Ketki Dave

Ketki Dave (; born 23 June 1960) is an Indian actress who mainly works in Hindi films and Hindi television and has also starred in many Gujarati films and theatre. She is widely popular for playing the character of Daksha Virani in the iconic tv soap opera Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and its sequel Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 with her famous line "Aara ra ra ra". She has appeared in several films, including Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain. She has worked in many television productions, including the reality shows Nach Baliye 2, Bigg Boss Season 2, and Behenein.

Early and personal life Ketki was born on 23 June 1960 to Sarita Joshi, an actress, and Pravin Joshi, a theatre director. She has a younger sister, Purbi Joshi, who is also an actress and anchor. She was married to the actor Rasik Dave. They met in 1979 during a common stage play and then married in 1983. Together they have a daughter Riddhi Dave and son Abhishek Dave. Riddhi is also a theatre actress. Rasik died on 29 July 2022 due to complications from kidney failure and was suffering for four years. Together, they ran a theatre company, Mudra.

She suffers from motion sickness.

Career Dave started her acting career when she was 13 years old, through Gujarati play Vaisakhi Koel as a replacement of one of the actresses, while she was accompanying her mother, Sarita Joshi, on a tour.

She appeared in various roles on the television, starting with Sai Paranjpye's serial Ados Pados in 1984. In 1996 got recognition in the show Hasratein on Zee TV. Her role in the show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi made her a household name, where she played the loud character of Daksha Virani, donning a big bindi. She left the show in 2001 but returned in 2007 and left again in 2008. She also played the role of Dr. Madhavi Dholakiya in Sanjivani which aired on Star Plus.

She reprised her role as Daksha Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 in 2025.

Filmography

Television All TV series are in Hindi, unless otherwise noted. Year Serial Role Notes Ref. 1984 Ados Pados 1995 Jeevan Mrityu 1996 Aahat Megha Episodes 20 and 21: "Gambler" Part 1 and Part 2 1996–1997 Hasratein Mansi 2000–2001; 2007–2008 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Daksha Virani Nominated — Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role 2002 Sanjivani Dr. Madhavi Dholakiya 2006 Nach Baliye 2 Contestant 10th place 2007 Comedy Circus 1 Contestant Paired with Pratap Faujdar; voted out; replaced by Manini De in wild-card entry 2008 Bigg Boss 2 Contestant 12th place Comedy Circus - Kaante Ki Takkar Contestant Lo Ho Gayi Pooja Iss Ghar Ki Rita Don 2010–2011 Behenein Nimafui Ram Milaayi Jodi Ketki Masi 2012 Aahat Herself 2012–2013 Pavitra Rishta Snehlata Khandeshi Aaj Ki Housewife Hai... Sab Jaanti Hai Sarla 2014–2015 1760 Saasumaa Ganga Katariya Gujarati TV series 2015 Maha Kumbh: Ek Rahasya, Ek Kahani Thappadiya Mai 2016 Tamanna Baa Naya Mahisagar Diwaliben Mehta 2017 TV, Biwi aur Main Priya's mother 2018 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka Herself, Nandini's Mother 2019 Mere Sai Shradha aur Saburi Kamla Tai 2021–2022 Balika Vadhu 2 Gomati Anjaariya 2022–2023; 2024 Pushpa Impossible Kunjbala Parikh Won — Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2025 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 Daksha Virani 1988 Falak Julie Kasam Padma 1990 Dil Herself 1999 Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet Shalini Mann Madhu 2001 Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Vimala Nominated — Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role 2002 Kitne Door Kitne Paas Koki Patel 2003 Parwana Kamini Haryanvi Kal Ho Naa Ho Sarlaben Patel 2005 Yaaran Naal Baharan Geeta Thakur Punjabi film 2006 Love in Japan Mrs. Mehta 2007 Londonwali Se Neha Lagauli Bhojpuri film 2008 Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Bobby's mother 2009 Straight Gujju Bai 2010 Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain Gujarati lady I Hate Luv Storys Simran's mom 2016 Sanam Re Visitor's wife 2017 Pappa Tamne Nahi Samjaay Sarla Mehta Gujarati film

Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultNotesRef. 2002 Zee Cine Awards Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya 2007 Indian Telly Awards Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2025 Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Pushpa Impossible