Ashwini Kalsekar is an Indian actress who works predominantly in the Marathi and Hindi television and film industry.
She has primarily worked with Sriram Raghavan, Rohit Shetty, Ram Gopal Varma and Ekta Kapoor. After playing a cop in the popular TV show CID, Kalsekar had her first lead role on television in Zee TV's 1999 series Mr. Gayab. She had rose to fame with negative characters in Kasamh Se, Afsar Bitiya, Jodha Akbar, Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar and Kavach. She also featured as a judge in the Marathi reality show "Fu bai fu" in 2011.
Kalsekar debuted in Tollywood like her husband Murali Sharma with Badrinath. Since 2019, she focused on OTT with Zee5's series "Chargesheet: The Shuttlecock Murder", in the MX Player web series "Cheesecake" as Chaaru, an animal communicator, which premiered in December 2019, in 36 Farmhouse on Zee5 and in the Hotstar Specials show Rudra: The Edge of Darkness.
Early life Ashwini Kalsekar was born into a Marathi family in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her father Anil Kalsekar was a bank employee. Ashwini completed her B.A. from Mumbai and graduated in 1991. She pursued theatre from 1991 to 1994 after her studies. From 1992 to 1993, she was studying under actress Neena Gupta to pursue her dream to become an actress. She also trained under Muzammeel Vakil, a theatre acting coach, from 1992 to 1995. Ashwini is also a trained Kathak dancer.
Personal life Ashwini married Nitesh Pandey in 1998. They were divorced in 2002 due to undisclosed reasons. In 2009, she married film and television actor Murali Sharma.
Career In an interview to The Indian Express, she said that Shanti was her first acting project. She then worked in successful television serials such as CID, Anjaane, Siddhant and K. Street Pali Hill.
In 1990, Ashwini first appeared in the Odia film Paradeshi Chadhei. Ashwini performed in the Marathi film Tula Jhapar La (1996). Supporting roles would follow in Marathi films.
(2012).
Ekta Kapoor provided significant breaks to appear in the soap opera Kasamh Se as the antagonist Jigyasa Walia, receiving the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, and other major awards.
In 2012, Ashwini was again approached by Ekta Kapoor to play the role of Maham Anga, a foster mother of Emperor Akbar in her historical drama series Jodha Akbar. The role fetched her critical acclaim and major awards. She would receive the 2014 Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role,Winners List:Indian Telly Awards, 2014 the Boroplus Gold Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, and other major awards.
In 2012, she was a part of a Marathi comedy reality show, Fu Bai Fu for 2 seasons, on a panel of judges, along with Swapnil Joshi and Sanjay Jadhav.
In 2014, Ashwini performed the role of Pam Khanna in Ekta Kapoor's soap opera Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar.
Filmography
Films Year Film Role Notes 1990 Paradeshi Chadhei Manasi (Maani), Sujan Choudhury's love interest, Choudhury family's neighbour Odia film 1996 Tula Jhapar La Marathi film 2003 The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Intelligence officer Nilima under Major Arun Khanna2004 Khakee Kamlesh's wife Musafir Angela2005 Kisna Rita Aashiq Banaya Aapne Police Officer Apaharan Anwar's wife 2006 Ankahee Mrs. Shilpa Mehta2007 Speed Pam Johnny Gaddaar Varsha2008 Golmaal Returns Munni Phoonk Madhu2009 Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye Mrs. Kapoor All the Best: Fun Begins Mary Ek Tho ChanceSumbaranMarathi film2010 Phoonk 2 Madhu Rakta Charitra Inspector Ashwini Golmaal 3 Chintu 2011 Badrinath Sarkar's wifeTollywood debut 2012 Nippu Raja Goud's wifeTelugu film 2013 Dehraadun Diary2014 Singham Returns TV journalist Meera Shori Poshter Boyz Head of Health Department Marathi film2015 Rahasya Remi Fernandes She is Ayesha's real mother Badlapur Detective Joshi 2016 Dongri Ka Raja Raja's mother2017 Golmaal Again DaminiBaghtos Kay Mujra Kar Marathi film2018 Mehbooba Muntaz Telugu film Andhadhun Rasika Jawanda Simmba Judge Mrs. Smita Parulkar2019 Wedding Cha Shinema Dr. Anagha Pradhan Marathi film2020 Laxmii Ashwini2021 Koi Jaane Na Police Officer2022 36 Farmhouse BennyBhool Bhulaiyaa 2 PanditayeenCirkus Shakuntala Devi2023DaakMarathi film2024Merry Christmas ScarlettHindi/Tamil; Tamil debutMonkey Man Queenie KapoorEnglish film; International debutVicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala VideoBulbul DidiBhool Bhulaiyaa 3 PanditayeenVanvaasRampatiya Mausi2025Son of Sardaar 2Premlata 2026ManjarMarathi film
Television Year Show Role Notes 1995–1997 Shanti Shasha 1997 Farz 1997 Ek Aur Mahabharat DraupadiOf Grit and Determination1997Ghar JamaiRohini AmmaGuest 1997 Aahat Police Inspector Smita Episode 86, 87 Asli Yaa Naqli 1998–2004 CID Inspector Asha Supporting role 1998 Ji Sahab Doctor Special appearance 1999 Naya Zamana Kiran Indrayani 1999 Mr. Gaayab12 Nisha Lead role 2001–2002 Anjaane 2002–2003 Achanak 37 Saal Baad Malini 2002-2004 Kittie Party Natassha 2004 Siddhanth ACP Netra Menon 2006; 2007–2009 Kasamh Se Jigyaasa Walia Bali Main Antagonist 2007 Jeete Hai Jiske Liye Adira Dhanrajgir 2007–2008 Virrudh Devyani 2007-2008 Parrivaar Manorma Supporting role 2010 Jhansi Ki Rani Heera Bai 2010 Ganga Kii Dheej Maha Mai 2011Hitler DidiRani BhatijaGuest 2012 Afsar Bitiya Sikka Thakurayin 2013 Fu Bai Fu Judge Marathi comedy show 2013–2014 Jodha Akbar Maham Anga Antagonist 2014–2015 Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar Poonam Khanna 2016 Adaalat (season 2) 2016 Kavach... Kaali Shaktiyon Se Saudaamini (pisachini)2017 Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double Neena Nadkarni Supporting role
Web series YearTitleRolePlatformNotes2019Booo Sabki PhategiAmmaALTBalajiDigital debutHutatma ZEE52020The Chargesheet: Innocent or Guilty?Abha Abhyankar 2022 Rudra: The Edge of Darkness Commissioner Deepali Handa Disney+ Hotstar 2023 Pop Kaun? Satwant Kaur2026Psycho SaiyaanRatna SinghMX PlayerSpecial Appearance
Awards Year Award Category For ResultRef(s) 2006 6th Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in Negative Role Kasamh Se 2007 7th Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress in Negative Role Winners List:Indian Television Academy Awards, 2007 2014 13th Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in Negative Role Jodha Akbar 7th Boroplus Gold Awards Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
See also List of Hindi television actresses List of Indian television actresses
References
External links