Pragya Jaiswal

Pragya Jaiswal (born 12 January 1991) is an Indian actress who predominantly works in Telugu films. She has won a Filmfare Award and a South Indian International Movie Award.

Jaiswal made her acting debut in 2014 with the Tamil-language film Virattu. She had her breakthrough with the Telugu period drama Kanche (2015), for which she was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South. She appeared in films such as Nakshatram (2017), Achari America Yatra (2018) and Akhanda (2021), which is her highest-grossing release.

Early life Jaiswal was born on 12 January 1991 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Pragya Jaiswal completed her education from Symbiosis Law School at Pune. During her initial days at Symbiosis University, she participated in various beauty pageants and became a model. In 2014, she received the Symbiosis Sanskritik Puraskar for her achievement in the field of art and culture.

Career Jaiswal made her acting debut with the Tamil film Virattu, in 2014.

In 2015, Jaiswal ventured into Telugu films with Mirchi Lanti Kurradu opposite Abijeet. Her career marked a turning point with Kanche, where she played a princess opposite Varun Tej. The film emerged a commercial success. Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle noted, "Pragya looks beautiful and perfectly fits her role of a princess."

Following Kanches success, she had four releases in 2017. She first appeared in Om Namo Venkatesaya, a box office failure. Her next film, Gunturodu opposite Manchu Manoj also failed at the box office. Jaiswal next played an IPS officer in Nakshatram. Sridhar Adivi of The Times of India stated that her role is packed with both "glamour and substance". She had an extended cameo in Jaya Janaki Nayaka, her final film of the year. In 2018, she appeared in Achari America Yatra opposite Vishnu Manchu, which was an average grosser.

In 2021, Jaiswal played an IAS officer in Akhanda opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna. The film was a commercial success and became the third highest grossing Telugu film of 2021. Firstpost noted, "Saranya is relatively well-written and Pragya carries her well." In 2022, she played a NIA officer in the box office failure, Son of India.

Jaiswal returned to Hindi films with the 2024 in the Akshay Kumar starring ensemble comedy Khel Khel Mein, playing a boutique owner opposite Aditya Seal. Anuj Kumar of The Hindu stated, "A confident Pragya turns up in a Hindi film for a change and plays the role of an entitled brat without caricaturising it.". Her latest movie is Daaku Maharaj, starring opposite Nandamuri Bala Krishna.

Filmography Films +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released

Music video Year Title Singer(s) Language 2022 "Main Chala" Guru Randhawa, Iulia Vantur Hindi

Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result 2016Kanche 63rd Filmfare Awards South Best Female Debut 5th South Indian International Movie Awards Best Female Debut – Telugu CineMAA Awards Best Female Debut Zee Telugu Apsara Awards Best Find of the Year TV9 National Film Awards Best Debut Actress 2021 Akhanda 10th South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actress – Telugu