Full Name: Kalki Koechlin
Date of Birth: January 10, 1984
Place of Birth: Pondicherry, India
Nationality: Indian
Occupation: Actress, Writer, Theatre Artist
Years Active: 2009 – Present
Spouse: Anurag Kashyap (m. 2011, div. 2015)
Partner: Guy Hershberg (Musician)
Children: Sappho (Daughter)
Parents:
- Father: Joel Koechlin
- Mother: Françoise Armandie
Early Life & Education
Kalki Koechlin was born into a French-Indian family in Pondicherry. Her parents, who are of French descent, settled in India after moving from France. She grew up in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, and attended Hebron School.
Kalki later moved to London to study drama and theatre at the University of London. She trained in acting and gained experience in theatre before returning to India to pursue a career in films.
Career Highlights
Kalki is known for her unconventional film choices and critically acclaimed performances. She started her Bollywood career with Anurag Kashyap’s Dev.D (2009), which won her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Notable Films & Web Series:
- Dev.D (2009) – Breakthrough role as Chandramukhi
- Margarita with a Straw (2014) – Played a woman with cerebral palsy (won National Award)
- That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011) – Co-wrote and starred in this indie film
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) – Popular mainstream film
- Shaitan (2011) – A dark psychological thriller
- Waiting (2015) – Acclaimed performance alongside Naseeruddin Shah
- A Death in the Gunj (2017) – Critically praised film by Konkona Sen Sharma
- Sacred Games (Web Series, 2019) – Netflix’s hit show where she played Batya
- Made in Heaven (Web Series, 2019) – Amazon Prime series
Theatre & Writing
Kalki is a passionate theatre artist. She has written and performed in several plays, including:
- “Skeleton Woman” – Won The MetroPlus Playwright Award
- “Living Room” – A play she wrote and directed
She is also a poet and has spoken openly about social issues through her poetry and performances.
Awards & Recognition
- National Film Award – Special Jury Award (2016) for Margarita with a Straw
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress (2009) for Dev.D
- MetroPlus Playwright Award for Skeleton Woman
Personal Life
Kalki was married to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap from 2011 to 2015. She later got into a relationship with Guy Hershberg, an Israeli musician, and they have a daughter named Sappho, born in 2020.
She is known for her advocacy for gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness.
Legacy
Kalki Koechlin is celebrated for her fearless approach to cinema and social issues. She has carved a niche in Indian cinema with her experimental roles and strong performances.
