Shivani Desai (born 13 February 1986) is an Indian television actress better known as Rashami Desai. Desai has received numerous honors, including two Indian Television Academy Awards and Gold Awards. She has established herself as one of television's most popular and highest-paid actors.
Desai began her acting career in Indian cinema before making her Hindi television debut in Ravan (2006) and then having a dual role in Pari Hoon Main. (2008). She rose to prominence as Tapasya Thakur in Colors TV's long-running soap opera Uttaran (2009–2014), for which she received numerous awards. Desai also appeared in Zara Nachke Dikha 2 (2010), Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (2012), Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 (2015), and Nach Baliye 7 (2015), as well as a cameo in the 2012 film Dabangg 2. She dabbled in stand-up comedy through reality series such as Comedy Circus Mahasangram (2010), Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala (2011), Kahaani Comedy Circus Ki (2012), and Comedy Nights Live (2013). (2016).
Desai later returned to fiction television as Shorvori in the love triangle Dil Se Dil Tak (2017-2018), after which she appeared in Bigg Boss 13 (2019-2020) and Bigg Boss 15 (2019-2020). (2021–2022). During this time, she also appeared in Naagin 4 and Naagin 6, and she had her OTT debut with the short film Tamas and her web debut with Tandoor.
Rashami Desai was born Shivani Desai on February 13, 1986, in Nagaon, Assam. She is of Gujarati descent. Gaurav Desai is her brother. Rashami Desai was born and raised in Mumbai and completed her schooling and undergraduate studies there. She then went on to earn a diploma in Tours and Travels from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.
Career
Film acting debut (2002–2006)
Desai began her acting career in regional cinema, appearing in the Assamese-language film Kanyadaan in 2002. Desai made her Bollywood debut in the 2004 romantic mystery Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke, directed by Birendra Nath Tiwari, opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Raveena Tandon. Sheetal, a college student whose elder sister (played by Tandon), is murdered, was played by her.
Desai made her acting debut in the 2005 Hindi film Shabnam Mausi, playing Naina with Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz. She later rose to prominence in the Bhojpuri film business, appearing in films such as Balma Bada Nadaan and Gabbar Singh. Desai appeared in the 2005 film Kab Hoi Gauna Hammar, which won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Bhojpuri.
debut and breakthrough on television (2006–2008)
Desai made her Zee TV debut in 2006 with the mythical drama series Ravan, in which she played Queen Mandodari. Desai was cast in the series alongside Jay Soni. Desai starred in the English film Sambar Salsa in 2007.
Desai's first big break in daily soaps came in 2008, when she played the twin roles of Nikki Shrivastav and Pari Rai Choudhary in Star One's Pari Hoon Main. Ravi Chopra directed and produced the series, which also starred Mohit Malik and Karan Veer Mehra in crucial roles. The show told the story of two look-alikes, Pari (an actress) and Nikki (a simple girl), who met, swapped identities, and began living each other's
lives. Desai later co-starred with Manish Paul in Star One's horror thriller anthology series Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai as Priya.
Uttaran has a track record of success. (2009–2016)
Desai made a brief appearance in Meet Mila De Rabba, which aired on Sony TV in 2009, as Dr. Meher Datta, with Surilie Gautam and Piyush Sahdev.
Desai rose to prominence after joining Colors TV's long-running soap opera Uttaran in 2009, where she played the parallel lead opposite Tina Datta and Nandish Sandhu. The series told the narrative of two friends from different social classes, Ichcha and Tapasya. Desai took over for Ishita Panchal in the part of adult Tapasya Thakur, an affluent girl who is misled by her maternal grandmother after feeling less loved by her own parents than her friend. Uttaran introduced Indian television to new foreign markets, making Desai a household name beyond the country's borders. Desai got multiple awards and nominations for her work in Uttaran, including the ITA Award for Best Actress Popular and the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role Popular in 2010. She opted out of the show in January 2012. She returned to Uttaran on November 7, 2012, with great vibes, but quit the show again in 2014, alleging creative issues.
Desai appeared on Sony TV's comic reality show comic Circus 3 in 2010. Vikrant Massey and Ka Tadka as wildcard entrants. Desai later appeared on Star Plus as a member of the team "Massakalli Girls" in Season 2 of the dancing reality show Zara Nachke Dikha. Her squad was victorious. Desai also served as a panelist on Imagine TV's reality show Meethi Choori No 1 and on Sony TV's comedy reality show Comedy Circus Mahasangram the same year.
Desai competed in Star Plus's comedic reality TV show comedic Ka Maha Muqabala in 2011, where her team finished second.
Desai starred as Shivani in Vikram Bhatt's horror anthology series Haunted Nights, which aired on Sahara One in 2012. She later competed in the Colors TV dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, where she finished as the first runner up. She was also a guest on Shekhar Suman's show Movers & Shakers. Desai later appeared in the Salman Khan-starrer Hindi film Dabangg 2 in 2012.
Desai appeared as Natkhat Sali in Colors TV's stand-up comedy show Nautanki: The Comedy Theatre in 2013.
Desai participated in the episode-based programs Savdhaan India and CID in 2014 as a victim of blind faith and a woman tortured by her own family, respectively.
Desai appeared on Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 in 2015. She was eliminated, however she was welcomed back as a wild card entrant. She and Sana Khan were both removed just before the finale. She later competed in Nach Baliye 7 alongside her then-husband Nandish Sandhu, finishing first runner-up. Desai starred as a deaf and mute girl in Palash Muchhal's Teri Ek Hassi music video, with Nandish Sandhu, in October 2015. Jubin Nautiyal performed the song. Later that year, Desai made a brief appearance in Colors TV's Ishq Ka Rang Safed as Tulsi, a widow with ulterior motivations.
Desai portrayed the dark supernatural character Preeti in &TV's Adhuri Kahaani Hamari in 2016. In March 2016, she also took part in the Box Cricket League. Desai then performed alongside Salman Yusuff Khan in Palash Muchhal's dance-based song video Sajna Ve. Monali Thakur and Dilip Soni performed it. Desai later appeared on Life OK in Balaji Telefilms' comic reality show Mazaak Mazaak Mein. Desai also completed the anthology drama film Rare & Dare Six-X in 2016, in which Rituparna Sengupta and Shweta Tiwari played major roles.
Beyond Dil Se Dil Tak (2017–2020)
Desai appeared in Colors TV's drama series Dil Se Dil Tak in 2017, alongside Sidharth Shukla and Jasmin Bhasin. Desai played Shorvari Bhanushali, a lady torn between her love for her husband and her wish to be a mother. The show was inspired by the Hindi film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. (2001). Desai defined her role as "not expressing through words." She expresses herself through gestures, her eyes, and her facial expressions. That's intriguing. In reality, as an actor, this provides me a lot of room to express myself." She was nominated for Best Actress at the 2017 Golden Petal Awards for her participation in the series.
Desai made her Gujarati film debut the same year, in Bhavin Wadia's romantic thriller Superstar, starring Dhruvin Shah.
Desai kicked off 2019 as the lead in DD National's comedy series Chalo Saaf Karein. The show, which was launched by Doordarshan in collaboration with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, focused on hygiene and sanitation with a humorous twist. Desai portrayed Palak, an ambitious Delhi University graduate and staunch supporter of Gandhian doctrine, as well as Swachhta, who plans to construct a residential English medium school in her hamlet. Ashish Lal, Aruna Irani, and Anita Raj also played key roles in the series. Desai later that year competed in the reality show Bigg Boss 13, finishing as the third runner-up.
Desai co-starred with Nia Sharma, Anita Hassanandani, and Vijayendra Kumeria in Colors TV's supernatural fantasy thriller television series Naagin 4: Bhagya Ka Zehreela Khel in 2020. Desai then starred in the short film Tamas with Adhvik Mahajan as Sania, and in the same year, she performed in Ladies vs Gentlemen, a reality interactive game show hosted by Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'souza. Desai appeared in Palash Muchhal's dance-based music video Ab Kya Jaan Legi Meri with Shaheer Sheikh and Sana Saeed in December 2020. Palash Muchhal and Amit Mishra performed it.
Professional advancement (2021–present)
Desai made her web debut alongside Tanuj Virwani in Nivedita Basu's crime drama web series Tandoor in 2021. Desai played Palak Sahni, an aspiring politician who is murdered by her own husband in a film loosely based on the infamous Tandoor case in Delhi. (played by Virwani). Desai will collaborate with singer Rahul Vaidya on a music cover in May 2021, it was reported. Desai appears in Altamash Faridi's music video Subhan Allah in September 2021. Desai later reunited with Rahul Vaidya on another music video, Zindagi Khafa Khafa, later that year. Desai entered Bigg Boss 15 as a wildcard competitor in November 2021 and finished as the fifth runner-up.
Desai appeared in three music videos in March 2022, titled Qatilana, Biraj Mein Jhoom, and Tere Pind. She later appeared in Naagin 6 as a cameo, portraying the twin roles of shape-shifting serpents, Shalaka from Season 4 with positive hues, and a new character Shanglira. Desai teamed with Neha Bhasin on a song video titled Parwah in April 2022.
Desai is set to star in the second season of Anil V Kumar's hit anthology series Ratri Ke Yatri, which aims to shed empathy on women from high-risk locations. Mohit Abrol and Abigail Pande also play important parts in her chapter.The show will be available on Hungama Play and MX Player for the first time.
Off-screen employment and media image
Desai is a classically trained dancer. "Not someone to play the perfect heroine, Rashami has experimented with her roles and played strong characters," journalist Sana Farzeen said for The Indian Express. Aside from acting, Desai supports a variety of causes. Desai walked the runway at the Caring with Style fashion show in 2015 and 2018 to collect funds for cancer patients for designers Shaina NC and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, respectively. In 2015, she walked the runway in a fashion show to benefit the Smile Foundation, a non-governmental organization that works to improve the education and health of poor children. Desai also walked the runway in support of the Terry Fox Foundation and Maheka Mirpuri. Desai participated in the Swachh Survekshan 2017, an endeavor to make India more environmentally friendly. (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan).
Desai walked the runway during Bombay Times Fashion Week in 2020 and 2021 for designers Rohit Verma and Anu Mehra.
She was among India's highest-paid television actresses in 2013, 2014, and 2018. According to sources, Desai was also the most paid Bigg Boss 13 and Bigg Boss 15 contestant. Desai became the first Indian television actor to work with Google on appearances in 2020. Desai was named 22nd among the top 30 TV personalities in BizAsia's 2020 list.
In 2010, Desai endorsed Wheel alongside Salman Khan. Desai was named JioMart's brand ambassador in 2021. Desai also supports Hangyo.
Personal life On February 12, 2011, she married her co-star from Uttaran, Nandish Sandhu, in Ghaziabad. After nearly four years of marriage, they separated in 2014 and filed for divorce in 2015.
Desai met Arhaan Khan in 2018, and they both appeared on Bigg Boss 13 in 2019, where Arhaan proposed to Desai, who accepted. Salman Khan later disclosed that Arhaan had previously been married and had a child, which he had kept hidden from Desai. Desai ended her relationship with Arhaan after leaving the Bigg Boss house in 2020.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Kanyadaan | Assamese | Cameo | |
| 2004 | Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke | Sheetal | Hindi | Credited as Divya Desai |
| Tulsi | Bhojpuri | |||
| Balma Bada Nadaan | ||||
| Hum Balbrahma Chaari Tu Kanya Kumari | ||||
| 2005 | Gazab Bhail Rama | |||
| Kab Hoi Gauna Hammar | Gauri | National Award for Best Feature Film in Bhojpuri | ||
| Nadiya Ke Teer | ||||
| Shabnam Mausi | Naina | Hindi | ||
| 2006 | Bambai Ki Laila Chapra Ka Chaila | Bhojpuri | ||
| Gabbar Singh | ||||
| Kable Aayee Bahaar | ||||
| Kangna Khanke Piya Ke Angna | ||||
| Pappu Ke Pyar Ho Gail | ||||
| Sathi Sanghati | ||||
| Tohse Pyar Ba | ||||
| 2007 | Dulha Babu | |||
| Sambar Salsa | English | |||
| 2008 | Bandan Toote Na | Bhojpuri | ||
| Pyar Jab Kehu Se Hoi Jala | ||||
| Shahar Wali Jaan Mareli | ||||
| 2009 | Hum Hai Gawaar | |||
| 2010 | Sohagan Bana Da Sajana Hamaar | |||
| Umariya Kaili Tohre Naam | ||||
| 2012 | Dabangg 2 | Bride | Hindi | Cameo appearance in the song "Dagabaaz Re" |
| 2017 | Superstar | Anjali Kapadia | Gujarati | Nominated— Gujarati Iconic Film Award for Best Actress |
| Six X | Shweta Bhardwaj | Hindi | Unreleased | |
| 2020 | Tamas | Saina/Sania | Hindi/Urdu | Short film |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tandoor | Palak Sahni/Palak Sharma |
| 2022 | Ratri Ke Yatri | Ruby |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–2008 | Raavan | Mandodari | |
| 2008 | Pari Hoon Main | Pari Rai Choudhary/Nikki Shrivastav | |
| Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai | Priya | ||
| 2009 | Meet Mila De Rabba | Dr. Meher Datta | |
| 2009–2014 | Uttaran | Tapasya Thakur | |
| 2010 | Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka | Contestant | |
| Meethi Choori No 1 | Panelist | ||
| Zara Nachke Dikha 2 | Contestant | Winner | |
| Comedy Circus Ke SuperStars | Host | ||
| 2012 | Haunted Nights | Shivani | |
| Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 | Contestant | 1st runner-up | |
| 2013 | Nautanki: The Comedy Theatre | Natkhat Sali | |
| 2014 | CID | Sakshi | |
| Savdhaan India | Mata | ||
| 2015 | Nach Baliye 7 | Contestant | 1st runner-up |
| Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 | 9th place | ||
| Ishq Ka Rang Safed | Tulsi | ||
| Romansa Cinta Uttaran | Tapasya | ||
| 2016 | Adhuri Kahani Hamari | Preeti | |
| Box Cricket League 2 | Contestant | ||
| Mazaak Mazaak Mein | |||
| 2017–2018 | Dil Se Dil Tak | Shorvori Bhattacharya | |
| 2017 | Rasoi Ki Jung Mummyon Ke Sung | Contestant | |
| 2019 | Chalo Saaf Karein | Palak | |
| 2019–2020 | Bigg Boss 13 | Contestant | 3rd runner-up |
| 2020 | Naagin 4 | Nayantara/Shalaka | |
| Ladies vs Gentlemen | Panelist | ||
| 2021–2022 | Bigg Boss 15 | Contestant | 5th runner-up |
| 2022 | Naagin 6 | Shanglira/Shalaka |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 | Herself |
| Dance India Dance 3 | ||
| Ratan Ka Rishta | ||
| 2012 | Bigg Boss 5 | |
| Movers & Shakers | ||
| 2013 | Bigg Boss 6 | |
| Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 | ||
| 2014 | Nach Baliye 6 | |
| 2015 | Jamai Raja | |
| Farah Ki Daawat | ||
| Pesbukers | ||
| 2016 | Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani | |
| 2017 | Bigg Boss 10 | |
| Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman | Shorvari | |
| Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki | ||
| Bigg Boss 11 | Herself | |
| Entertainment Ki Raat | ||
| 2018 | Tu Aashiqui | Shorvori |
| Belan Wali Bahu | ||
| MTV Ace of Space 1 | Herself | |
| Naagin 3 | ||
| 2019 | Khatra Khatra Khatra | |
| Kitchen Champion 5 | ||
| 2020 | Mujhse Shaadi Karoge | |
| Naagin 5 | Shalaka | |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss 14 | Herself |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss OTT | |
| 2022 | The Khatra Khatra Show |
| Year | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Teri Ek Hassi | Jubin Nautiyal |
| 2016 | Sajna Ve | Monali Thakur and Dilip Soni |
| 2020 | Ab Kya Jaan Legi Meri | Palash Muchhal and Amit Mishra |
| 2021 | Kinna Sona | Rahul Vaidya |
| Subhan Allah | Altamash Faridi | |
| Zindagi Khafa Khafa | Rahul Vaidya | |
| 2022 | Qatilana | Ajay Keswani and Aakansha Sharma |
| Biraj Mein Jhoom | Anuradha Palakurthi Juju | |
| Tere Pind | Gurlez Akhtar and Fateh Shergill | |
| Parwah | Neha Bhasin | |
| Khayalat | Faisla Khan |
| Year | Award | Category | Film/Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Indian Telly Awards | Popular Actor in Negative Role (Female) | Uttaran | Nominated |
| Indian Television Academy Awards | GR8! Ensemble Cast | Won | ||
| 2010 | Best Actress (Popular) | Won | ||
| Indian Telly Awards | Most Popular Actor in a Negative Role (Female) | Won | ||
| Big Star Entertainment Awards | Most Entertaining Actor Female | Nominated | ||
| Gold Awards | Best Actor in a Negative Role (Female) | Won | ||
| 2011 | Star Guild Awards | Best Actor-Female in a Drama Series | Won | |
| FICCI Frames Excellence Awards | Best TV Actor (Female) | Won | ||
| Apsara Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | Won | ||
| Gold Awards | Best Actor Female (Popular) | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress (Critics) | Won | |||
| 2012 | Apsara Awards | Best Actress in Drama Series | Nominated |
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Divya Desai |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Model, Dancer |
| Famous Role | 'Tapasya Raghuvendra Pratap Rathore' in "Uttaran" |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 160 cm in meters- 1.60 m in feet inches- 5’ 3” |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Career | |
| Debut | Assamese Film: Kanyadaan (2002) Cameo Bolywood Film: Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke (2004) as Sheetal Bhojpuri Film: Balma Bada Nadaan (2004) Gujarat Film: Superstar (2017) as Anjali Kapadia TV: Raavan (2006) as Mandodari |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 13 February 1986 (Thursday) |
| Age (as of 2023) | 37 Years |
| Birthplace | Nagaon, Assam, India |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Gujarat, India |
| School | JB Khot Primary School, Borivali East, Mumbai |
| College/University | Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics |
| Educational Qualification | Diploma |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Dancing, Driving, Travelling, Swimming, Watching News Channels |
| Tattoo | On The Right Ankle: A Lotus Flower |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Marriage Date | 12 February 2012 |
| Family | |
| Husband/Spouse | Nandish Sandhu (m. 2012- div. 2015) |
| Parents | Father- Ajay Desai Mother- Rasila Desai (Teacher) |
| Siblings | Brother- Gaurav Desai Sister- None |
| Favourite Things | |
| Favourite Food | Pizza |
| Favourite Beverage | Coffee |
| Favourite Actors | Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan |
| Favourite Actresses | Madhuri Dixit, Alia Bhatt |
| Favourite Films | Mother India (1957), Andaz Apna Apna 1994), Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999) |
| Favourite Colour | White |
| Favourite Politician | Narendra Modi |
| Money Factor | |
| Salary (approx.) | Rs. 55,000/episode for the role of Tapasya in Uttaran (2014) |
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