miss International 2007, and then broke into films with Jannat 2 in 2012.

Her screen presence, poise, and work ethic helped her follow that debut with Raaz 3D, Chakravyuh, Rustom, Commando 2, Baadshaho, and later web shows like REJCTX 2, Nakaab, and Aashram 3. Alongside acting, she is vocal about fitness, animal and environmental causes, and a style-forward public image.

This biography gives a comprehensive look at Esha’s early life, rise through pageants, move into acting, key roles, personal life, philanthropy, and the path she is carving in films and streaming today.

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Esha Gupta’s Biography

Early Life and Education

Esha Gupta was born in New Delhi on 28 November 1985. Her father served in the Indian Air Force, and her mother is a homemaker.

Esha grew up across Dehradun, Hyderabad, and Delhi, which gave her an adaptable outlook and a comfort with change. She has a sister named Neha.¹

She studied at Blue Bells International School in New Delhi and then moved to Karnataka for her higher studies. Esha completed a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the School of Communication, Manipal University (often referred to as the Manipal Institute of Communication).

This grounding in media studies helped her understand the craft and business of entertainment before she faced the camera. Popular profiles and coverage also mention that she received a law scholarship offer from Newcastle University, which she chose not to pursue, as her focus shifted to a career in modeling and acting.

This blend of disciplined upbringing, academic training, and a willingness to take calculated risks shaped the performer we see on screen today.

Living the Bikini Kinda Life 👙🖤#AnanyaPanday pic.twitter.com/J6XmrI2kMQ

— Esha Gupta (@EshaGupta2811) September 24, 2024

Quick Stats

Pageant Platform: Miss India International 2007

In 2007, Esha entered the Femina Miss India competition. She finished in the top three, won the Miss India International title, and went on to represent India at Miss International 2007.

The pageant world offered her stage skills, public speaking practice, and the confidence to handle large audiences. It also introduced her to brand work, photoshoots, and extensive travel skills that translate well into film acting and promotions.

Winning a major title gave her a national profile. She leveraged the win with high-visibility modeling assignments and brand collaborations. Soon, acting became the next step.

Entry into Films: The Jannat 2 Breakthrough (2012)

Esha made her Bollywood debut with Jannat 2 (2012), a crime thriller directed by Kunal Deshmukh, starring Emraan Hashmi and Randeep Hooda.

The film was released on 4 May 2012 and turned into a commercial success. Esha’s performance earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Female Debut, a major milestone for any first-time actor.

The role introduced her as a strong screen presence who could anchor romantic and dramatic beats in a gritty setup.

A successful debut is more than a box office number. It is proof of fit, screen chemistry, and audience acceptance.

For Esha, Jannat 2 checked those boxes and opened the door to a busy year that would follow.

Raaz 3D and Chakravyuh (2012)

After Jannat 2, Esha starred in Raaz 3D (2012), sharing the frame with Bipasha Basu and Emraan Hashmi.

The horror thriller performed well and further established her among new-age leading ladies who could handle genre cinema. The same year, she appeared in Chakravyuh, a political drama by Prakash Jha.

This role challenged her to work within an ensemble and tackle a socially rooted narrative. Together, these projects showed range commercial horror on one hand and political drama on the other.

The back-to-back releases gave her visibility and helped her build trust with filmmakers who wanted a fresh yet reliable performer for varied roles.

Humshakals and Learning Curves (2014)

In the years that followed, Esha experimented with comedy in Humshakals (2014). Though the film met with poor critical reception, it tested her ability to handle lighter tones, dance-heavy songs, and a slapstick rhythm that often demands crisp timing.

Early in a career, such risks are common. The key is to use them as learning steps. Esha did, and the next phase brought her back to stronger film line-ups.

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Rustom, Commando 2, and Baadshaho (2016–2017)

2016 and 2017 were crucial. In Rustom (2016), led by Akshay Kumar, Esha played Preety Makhija, a poised and polished socialite.

The film drew audiences and became a success, reinforcing her bankability. She followed it with Commando 2 (2017), an actioner that required sleek styling and tight screen presence, and Baadshaho (2017), an action-adventure heist set in the 1970s with Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi.

These films kept her in the mainstream and proved she could complement star-driven projects without getting overshadowed.²

This run also strengthened her image as a glamorous yet steady performer who fits well in ensembles while holding a distinct style signature.

Paltan, Total Dhamaal, and One Day (2018–2019)

In Paltan (2018), J.P. Dutta returned to the war genre. Esha played a soldier’s spouse, a part that needed controlled emotions and a grounded tone.

In Total Dhamaal (2019), she made a cameo in a broad entertainer that became one of 2019’s highest grossers, and in One Day: Justice Delivered (2019) she portrayed a DCP opposite Anupam Kher.

The mix of roles serious drama, big-ticket comedy, and a procedural kept her active across audience segments.

These choices also signaled a steady transition toward projects where women in uniform or high-authority roles became part of her on-screen vocabulary.

Streaming Era: REJCTX 2, Nakaab, and Aashram 3 (2020–2022)

As streaming platforms expanded, Esha moved with the times. She made her digital debut with REJCTX 2 (2020) on ZEE5 as Officer Rene, a cop who investigates a complex web of crimes and teen secrets.

In Nakaab (2021), she played an investigator in a show that blended celebrity culture, crime, and mystery.

Then, in Aashram 3 (2022), she appeared as an image consultant who steps into a morally hazy world. These parts gave her screen time to explore darker themes and long-form character arcs. ³

Streaming projects have a different rhythm than films. They require subtle transitions across episodes and a different kind of endurance. Esha’s work in these shows showed she can carry that rhythm and add polish to a series’ visual language.

Recent and Upcoming: File No. 323 and More

Among recent developments, Esha is part of File No. 323, which features Anurag Kashyap and Suniel Shetty.

Coverage indicates that she plays a key role named Meera, with reports about the film focusing on financial crimes inspired by headline-making cases. The project keeps her connected to topical material and notable co-stars. ⁴

As the industry leans into content that mirrors real-world issues, films like File No. 323 provide actors with space to explore contemporary narratives and layered roles.

Causes and Advocacy

Esha speaks up for environmental protection and supports animal welfare. She has been seen at beach clean-up drives, walks to protect mangroves, and civic actions to protest tree cutting in urban areas.

She has also associated with child welfare initiatives through visits and awareness drives. Her public stance makes her part of a growing group of film personalities who use their reach to highlight issues that impact cities and biodiversity.

While ambassadors and celebrity advocates cannot solve deep structural problems alone, their participation can amplify local efforts, attract volunteers, and push conversations from social media into policy spaces.

Personal Life

Media coverage has linked Esha to Manuel Campos Guallar, a Spanish businessman. Their relationship has appeared in features and interviews since 2020, often through curated social media posts and event sightings.

As with most public figures, Esha keeps a clear line between work talk and personal details in the press.

Recently, she also addressed old rumors involving a cricketer, noting in an interview that there was no relationship and the two had only spoken briefly. These clarifications show a preference for setting the record straight without fuel for gossip.

The broader takeaway is simple: Esha’s career remains the focus of her public persona, and her private life stays private unless needed to correct a narrative.

Legacy So Far and What Comes Next

Esha’s journey shows how discipline, education, and risk-taking can shape a film career. She did not rush into acting straight out of school. She studied mass communication, learned the ropes through pageants and modeling, and then committed to films.

She handled early highs and lows, shifted to streaming when the market changed, and stayed visible through a mix of commercial and niche work.

Looking ahead, projects like File No. 323 suggest a willingness to take on topical dramas with real-world echoes. If she continues to balance mainstream films with edgy series, she will remain relevant in both theatres and living rooms. For viewers, that means more performances that blend style with steel.

Filmography Highlights

• Jannat 2 (2012) – Debut; Filmfare Best Female Debut nomination.

• Raaz 3D (2012) – Commercially successful horror thriller.

• Chakravyuh (2012) – Political drama ensemble.

• Humshakals (2014) – Comedy experiment and learning curve.

• Rustom (2016) – Star-led drama with a polished turn.

• Commando 2 (2017) – Action thriller presence.

• Baadshaho (2017) – Heist adventure in a retro setting.

• Paltan (2018) – War drama by J.P. Dutta.

• Total Dhamaal (2019) – Cameo in a major box-office hit.

• One Day: Justice Delivered (2019) – DCP role opposite Anupam Kher.

• REJCTX 2 (2020) – Digital debut as Officer Rene.

• Nakaab (2021) – MX Player thriller.

• Aashram 3 (2022) – Image consultant in a dark, popular series.

• File No. 323 (Upcoming) – With Suniel Shetty and Anurag Kashyap.

Awards and Nominations Snapshot

• Filmfare Awards – Best Female Debut nomination for Jannat 2 (2013).

• Other nominations across Zee Cine Awards, Stardust Awards, and Screen Awards for various titles.

Even without a long list of trophies, consistent nominations show industry regard, especially so early in a career.

 

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FAQ’s

1) When is Esha Gupta’s birthday?

Esha Gupta was born on 28 November 1985.

2) Where is she from?

She was born in New Delhi and spent her childhood in Dehradun, Hyderabad, and Delhi.

3) What did she study?

Esha completed a Mass Communication degree from the School of Communication, Manipal University. Reports also say she had a law scholarship offer from Newcastle University, which she did not pursue.

4) How did she enter films?

After winning Femina Miss India International 2007 and representing India at Miss International 2007, she auditioned for films and made her debut with Jannat 2 in 2012.

5) Which are her most notable films?

Jannat 2, Raaz 3D, Chakravyuh, Rustom, Commando 2, Baadshaho, Paltan, Total Dhamaal, and One Day: Justice Delivered.

Conclusion

Esha Gupta’s story shows how a pageant winner can build a sustainable acting career with careful choices and consistent public engagement.

She brings style, discipline, and a camera-smart presence to films and web shows. From the big screen punch of Jannat 2 and Rustom to the darker textures of Aashram 3 and Nakaab, she has shown range and staying power.

With File No. 323 and other future titles, expect Esha to keep pairing mainstream polish with contemporary themes one measured step at a time.

Also Read: Mallika Sherawat Bio, Movies, Career, Net Worth & Personal Life

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. bollywoodhungama
3. thebridgechronicle
4. timesofindia.indiatimes