Drashti Dhami

Drashti Dhami (born 10 January 1985) is an Indian actress, model and dancer who works predominantly in hindi television.

She is one of the most popular Hindi television actresses having worked in several successful shows into her belt like Dill Mill Gayye, Geet, Madhubala, Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil and Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka all of which she received critical acclaim.

Dhami was born on 10 January 1985 into a Punjabi family in Mumbai, where she studied.

She attended Mary Immaculate Girl's High School and also went to Mumbai's Mithibai College from where she has a degree in sociology.

Before entering into modelling, Dhami was a dance instructor Dhami belongs to a conservative family.

According to her interview in The Times of India, she said:

"When I got [the] offer to dance in a music video ... I had to seek permission from ten different family members including my closest relatives. It was my cousin who supported me, convinced everyone and still stands by me whenever I have to take a decision on my career front. So it's not been so easy for me but my family's support is always with me.'"

Dhami made her acting debut in television with Star One's poular show Dill Mill Gayye, where she portrayed Dr. Muskaan Chadda from 2007 to 2009.

In 2008, she participated in the reality show, Kaun Jeetega Bollywood Ka Ticket by Ekta Kapoor.

In 2010, she appeared as the female lead in Star One's Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi opposite Gurmeet Choudhary.

Dhami got recognition with her portrayal of the character Geet with this role.

Dhami made an appearance on Imagine TV's reality show Big Money: Chota Parda Bada Game in 2010.

The same year, she was also a part of another reality show, Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan.

The show ended in December 2011 after the channel got closed.

In 2011, Dhami did special dance performances on shows like Chhoti Bahu - Sawar Ke Rang Rachi, Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo and Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani.

In May 2012, Dhami made a guest appearance on the show Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha.

Later, she played the lead role in Colors TV's show Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon opposite to Vivian Dsena from 2012 to 2014.

In 2012, she made a guest appearance on Colors TV's Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha to promote her show Madhubala.

In 2013, Dhami participated into dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 with choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan and emerged as the winner.

She has also ventured into web series with period drama The Empire portraying Khanzada Begum in (2021) and ZEE5 crime thriller Duranga portraying Ira Jaykar in (2022) for which she won Zee Rishtey Awards for Best female (Web) actress.

In 2013, Dhami participated in Colors TV's popular dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 and emerged as the winner alongside her choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan.

In March 2013, she made a guest appearance on Nach Baliye 5 to support her brother Jaisheel Dhami and sister-in-law Suhasi Dhami.

In June 2014, Dhami hosted Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7.

However, she later got replaced by Manish Paul.

In December 2014, Dhami participated in Sony TV's Box Cricket League playing in the team Mumbai Wariors.

On 21 February 2015, Dhami married businessman Neeraj Khemka in a traditional Hindu ceremony.

Suhasi Dhami, also an actress, is married to her elder brother Jaisheel Dhami.

Dhami said that her in-laws are very supportive when it comes to her work.

Dhami started her career in modelling for print and television advertisements before debuting in the entertainment industry with her appearance in the music video "Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana Re" followed by "Humko Aaj Kal Hai", "Teri Meri Nazar Ki Dori" and "Nachle Soniyo Tu" and worked in advertisements like Colgate, Lion Honey, Pulimoottil Silks, Vasan Eyecare, RKS Grand, Amul, VIP Bags, Chevrolet and Reliance.

In 2015, Dhami played the role of Rani Gayatri in Zee TV's Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani opposite Siddhant Karnick.

While playing the role of Gayatri, Dhami said:

"'I do feel a little under pressure since 'Madhubala' was such a success. But I am also looking forward to seeing my fans' reaction to my new show. Even my family and friends are very excited,' 'It found it difficult to speak in the dialect which people spoke at that time. That was challenging. Other than that, I did not have any issues with the role.'" She quit the show in May 2016.

The same year, she joined the web series I Don't Watch TV along with Karan Patel, Nakuul Mehta, Karan Wahi, Disha Parmar, Sanaya Irani, Kritika Kamra and many other TV celebrities.

In November 2016, Dhami joined Star Plus's Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil as Naina Batra, opposite Arjun Bijlani.

The show went off air in June 2017.

From June to October 2018, she played Nandini, a victim of domestic violence who falls in love with her best friend's husband in Colors TV's Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka, opposite Shakti Arora.

A critic from India Today praised her, saying that she is equally good as another television actress Sriti Jha who also played a victim of domestic violence in the past.

She quit the show in November 2018.

In 2021, Drashti starred in the Web series "The Empire" based on the novel Empire of the Moghul by Alex Ruthford.

Her acting was praised and she won an award in the popular actress category.