Pioneers of Hindi television
(left to right) Roopa Ganguly, Smriti Irani, Sakshi Tanwar and Shweta Tiwari
Contents
2000s
(left to right) Rupali Ganguly, Divyanka Tripathi, Jennifer Winget and Hina Khan
2010s
(left to right) Mouni Roy, Drashti Dhami, Sanaya Irani and Sukirti Kandpal
2020s
(left to right) Sriti Jha, Rubina Dilaik, Shivangi Joshi and Surbhi Jyoti
The following is a list of notable actresses who have appeared in Hindi-language television, encompassing daily soaps, serials, reality shows, and streaming-based dramas primarily produced in Mumbai, India. Hindi television, often referred to as the “small screen,” has been a crucial part of Indian broadcasting since the 1980s, providing a platform for numerous actresses to achieve widespread popularity and shape popular culture. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
During the early years of Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, series such as Hum Log (1984), Buniyaad (1986), and Udaan (1989) introduced some of the first prominent women on Hindi television, including Seema Pahwa, Anita Kanwal, and Kavita Chaudhary, who were praised for portraying middle-class women with realism and social relevance. [9]
In the 1990s, the liberalization of Indian media and the rise of private satellite channels like Zee TV, Sony TV and Star Plus revolutionized the medium. Actresses such as Renuka Shahane ( Surabhi ), Mandira Bedi ( Shanti ), and Roopa Ganguly became household names for their roles in strong, independent female-led narratives. This era also marked the early stardom of actresses like Smriti Irani and Sakshi Tanwar, who emerged as faces of the daily soap boom at the turn of the millennium. [10]
The early 2000s were defined by the dominance of Ekta Kapoor’s serials under Balaji Telefilms, which created a generation of iconic characters and long-running family dramas such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Kasautii Zindagii Kay . Actresses like Irani, Tanwar, Shweta Tiwari, Urvashi Dholakia and Gauri Pradhan Tejwani became some of the most recognized faces on Indian television, achieving film-level fame and national awards. [11] The 2010s saw the rise of a new wave of leading ladies such as Hina Khan, Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya, Jennifer Winget, Drashti Dhami, Sanaya Irani, Sriti Jha, Rubina Dilaik, Shivangi Joshi and Surbhi Jyoti, who not only headlined top-rated shows like Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai , Beyhadh , and Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki , but also gained recognition through reality formats such as Bigg Boss and Khatron Ke Khiladi . [12]
Hindi television has also served as a launchpad for many crossover stars who later achieved success in film or digital media, including Yami Gautam, Prachi Desai, Mrunal Thakur, and Mouni Roy. As the medium continues to evolve, Hindi television actresses remain at the forefront of entertainment, shaping narratives that reach millions of homes daily. [13] The following list highlights some of the most prominent Hindi television actresses and the decades during which they were most active or influential. [14] [15]
