Apara Mehta

Apara Mehta is an Indian television and Bollywood actress most famously known for playing Tulsi's mother in law Savita Mansukh Virani in the iconic show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

Personal life

Born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Apara is the only child of her parents, and no stranger to being a performing artist. She started learning classical music and Kathak from a young age. At the age of 15, she hosted a children's television programme for Ahmedabad Doordarshan.

In 1980 she married Indian television and film personality Darshan Jariwala, with whom she has one daughter. The two have mutually separated but are not legally divorced. Excerpts about their personal life were shown in the reality show Maa Exchange, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

Her career naturally veered towards theatre as she married into a theatre family.

Theatrical career Mehta has worked on stage since 1981. She has acted in over 150 plays in various roles. She has found a constant career in plays.

Television career Apara started her television career anchoring a children's programme called Santakukdi for Mumbai Doordarshan at the age of 15. Her first major break was in Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1999), in which she played Paro. Her greater success came with Ekta Kapoor's blockbuster Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000-06), in which she played Savita Mansukh Virani (mother-in-law of lead character Tulsi) on StarPlus. She then appeared in a negative role as Kukki Kaaki in Saat Phere (2006) and other soaps like Parrivaar (2007), Dhak Dhak In Dubai (2007), Dillagi, Alpviram, Hum Hain Anari, Love Marriage and Chandan Ka Palna. She also did comedy roles in Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo (2009-12) as Damini Devi Diwan, Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai (2012) as Pari on SAB TV and as Leela in Hamari Saas Leela (2011) on Colors TV.

She also played supporting roles in some Bollywood films. She played a role in Firangi Bahu on Colors TV. She used to appear in Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai as Basundi on SAB TV. She was on the weekend horror/thriller fiction show Qayamat Ki Raat on Star Plus in 2018. She appeared in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2021), Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain! (2018) and Sai-Shraddha aur Saburi. She played Manmita Chaddha in Choti Sarrdaarni (2021) and later appeared in Maddam Sir (2022).

Television

Filmography Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001) - Dayashankar's elder sister Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) - Prostitute Devdas (2002 Hindi film) (2002) - Badi Aapa Just Married (2007) Tees Maar Khan (2010) - Tabrez Mirza Khan's (Tees Maar Khan) mother Bachubhai (2023) - Gujarati Film