Prachi Desai(born 12 September 1988),[1]is an Indian actress who primarily works inHindifilms and television. Desai is a recipient of several accolades including anIIFA Awardand fourIndian Telly Awards,as well as twoFilmfare Awardsnominations.

Prachi Desai
Desai in 2023
Born(1988-09-12)12 September 1988(age 36)
Alma materSinhagad College,Pune
OccupationActress
Years active2006–2017,2021-present

Desai marked her acting debut with the successful television dramaKasam Se.In 2007, she emerged as the winner ofJhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2.Following this, Desai made her film debut withRock On!!(2008), receivingFilmfare Award for Best Female Debutnomination. Desai received theIIFA Award for Best Supporting Actressfor her portrayal of a gangster's lover inOnce Upon a Time in Mumbaai(2010). After appearing in the action comedyBol Bachchan(2012), which remains her biggest commercial success, the romantic comedyI, Me Aur Main(2013) and the biographical sports dramaAzhar(2016), she took a break from acting.

Desai returned to acting with thrillerSilence... Can You Hear It?(2021). She has since marked her web debut with the Telugu seriesDhootha(2023). Alongside her acting career, Desai is a celebrity endorser for brands and products.

Early life

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Desai was born on 12 September 1988[1]inSurat, Gujarat,to Niranjan Desai and Ameeta Desai in aHindufamily.[2]She has one sister named Esha Desai. She studied inSt. Joseph Convent School,[3]Panchganiand completed her schooling until ninth grade in Surat. She completed her higher studies from Sinhagad College in Pune.

Career

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Television career and breakthrough (2006-2008)

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Desai onTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's set

In 2006, Desai got selected to play the lead role inEkta Kapoor's television drama,Kasamh Se.Desai played Bani Dixit Walia, oppositeRam Kapoor.[4]In her acting debut, Desai won her praises and earned several awards, including theIndian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role.In the same show, she also played Anamika Dixit Randheria oppositeSumeet Vyas.[5]

In 2007, Desai enteredJhalak Dikhhla Jaa,the Indian version of BBCStrictly Come Dancingwith choreographer Deepak Singh. Desai was eliminated on 10 November 2007, but entered the contest again via a wildcard entry and ultimately won the competition.[6]Desai also appeared in two episodes of the Star Plus television seriesKasauti Zindagi Kiin a cameo. She portrayed a student at Prerna's school.[7]

Expansion to films and success (2008-2017)

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Desai then made the transition to the film industry in 2008. She made her film debut withRock On!!(2008), directed byAbhishek Kapoor,where she played Sakshi, a band singer wife oppositeFarhan Akhtar.[2]Desai had to leaveKasamh Seto star inRock On.The film earned her a nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Female Debut.In his review,Rajeev Masandstated, "Desai, saddled with what I think is the film's trickiest role, comes off unscathed because she's an actor who oozes warmth."[8][9]Next year, she played Prachi oppositeTusshar KapoorinLife Partner,a box office average.[10]

Desai's career marked a significant turning point in 2010, when she appeared inOnce Upon a Time in Mumbaai.[11]The film saw her playing Mumtaz, a character based on Mehjabin Shaikh, oppositeEmraan Hashmi.It emerged a box office success and earned her a nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actressand won theIIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress.[12]Kaveree Bamzai fromIndia Todayopined, "Prachi Desai as Shoaib's girlfriend, is suitably tremulous and pleading."[13]

Desai promoting her filmBol Bachchan,in 2012

In 2012, she appeared inTeri Meri Kahaanias Radhika, oppositeShahid Kapoor.[14]Taran Adarshfound her cameo appearance to be "sparkling".[15]Desai then played Radhika, an educated modern girl inBol Bachchan,oppositeAbhishek Bachchan.The film proved to be Desai's biggest box office success until date.[16][17]Devesh Sharma ofFilmfarenoted, "Prachi Desai is reduced to sisterly bits".[18]

Desai had two releases in 2013. She first played a stylist Gauri, inI, Me Aur Main,oppositeJohn Abraham.[19]Nishi Tiwar ofRediff.comsaid that Desai went "overboard" in her portrayal of a girl-next-door.[20]She next appeared oppositeSanjay Dutt,inPolicegiri.The film received negative reviews and Sarit Ray ofHindustan Timesfound her role to be "irrelevant".[21]In 2014, Desai appeared in a special number forEk Villain,in a song named "Awari".[22]

Post a small hiatus, Desai played former cricket captainMohammad Azharuddin's wife, Naureen in his biopic film,Azharopposite Emraan Hashmi.[23][24]The film emerged a commercial failure, butAnna MM VetticadofFirstpostfound her Naureen to be "controlled" and her heartbreak "believable".[25]In the same year, Desai reprised Sakshi, opposite Farhan Akhtar inRock On 2,a sequel toRock On!!.[26][27]In 2017, Desai played a robot in the short filmCarbon: The Story of TomorrowoppositeJackky Bhagnani.[28]

Hiatus, return and streaming projects (2017-present)

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In 2021, Desai returned to films after a break of four years withSilence... Can You Hear It?,where she played a police inspector Sanjana alongsideManoj Bajpai.[29]That year, she appeared in a music video, Rihaee withRohit Khandelwal.The song was well appreciated by the audience.[30]

Desai then played, Dr.Ranjana, a psychiatrist in the 2022 film,Forensic.[31]Pragati Awasthi ofWIONwas appreciative of Desai's decent portrayal of a psychiatrist.[32]In 2023, Desai appeared alongsideNaga Chaitanya,inDhootha,playing his PA, Amrutha. The series released in Telugu, marked her web debut.[33]Neeshita Nyayapati ofHindustan Timesnoted, "Prachi get a character that is anything but run-of-the-mill, even then she sink her teeth into it and does a good job."[34]

In 2024, Desai reprised Inspector Sanjana inSilence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout,sequel to the 2021 film.[35]Saibal Chatterjeeopined, "Prachi Desai manages to make the most of the limited bandwidth accorded to her."[36]Desai is committed to star as a lead actress in the dark fantasy movie - Kosha, which is directed by Amman Advaita and produced by Abhay Raj Kanwar.[37]

In the media

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Desai at the launch ofNeutrogena's products

Post her debut withKasamh Se,Rediff.complaced her fourth in its "Top TV stars of 2006" list.[38]Desai was placed 32nd inThe Times of India's Most Desirable Woman list.[39]Desai is an endorser, spokesperson and brand ambassador ofGoaTourism andNeutrogenaproducts in India.[40]Desai is also a celebrity endorser for brands such asLux Lyra,RelaxoandGillette.[41]In 2016, Desai refused to be a part of an advertisement inPakistan.[42]Desai shared about hercasting couchexperience in an interview in 2021.[43]

Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

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Years Title Role Notes Ref.
2008 Rock On!! Sakshi Shroff [44]
2009 Life Partner Prachi Jadeja Patel
2010 Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Mumtaz [45]
2012 Teri Meri Kahaani Radhika Desai
Bol Bachchan Radhika Raghuvanshi
2013 I, Me Aur Main Gauri Dandekar
Policegiri Sehar Al Ameri
2014 Ek Villain Dancer Special appearance in song "Awari" [46]
2016 Azhar Naureen Azhar
Rock On 2 Sakshi Shroff
2017 Carbon: The Story of Tomorrow Pari Short film [47]
2021 Silence... Can You Hear It? Inspector Sanjana Bhatia
2022 Forensic Dr. Ranjana / Shashi Gupta
2024 Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout Inspector Sanjana Bhatia [48]
Bihu Attack TBA Filming [49]
TBA Kosha Sonia Sawant Delayed

Television

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Years Title Role Notes Ref.
2006–2008 Kasamh Se Bani Dixit Walia / Anamika Dixit Randheria
2007 Kasautii Zindagii Kay Prachi Chauhan
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2 Contestant Winner [50]
2010 CID Herself Guest appearance [51]
2012 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah [52]
2016 Naagin
2023 Dhootha Amrutha Teluguseries [53][54]

Music videos

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Years Title Singer Role Ref.
2021 Rihaee Yasser Desai Preeti [30]

Awards and nominations

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Year[a] Award Category Work Result Ref.
2006 Indian Telly Awards Best Fresh New Face (Female) Kasamh Se Won [55]
Best Onscreen Couple(Shared withRam Kapoor) Won
2007 Best Actress in a Lead Role Won [56]
2008 Special Recommendation Won [57]
2009 Screen Awards Most Promising Newcomer – Female Rock On!! Nominated [58]
Stardust Awards Superstar of Tomorrow – Female Nominated [59]
International Indian Film Academy Awards Star Debut of the Year – Female Nominated [60]
Anandalok Puraskar Awards Best Actress (Hindi) Won [61]
Filmfare Awards Best Female Debut Nominated [62]
2011 Best Supporting Actress Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Nominated [63]
International Indian Film Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress Won [64]
Producers Guild Film Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Won [65]
Screen Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated [66]
Zee Cine Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female Won [67]
Stardust Awards Best Actress in an Ensemble Cast Won [68]
2013 Best Breakthrough Performance – Female Bol Bachchan Nominated [69]
2023 Iconic Gold Awards Best Actress in a Negative Role – OTT Forensic Won [70]

Notes

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  1. ^Refers to the year in which the ceremony was held.

References

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  3. ^"Prachi Desai goes back to school".mid-day.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved8 January2016.
  4. ^"Prachi Desai wants to 'rock on' with Shahid and Hrithik".The Indian Express.Retrieved28 December2010.
  5. ^Vickey Lalwani."Ekta Kapoor's Kasamh Se to be discontinued".The Times of India.Retrieved20 November2016.
  6. ^"Prachi Desai takes away Jhalak Dikhla Jaa pie".Hindustan Times.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved8 January2016.
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  8. ^"Rock On!! review: CNN-IBN".Ibnlive.in.com. Archived fromthe originalon 26 August 2009.Retrieved15 June2011.
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  14. ^"Prachi Desai features in Teri Meri Kahaani | Latest Movie Features – Bollywood Hungama".Bollywood Hungama.Archived fromthe originalon 20 May 2012.Retrieved8 January2016.
  15. ^Adarsh, Taran (22 June 2012)."Teri Meri Kahaani Review".Bollywood Hungama.Archivedfrom the original on 10 April 2017.Retrieved10 April2017.
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  23. ^"Prachi Desai plays cricketer's wife in Azhar".The New Indian Express.Archived fromthe originalon 26 March 2016.Retrieved8 January2016.
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  25. ^"Azhar movie review: This Emraan Hashmi-starrer is an opportunity lost".Firstpost.Archivedfrom the original on 20 February 2017.Retrieved28 January2018.
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  30. ^ab"Rohit Khandelwal and Prachi Desai impress fans with their heart-wrenching love track Rihaee | english.lokmat.com".Lokmat English.23 June 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 25 June 2021.Retrieved26 June2021.
  31. ^"Forensic teaser: Vikrant Massey, Radhika Apte try to solve mystery around missing girls in the thriller".The Indian Express.20 May 2022.Retrieved27 May2022.
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  34. ^"Dhootha review: Vikram K Kumar plays to his strengths in Naga Chaitanya's web debut".Hindustan Times.Retrieved10 December2023.
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  39. ^"50 Most Desirable Women of 2011: The Winners".Times of India.Archived fromthe originalon 25 February 2013.Retrieved11 September2021.
  40. ^"Prachi Desai is new face of Neutrogena cosmetics in India".Mid-Day.4 September 2009.Archivedfrom the original on 24 September 2013.Retrieved28 December2010.
  41. ^"Lyra brand about four years ago and had roped in actor Prachi Desai as its brand ambassador".Hindustan Times.5 April 2017.Retrieved8 June2017.
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