Tejasswi Prakash Wayangankar (born 10 June 1993) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi television, streaming series and Marathi films. She is a recipient of an Indian Television Academy Award and an Indian Telly Award. She is best known for portraying Ragini Gadodia in Swaragini – Jodein Rishton Ke Sur and Pratha Gujral in Naagin 6. Following this, she participated in the reality shows Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 (2020), and Bigg Boss 15 (2021), emerging as the winner in the latter. For her performance in Naagin 6, she won the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress – Popular in 2023.
She made her Marathi film debut with Mann Kasturi Re (2022), which earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – Marathi nomination..
In 2025, she participated in the first season of Celebrity MasterChef India, finishing as the second runner-up. In 2026, she starred as Charu Lata in the streaming romantic thriller series Psycho Saiyaan.
Early life and education Tejasswi was born on 10 June 1993 in Jeddah, in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia to Indian parents. She was raised in Mumbai in a Marathi family.
She is an engineer by education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology of the University of Mumbai.
Career Early work (2012–2018)
Tejasswi began her acting career in 2012, with Life OK's thriller 2612 playing Rashmi Bhargava. In 2013, she was seen playing Dhara Vaishnav in Colors TV's soap opera Sanskaar - Dharohar Apnon Ki opposite Jay Soni.
From 2015 to 2016, she portrayed the leading role of Ragini Maheshwari in Colors TV's popular drama romance Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur, which earned her nominations for Indian Telly Awards and Golden Petal Awards.
In 2017, she was seen portraying Diya Singh in Sony TV's mystery drama Pehredaar Piya Ki. After Pehredaar Piya Ki ended, Tejasswi was re-cast as Diya Singh in Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya.
In 2018, she portrayed Uruvi in Star Plus's mythological drama Karn Sangini opposite Aashim Gulati.
Career progression (2019–present) In 2019, Tejasswi was seen portraying Mishti Malhotra in the second season of Voot's romantic drama Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka alongside Kunal Jaisingh and Aneri Vajani.
In 2020, she made her reality TV debut through participation in Colors TV's popular stunt-based show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10. Despite being one of the strongest contenders, she had to quit the show midway through after suffering a severe eye injury which ended her journey at 6th place.
In 2021, she participated in Colors TV's reality show Bigg Boss 15 where she survived for 17 weeks inside the house and emerged as the winner of the show.
Shortly after her victory, in February 2022 , she was cast as the lead in Ekta Kapoor's popular supernatural franchise Naagin 6 as the protagonist Pratha Gujral, a shape-shifting serpent. She essayed multiple characters across the show's storyline, including Pratha Gujral, Prathna Gujral, and Pragati Iyer Shukla. The season went on to become the longest-running installment of the Naagin franchise.
In November 2022, Tejasswi made her Marathi debut alongside Abhinay Berde in the romantic drama Mann Kasturi Re directed by Sanket Mane, which gave her a nomination for the Best Actress Debut at the Filmfare Marathi Awards 2022.
In April 2023, she was seen as the lead actress of Marathi film School College Ani Life produced by Rohit Shetty.
In 2025, she participated in the inaugural season of Celebrity MasterChef India , where she finished as the second runner-up. One of her dishes, “Dosa Bomboloni”, was featured at Chef Vikas Khanna’s restaurant Bungalow in New York following her appearance on the show.
In 2026, Tejasswi made her OTT fiction debut with the romantic thriller series Psycho Saiyaan (TV series), which premiered on Amazon MX Player. She portrayed the lead role alongside Ravi Kishan and Anud Singh Dhaka. The series received mixed reception, although her performance was noted positively for showcasing a darker and more layered role compared to her previous television appearances.
The same year, she also appeared alongside longtime partner Karan Kundrra in Netflix’s reality series Desi Bling, which revolved around the lives of affluent Indians residing in Dubai.
Prakash made her debut as a mentor in the fifth season of the gaming reality show Playground (web series) . Her team won the championship title, with contestant Madhuja Ghoshal emerging as the season's ultimate winner.
Personal life Tejasswi is engaged to actor and host Karan Kundrra, they have been in a relationship since 2021. They participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 15 and started dating in BB15 house.
In the media Post Naagin, Tejasswi has established herself among the leading and highest-paid actresses of Indian television. She was also included by Femina in its Beautiful Indians 2022 list, "Celebs for Good", for her contributions to the welfare of stray animals and challenged individuals.
She was included by HT City in its 30 Under 30 list of 2022 for the Television category. She was awarded the Digital Sensation of the Year at Filmfare Middle East 2022 held in Dubai.
She secured the 8th position in the UK list of the Top 50 Asian Celebrities in the World by Eastern Eye in 2022 and the 12th position in 2023, for her work in Indian television. In 2023, she ranked 4th in Times Now "Popular Television Actresses" list.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 2012–2013 2612 Rashmi Bhargava 2013 2613 2013–2014 Sanskaar – Dharohar Apnon Ki Dhara Vaishnav 2015–2016 Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur Ragini Gadodia Maheshwari 2017 Pehredaar Piya Ki Diya Singh 2017–2018 Rishta Likhenge Hum Naya 2018–2019 Karn Sangini Uruvi2019 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka 2 Mishti Malhotra 2019 Shaadi Ho To Aisi Jiya2020 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 Contestant 6th place2021Zee Comedy Show Comedian2021–2022Bigg Boss 15 Contestant Winner2022–2026NaaginPratha GujralMain (season 6)Prathna AhlawatMain (season 6)Pragati ShuklaMain (season 6)Guest (season 7) 2024Family Table Herself 2025Celebrity MasterChef IndiaContestant2nd Runner-up Celebrity Masterchef - Masterclass Panelist2025–presentLaughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment season 3Contestant1st runner up 2026Playground 5MentorSeason 5Winner
Special appearances Year Title Role 2014 BeintehaaDhara Parichay 2015 Comedy Nights with Kapil Ragini 2015–2016 Sasural Simar Ka 2016 Krishnadasi Balika Vadhu Ishq Ka Rang Safed Thapki Pyar Ki Udaan Comedy Nights Live Comedy Nights Bachao Box Cricket League 2 Herself 2018 Swisswale Dulhania Le Jayenge 2 Simran 2019 Ace of Space 2 Herself Kitchen Champion 5 Shaadi Ho Toh Aisi Jiya2020Bigg Boss 15 Herself2021Chala Hawa Yeu Dya2022 Spy Bahu - Rang Barse 2022Pratha Gujral Khatra Khatra Khatra Herself Dance Deewane Juniors 1 Lock Upp Saavi Ki Savaari - Ganesh UtsavPratha GujralFu Bai FuHerself 2023Chala Hawa Yeu DyaEntertainment Ki Raat HousefullBekabooPrathna AhlawatTemptation Island: Pyaar Ki ParikshaHerself 2024Family TableLaughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment season 1 2025Super DancerIndian Idol (Hindi TV series) season 15Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment season 2Pati Patni Aur Panga – Jodiyon Ka Reality Check (2X)2026MTV Splitsvilla 16 Herself
Web shows Year Title Role2019 Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka 2 Mishti Malhotra 2020Ladies vs Gentlemen Panelist 2026Psycho SaiyaanCharu Lata Desi Bling Herself
Music videos Year Title Singer(s) 2020 IntezaarIkka, Themxxnlight Sunn Zara JalRaj Ae Mere Dil Abhay Jodhpurkar Kalakaar Kulwinder Billa 2021 FakiraAmit Mishra Mera Pehla PyaarJaved Ali, Nikhita Gandhi 2022 Duaa Hai Vineet Singh Kyun Na AayePranav VatsaRula Deti HaiYasser DesaiBaarish Aayi HaiStebin Ben, Shreya Ghoshal 2023Door Hova GeyJassie GillAidan Na NachAmar Jalal 2024RevolverGippy Grewal
Films Year Title Role 2022 Mann Kasturi Re Shruti Sarnaik2023 School College Ani Life Indu
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref2015Indian Telly AwardsBest Actress in a Negative RoleSwaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur2022Lokmat Stylish AwardsMost Stylish Emerging IconPinkvilla Screen and Style Icons AwardsSuper Stylish TV Couple (With Karan Kundra) Indian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress PopularNaagin 62023Filmfare Marathi Awards Best Actress DebutMann Kasturi Re Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Most Stylish TV Actor (Female) Pinkvilla Style Icons AwardsStunningly Stylish Actress TVIndian Telly AwardsBest Actress FemaleNaagin 6 Favorite Actress in Mythology Role Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards IndiaFavorite TV Actress Indian Television Academy AwardsBest Actress Popular2025Pinkvilla Screen and Style Icons AwardsMost Stylish TV Actor (Female) Indian Telly AwardsStyle & Substance Star
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