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Prachi Desai

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

Prachi Desai (born 12 September 1988),[1] is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films and television. Desai is a recipient of several accolades including an IIFA Award and four Indian Telly Awards, as well as two Filmfare Awards nominations.

Desai marked her acting debut with the successful television drama Kasam Se. In 2007, she emerged as the winner of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2. Following this, Desai made her film debut with Rock On!! (2008), receiving Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination. Desai received the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a gangster's lover in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010). After appearing in the action comedy Bol Bachchan (2012), which remains her biggest commercial success, the romantic comedy I, Me Aur Main (2013) and the biographical sports drama Azhar (2016), she took a break from acting.

Desai returned to acting with thriller Silence... Can You Hear It? (2021). She has since marked her web debut with the Telugu series Dhootha (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] in Surat, Gujarat, to Niranjan Desai and Ameeta Desai in a Hindu family.[2] She has one sister named Esha Desai. She studied in St. Joseph Convent School,[3] Panchgani and 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 on Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah's set

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

In 2007, Desai entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Indian version of BBC Strictly Come Dancing with 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 series Kasauti Zindagi Ki in 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 with Rock On!! (2008), directed by Abhishek Kapoor, where she played Sakshi, a band singer wife opposite Farhan Akhtar.[2] Desai had to leave Kasamh Se to star in Rock On. The film earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. In his review, Rajeev Masand stated, "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 opposite Tusshar Kapoor in Life Partner, a box office average.[10]

Desai's career marked a significant turning point in 2010, when she appeared in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai.[11] The film saw her playing Mumtaaz, a character based on Mehjabin Shaikh, opposite Emraan Hashmi. It emerged a box office success and earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and won the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress.[12] Kaveree Bamzai from India Today opined, "Prachi Desai as Shoaib's girlfriend, is suitably tremulous and pleading."[13]

Desai promoting her film Bol Bachchan, in 2012

In 2012, she appeared in Teri Meri Kahaani as Radhika, opposite Shahid Kapoor.[14] Taran Adarsh found her cameo appearance to be "sparkling".[15] Desai then played Radhika, an educated modern girl in Bol Bachchan, opposite Abhishek Bachchan. The film proved to be Desai's biggest box office success until date.[16][17] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted, "Prachi Desai is reduced to sisterly bits".[18]

Desai had two releases in 2013. She first played a stylist Gauri, in I, Me Aur Main, opposite John Abraham.[19] Nishi Tiwar of Rediff.com said that Desai went "overboard" in her portrayal of a girl-next-door.[20] She next appeared opposite Sanjay Dutt, in Policegiri. The film received negative reviews and Sarit Ray of Hindustan Times found her role to be "irrelevant".[21] In 2014, Desai appeared in a special number for Ek Villain, in a song named "Awari".[22]

Post a small hiatus, Desai played former cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin's wife, Naureen in his biopic film, Azhar opposite Emraan Hashmi.[23][24] The film emerged a commercial failure, but Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost found her Naureen to be "controlled" and her heartbreak "believable".[25] In the same year, Desai reprised Sakshi, opposite Farhan Akhtar in Rock On 2, a sequel to Rock On!!.[26][27] In 2017, Desai played a robot in the short film Carbon: The Story of Tomorrow opposite Jackky 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 with Silence... Can You Hear It?, where she played a police inspector Sanjana alongside Manoj Bajpai.[29] That year, she appeared in a music video, Rihaee with Rohit 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 of WION was appreciative of Desai's decent portrayal of a psychiatrist.[32] In 2023, Desai appeared alongside Naga Chaitanya, in Dhootha , playing his PA, Amrutha. The series released in Telugu, marked her web debut.[33] Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times noted, "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 in Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, sequel to the 2021 film.[35] Saibal Chatterjee opined, "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 of Neutrogena's products

Post her debut with Kasamh Se, Rediff.com placed her fourth in its "Top TV stars of 2006" list.[38] Desai was placed 32nd in The Times of India's Most Desirable Woman list.[39] Desai is an endorser, spokesperson and brand ambassador of Goa Tourism and Neutrogena products in India.[40] Desai is also a celebrity endorser for brands such as Lux Lyra, Relaxo and Gillette.[41] In 2016, Desai refused to be a part of an advertisement in Pakistan.[42] Desai shared about her casting couch experience 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 Mumtaaz [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 Telugu series [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 with Ram 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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  1. ^ a b "Prachi Desai, happy birthday!". Zee News India. 12 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b "I am lucky:Prachi Desai". The Times of India. 9 December 2007. Archived from the original on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  3. ^ "Prachi Desai goes back to school". mid-day. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Prachi Desai wants to 'rock on' with Shahid and Hrithik". The Indian Express. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  5. ^ Vickey Lalwani. "Ekta Kapoor's Kasamh Se to be discontinued". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Prachi Desai takes away Jhalak Dikhla Jaa pie". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Finally... the 'Kasautii' ends!". Daily News and Analysis.
  8. ^ "Rock On!! review: CNN-IBN". Ibnlive.in.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  9. ^ "Box Office 2008". Boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Life Partner Steady in Week Three". Box Office India. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  11. ^ "Buy a ticket for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai. Now!". Rediff. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  12. ^ "The Hit List 2010". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
  13. ^ "Film Review: Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai". India Today. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  14. ^ "Prachi Desai features in Teri Meri Kahaani | Latest Movie Features – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  15. ^ Adarsh, Taran (22 June 2012). "Teri Meri Kahaani Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 10 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  16. ^ "− Bol Bachchan Has Strong Sunday". Box Office India. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012.
  17. ^ [work Box Office India "Top Grossers Overseas 2012"]. Archived from the original on 20 February 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  18. ^ Sharma, Devesh (6 July 2012). "Movie review: Bol Bachchan". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  19. ^ "Kapil Sharma to make his directorial debut". The Times of India. 4 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  20. ^ Nishi Tiwari. "Review: I Me Aur Main leaves a lot to be desired". Rediff.com. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Policegiri Movie Review". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  22. ^ "'Ek Villain' ends 2014 first half on a high!". Taran Adarsh. Bollywood Hungama. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  23. ^ "Prachi Desai plays cricketer's wife in Azhar". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  24. ^ "Azhar first look: Emraan Hashmi dons blue for Azharuddin biopic : Bollywood, News". India Today. Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  25. ^ "Azhar movie review: This Emraan Hashmi-starrer is an opportunity lost". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  26. ^ "Prachi Desai gets fitter and leaner for 'Rock On 2'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Farhan Akhtar starrer 'Rock On 2' to release on November 11". The Indian Express. 6 January 2016. Archived from the original on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  28. ^ "Carbon review: This short film offers intelligent, important sci-fi, let down by lazy execution". Firstpost. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  29. ^ Chowdhury, Rishita Roy (24 December 2020). "Manoj Bajpayee, Prachi Desai, Arjun Mathur team up for new film Silence... Can You Hear It?". India Today. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Rohit Khandelwal and Prachi Desai impress fans with their heart-wrenching love track Rihaee | english.lokmat.com". Lokmat English. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Forensic teaser: Vikrant Massey, Radhika Apte try to solve mystery around missing girls in the thriller". The Indian Express. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  32. ^ "Forensic Movie Review: Radhika Apte, Vikrant Massey are star of this gripping thriller". WION News. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  33. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (23 November 2023). "'Dhootha' trailer: Naga Chaitanya as an investigative journalist in Vikram Kumar's web series". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  34. ^ "Dhootha review: Vikram K Kumar plays to his strengths in Naga Chaitanya's web debut". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  35. ^ "'Silence 2' trailer: Manoj Bajpayee's film promises thrill and mystery". India Today. 23 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Silence 2 Movie Review: Manoj Bajpayee delivers another measured performance". NDTV India. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Late filmmaker Raj Kanwar's sons, Abhay and Karan, to resurrect their home banner with a fantasy adventure featuring Prachi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  38. ^ "The top TV stars of 2006". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  39. ^ "50 Most Desirable Women of 2011 : The Winners". Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Prachi Desai is new face of Neutrogena cosmetics in India". Mid-Day. 4 September 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  41. ^ "Lyra brand about four years ago and had roped in actor Prachi Desai as its brand ambassador". Hindustan Times. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  42. ^ "Prachi Desai turns down offer for Pakistani ad". Mid Day. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  43. ^ "Prachi Desai shares casting couch experience, says it was a 'big film' and director called her even after she said no". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  44. ^ "After Heroes, it's Rock On to make it to the Oscar Library". Screen. 26 November 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  45. ^ "Once Upon... has ticket counters rolling". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 August 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  46. ^ "Watch: Prachi Desai is a screen scorcher in 'Awari' from Ek Villain". The Indian Express. 11 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  47. ^ "Carbon trailer: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Prachi Desai and Jackky Bhagnani starrer is 'a story of tomorrow'". The Indian Express. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  48. ^ "Manoj Bajpayee And Prachi Desai Spotted At Silence 2 Shoot In Andheri". News18 India. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Bollywood Film Bihu Attack: Arbaaz Khan, Prachi Desai to Yukti Kapoor, check completed star cast". News18 Assam. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  50. ^ "'Jhalak Dikhla Jaa' finalists unplugged". DNA India. 14 December 2007.
  51. ^ "CID – Episode 641 – Once Upon A Time in Mumbai". Archived from the original on 14 January 2014 – via YouTube.
  52. ^ "StarGaze: 'Bol Bachchan' stars meet Tarak Mehta & more". News18. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  53. ^ "Amazon Prime Video sizzle reel shows first glimpses of Naga Chaitanya's Dhootha and more". Hindustan Times. 28 April 2022. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  54. ^ "Prime Video Telugu series 'Dhootha'". The Hindu. 28 April 2022. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  55. ^ "Telly awards 2006 Popular Awards winners".
  56. ^ "Winners of Indian Telly Awards 2007". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  57. ^ "Winners of Indian Telly Awards 2008". Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  58. ^ "15th Star Screen Awards Nominations". Screen. Archived from the original on 21 January 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  59. ^ "Stardust Awards 2009". Stardust Awards. 28 February 2009. SET MAX.
  60. ^ "Nominations for the IIFA Awards 2009". Bollywood Hungama. 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  61. ^ "Bollywood actress Prachi Desai holds Best Actress award for her film 'Rock On' during a 'Dabur Vatika Anandalok Puraskar 2008' in Kolkata – Photogallery". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  62. ^ "54th Idea Filmfare Awards". Filmfare Awards. 8 March 2009. SET.
  63. ^ "Nominations for 56th Filmfare Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 14 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  64. ^ "Winners of 12th IIFA Awards 2011". The Hollywood Reporter. 25 June 2011. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  65. ^ "Winners of 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. 11 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  66. ^ "Nominations for 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011". Bollywood Hungama. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  67. ^ "The 12th Zee Cine Awards 2011 Viewers Choice Awards Nominees & Winners". Zee Cine Awards. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  68. ^ "Hrithik-SRK beat Salman; hailed as best actors at the Zee Cine Awards". Zee News. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  69. ^ "Nominations for Stardust Awards 2013". Bollywood Hungama. 21 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  70. ^ "Iconic Gold Awards 2023: Celebrating the Best of Bollywood and Television on March 18th in Mumbai". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
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