Asin Thottumkal or simply said Asin is reigning actress of Tamil movies. Born and brought up in Kochi, Kerala, Asin was born on 26 October 1985 to businessman Joseph and doctor Seline.

She ventured to into media world at an early age. She started modeling and endorsed popular brands at the age of 14. She is trained Bharatnatyam dancer. She made first foray into movies through Malayalam film "Narendaran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka" (2001, directed by Sathyan) which bombed at the box office. But that did not dumped her spirits.

Her Telugu debut film, "Amma Nanna Ora Tamil Ammayi" in 2003 opposite Ravi Teja was hit and which won her first Filmfare Award for Best Debut Actress in Telugu 2003. She followed this success with another one with Nagarjuna in movie called "Shivamani 9848022338" which is blockbuster. This established her as actress to reckon with. Several more films followed in Tollywood Industry- like "Lakshmi Narasimha", "Gharshana" etc.

In Kollywood film industry, she had starting trouble, as two movies that she signed got stalled! But the release of "'M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi" (in 2005) was biggest hits in 2005. Then Tamil movies stared coming her way. She too her second Filmfare Ward for Best Actress Tamil 2005 for her spectacular performance in "Ghajini". The movie was super hit and was released in Telugu (dubbed). Now "Ghajini" is remade in Hindi with Aamir Khan in the lead, and Asin has again been roped into play her role which she did in Tamil and Telugu versions. The Hindi version is being released in December 2008. Asin played opposite almost all the big popular actors in South Indian Cinema. To name a few, Surya, Vijay (Pokiri), Vikram, Ajith, Venkatesh, Kamal Hasan (Dasavathaaram). She is very dedicated artists and knows 6 languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sanskirt, French & English.

[updated 25 August 2008]