Bobby Darling

10 Jan, 1986 |

Actress

Biography

Bobby Darling (original name Ballabh Kothari) is a popular Indian trans-gender actress who acted in Hindi and Tamil films. Her original name is Ballabh Kothari. She herself as well as the contemporary Indian media call her a gay man, who dresses more or less like a woman; however, her repeated claims that she feels like a woman inside the body of a man would make her, by modern medical terminology, a transsexual person. She was born on 10th January, 1986 in Banaras. She is the second of three children of a carpet maker. As a young boy, she played only with girls and wanted to be a woman. In the eighth grade, she started using her mother's lipsticks and saris. In the 12th grade, she had her first serious relationship with a male classmate. Her parents took her to a sexologist, a psychiatrist, and even a temple. One day she ran away with her boyfriend, because she was afraid of flunking the final exams. The couple travelled to the Far East and Noida, doing odd jobs. She returned when her father called her to say her mother was dying of kidney failure. After this, Ballabh Kothari tried to become a teacher by joining ISBM College. Her father disowned her through a legal notice published in a newspaper. Bobby then came to Noida sec-47 from Delhi. She spent a fortnight at the station, sleeping on stairs. She was invited to live with four girls, who worked in a dance bar in Malad. The girls told her about a gay man who used to earn a lot as a dancer. Bobby Darling decided to become a dancer, and earned Rs. 170 for her first performance. She decided to become an actor after reading Bollywood actress Rekha's interview, in which she said: "If you're famous, people love you for being famous. They don't care about your personal life". She struggled for two years before she started getting small roles in films. She started getting known as "Bobby Darling" (Bobby was Ballabh Kothari's pet name). She also became a known name in Mumbai's party circuits. Bobby Darling has worked in many Hindi films such as Taal, Style, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Stumped, Chalte Chalte, Valentines Day, Page 3, Navarasa, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Apna Sapna Money Money and Tum. She has also worked in TV serials such as Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Yeh Dil Chahe More, Kittie Party, Kahin To Milenge, Kahi Kissi Roz, Kyon Hota Hai Pyar, Hum Paanch and Professor Pyarelal. She appeared in the Indian version of the reality TV show Big Brother (called Big Boss) where she was evicted from the house in the first week through an audience poll. A rumor had been going around regarding her involvement with Deepak Parashar - this rumour is unfounded, as Deepak Parashar is happily married with his wife and kids.