Shilpa Saklani

Shilpa Saklani Agnihotri (née Saklani; born 5 June ) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television. Saklani is recognised for her portrayal of Ganga Joshi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kkusum Deshmukh Kapoor in Kkusum, Vrinda in Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara, Kaikeyi in Shrimad Ramayan and Ambika Singhania in Parineetii.

Career Saklani started her acting career in 2001 with the Hindi film Tere Liye, where she played Ritu Malhotra opposite Arjun Punj. The film failed at the box office. From 2001 to 2022, she played Yamini in Ek Tukdaa Chaand Ka. In 2002, Saklani played Tina in the film Na Tum Jaano Na Hum.

Saklani's career marked a turning point with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, where she portrayed Ganga Joshi Virani opposite Sandeep Baswana and Amit Sarin from 2002 to 2008. The series was her breakthrough and her performance earned her the ITA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

In 2003, she appeared in Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat and later in 2004, Saklani played the titular role of Lavanya in Lavanya. In 2005, she played dual roles of Kkusum Deshmukh Kapoor and Swati Gautam in Kkusum opposite Anuj Saxena. In the same year, she participated in Nach Baliye 1. Post this, she played supporting parts of Shalu in Shanno Ki Shaadi, Vidhi in Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, Ritu in Jyoti and Radha Kelkar in Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai.

From 2006 to 2007, Saklani hosted Mera Star Superstar and Fame X. Saklani then went onto participate in several reality series: Mr. & Ms. TV and Saas v/s Bahu both in 2008, Pati Patni Aur Woh in 2009, Meethi Choori No 1 in 2010, Survivor India – The Ultimate Battle in 2012 and Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki in 2013.

Later in 2013, Saklani participated in the reality series Bigg Boss 7, where she finished at 16th place. From 2015 to 2016, she participated in Power Couple. Additionally, she appeared in episodes of Haunted Nights, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Savdhaan India, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Code Red and Darr Sabko Lagta Hai. In 2015, she played Nandini Pandey in Dosti... Yaariyan... Manmarziyan.

After a three year hiatus, Saklani returned to television in 2018, with Mahakali – Anth Hi Aarambh Hai, where she played Diti. In the same year, she played Roma Kapoor in Kaleerein. From 2018 to 2019, she played a vishkanya Vrinda opposite Sandeep Baswana in Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara. Following a small hiatus, she appeared in Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal, in 2023 as Sudha.

In January 2024, Saklani is portraying Kaikeyi in Shrimad Ramayan. From June 2024 to May 2025, she played Ambika Singhania in Parineetii.

Personal life Saklani married actor Apurva Agnihotri on 29 June 2004 in Dehradun. Saklani gave birth to their daughter on 13 October 2022, 18 years after their marriage.

Filmography Films Year Title Role NotesRef. 2001 Tere Liye Ritu Malhotra 2002 Na Tum Jaano Na Hum Tina 2015 Ab Rab Hawale - An Untold Story Of A Known Irony Daljeet Short film

Television Year Title Role NotesRef. 2001–2002 Ek Tukdaa Chaand Ka Yamini 2002–2008 Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi Ganga Joshi Virani 2003Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat Pooja 2004 Tanu / Rachel D'Mello Lavanya Lavanya 2005 Kkusum Kkusum Deshmukh Kapoor / Swati Gautam Nach Baliye 1 Contestant 6th place 2005–2006 Shanno Ki Shaadi Shalu 2006 Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin Vidhi 2006–2007 Mera Star Superstar Host Fame X Host 2008 Mr. & Ms. TV Contestant Saas v/s Bahu Contestant 2009 Pati Patni Aur Woh Contestant 2010 Meethi Choori No 1 Contestant Jyoti Ritu 2012 Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai Radha Kelkar Survivor India – The Ultimate Battle Contestant 18th place Haunted Nights Shilpa 2013 Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawazi Ki Contestant Bigg Boss 7 Contestant 16th place 2014 Yeh Hai Aashiqui Aditi Savdhaan India Sonali Rane 2015 Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya Aparna season 3 Code Red Ganga Dosti... Yaariyan... Manmarziyan Nandini Pandey Darr Sabko Lagta Hai Dr. Shehnaz Mistry 2015–2016 Power Couple Contestant 7th place 2017 Chandrakanta — Ek Mayavi Prem Gaatha Ratnaprabha Jai Singh 2018 Mahakali – Anth Hi Aarambh Hai Diti Kaleerein Roma Kapoor 2018–2019 Vish Ya Amrit: Sitara Vrinda 2023 Tere Ishq Mein Ghayal Sudha 2024 Shrimad Ramayan Kaikeyi 2024–2025 Parineetii Ambika Singhania

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref. 2005 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2015 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Best Ensemble Cast Ab Rab Hawale 2025 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Shrimad Ramayan