Catherine Tresa Alexander (born September 10, 1989) is an Indian model and actress. She has made a name for herself primarily in Telugu and Tamil films. She made her acting debut in the Kannada film Shankar IPS in 2010. Catherine has received four Filmfare Awards South nominations.
Career
Her early career included roles in films such as Godfather (2012), Madras (2014), Sarrainodu (2016), Nene Raju Nene Mantri (2017), and Kalakalappu 2. (2018).
Catherine Tresa was born in Dubai to Malay parents, Frank Mario Alexander and Tresa Alexander. She was raised a Christian. She completed her secondary education in Dubai before moving to Bangalore for further studies. While studying, she learnt to play piano, and got trained in singing, dancing, ice skating and debating, stating that she believes that she is "good at anything I put my mind to". Catherine worked as an Emirates Environment volunteer in Dubai. Catherine did some amateur modelling for fashion design graduate students when she was 14 years old. She modelled for Nalli Silks, Chennai Silks, Fast Track, Josco Jewellers, and Deccan Chronicle after moving to India. She has also shot for Srikantadatta Wodeyar's Maharaja Calendar and has appeared in numerous ramp shows across India with Prasad Bidapa.
Catherine made her acting debut in the Kannada film Shankar IPS in 2010, opposite Duniya Vijay. Catherine later appeared in Malayalam films such as The Thriller and Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action. In 2011, she did a role in the Kannada film Vishnu that she said was "equally opposite to her real life".
It was followed by the Kannada film Godfather, directed by cinematographer turned film-maker Sethu Sriram and starring Upendra. Catherine played the role of an elderly mentally challenged woman in the film. Her performance earned her her first nomination for an award at the 60th Filmfare Awards South in the Best Supporting Actress category.
She then signed on to play "an urbane, bold, and dynamic girl" in Neelakanta's Chammak Challo. It was released in February 2013 and was a box office failure, but she was noticed and received positive reviews. APHerald.com called her "a treat to watch" and 123telugu.com noted that "she has the potential to be a superstar in future if she plays her cards right".
Catherine appeared in Puri Jagannadh's Telugu film Iddarammayilatho as one of the female leads. The film was released in June 2013 and received positive reviews. "Catherine Tresa perfectly suits the character of Akanksha," according to the Times of India. Shirirag.com called her "cigarette smoking hot" while Idlebrain Jeevi in his review noted "with a bit of fine-tuning she can become big in Telugu films".
Catherine next appeared in Paisa by Krishna Vamsi playing a Muslim in the film, "who is sweet, very inhibited and talks a lot with her eyes" and called it "a total contrast to what I play in Chammak Challo". She made her debut in the Tamil film industry in 2014 with Madras, in which she co-starred with Karthi. The second Tamil film is Kanithan, a S Thanu production directed by debutante Santosh in which she will star alongside Atharvaa. She then appeared in two Telugu films: Gunasekhar's Rudhramadevi, the first Indian 3D historical film, and Dasari Narayana Rao's Erra Bus.
Filmography
Key
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Language(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Shankar IPS | Shilpa | Kannada | |
| The Thriller | Meera | Malayalam | ||
| 2011 | Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action | Vinila Sathyaneshan | Malayalam | |
| Vishnu | Kannada | |||
| 2012 | Godfather | Vaani | Kannada | |
| 2013 | Chammak Challo | Sunaina | Telugu | |
| Iddarammayilatho | Akansha | Telugu | ||
| 2014 | Paisa | Noor | Telugu | |
| Madras | Kalaiarasi | Tamil | ||
| Erra Bus | Raji | Telugu | ||
| 2015 | Rudhramadevi | Annambika | Telugu | |
| 2016 | Kathakali | Meenu Kutty | Tamil | |
| Kanithan | Anu | Tamil | ||
| Sarrainodu | MLA Hansitha Reddy | Telugu | ||
| 2017 | Kadamban | Rathi | Tamil | |
| Goutham Nanda | Mugdha | Telugu | ||
| Nene Raju Nene Mantri | Devika Rani | Telugu | ||
| Jaya Janaki Nayaka | Herself | Telugu | Special appearance in the song "A for Apple" | |
| Katha Nayagan | Kanmani | Tamil | ||
| 2018 | Kalakalappu 2 | Hema | Tamil | |
| 2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | Priya | Tamil | |
| Neeya 2 | Divya | Tamil | ||
| Aruvam | Jyothi | Tamil | ||
| 2020 | World Famous Lover | Smita | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Bhala Thandanana | Sasirekha | Telugu | |
| Bimbisara | Aira | Telugu | ||
| Macherla Niyojakavargam | Nidhi | Telugu | ||
| 2023 | Waltair Veerayya | Dr. Nithya | Telugu |
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 60th Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress – Kannada | Godfather | Nominated |
| 2014 | 3rd South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut – Telugu | Chammak Challo | Nominated |
| 2015 | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Best Debut Actress | Madras | Won |
| Vijay Awards | Won | |||
| Edison Awards | Won | |||
| 62nd Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Tamil | Nominated | ||
| Best Female Debut – Tamil | Won | |||
| 4th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut – Tamil | Won | ||
| 2018 | 65th Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actress – Telugu | Nene Raju Nene Mantri | Nominated |
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Catherine Tresa |
| Nickname | Not Known |
| Profession | Actress & Model |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height | in centimeters- 168 cm in meters- 1.68 m in Feet Inches- 5' 6” |
| Weight | in Kilograms- 54 kg in Pounds- 119 lbs |
| Figure Measurements | 34-26-35 |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 10 September 1989 |
| Age (as in 2017) | 33 Years |
| Birth Place | Dubai, UAE |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Emirati (presently resides in India) |
| Hometown | Dubai, UAE |
| School | Not Known |
| College | St Joseph's College, Bangalore, India |
| Educational Qualification | Not Known |
| Debut | Film: Shankar IPS, Kannada Movie (2007) |
| Family | Father- Frank Mario Alexander Mother- Tresa Alexander Sister- N/A Brother- Late Christopher |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Hobbies | Watching sitcoms, listening to music, playing with pets |
| Favourite Things | |
| Favourite Color | Purple |
| Favourite Food | Pasta, Biryani |
| Favourite Actor | Suriya |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | Not Known |
| Husband | N/A |
| Children | Son- N/A Daughter- N/A |
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