Shilpa Saklani – Hindi television actress of ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ fame

Shilpa Saklani is well-known television actress who appears in Hindi soaps since early 2000s. She is best known for playing supporting roles in TV soaps, apart from appearing in numerous episodic shows and a few reality shows. She is best known for her parallel lead role Ganga Joshi, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi between 2002 and 2008 and also the supporting role of Vidhi in ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’. She married her ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’ co-star Apurva Agnihotri in 2004 and contested in the reality shows, Nach Baliye 1 and Bigg Boss 7 together.

She had a brief career in Bollywood before moving to television

Shilpa Saklani hails from Dehradun. She got her first break to acting through movies. She was paired with newcomer Arjun Punj for 2001 movie, Tere Liye directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai fame. After the movie’s failure both the lead actors of the movie moved to small screen. Shilpa was also seen in a brief role in Hrithik Roshan starrer Na Tum Jaano Na Hum in 2002.

She made debut on small screen through ZEE TV’s Ek Tukdaa Chaand Ka at the age of 17

She has done more than a dozen TV roles. Yet she is best known for performance in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. She also appeared in a lead role in Ek Tukdaa Chaand Ka just before she acted in the longest running TV show, but went unnoticed. She played lead titular roles in Lavanya and Kkusum before she made her cameo appearance in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin.

She appeared in episodic shows such as Savdhaan India, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Code Red, Darr Sabko Lagta Hai and currently mostly plays negative roles. Dosti… Yaariyan… Manmarziyan was her first negative role, followed by Mahakali — Anth Hi Aarambh Hai, Kaleerein, Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara etc.

Shilpa Saklani – Some interesting and less-known facts

Apurva Agnihotri and his wife Shilpa Saklani

1. Her father was a Naval officer, and hence she spent her early life in different parts of the country.

2. During her early days in modelling, she worked for brands such as Sunsilk, Nyle, Stayfree, Mother Dairy and Fairever.

3. Both Shilpa and her spouse had a brief unsuccessful career in Bollywood before completely switching to television, where they gained fame and popularity.

4. Apurva Agnihotri and Shilpa Saklani appeared as contestants in the first season of Nach Baliye in 2005 one year after marriage. They also contested together in the 7th season of Bigg Boss.

5. She along with her husband was arrested in a high profile rave party in 2012. It was held at Oakwood Premier Hotel in Juhu, and the couple was among those who were tested positive for drugs.

6. She hosted reality shows – Rin Mera Star Superstar and Fame X and has contested in around 10 shows.