Rashami Desai

Rashami Desai
Desai in 2022 at Lokmat Stylish Awards
Born
Shivani Desai

(1986-02-13) 13 February 1986 (age 40)
Nagaon, Assam, India
Other namesDivya Desai
Rashmi Desai
OccupationActress
Years active2002–present
Notable work
Spouse
Nandish Sandhu
​
​
(m. 2012; div. 2016)​

Shivani Desai (born 13 February 1986), known by her stage name Rashami Desai, is an Indian actress who works in television and movies. She has won several awards, including two Indian Television Academy Awards and Gold Awards.

Rashami started her acting career with regional language movies. She made her Hindi TV debut with the show Raavan in 2006, and later played two roles in Pari Hoon Main in 2008. She became very popular for her role as Tapasya Thakur in the long-running TV show Uttaran (2009–2014), which won her many awards. She also appeared in reality shows like Zara Nachke Dikha 2 (2010), Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (2012), Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 (2015), and Nach Baliye 7 (2015). She had a short role in the 2012 movie Dabangg 2. Rashami also tried stand-up comedy on shows like Comedy Circus Mahasangram (2010), Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala (2011), Kahaani Comedy Circus Ki (2012), and Comedy Nights Live (2016).

Rashami came back to fiction TV with the show Dil Se Dil Tak (2017–2018), where she played the role of Shorvori in a love triangle story. After that, she took part in the reality shows Bigg Boss 13 (2019–2020) and Bigg Boss 15 (2021–2022). She also appeared in short roles in the shows Naagin 4 and Naagin 6. Rashami made her online (OTT) debut with the short film Tamas and acted in a web series called Tandoor.

Early life

Rashami Desai was born as Shivani Desai on 13 February 1986 in Nagaon, a town in Assam. Her family is originally from Gujarat. She has a brother named Gaurav Desai. Rashami grew up in Mumbai, where she completed her school and college studies. She also did a diploma in Tours and Travels from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes movies that have not yet been released

Movies

YearTitleRoleLanguageNotes Ref(s)
2002 Kanyadaan Assamese Cameo
2003 Balma Bada Nadaan Gauri/Jugni Bhojpuri
Maai Re Karde Bidaai Hamaar Kiran
Kab Hoi Gawna Hamar Gauri National Award for Best Feature Film in Bhojpuri
2004 Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke Sheetal Hindi Credited as Divya Desai
Tulsi Bhojpuri Award Winning Film
Sohagan Bana Da Sajana Hamaar Gauri
2005 Gazab Bhail Rama Gauri/Jyoti
Nadiya Ke Teer Radha
Dulha Babu Jyoti
Bandan Toote Na
Shabnam Mausi Naina Hindi
2006 Hum Balbrahma Chaari Tu Kanya Kumari Jamuna Bhojpuri
Bambai Ki Laila Chapra Ka Chaila
Kable Aayee Bahaar Anu
Kangna Khanke Piya Ke Angna Maya
Pappu Ke Pyar Ho Gail Priya
Sathi Sanghati Radha
Tohse Pyar Ba Shefali
2007 Sambar Salsa English
Hum Hai Gawaar Preeti Bhojpuri
2008 Gabbar Singh Special appearance in holi song
Pyar Jab Kehu Se Hoi Jala Sangeeta
Shahar Wali Jaan Mareli Pammi
Umariya Kaili Tohre Naam Radha
2010 Laakhon Mein Ek Hamaar Bhauji Gauri
Kanoon Hamra Mutthi Mein Pooja
2012 Dabangg 2 Bride Hindi Cameo appearance in the song "Dagabaaz Re"
2017 Superstar Anjali Kapadia Gujarati
2020 Tamas Saina/Sania Hindi
Urdu		 Short film
2024 JNU: Jahangir National University Yuvedita Menon Hindi
2025 Mom Tane Nai Samjay Aashka Gujarati
TBA Mission Laila † TBA Hindi
Evara-Blessing Of God † TBA Hindi
Chambe Di Booti † TBA Punjabi

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006–2008 Raavan Mandodari
2008 Pari Hoon Main Pari Rai Choudhary / Nikki Shrivastav
Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai Priya
2009 Meet Mila De Rabba Dr. Meher Datta
2009–2014 Uttaran Tapasya Thakur Rathore
2010 Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka Contestant
Meethi Choori No 1 Contestant
Zara Nachke Dikha 2 Contestant Winner
Comedy Circus Ke SuperStars Host
2011 Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala Arshad Ke Punters Member Runner-up
2012 Haunted Nights Shivani
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 Contestant 1st runner-up
2013 Nautanki: The Comedy Theatre Natkhat Sali
2014 CID Sakshi
Savdhaan India Aanchal/Mata
2015 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 Contestant 9th place
Nach Baliye 7 Contestant 1st runner-up
Ishq Ka Rang Safed Tulsi
2016 Adhuri Kahaani Hamari Preeti
Box Cricket League 2 Contestant
Mazaak Mazaak Mein
2017–2018 Dil Se Dil Tak Shorvori Bhattacharya
2017 Rasoi Ki Jung Mummyon Ke Sung Contestant
2018 Tennis Premier League Player
2019 Chalo Saaf Karein Palak
Khatra Khatra Khatra Contestant
2019–2020 Bigg Boss 13 Contestant 3rd runner-up
2020 Naagin 4 Nayantara/Shalaka
Ladies vs Gentlemen Panelist
2021–2022 Bigg Boss 15 Contestant 5th runner-up
2022 Naagin 6 Shanglira/Shalaka
The Khatra Khatra Show Contestant
2023 Entertainment Ki Raat Housefull Contestant
2025 Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey Advocate Meenakshi Kapoor Cameo Appearance

Special appearances

Year Title Role
2009 Vicky Ki Taxi Herself
2011 Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4
Dance India Dance 3
Ratan Ka Rishta
Stars Ka Tadka
India's Got Talent season 3
Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan
2012 Bigg Boss 5
Movers & Shakers
Comedy Ka Jashn
2013 Bigg Boss 6
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6
Comedy Nights with Kapil
2014 Nach Baliye 6
Comedy Nights with Kapil
2015 Jamai Raja
Farah Ki Daawat
Pesbukers
Comedy Nights with Kapil
Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi
2016 Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani
Comedy Nights Live
2017 Bigg Boss 10
Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman Shorvari
Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki
Bigg Boss 11 Herself
Entertainment Ki Raat
2018 Tu Aashiqui Shorvori
Belan Wali Bahu
MTV Ace of Space 1 Herself
Naagin 3
2019 Kitchen Champion 5
2020 Mujhse Shaadi Karoge
Naagin 5 Shalaka
2021 Bigg Boss 14 Herself
Bigg Boss OTT
Bigg Boss 15
2024 Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment
2025 United State Of Gujarat

Music videos

Year Title Singer(s) Ref.
2004 Doliya Kahaar Anuradha Paudwal and Sunil Chhaila Bihari
2015 Teri Ek Hassi Jubin Nautiyal
2016 Sajna Ve Monali Thakur and Dilip Soni
2020 Ab Kya Jaan Legi Meri Palash Muchhal and Amit Mishra
2021 Kinna Sona Rahul Vaidya
Subhan Allah Altamash Faridi
Zindagi Khafa Khafa Rahul Vaidya
2022 Qatilana Ajay Keswani and Aakansha Sharma
Biraj Mein Jhoom Anuradha Palakurthi Juju
Tere Pind Gurlez Akhtar and Fateh Shergill
Parwah Neha Bhasin
Khayalat Faisla Khan
2023 Pyar Eda Da Jyoti Nooran

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Film/Show Result Ref(s)
2009 Indian Telly Awards Popular Actor in Negative Role (Female) Uttaran Nominated
Indian Television Academy Awards GR8! Ensemble Cast Won
2010 Best Actress (Popular) Won
Indian Telly Awards Most Popular Actor in a Negative Role (Female) Won
BIG Star Entertainment Awards Most Entertaining Actor Female Nominated
Gold Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role (Female) Won
2011 Star Guild Awards Best Actor-Female in a Drama Series Nominated
FICCI Frames Excellence Awards Best TV Actor (Female) Won
Apsara Awards Best Ensemble Cast Won
Gold Awards Best Actor Female (Popular) Nominated
Best Actress (Critics) Won
2012 Apsara Awards Best Actress in Drama Series Nominated
Colors Golden Petal Awards Most Favourite Dancing Diva Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa season 5 Won
2017 Gold Awards Best Actress Dil Se Dil Tak Nominated
Colors Golden Petal Awards Favourite Jodi Siddharth Shukla, Rashami Desai Won
Colors Golden Petal Awards Best Actress Nominated
Gujarati Iconic Film Awards (GIFA) Best Actress Superstar Nominated
2018 Gujarati Transmedia Awards Best Debut Actress Won
2022 Midday IIIA Awards Best Debut Actress In A Web Series Tandoor Won
2023 IIFTA Awards Stellar Performer of the Year Won
2025 Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Awards Best Actress of Film & Television Mom Tane Nai Samjay Won

References

  1. 1 2 "Rashami Desai opens up about being raised by a single mom, says she couldn't afford to pay Rs 350 for dance class". Hindustan Times. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2022. Meanwhile, Rasila said that she changed her daughter's name from Shivani to Divya to Rashami, because she was scared of her family and society's reaction to her taking up acting as a profession. [...] I was scared of my family and society, so I changed her name.
  2. ↑ "Rashami Desai to Nia Sharma: Did you know the original names of these famous TV celebs?". The Times of India. 20 November 2019.
  3. ↑ "Rashami Desai's 35th birthday: Avika Gor, Yuvika Chaudhary and other TV celebs pour love on the actress". The Times of India. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  4. ↑ "If your birthday is on February 13". The Tribune India. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Mrunal Jain wishes sister Rashami Desai a happy birthday!". The Times of India. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  6. ↑ Kumar, Rupesh (18 April 2020). "Bigg Boss 13: सलमान खान के साथ रश्मि देसाई कर चुकी हैं रोमांस, जन्मदिन पर वायरल हुआ Video". Dainik Jagaran. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  7. ↑ "Happy Birthday Rashami Desai: Lesser known facts about this television star". The Indian Express. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ↑ Jain, Kiran (22 October 2014). "Ssharad Malhotra, Rashami Desai reveals their special shopping plan for Dhanteras". Daily Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Tiwari, Vijaya (14 December 2019). "Exclusive - Bigg Boss 13 contestant Rashami Desai's brother Gaurav: Arhaan Khan is nobody to revive my sister's career, she's already settled - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  10. ↑ "Bigg Boss 13 contestant Rashami Desai: Here's all you need to know about the actress". The Times of India. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  11. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood (2007-08-21). "Udit Narayan's Bhojpuri film starring Ravi Kishan wins National Award : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  12. ↑ "Rashmi's filmi past". The Times of India. 2010-01-09. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  13. ↑ "Rashami Desai's digital debut Tamas is well-intentioned but badly executed". Hindustan Times. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  14. ↑ "JNU: Jahangir National University - Official Teaser". The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  15. ↑ "JNU: Jahangir National University". The Times of India. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  16. ↑ "Mom Tane Nai Samjay - Official Trailer". The Times of India. 10 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  17. ↑ "Director Anup Thapa wraps shooting of film "Mission Laila" starring Rashmi Desai, Rajpal Yadav, Bhavin Bhanushali & Atul Srivastav". ANI News. 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  18. ↑ "Mission Laila". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "ਬਾਲੀਵੁੱਡ 'ਚ ਨਵੀਂ ਪਾਰੀ ਵੱਲ ਵਧਿਆ ਇਹ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਅਦਾਕਾਰ, ਇਸ ਫਿਲਮ 'ਚ ਆਵੇਗਾ ਨਜ਼ਰ" [This Punjabi actor, who has moved towards a new innings in Bollywood, will be seen in this film]. ETV Bharat News (in Punjabi). 2 January 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  20. ↑ "Nav Bajwa to romance Rashmi Desai in 'Chambe Di Booti'". Tribune. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  21. ↑ "Rashmi Desai to act in Punjabi film opposite Nav Bajwa". The Times of India. 1 June 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  22. ↑ Doliya Kahaar { Angika Vivah Geet } Shaadi Video Songs Jukebox. Retrieved 22 April 2024 – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ "Rashami Desai and Nandish Sandhu in a Music Video". The Indian Express. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  24. ↑ "Sajna Ve HD music video sung by Monali Thakur and Dilip Soni, starring Rashami Desai and Salman Yusuf Khan". 19 March 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  25. ↑ "Ab Kya Jaan Legi Meri: Shaheer Sheikh and Rashami Desai come together for song on demanding girlfriends". Hindustan Times. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  26. ↑ "Listen To The Romantic Reprised Version Of Song 'Kinna Sona' Sung By Rahul Vaidya Feat. Rashami Desai | Hindi Video Songs - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  27. ↑ "SubhanAllah music video out. Rashami Desai, Monis Khan's chemistry is just adorable". India Today. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "Zindagi Khafa Khafa Song Out: Rahul Vaidya And Rashmi Desai Star In A Romantic Song". ZEE5. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  29. ↑ Qatilana (Official Video) Rashami Desai - Ajay Keswani | Sanjeev Chaturvedi - New Hindi Songs 2022, 2 March 2022, retrieved 4 March 2022
  30. ↑ Biraj Mein Jhoom ft. Rashami Desai | Anuradha Juju, Salim Sulaiman | Juju Productions, 14 March 2022, retrieved 14 March 2022 – via YouTube
  31. ↑ Tere Pind - Fateh Shergill | Rashami Desai | Gurlez Akhtar | Latest New Punjabi Songs 2022, 31 March 2022, retrieved 2 April 2022 – via YouTube
  32. ↑ "Neha Bhasin | Parwah Ft. Rashami Desai (Official Video)", YouTube, 3 April 2022, retrieved 4 April 2022
  33. ↑ "Khayalat | (Music Video) | Faisla Khan | Rashami Desai & Arman Khan | Punjabi Songs 2022". YouTube. Jass Records Worldwide. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  34. ↑ Bhatia, Harshika (22 September 2023). "Pyar Eda Da: Shoaib Ibrahim and Rashami Desai's new song is here to steal hearts". PINKVILLA. Archived from the original on 11 November 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  35. ↑ "Telly awards 2009 Popular Awards nominees". Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  36. ↑ "GR8! TV Magazine - THE INDIAN TELEVISION ACADEMY AWARDS, 2009". gr8mag.com.
  37. ↑ "The Chosen Ones" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  38. ↑ "Telly awards 2010 Popular Awards winners". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "Big Star Entertainment Awards 2010". 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021 – via YouTube.
  40. ↑ "Gold Awards 2010 July04'10 Part-25". YouTube (Zee TV channel). 7 July 2010. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  41. ↑ "Awards Star Guild Awards 2011". nettv4u. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  42. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood (26 March 2011). "Winners of FICCI FRAMES Excellence Honours awards : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  43. ↑ "Highest scorer Dabangg won seven awards at the Chevrolet Apsara Awards 2011". Adgully. 17 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  44. ↑ "Gold Awards 2011 July17'11 Part-27". YouTube (Zee TV Channel). 18 July 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  45. ↑ "Winners List:4th Boroplus Gold Awards, 2011". Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  46. ↑ "Winners List:7th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  47. ↑ "Colors Golden Petal Awards 2012 - Filmibeat". www.filmibeat.com. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  48. ↑ Goswami, Parismita (26 June 2017). "Zee Gold Awards 2017: Jennifer Winget, Shaheer Sheikh, Mouni Roy and others nominated; here's how you can vote". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  49. ↑ "Colors Golden Petal Awards 2017 Winners". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  50. ↑ "Rubina Dilaik, Adaa Khan, Karan Mehra: TV celebs dazzle at Colors Golden Petal Awards 2017". India Today. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  51. ↑ "Watch GIFA 2024". GIFA. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  52. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood (18 February 2018). "Rashmi Desai, Deepshikha and other celebs attend the 17th Transmedia Gujarati Screen and Stage Awards in Mumbai | Parties & Events - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  53. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood. "Photos Celebs attend the Midday India International Influencer Awards 2022 (16) | Rashami Desai Images - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  54. ↑ "IIFTA Awards 2023: Adnan Khan, Archana Gautam, Falaq Naaz and other TV stars grace the red carpet". bollywoodlife.com. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  55. ↑ "Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation Presents Film Awards, Film Festivals & Socail Services". dadasahebphalkeff.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.

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