Lisa Haydon

Lisa Haydon – Life, Career, and Legacy

Explore the journey of Lisa Haydon — Indian-Australian model turned Bollywood actress, her breakthrough roles, personal life, style, and evolving legacy.

Introduction

Lisa Haydon (born Elisabeth Marie Haydon on June 17, 1986) is an Indian-Australian model, television presenter, and actress who primarily works in Hindi cinema. She first gained prominence in fashion, then transitioned into films with her debut in Aisha (2010), and achieved widespread acclaim for her role in Queen (2014). Over the years, she has balanced modeling, acting, and television work, all while navigating personal milestones and choices about her career.

Early Life and Background

Lisa was born in Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu, India to a Malayali (Indian) father and an Australian mother. Her birth name is Elisabeth Marie Haydon. She spent parts of her early life in Australia and the United States, before moving to India in 2007 to pursue modeling and the entertainment industry.

She has a sister, Malika Haydon, who is also involved in modeling and music (DJ). In interviews, Lisa has mentioned that she originally aspired to be a yoga teacher or study psychology before fashion modeling became a calling.

Modeling & Early Career

Lisa Haydon began her modeling journey in Australia at around age 19. After deciding to return to India, she walked the ramp at major Indian fashion events like Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) and India Couture Week (ICW). She became the face of multiple brands and appeared in high-profile magazines such as Vogue India, Elle India, Verve, Harper’s Bazaar, Femina, and others.

She also featured in commercials and ad campaigns for brands like Hyundai i20, Indigo Nation, Blender’s Pride, and Myntra. Her modeling work gave her visibility and pathways into acting.

Film & Television Career

Film Debut and Breakthrough Roles

Lisa made her film acting debut in 2010 with Aisha, a Bollywood ensemble romantic comedy inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, playing the role of Aarti Menon. Over the next few years, she took on supporting roles in films such as Rascals (2011) and made a cameo in the Telugu film Racha (2012).

Her major breakthrough as an actress came in 2014, when she acted in Queen in the role of Vijayalakshmi. Her performance was widely praised and earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In the same period, she starred in The Shaukeens (2014) as Ahana Bakshi, a remake of a classic film. In 2016, she appeared in Housefull 3 (as Jamuna “Jenny” Patel) and had a small role in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (as Lisa D’Souza).

In 2025, she has been credited in a project titled Aabeer Gulaal, in which she plays Laila.

Television & Hosting

Beyond films, Lisa transitioned into television and reality formats. She was the host and head judge of India’s Next Top Model on MTV India (seasons 1 and 2). She also appeared in the series The Trip on Bindass as the character Shonali. Later, she returned to judging with Top Model India.

In more recent public statements, she has emphasized that while she is open to acting, she is selective now and focuses more on family life.

Style, Persona & Artistic Identity

Lisa Haydon’s on-screen persona often combines elegance, free-spirited charm, and understated confidence. In Queen, for instance, her character carried a bohemian, worldly energy that complemented the protagonist’s journey.

In interviews, she has spoken about being grounded, passionate about fashion, design, wellness, and balancing life’s priorities. Her style is often described as global with an Indian sensibility—she has also collaborated in fashion ventures and expressed interest in design.

Her career choices suggest that she values authenticity over quantity—she has not taken constant film roles but rather those that align with her personal and creative goals.

Personal Life & Choices

In October 2016, Lisa married Dino Lalvani, a British businessman. They have three children together (sons and a daughter).

In recent years, she has spoken publicly about prioritizing her children and family, and being more selective with acting work. Her children have been known to memorize lines from her films, like the “Vatavaran” line from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Legacy & Influence

Lisa Haydon may not have had a prolific acting output compared to some Bollywood contemporaries, but her impact lies in several key aspects:

• Bridging modeling and acting: She successfully crossed over from the fashion world to films, inspiring other models to consider acting.

• Memorable supporting roles: Her performance in Queen remains one of her most lauded contributions and continues to be cited in discussions of strong ensemble casting.

• Selective presence: Her careful choices demonstrate that an artistic legacy can be built through quality rather than quantity.

• Role model of balance: Her public stance on balancing career and motherhood resonates, especially with women in entertainment.

• Cultural hybridity: As someone of mixed heritage who lived across continents, she embodies a cross-cultural identity in Indian cinema.