Kushboo

Child artist

Khushbu started her career as a child artist in Hindi film The Burning Train (1980) in the song "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman". Between 1980–1985 as a child artist she did Hindi films such as Naseeb, Thodisi Bewafaii, Laawaris, Kaalia, Dard Ka Rishta, Bemisal, and various others.

Bollywood

Khushbu played the significant supporting role of Anil Kapoor's sister in super hit Meri Jung (1985), and danced with Javed Jaffrey in his first dancing role on screen in the super-duper hit song "Bol Baby Bol, Rock'n Roll".

Khushbu played her first main lead in Jaanoo (1985) opposite Jackie Shroff. Same year she starred opposite Raj Kiran in "Sautela Pati". She starred in Tan-Badan (1986) opposite Govinda, which was the first lead role for Govinda. She also did Patton Ki Bazi (1986) opposite Rajan Sippy.

Khushbu played a significant supporting role in Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin (1990), which also starred Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit. Her dance number "Sare Ladkon Ki Kar Do Shaadi" had become a major hit, and is still popular at Ladies Sangeet and marriage functions across North India. She played main lead in "Prem Daan" (1992) opposite Nitish Bharadwaj. After that she has only been working in South Indian film industry.

South Indian movies

Khushbu was introduced to South Indian screens through the Telugu film Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986) opposite Venkatesh. After that she moved her base to Chennai and started focusing on Tamil and other South Indian film industries. She has acted in more than 150 films after moving to South.

• She mainly did Tamil films. She went to become a leading actress of Tamil Cinema during her period, and has done more than 100 films in Tamil.
• Apart from Tamil films, she has also acted in various Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu films as well.
• In Malayalam, she has acted in many films with Mammotty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, Dileep notably Uncle Bun, Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka, Independence, Kaiyoppu (Kerala State Special Jury Award), also recently Mr Marumakan.
• In Kannada, she has acted in many films with Ravichandran notably Ranadheera (1987), Anjada Gandu, Shanthi Kranthi and Yugapurusha.
• In Telugu, she has acted in many films mainly opposite Venkatesh, and Nagarjuna.

She has acted opposite leading actors such as Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Chiranjeevi, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Venkatesh, Tiger Prabhakar, Nagarjuna, Ravichandran, Suresh Gopi, Sathyaraj, and Prabhu.

By September 2016, Khushbu was no longer very active into films, citing her lack of interest in the same, and her commitment to motherhood and her political career.

Khushbu and sprinter Usain Bolt are the Honorary Members of Richmond Football Club, based in Melbourne, Australia.

Khushbu was introduced to AFL Footy (Australian Rules Football) by Former Ministerial Adviser Mr Nitin Gupta, and Former Victorian Premier Hon. Ted Baillieu. She had agreed to help promote the AFL Footy in India after taking a tour of Richmond Football Club.

AFL Footy is set debut on Indian screens in the movie Oh Andha Naatkal, which would also star Khushbu.

During her peak Khushbu was the leading actress of Tamil. She became the first Indian actress for whom her fans built a dedicated temple. Few temples had been built for Indian male film stars earlier, but Khushbu became the first female film star after whom a dedicated temple was built in India.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

Khushbu joined the DMK on 14 May 2010. She was welcomed by DMK Leader Karunanidhi at the party headquarters in Chennai. Khushbu quit DMK on 16 June 2014.

Indian National Congress

Khushbu joined the Indian National Congress on 26 November 2014 after meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi. She is currently the National Spokesperson of the INC.

Khushbu married actor/director Sundar C on 9 March 2001. They have two daughters, Avanthika and Ananditha, after whom they named their production house. She has been living in Chennai for more than 30 years now. Khushbu is a self-proclaimed atheist.

• She is known for her TV show Jackpot and her serials Kalki, Janani and Kungumam.

Khushbu has also been a judge in reality shows:

• Maanada Mayilada
• Azhagiya Thamizh Maghan
• Junior super stars

In 2005, there was a controversy about her remarks for AIDS awareness. She said it was fine for girls to have pre-marital sex but not without taking precautions to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The Supreme Court dismissed all cases registered against Kushboo for her alleged remarks on pre-marital sex.

In January 2006, Maxim magazine featured a full-page morphed photograph showing Kushboo "posing" nude. Khushboo filed two complaints: defamation and the indecent representation of women. The Supreme Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea by the magazine's editor.