Sriti Jha (born 26 February 1986) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. Jha earned wider recognition with her portrayal of Pragya Arora Mehra in Kumkum Bhagya. She is a recipient of several accolades including two ITA Awards, two Indian Telly Awards and two Gold Awards.[1]

Sriti Jha
Jha in 2022
Born (1986-02-26) 26 February 1986 (age 38)
Alma materSri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi
OccupationActress
Years active2007–present
Notable workDil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava?
Balika Vadhu
Kumkum Bhagya

Jha made her acting debut in 2007 with the teen drama, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, playing Malini Sharma. Jha then established herself as a leading actress with her portrayal of Sudha "Devika" Sharma Vashisht in Jyoti, Sandhya Savratkar Pradhan in Rakt Sambandh and Jhanvi Dobriyal / Sia Pratapsingh in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava?. In 2022, she participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12, where she finished at 10th place and became the 3rd runner-up in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Jha was born on 26 February 1986 in Begusarai, Bihar.[3][4] She went to live with her family in Kolkata, where they stayed for 10 years, then moved to Kathmandu, Nepal. They then moved to New Delhi, where she continued her studies at Laxman Public School.[5] She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Sri Venkateswara College, New Delhi. She has an elder sister, Meenakshi and a younger brother, Shashank.[6][7]

Career

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Debut and early breakthrough (2007-2013)

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Jha made her acting debut in 2007 playing Malini Sharma in Disney India's teen drama Dhoom Machaao Dhoom.[8] In 2008, she played Sunaina Kotak opposite Saurabh Pandey in Jiya Jale and also participated in the friend-based reality show Kaho Na Yaar Hai. Jha played Suhani, a royal princess in Shaurya Aur Suhani, opposite Saurabh Pandey, in 2009.[9]

Jha's first major role was in Jyoti, where she played Sudha Sharma, a split personality patient opposite Alok Narula, from 2009 to 2010.[10] In 2010, Jha played a visually impaired girl, Sandhya Savratkar Pradhan opposite Naman Shaw and Dhruv Bhandari in Rakt Sambandh.[11] Critic from The Indian Express noted, "Sriti is well cast as she brings a certain vulnerability and quiet strength to her character." In that year, she appeared as a contestant on Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan and Meethi Choori No 1.[12]

From 2011 to 2013, Jha portrayed Jhanvi Sharma Dobriyal / Sia Sharma Pratapsingh, a victim of domestic violence in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava?, opposite Harshad Chopda and Karanvir Bohra. The show proved to be her breakthrough and earned her recognition.[13][14] In 2013, Jha also played Ganga Singh opposite Shashank Vyas in Balika Vadhu.[15]

Success and establishment (2014-2022)

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Jha in a scene of Kumkum Bhagya

From 2014 to 2021, Jha portrayed Pragya Arora Mehra in Ekta Kapoor's Kumkum Bhagya opposite Shabir Ahluwalia.[16][17] The series earned her critical acclaim, success and established her among the leading actresses of Indian television.[18] Her portrayal of Pragya earned her various accloades including ITA Award for Best Actress - Drama and Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role.[19]

Alongside her role in Kumkum Bhagya, Jha acted as the narrator for Naagin 2 in 2016.[20] She also played Deepa in the 2020 short film U-Turn and in 2021, she played Sakshi Deewan in the podcast series Darmiyaan.[21]

In 2022, Jha first participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12 and ended up finishing at the 10th place.[22][23] In the same year, she participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10, as a wildcard entry and finished as the 3rd runner-up.[24]

Recent work (2023-present)

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In 2023, Jha played Jaya, an actress in Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.[25] In the same year, she appeared as the ghost of Jhanvi / Sia in Saubhagyavati Bhava: * Niyam Aur Shartein Laagu, a sequel to her 2011 series. She played a working wife in the short film Chawal, alongside Nihal Parashar, in the same year.[26]

Since November 2023, Jha is seen playing Amruta Bhavani Chitnis, a banker opposite Arjit Taneja in Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye.[27][28]

Other work and public image

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Jha at an event in 2018

Jha's acting performances in the series - Jyoti, Rakt Sambandh, Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava? and Kumkum Bhagya, established her among the leading and highest-paid actresses of the Hindi television.[29][30][31][32] Jha is widely known for her style and fashion sense.[33]

For her performance as Pragya in Kumkum Bhagya, The Indian Express placed her at fifth position in its "Top 10 television actresses" list of 2017.[34] The Times of India noted Jha's different portrayals and appearances mainly in female-led shows and roles.[35] Jha and Shabir Ahluwalia's pair was named among the "Best jodis of television" in 2014.[36][37] Jha is a celebrity endorser for brands including, Accessorize India, Belleza, and Kalki Fashion and Nupur Henna.[38] In 2020, Jha became a part of a fundraiser for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Jha along with the cast of Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye and Kumkum Bhagya, celebrated Christmas with SNEHA foundation.[39][40]

In addition to her acting career, Jha also recite poems and does live shows. In January 2021, Jha recited a poem, "Confessions Of An Asexual Romantic", during the 2020 Kommune India Spoken Fest, in which she spoke about how the life of an asexual might be and how there is a lack of freedom in India when it comes to talking about one's sexuality.[41] In an interview, she clarified she is not an asexual and that the poem isn't about her.[42] She also recited two more poems regarding people with different sexual preferences and the problems they face such as "Choodiyaan" which talks about a gay male,[43] and "Chaabi Gum Gai Hai", based on a lesbian female.[44] In "It's Pehla Pyaar Every Time", she talks about how every time we fall in love, it feels as if it's the first time.[45]

Her other works, such as "To Like? Or To Love?" differentiate between loving and liking and how liking is free of boundaries while love is limiting.[46] Jha's first open letter "A Letter To Myself" is about what she wants to tell her 15-year-old self in the past and that we should never compromise under any circumstance.[47] In this collaboration with ITC Vivel, Jha inspires women to uncondition, challenge stereotypes and go forth to fulfill their dreams with confidence and say out loud, "Ab Samjhauta Nahin". She also presented a poem "Cheesy Stupid Ishq", as a narrator a day before the Valentines Day in 2021.[48]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2020 U-Turn Deepa Short film [49]
2023 Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Jaya Cameo [50]
Chawal Wife Short film [51]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2007–2008 Dhoom Machaao Dhoom Malini Sharma [8]
2008 Jiya Jale Sunaina Kotak
Kaho Na Yaar Hai Contestant
2009 Shaurya Aur Suhani Princess Suhani [52]
2009–2010 Jyoti Sudha "Devika" Sharma Vashisht
2010 Rakt Sambandh Sandhya Savratkar Pradhan
Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan Contestant
Meethi Choori No 1
Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega Herself
2011–2013 Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava? Jhanvi Dobriyal / Sia Pratap Singh [53]
2010-2013 Balika Vadhu Ganga Singh
2014–2021 Kumkum Bhagya Prof. Pragya Arora Mehra [54]
2015 Nach Baliye 7 Herself Guest appearance
Bad Company Herself
2016 Naagin 2 Narrator
Women Empowerment Awards Host
2021 Darmiyaan Sakshi Deewan
2022 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 12 Contestant 10th place [55]
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10 4th place [56]
2023 Saubhagyavati Bhava: * Niyam Aur Shartein Laagu Jhanvi / Sia Special appearance [57]
2023–present Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye Amruta "Ammu" Chitnis Ahuja [58]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2014 Gold Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Kumkum Bhagya Nominated [59]
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress - Popular Nominated [60]
Best Actress - Drama Nominated
2015 Best Actress - Popular Nominated [citation needed]
Gr8! On-Screen Couple (with Shabir Ahluwalia) Won
Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Won [61]
Best Onscreen Couple (with Shabir Ahluwalia) Won
Producers Guild Film Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [62]
2016 Gold Awards Face of the Year Won
Best Actress in a Lead Role Won [63]
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress - Popular Nominated [64]
2017 Nominated [65]
Best Actress - Drama Nominated
2018 Gold Awards Best Actress in Lead Role Won [66]
Best Onscreen Jodi (with Shabir Ahluwalia) Nominated
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress - Popular Nominated [67]
Best Actress - Drama Nominated
2019 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Nominated [68]
Best Onscreen Couple (with Shabir Ahluwalia) Nominated
Gold Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Nominated [69]
Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress - Drama Won [70]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Rizvi, S Farah (17 January 2024). "My stage performances have unfolded a new me: Sriti Jha". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ Agarwal, Stuti (2 January 2013). "Didn't leave Saubhagyavati Bhava for Balika Vadhu: Sriti Jha". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Kumkum Bhagya's Sriti Jha turns 31; here are 6 times the actress looked completely different from her onscreen image". The Times of India]l. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  4. ^ "Happy Birthday Sriti Jha: Rare and unseen pictures of the Kumkum Bhagya actress". India Today. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Kumkum Bhagya: 8 Lesser known facts about actress Sriti Jha aka Pragya". The Times of India. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Sriti Jha: Venky has one of the best drama societies in Delhi University". Times of India. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Kumkum Bhagya star Sriti Jha says, "If my sister had not convinced me, I wouldn't be acting"". Bollywood Hungama. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b Jambhekar, Shruti (24 January 2012). "I have no time for love: Sriti Jha". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  9. ^ Marr, Merissa (10 June 2007). "Disney Rewrites Script To Win Fans in India". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Sriti Jha: I would still give my right arm for my role in Jyoti". India Today. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Will Rakt Sambandh turn Imagine's fortunes?". The Indian Express. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Rakt Sambandh Review: Entangled blood ties". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava? to go off air January 18". Times of India. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Can Janhavi survive Viraaj's last blow in Dil Se Di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava?". The Times of India. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  15. ^ "I was intitially apprehensive about taking up Balika Vadhu: Sriti Jha". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  16. ^ "'Kumkum Bhagya' a passionate story of love: Ekta Kapoor". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  17. ^ "Kumkum Bhagya's arranged marriage concept is winning hearts of West Africans too". The Indian Express. 22 January 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
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  21. ^ "Sriti Jha on being part of an audio show Darmiyaan: It's a new education to portray a role only with voice". Mid Day. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Khatron Ke Khiladi 12: Kumkum Bhagya's Sriti Jha, Dance Deewane's Tushar Kalia Confirmed!". News18 India. 5 May 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Khatron Ke Khiladi 12: Sriti Jha evicted from Rohit Shetty's stunt-based show". DNA. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
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  26. ^ "Dil Se di Dua... Saubhagyavati Bhava, a decade later!". Mid Day. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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  28. ^ "Sriti Jha on Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye: Amruta will inspire women to stand up for each other". The Times of India. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Sriti Jha: I am more comfortable playing different characters on screen than being myself on camera". Times of India. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  30. ^ "From Kapil Sharma to Sriti Jha, here's what TV's top stars earn". Indian Express. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
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  32. ^ "Highest Paid Television Actresses". DNA India. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Mouni Roy, Drashti Dhami, Sriti Jha: Stylish TV stars you can take fashion inspiration from". The Indian Express. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Top 10 television actresses of 2017: Divyanka Tripathi, Jennifer Winget and Sriti Jha find place in the list". The Indian Express. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  35. ^ "Sriti Jha Is All For Women-Led Shows!". The Times of India. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  36. ^ "Hottest on-screen TV couples of the year 2014; see pics". India TV News. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  37. ^ "Small screen's 10 hottest jodis of the year 2014". The Times of India. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  38. ^ "Check out actress Sriti Jha's new ad for Godrej Nupur Henna hair colour". ABP Live. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  39. ^ "Video Chat With Actress Sriti Jha For COVID-19 Relief". Ketto India. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  40. ^ "Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye cast and Kumkum Bhagya cast join hands to celebrate Christmas with women from SNEHA foundation". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  41. ^ "Sriti Jha Narrates What Being An Asexual Is Like". Brut. 11 January 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  42. ^ Farzeen, Sana (18 June 2022). "Sriti Jha says her viral poem on asexuality is 'not about me': 'Because it was written in first person, people felt…'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  43. ^ Jha, Sriti (22 April 2020). "Choodiyaan - Sriti Jha | Tamboostaan". Retrieved 22 April 2020 – via YouTube.
  44. ^ Jha, Sriti (8 February 2019). "Chaabi Gum Gayi Hai - Sriti Jha | Spoken Fest 2019" – via YouTube.
  45. ^ Jha, Sriti (28 December 2019). "It's Pehla Pyaar, Every Time - Sriti Jha | Hindi Storytelling | Tape A Tale". Retrieved 28 December 2019 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ Jha, Sriti (7 April 2019). "To Like? Or Love? - Sriti Jha | The Storytellers". Retrieved 7 April 2019 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Jha, Sriti (14 March 2020). "A letter to myself - Sriti Jha | Hindi storytelling | Tape A Tale". Retrieved 14 March 2020 – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Jha, Sriti; Katiyar, Muskaan (13 February 2021). "Cheesy Stupid Ishq - Sriti Jha | Storytelling | Poetry Tape A Tale" – via YouTube.
  49. ^ Bhatnaagar, Sudhi (5 March 2020). "Celebrate Women's Day With Kumkum Bhagya Stars Sriti Jha & Supriya Shukla's Powerful Short Film". RVCJ. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
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  57. ^ Trivedi, Tanvi (1 August 2023). "Exclusive! I enjoyed watching Sriti Jha in Saubhagya Vati Bhava, proud that I am playing her part now: Amandeep Sidhu on bagging the lead role in Saubhagyavati Bhava 2". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
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  64. ^ "ITA Awards 2016: Mouni Roy, Rubina Dilaik, Anil Kapoor win the top honours; details inside". India Today. 15 November 2016.
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  66. ^ Fazeen, Sana (20 June 2018). "Zee Gold Awards 2018: Jennifer Winget, Mouni Roy, Hina Khan, Sriti Jha, Nakuul Mehta win big honours". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  67. ^ "Indian Television Academy Awards 2018 - The Complete Winners List". The Indian Express. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  68. ^ "Indian Telly Awards 2019: Winners". The Indian Express. 21 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
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  70. ^ "Indian Television Academy Awards 2019 Winners: Complete list of winners". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
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