Amisha Patel (Hindi: अमीषा पटेल) (born June 9, 1977, also known as Ameesha Patel) is an Indian Bollywood actress. Making her acting debut in the blockbuster Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Patel won critical praise for her performance in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, which became one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema. She would subsequently star in a number of films, most of which proved unsuccessful at the box office. However, her performance in the 2006 film Ankahee, received critical recognition, and she followed it with a supporting role in the hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

Grand-daughter of Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, and former Justice Rajni Patel, Amisha, a Gemini, was born in Bombay's Breach Candy Hospital on June 9, 1976. Her nickname is Angel. Her dad's name is Amit, and her mom's is Asha. She has a brother named Ashmit Patel. Both Amisha and Ashmit's names contain the names of their parents. She studied at the Cathedral and John Connon High School in Bombay, and went on to obtain a degree in Economics from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.A.. After graduation she worked for a Finance company and also modeled on the side. She has studied Bharat Natyam dance form, and had acted in several plays in Satyadev Dubey's Theatre. She did not have any plans of being an actress, but when Amit's friend, film-maker and actor, Rakesh Roshan, met her at a party in Bombay, he offered her the lead role in 'Kahoo Na Pyar Hai'. Amisha accepted the offer, the movie was a super hit, and she became a celebrity overnight. She went on to star in movies like 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', 'Kranti', 'Kya Yehi Pyar Hai', 'Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar', 'Aap Mujhe Aache Lagne Lage', 'Yeh Hai Jalwa', 'Humraaz', 'Parwana', 'Suno Sasurjee', 'Vaada', 'Elaan', 'Zameer', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', 'Mangal Pandey', 'Humko Tumse Pyar Hai', 'Teesri Aankh', 'Tathahastu', 'Ankahee', Aap Ki Khatir', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', & 'Khan'. She has also acted in 3 Telegu movies, and has been signed up for 'Bhool Bhooliya', and 'Happy Birthday'. Amisha has been the recipient of 4 awards for her performance in 'Kaho Na Pyar Hai', and 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha'. She has co-starred with Akshaye Khanna, Sunny Deol, Akshaye Kumar, Bobby Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Aftab Shivdasani, Hrithik Roshan amongst others. Her personal life has been marred with misunderstandings with her mom, dad, and brother, so much so that she has sought the intervention of the courts. She was unsuccessful in finding a life partner, but is now currently dating Bollywood Director, Vikram Bhatt, who is almost twice as old as her. She has many critics, who have described her as mediocre, but have since then bitten their lips when they were proved wrong by this petite, and beautiful actress - who has, and continues to enthrall her fans with a variety of performances on the silver screen.