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Sakshi Tanwar | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Tanwar in 2018 | |
| Born | (1973-01-12)12 January 1973 (age 53) |
| Alma mater | Lady Shri Ram College Delhi University |
| Occupations | Actress, television presenter |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Children | 1 (adopted) |
| Awards | Full list |
Sakshi Tanwar (pronounced[ˈsaːkʂiˈt̪əɳʋəɾ]; born 12 January 1973) is an Indian actress and presenter, who primarily works in Hindi films and television. Known for her portrayals of strong-willed, unconventional women in Indian television, Tanwar is considered among the highest-paidtelevision actresses in India.[1][2] She is a recipient of several awards including twoITA Awards and oneFilmfare OTT Award.[3] She has appeared inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list of 2012.
Tanwar is widely recognised for her portrayal of Parvati Agarwal inKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000-2008) and Priya Sharma Kapoor inBade Achhe Lagte Hain (2011-2014), both these performances earned her twoIndian Television Academy Awards. Tanwar made her film debut in 2006 withO re Manva and has since appeared in the biographical sports dramaDangal (2016) and the historical dramaSamrat Prithviraj (2022). Alongside her work in television, Tanwar received praises for the series —Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat (2017-2019),Mission Over Mars (2019) andMai: A Mother's Rage (2022), the latter won her theFilmfare OTT Award for Best Actress Critics – Drama Series.[4]
Tanwar was born on 12 January 1973[3][5] to Rajendra Singh Tanwar, a retiredCBI officer, in a middle-classRajput[6] family fromAlwar,Rajasthan, India. She was educated in manyKendriya Vidyalayas before graduating fromLady Shri Ram College inNew Delhi. Prior to this, in 1990, after completing herpre-university course, she worked as a sales trainee at a five-star hotel.[7] In college, she was the secretary and president of the dramatic society.[citation needed] After graduation, while preparing for the entrance tests to the administrative services and mass communications, she gave an audition for the national broadcasterDoordarshan's film songs based programAlbela Sur Mela in 1998; she was selected as the presenter.[citation needed]
After her television debut in 1998 withAlbela Sur Mela, Tanwar rose to fame withEkta Kapoor'sKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000–2008).[8] The series based on joint family, saw her portray Parvati Agarwal oppositeKiran Karmarkar.[9] The series was a major success and earned her recognition. Her performance was also praised by several critics.[10][11][12] The series earned her several nominations includingITA Award for Best Actress – Popular and won her theIndian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role.[13][14]
Tanwar then played Maya Mittal inKutumb, the lead Gayatri Sharma inDevi, Advocate Indira Bhargav inJassi Jaissi Koi Nahin andGanga inKahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki.[15][16] In 2010, she hosted the second season ofCrime Patrol.[17]
Tanwar later established herself with Ekta Kapoor'sBade Achhe Lagte Hain (2011–2014). She portrayed Priya Sharma Kapoor, a woman who marries in her late 30s oppositeRam Kapoor.[18][19] The series was a massive success and her performance earned her critical acclaim.[20][21] The series won her several awards includingITA Award for Best Actress – Jury andIndian Telly Award for Best Actress – Jury.[22] In 2012, she made an appearance on the reality showKaun Banega Crorepati.[23]
In 2015, Tanwar made her Marathi film debut withKatyar Kaljat Ghusali, which was a critical and commercial success.[24][25]
Tanwar returned to Hindi films withDangal (2016), where she portrayed Daya Kaur, wife of former wrestlerMahavir Singh Phogat oppositeAamir Khan.[26]Anupama Chopra said in her review that Tanwar provides "strong support" to the story.[27] While,Sukanya Verma found her to be terrific.[28] The film was a major commercial success with an estimated gross of ₹2,000 crore and became thehighest-grossing Indian film ever.[29][30]
In 2017, Tanwar made her web debut withKarrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, playing a doctor opposite Ram Kapoor.[31] In 2018, she returned to television withTyohaar Ki Thaali.[32] Tanwar then went onto play a priest's wife oppositeSunny Deol inMohalla Assi (2018), a police officer's wife oppositeManoj Bajpayee inDial 100 (2021) andJayachandra's wife oppositeAshutosh Rana inSamrat Prithviraj (2022).[33][34][35] In 2019, she appeared in two web series:The Final Call as an air controller officer andM.O.M. - Mission Over Mars as a scientist.[36]
Later in 2022, Tanwar played a grieving mother who take revenge for her daughter's death in the seriesMai: A Mother's Rage.[37] Nandini Ramnath ofScroll.in noted, "Tanwar, cast against type, admirably interprets her character to the best of her abilities. She brings softness and empathy to an increasingly violent and profanity-ridden saga of vigilante justice."[38] The series earned her nomination atFilmfare OTT Award for Best Actress – Drama Series and won her the Best Actress Critics – Drama Series.[39]
In 2024, Tanwar played a coaching institute teacher in the filmSharmajee Ki Beti.[40] Monika Rawal Kukreja called her performance "earnest" and added, "She brings the perfect balance while emoting strength and vulnerability".[41] In 2025, Tanwar played a royal queen in the seriesThe Royals.[42] Pallavi Keswani ofThe Hindu stated that she brings more to the table despite limited screentime.[43]
In 2018, Sakshi became a single mother when she adopted a nine-month-old baby girl, Dityaa Tanwar.[44]
With her performances inKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii,Kutumb,Devi andBade Achhe Lagte Hain, Tanwar established herself among the leading and highest-paid actresses of Hindi television.[1][2]Rediff.com placed her first in its "Top TV stars of 2006" and tenth in its "Top 10 television actresses" list.[45][46] Supriya Sharma ofIndia Today termed her the "nation's most-loved telly star".[47] Tanwar is termed as one of the hottest television actress by Rediff.com.[48] In 2022,Forbes India included her in its first ever "Showstoppers – India's Top 50 Outperformers" list.[49]
In 2012, Tanwar appeared inForbes India'sCelebrity 100 list, ranking 93rd with an estimated annual income of₹34.5 million (US$410,000).[50] Her on-screen pairing withRam Kapoor was voted as "Television's most popular onscreen couple", in anIndia Today survey.[51] In April 2013, in a survey conducted byOrmax Media, Tanwar featured in the "Top 5 most trustworthy celebrities" list.[8] In a 2014 poll conducted byShaadi.com, Tanwar and Kapoor were voted theFavourite TV Couple by 42.3% Indians.[52] Tanwar is also a celebrity endorser for brands and products such asVim,Harpic,Tanishq,Kellogg's andBig Bazaar.Economic Times termed her the "second-most visible celebrity on television", in 2016.[53]
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| Year | Show | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Lalia | Lalia | Telefilm | |
| 1999 | Albela Sur Mela | Presenter | ||
| 2000–2008 | Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii | Parvati Agarwal / Swati Dixit/ Janki Devi Dixit | Main role | [54] |
| 2001–2002 | Kutumb | Maya Mittal | ||
| 2002–2004 | Devi | Gayatri Vikram Sharma | Main role | |
| 2004 | Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin | Indira Bhargav | ||
| 2005 | Kaun Banega Crorepati 2 | Contestant | ||
| 2008 | Bawandar | Guest | [55] | |
| Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki | Ganga | [56] | ||
| 2009 | Coffee House | Guest | ||
| 2010 | Crime Patrol 2 | Co-Presenter | ||
| Balika Vadhu | Teepri | Cameo | [57] | |
| 2011–2014 | Bade Achhe Lagte Hain | Priya Sharma Kapoor | Main role | [52] |
| 2012–2013 | Kaun Banega Crorepati 6 | Contestant | 2 episodes | |
| 2013 | Ek Thhi Naayika | Pooja | Main role | [58] |
| 2014 | Main Naa Bhoolungi | Narator | ||
| 2015 | Code Red | Presenter / Narator | [59] | |
| 2016 | 24: Season 2 | Shivani Malik | Main role | |
| 2017 | Tyohaar Ki Thaali | Presenter | [60] | |
| 2022 | Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 | Sheel Chaudhary | Guest |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | O re Manva | Sandhya | ||
| 2008 | C Kkompany | Television actress | Cameo appearance | |
| 2009 | Coffee House | Kavita | ||
| 2011 | Aatankwadi Uncle | Sumitra | ||
| Bawra Mann | Pallavi | |||
| 2015 | Katyar Kaljat Ghusali | Nabila | Marathi film | [61] |
| 2016 | Dangal | Daya Kaur | [62] | |
| 2018 | Mohalla Assi | Savitri | [63] | |
| 2021 | Dial 100 | Prerna Sood | ZEE5 film | [64] |
| 2022 | Samrat Prithviraj | Jayachandra's wife | [citation needed] | |
| 2024 | Sharmajee Ki Beti | Jyoti Sharma | Amazon Prime film |
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2019 | Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat | Dr. Tripurasundari "Tipsy" Nagrajan | [65] |
| 2019 | The Final Call | ATC Kiran Mirza | [66][67] |
| Mission Over Mars | Nandita Hariprasad | [68] | |
| 2022–present | Mai: A Mother's Rage | Sheel Chaudhary | [69] |
| 2025 | The Royals | Maharani Padmaja Singh |
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ghar Ki Murgi | Seema | Sony LIV |
Tanwar has won twoIndian Television Academy Awards — ITA Milestone Award forKahaani Ghar Ghar Kii andITA Award for Best Actress - Drama forBade Achhe Lagte Hain.[70][71]
Thus, when Sakshi Tanwar, the dutiful and always upright Parvati bhabi fromKahaani, played a cameo as Teepri, a home-breaker inBalika Vadhu (episodes in 2010), it did not go down well with audiences, who were unable to accept their role model as a negative character.
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