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Rimi Sen, who shared screen space with Aamir Khan and Salman Khan, is now selling homes in Dubai. Know why 'Dhoom' star made a stunning career shift
ET Online | January 22, 2026 6:57 PM CST

Synopsis

Actor Rimi Sen, who has appeared in several hit Bollywood movies such as Hungama, Golmaal, Phir Hera Pheri and Dhoom, was once a household name in the 2000s. The actor gradually left Bollywood and now she is working as a real estate agent in Dubai. She was born Subhamitra Sen in Kolkata in 1981. In an earlier intreview, Rimi Sen explained the reason why she decided to walk away from Bollywood.

The big break for Rimi Sen came when she landed a key role in Dhoom (2004) and audiences warmed up to her
Actor Rimi Sen, once a known face in Bollywood comedies and thrillers, is back in the spotlight again after her recent Instagram photos went viral. Rimi Sen was a part of comedy movies- Hungama, Dhoom, Golmaal, Phir Hera Pheri, Johnny Gaddar and was one of the most recognizable faces of the era. Rimi Sen was also seen in Coca-Cola advertisements alongside Aamir Khan and also shared screen space with Salman Khan. Rimi Sen is back in the headlines after transitioning her career to the real estate business in Dubai. In an interview with Buildcaps Real Estate LLC, Rimi Sen revealed that Dubai has been welcoming for her and how she has gained a foothold in the cut-throat real estate business.

Who is Rimi Sen and where is she now?

Born in 1981 in Kolkata, Rimi Sen was born Subhamitra Sen and landed a role in the Bengali movie ‘Damu’ back in 1996 and kicked off her acting career when she moved to Mumbai. She didn’t come from a family with film connections. Before appearing in movies, she popped up in a bunch of ads, including a pretty memorable soft drink commercial with Aamir Khan. Rimi made her Hindi film debut with Hungama in 2003 and immediately caught attention for holding her own alongside Akshaye Khanna and Paresh Rawal.

The big break for Rimi came when she landed a key role in Dhoom (2004) and audiences warmed up to her. The film turned into a massive hit, and her portrayal of Sweety — along with her easy chemistry with Abhishek Bachchan — made her a household name.


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Over the next few years, Rimi delivered a string of successful films. She appeared in popular titles such as Baghban, Garam Masala, Kyon Ki, Phir Hera Pheri, and Golmaal: Fun Unlimited. She earned a reputation for excelling in comedy, blending seamlessly into mainstream Bollywood, and adding a lively spark to her roles. She also made a cameo in Dhoom 2 and experimented with different genres, including thrillers like Johnny Gaddaar, showcasing her versatility as an actor.

Why did Rimi Sen walk away from Bollywood?

In a candid interview with Bombay Times in 2021, Rimi explained her decision to walk away from Bollywood. “Acting pays well and gives you fame. I survived for a decade because of it, and I’ll always respect that. People invite you to events, and actors get paid well. I could become a producer because of my film career, the work I did in my 20s. All of this was possible because I was a known face,” she expressed.

“I quit Bollywood because I was done playing glamorous flower pots in films. It was boring to be used as a glamour prop or be told to take a hankie and fake cry in the background while the hero took centre stage. I want to come back now only if I can be proud of the films I choose. I am proud of my films like ‘Johnny Gaddaar’ and ‘Sankat City,’ but sadly, these films didn’t do well,” she continued.

The glamour and buzz fade away

By the late 2000s, the buzz around Rimi began to fade. Several of her films, including De Taali, Sankat City, and Thank You, failed to make an impact at the box office. Meaningful roles became fewer, and she gradually stepped away from mainstream Bollywood. Her last notable film appearance was in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s action drama Shagird (2011).

Rimi, however, never fully vanished from the public eye. She turned to reality television, appearing on Bigg Boss 9 in 2015 and attempting to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9. These stints introduced her to a new generation of viewers. She also ventured into film production, backing the biopic Budhia Singh – Born to Run, credited under her real name, Subhamitra Sen.

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A new chapter in Dubai

After stepping away from movies, she started a new chapter in Dubai and began working in real estate. In a recent interview, she said "Dubai is very welcoming, which is why 95% of the population here consists of expatriates, while the rest are Emiratis. Dubai has welcomed everyone warmly—there are mosques here, there are temples too. They think about everyone, and the city's major focus is on how to make people's lives better, easier, and more comfortable.

"This is something we don't really see in our country, because the government keeps changing policies overnight, making people's lives more difficult. There are thousands of taxes, endless complications, and it is no longer a business-friendly nation."

Rimi added, "The real estate market here functions smoothly because there is discipline. You have to work only with agents and agencies. Developers do their work, agencies do their part, and there is a proper system in place."

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Rimi Sen denies going for plastic surgery

Two years ago, Rimi Sen became a topic on social media due to her unrecognizable looks in Instagram pictures. When netizens jumped to the conclusion that she had gone under the knife, Rimi told Hindustan Times, "If people feel that I have had plastic surgery, and if they feel that in a good way, then it's very good for me. Without even getting plastic surgery done, people are still talking. I have only had fillers, Botox, and PRP treatment done—nothing else."

Responding to trolls, Rimi added, "Maybe people saw my latest pictures and felt that my skin looked good. Anyone can look good by using these treatments and maintaining discipline. But if you think what I have done is bad, then tell me how I can correct it, so I can tell my doctors where they are going wrong."


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