Preetika Rao

Preetika Rao is an Indian actress and film-columnist who primarily works in Hindi television. Rao made her acting debut with the Tamil film Chikku Bukku. Rao is best known for her portrayal of Aaliya Haider Abdullah in Beintehaa (2013–2014) and Mohini Ranawat in Love Ka Hai Intezaar (2017). Beintehaa won her several accolades including Gold Award for Debut in a Lead Role – Female.

Early life Rao was born in Mangalore, Karnataka. She comes from a Konkani - speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. She graduated majoring in history from Sophia College, while also acquiring a diploma in Advertising and Journalism. She wrote for Bangalore Mirror, Deccan Chronicle and the Asian Age. Her elder sister, Amrita Rao is a Bollywood actress.

After her acting debut, she moved to the United States for her diploma course in Broadcast Journalism from the New York Film Academy, New York.

Career 2010–2014 She made her acting and film debut with the Tamil film Chikku Bukku (2010) where she played the lead as Meenal "Ammu" alongside Arya. She then made her Telugu debut with the role of Madhu Latha in Priyudu (2012) opposite Varun Sandesh.

Rao made the transition from regional cinema in 2013 and made her television debut with Beintehaa opposite Harshad Arora. She portrayed Aaliya Ghulam Haider/Aaliya Zain Abdullah and received various awards for her performance including Gold Awards Best Debut- Female.

2015–2018 In 2015, Rao made her singing debut with the single "Na Tum Humein Jano". The same year she made her Kannada debut with the role of Preetika in Rebel alongside Aditya. In 2016, she appeared as a Contestant in Box Cricket League.

Rao made her comeback to television with Love Ka Hai Intezaar in 2017. She portrayed Mohini Mathur Ranawat/Mohini Ayaan Mehta opposite Mohit Sehgal. She then appeared as Priya alongside Yunus Khan in the short film Metro Mulaqat. The same year she released her second single "Yaad Kiya Dil Ne" with Siddharth Basrur.

In 2018, She played Mahima "Mahi" Malhotra in Laal Ishq alongside Priyank Sharma and Niti Taylor in the episode "Gudiya". She has also appeared in the music videos 'Surilee' with Shaan (2017) 'Tere Vede' (2018) and 'Tenu Bhul Na Pavagi' (2018).

2019–present Preetika Rao launched her Youtube channel in June 2022 which is running successfully and has marked her career as a content creator and producer on YouTube.( 100k+ Subscribers)

Media image

Rao was felicitated in Dar Es Salaam at the Sinema Zetu International Festival for her immense popularity in Tanzania due to her show Beintehaa. In 2014, she ranked 6th in Rediffs Top 10 Television Actresses List.

Filmography

Films

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref.2013–2014 Beintehaa Aaliya Zain Abdullah 2017 Love Ka Hai Intezaar Mohini Mehta 2018 Laal Ishq Mahima "Mahi" MalhotraEpisode: "Gudiya"

Special appearances

Music videos Year Title Singer(s) Ref. 2017 SurileeShaan 2018Tenu Bhul Na Pavagi Shahid Mallya, Neelam Batra

Discography Year Title Co-singer Ref. 2015 Na Tum Humein Jano - 2017 Yaad Kiya Dil NeSiddharth Basrur

Awards and nominations + Television awards Year Award Category Work Result Ref.2014Indian Television Academy Awards GR8! On-screen Couple Of The Yearwith (Harshad Arora)Beintehaa Best Actress PopularGold Awards Best Debut Actress Best Onscreen Jodi with (Harshad Arora) Asian Viewers Television AwardsFemale Actor Of The Year