Jennifer Winget

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Jennifer Winget
Jennifer Winget snapped promoting her web series Code M.jpg
Winget in 2020
Born (1985-05-30) 30 May 1985 (age 40)
OccupationActress
Years active1995–present
Known for Kasautii Zindagii Kay
Dill Mill Gayye
Saraswatichandra
Beyhadh
Bepannah
Spouse
(m. 2012;div. 2014)
Awards Full list

Jennifer Winget (born 30 May 1985) is an Indian actress who primarily appears in Hindi television. One of the highest-paid television actresses in India, [1] [2] Winget is a recipient of several accolades including two ITA Awards and two Indian Telly Awards. [3]

Contents

Winget started her career as a child actor with the 1995 film Akele Hum Akele Tum and made her television debut in 2002 with Shaka Laka Boom Boom . She later gained recognition for her portrayal of Sneha Bajaj in Kasautii Zindagii Kay and Dr. Riddhima Gupta in Dill Mill Gayye . [4] Winget further established herself as a leading actress with her portrayal of Kumud Sundari Desai in Saraswatichandra , Maya Mehrotra in Beyhadh and Zoya Siddiqui in Bepannah . For Saraswatichandra and Beyhadh, she earned the ITA Award for Best Actress Jury. Winget expanded to web with Code M for which she received a Filmfare OTT Award nomination. [5]

Early life

Winget was born on 30 May 1985 [6] in Bombay, (present-day Mumbai), India. [7] She is the daughter of a Punjabi Hindu mother, Prabha, and a Maharashtrian Christian father, Hemant Winget, and is often mistaken for a person of non-Indian origins due to her western first name. [8]

Career

Early work (1995–2009)

Winget started her career as a child actor with the 1995 film Akele Hum Akele Tum and later appeared as a School kid in 1997 film Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat which starring Rani Mukerji. At the age of 15 she was seen in the 2000 film Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya as Tanu, [8] and then appeared as a supporting actor in the Indian film Kuch Naa Kaho at the age of 18. [9] Later, she went on to work in various Indian TV shows. [9] [10] [11] Winget's big break as the lead in television came with the show Karthika , where she played the role of a struggling singer who dreams of making it big. [12]

She later starred in Kasautii Zindagii Kay , where she played Sneha, the daughter of the protagonists Shweta Tiwari and her performance was praised. [13] Then she replaced Kavita Kaushik as Natasha in Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa . In 2007, she was seen playing Svetlana in StarPlus popular drama Kahin To Hoga . From 2007–2009 she was portrayed the female protagonist Ganga Bhatia in StarPlus drama Sangam .

In 2008, she participated in Star One's dance reality show Zara Nach Ke Dikha 1 and emerged as the Winner of the show. [14] After winning the former, she hosted the second season of the show along with Dekh India Dekh and the comedy Laughter Ke Phatke both 2009–2010. [15]

Breakthrough and success (2010–2015)

The same year, she replaced Sukirti Kandpal as Dr. Riddhima Gupta in the medical youth show Dill Mill Gayye opposite Karan Singh Grover and Karan Wahi. [16] It revolves around Young aspiring medical interns join Sanjeevani in hopes of becoming the best doctors.

Winget at a shoot for Star Plus in 2011 Winget at STAR Plus Dandia Shoot.jpg
Winget at a shoot for Star Plus in 2011

In 2011, she was seen hosted the comedy show Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala and the dance show Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan s finale episode. Two years later, In 2013, she starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's television show Saraswatichandra as the protagonist Kumud Desai opposite Gautam Rode. The story revolves around classic tale of love and heartbreak, Saras and Kumud are soulmates who are repeatedly denied the joy of being together. For her performance she received several accolades including the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress Critics. [17]

Established actress (2016–2019)

Following a two year absence, Winget returned in 2016 portrayed her notable role Maya Mehrotra in Sony TV's psychological thriller series Beyhadh . Her portrayal of a complex and obsessive character earned her critical acclaim and a massive fan following. [18] [19] For her performance she earned numerous accolades and appreciation including Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Actress (Jury) respectively.

In 2018, she starred as Zoya Siddiqui in Colors TV's romantic drama series Bepannaah opposite Harshad Chopda. [20] [21] It focuses the story of two protagonists Zoya and Aditya who meet in the most unfortunate circumstances. She received praise for her exceptional acting skills, At the Gold Awards, she earned Best Actress (Jury) and Indian Telly Awards for Best Actress in Lead Role.

After the success of first season, In 2019, she starred portrayed the role of Maya Jaisingh in Sony TV's revenge romantic thriller Beyhadh 2 a spiritual successor 2016 series of Beyhadh opposite Ashish Chaudhary and Shivin Narang.

Expansion to streaming projects (2020–present)

From 2020 to 2022, She ventured into web world with ALT Balaji's crime drama series Code M where she portrayed the role of Major Monica Mehra. Ruchi Kaushal for Hindustan Times wrote "Winget makes an impressive debut on the digital platform as an army lawyer who delves into a high-profile case just days before her wedding". [22] For her performance she was nominated at the Filmfare OTT Awards for Best Actress Series (Female). [23]

After a two year hiatus, Winget portrayed an advocate, Anushka Raisinghani in the 2024 series Raisinghani vs Raisinghani opposite Karan Wahi. [24] [25] Prachi Arya of India Today noted, "Jennifer is impressive as a lawyer whose personal and professional struggles collide. She obviously shares an easy chemistry with Wahi, but when they are together, it is hard to look away from her." [26] Winget will next appear in a Netflix series with Parineeti Chopra. [27]

Personal life

Winget married Karan Singh Grover on 9 April 2012. [28] [29] In November 2014, Winget stated that she and Grover had separated. [30] [31]

In the media

Winget in 2013 Jennifer Winget at the '11th Star Parivaar Awards 2013' (cropped).jpg
Winget in 2013

Winget's acting performances in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Dill Mill Gayye, Saraswatichandra, Beyhadh and Bepannah, has established her among the popular and highest-paid actresses of Hindi television. [32] She is widely noted for her powerful and impactful onscreen roles and performances. [33] She was placed fifth in Rediff 's "Top 10 Television Actresses" list of 2014. [34] In 2017, The Indian Express placed her first in its "Top 10 Television Actresses" list. [35]

In UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye 's list of "50 Sexiest Asian Women", Winget was placed 21st in 2012, 15th in 2013 and 13th in 2018. [36] [37] Winget became Times Most Desirable Women on Television in 2017. She was further placed 2nd in 2018 and 2019, and 5th in 2020. [38] [39] [40] [41] In 2022, Winget contributed to the fight for India’s elephants by spending three days volunteering with Wildlife SOS. [42] She has also been cover model for various magazines. [43]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1995 Akele Hum Akele Tum Young girlChild actor
1997 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat School kid
2000 Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya Tanu [44]
2003 Kuch Naa Kaho Pooja [45]
2013Life Reboot Nahi HotiAisha Mittal
2018 Phir Se... Kajal Kapoor

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2002–2003 Shaka Laka Boom Boom Piya [46]
2003 Kkusum Simran [46]
Kkoi Dil Mein Hai Preeti [47]
2004 Karthika Karthika
2005–2007 Kasautii Zindagii Kay Sneha Bajaj [48]
2006 Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa Natasha [49]
2007 Kahin To Hoga Svetlana [46]
2007–2009 Sangam Ganga Bhatia [50]
2008 Zara Nach Ke Dikha 1 ContestantWinner [51]
2009 Dekh India Dekh Host
Laughter Ke Phatke [52]
Comedy Circus 3 Contestant [53]
Dill Mill Gayye Dr. Riddhima Gupta [13]
2010 Zara Nach Ke Dikha 2 Host [54]
2011 Zor Ka Jhatka: Total Wipeout Contestant [55]
Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala Host [56]
Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan Finale episode [57]
2013–2014 Saraswatichandra Kumud Desai [58]
2016–2017 Beyhadh Maya Mehrotra [59]
2018 Bepannaah Zoya Siddiqui [20]
2019–2020 Beyhadh 2 Maya Jaisingh [60]

Web Series

YearShowRolePlatformRef.
2020–2022 Code M Major Monica Mehra ALT Balaji [61] [62]
2024 Raisinghani VS Raisinghani Anushka Raisinghani Sony LIV [63]
TBAUntitled series TBA Netflix [64]

Music videos

YearTitleSingerRef.
2023Guli Mata Shreya Ghoshal, Saad Lamjarred [65] [66]

Special appearances

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2006 Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii Herself [46]
2007 Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan Ganga Bhatia [46]
2009 Perfect Bride HerselfDance performance [67]
2012 Teri Meri Love Stories Neeti [68]
2013 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai Kumud Desai [46]
2014 Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai [46]
2015 Kumkum Bhagya Herself [46]
2016 The Kapil Sharma Show Maya Mehrotra [69]
2018 Laado 2 – Veerpur Ki Mardani Zoya Siddiqui [20]
Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka [70]
Dev 2 [20]
Udaan [20]
Dance Deewane [20]
2020 Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein Maya Jaisingh [60]

Accolades

Winget has received two Indian Television Academy Awards for her performance in Saraswatichandra and Beyhadh. Additionally, she has received two Indian Telly Awards for Saraswatichandra and Bepannah. [71] [72]

See also

References

  1. "Jennifer Winget to Ankita Lokhande: TV's highest paid actors". The Times of India. 14 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  2. "11 television stars who earn more than Bollywood actors per month!". The Indian Express. 18 September 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  3. "From Rupali Ganguli to Jennifer Winget: Five Highest Paid TV Actresses". Outlook India. February 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  4. "On Television star Jennifer Winget's birthday, take a look at her television journey and stardom". The Indian Express. 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  5. "Bepannah Actress Jennifer Winget Believes She's Headed in the Right Direction. Here's Why". NDTV.com. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  6. "Jennifer Winget Birthday Bumps: 10 Things to know about the Indian TV star!". India.com. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  7. "Jennifer Winget gears up for cinematic debut with Kunal Kohli's 'Phir Se'". The News Reports. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  8. 1 2 Mehrotra, Mohini (17 August 2007). "Sarees, not mini skirts for Jennifer". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  9. 1 2 Unnithan, Chitra (14 August 2007). "'I never plan things,' Jennifer". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  10. K, Prema (23 July 2007). "Star Plus to expand primetime with launch of 'Sangam'". Indian Television. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  11. Roy, Priyanka (20 August 2007). "She spreads her wings". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
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  13. 1 2 "Telly heartthrobs' soapy ride to success". The Times of India . 27 September 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  14. "Dancing for a cause". Times of India. 19 June 2010.
  15. "Will the Original Dr. Riddhima return?". Times of India. TNN. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
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  22. "Exclusive! Check The Nominees For The Flyx Filmfare OTT Awards". filmfare.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
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  24. "Watch: Jennifer Winget-Karan Wahi reignite their chemistry in promo of new show". India Today . Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  25. "Raisinghani vs Raisinghani review: Jennifer Winget, Karan Wahi battle for legacy". India Today. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  26. "Parineeti Chopra and Jennifer Winget wrap up shoot for Netflix thriller; see pic with the entire cast". Bollywood Hungama. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  27. "Karan Singh Grover's link ups - Karan Singh Grover's link-ups - The Times of India". The Times of India. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  28. Maheshwari, Neha (22 April 2012). "I've no strategies to keep Karan tied down: Jennifer Winget". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  29. Bajwa, Dimpal (9 December 2014). "Karan Singh Grover confirms divorce with Jennifer Winget on Twitter". The Indian Express. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  30. "Jennifer admits her marriage to Karan Singh Grover is over". The Times of India . Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  31. "Kapil Sharma to Jennifer Winget, 10 highest-paid Indian TV actors who charge a hefty amount per episode". GQ India. 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
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  33. "Television's Top 10 Actresses". Rediff. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
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  35. "Priyanka Chopra named world's sexiest Asian woman". archive.mid-day.com. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  36. "Sexiest Asian Women List 2018: Deepika Padukone reclaims sexiest Asian woman on the planet crown". Eastern Eye. 5 December 2018.
  37. "Meet The Times 20 Most Desirable Women on TV - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  38. "Meet TV's most desirable actresses - Times of India". The Times of India. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  39. "Hina Khan to Shehnaz Gill: Meet the Times Top 20 Most Desirable Women on TV 2019". The Times of India . 5 September 2020.
  40. "Meet The Times 20 Most Desirable Women on Television 2020". The Times of India. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  41. "A Volunteer To Remember: Indian Actress Jennifer Winget, With Wildlife SOS For Elephants!". Wildlife SOS. 14 August 2022.
  42. "Exclusive! Jennifer Winget's summer style is spot on in this magazine cover". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  43. "Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya(2000)". Bollywood Hungama . Archived from the original on 23 January 2012.
  44. Vaid, Kritika (6 May 2018). "Did You Know Jennifer Winget and Aishwarya Rai Once Shared Screen Space? Check Pics". India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Jennifer wants to experiment". The Times of India . 30 June 2008.
  46. "Sony to debut Balaji's next 'Kkoi Dil Mein Hai'". MUMBAI: Indian Television Dot Com Pvt Ltd. 29 November 2003. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  47. "My man should be like Richard Gere". The Times of India . 10 August 2007.
  48. "Jennifer Winget to romance filmmaker Kunal Kohli". The Times of India . 3 October 2014.
  49. "Sangam hoga ki nahi?". Hindustan Times . 9 June 2008. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015.
  50. "Zara Nachke Dikha reunion: Jennifer Winget, Karishma Tanna, Narayani Shastri & others party hard". 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  51. "It's not funny, 'Laughter Ke Phatke' going off air?". MSN. 13 January 2010. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  52. "Comedy Circus returns with 'Teen Ka Tadka'". The Times of India. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  53. Dubey, Rachana (8 May 2010). "Entry, exit!". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  54. "Anchor effect". Hindustan Times. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  55. "There is no question of being overshadowed by the stars in Comedy ka maha muqabla : Jennifer Winget". Yahoo!. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  56. "Jennifer Winget Sunil Grover Genelia Saroj Khan On Shooting Sets Of Dance Reality Show Nachle Ve At RK Studios In Mumbai 2". Rediff.com. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  57. Maheshwri, Neha (25 February 2013). "Saraswatichandra: A lavish love story". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  58. "'Behad' is a good change for me:Jennifer Winget". The Times of India . Retrieved 2 May 2016.
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  60. "Jennifer Winget to Play Army Officer in ALTBalaji's Code M". news18.com. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
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  63. "Netflix announces mystery thriller starring Parineeti Chopra, Jennifer Winget, Tahir Raj Bhasin". Telegraph India. 25 February 2025.
  64. "Shreya Ghoshal and Arabic popstar Saad Lamjarred come together for a musical delight". Mid-day. 10 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  65. Sohail, Safoora (13 July 2023). "Shreya Ghoshal's Arabic singing skills leave fans spellbound [Video]". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
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  67. "Jennifer Winget returns acting with a telefilm". Hindustan Times . 24 August 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014.
  68. "PICS: Sunil Grover flirts with guest Jennifer Winget on The Kapil Sharma show". The Times of India. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  69. "Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka written update, September 11, 2018: Mauli gets suspicious about Nandini and Kunal's relationship". The Times of India . 12 September 2018.
  70. "ITA Awards 2017 winners list: Jennifer Winget, Vivian Dsena and Nakuul Mehta take home the trophies". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  71. "Indian Telly Awards 2019: Winners". The Indian Express. 21 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.