Model-turned-actress Neha Dhupia first caught people's attention when she was crowned Femina Miss India in 2002. Born in a Sikh naval officer’s household on 27 August 1980 in Cochin, Neha Dhupia did her schooling from the Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, and earned her graduation degree from Jesus and Mary College in Delhi.

Before entering the Miss India contest, Neha Dhupia had made her acting debut in a play called Graffiti. After this, she was seen in several advertisements and a music video for the Indi-pop band Euphoria. She was also seen in the daily soap Rajdhani. She acted in a Malayalam film Minnaram (1994) and a Japanese film Nattu Odoru! Ninja Densetsu (2000). Finally, in 2002, the Miss India title opened the doors of the Hindi film industry for her.

Neha Dhupia's debut film Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003) didn’t do much for her acting career. However, she hit the big time with her role of a call girl in Julie (2004), with her topless scenes giving her the tag of 'bold' actress. Neha Dhupia lived up to the tag in her next film, Sheesha (2005), after which she appeared in hit films like Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005) and Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007). She was also seen in a segment of the anthology film Dus Kahaniyaan (2007). This film got her positive reviews and her performance was noticed by critics.

In the following years, Neha Dhupia was seen in supporting roles in a number of critically and commercially acclaimed films like Chup Chup Ke (2006), Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007), Mithya (2008), Maharathi (2008), Singh Is Kinng (2008) and Dasvidaniya (2008). Her portrayal of Eva Braun in Gandhi To Hitler (2011), a film about Mahatma Gandhi's correspondence with the German dictator, won Neha Dhupia more fans. IFC's Bollywood Hero made Neha Dhupia an internationally known figure. In more recent times, she has appeared in films like Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami (2014) and Ungli (2014). Her latest appearance on screen was in the comedy film Santa Banta Pvt Ltd (2016).

Neha Dhupia supports Concern India, a charitable non-profit that works for poor women and children.