Anita Hassanandani

Early life

Hassanandani was born as Natasha Hassanandani, into a Sindhi Hindu family in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 14 April 1981.

Career

Debut and success in South Indian films (1998-2004)

Hassanandani made her acting debut with the television series Idhar Udhar in 1998, where she played Anushka. It was followed by a special appearance in the Hindi film Taal, in 1999. In 2000, she appeared in the series Hare Kanch Ki Choodiyan. Hassanandani made her film debut with the Telugu film Nuvvu Nenu (2001) opposite Uday Kiran. The film was commercial success. Jeevi of Idlebrain noted, "Anita looks the part and gives a decent performance." From 2001 to 2002, she played Tanushree in Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii.

In 2002, Hassanandani appeared in four films. She first made her Tamil film debut with Varushamellam Vasantham opposite Manoj Bharathiraja. Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu stated, "Anita, the new find, looks charming, with expressive eyes." Her other releases that year were: Samurai with Vikram, Sreeram with Uday Kiran and Thotti Gang with Prabhu Deva.

Hassanandani expanded to Hindi films in 2003 with Kucch To Hai opposite Tusshar Kapoor, which was a box office failure. Her next release, Yeh Dil, reunited her with Tusshar Kapoor but failed at the box office too. Priya Ganapati of Rediff.com stated that she gave a "reasonably good performance". Her performance in both these films earned her nomination for Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut. Following this, Hassanandani appeared in three Telugu films: Ninne Ishtapaddanu, Aadanthe Ado Type with Aryan Rajesh, and Nenu Pelliki Ready with Srikanth. A critic from The Hindu was appreciative of her performance in the latter. That year, she also played Kareena in the series Kohi Apna Sa.

Hassanandani started 2004 with the series Lavanya, where she played Samira and had a special appearance in Nenunnanu. Following this, she played the lead opposite Sohail Khan in Krishna Cottage. Shilpa Bharatan Iyer of Rediff.com stated, "Natassha has done reasonable jobs with the script she have been given." In her last release of the year, she played the lead opposite Puneeth Rajkumar in Veera Kannadiga, her Kannada debut. The film emerged a major commercial success and proved her breakthrough.

Television breakthrough and career expansion (2005–2012)

Hassanandani's career marked a turning point in 2005, with Kkavyanjali. She played Anjali "Anjum" Salve Nanda, a middle-class girl marrying into a business tycoon's family opposite Rakshak Sahni and Eijaz Khan. The series earned her success and she won the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress for her performance. In the same year, she appeared in the Tamil film Sukran with Ravi Krishna, and the Hindi films Silsiilay and Koi Aap Sa. In Koi Aap Sa, Hassanandani played a rape survivor opposite Aftab Shivdasani. Taran Adarsh noted: "After making an impact in Silsiilay earlier this year, Natassha gets an author-backed role and the actor is only getting better, more dependable. A sincere performance, it stands out mainly because she handles it most naturally."

In 2006, Hassanandani appeared in her second Kannada film Gandugali Kumara Rama, opposite Shiva Rajkumar. R G Vijayasarathy stated the she "shines" among the actresses. In 2007, she first played Swati Bhatia in Kayamath and then appeared in the Hindi films: Dus Kahaniyaan and Just Married. From 2007 to 2008, she played Sanchi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi opposite Naman Shaw. Following her supporting parts in the series Kasamh Se, Kya Dill Mein Hai and Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, Hassanandani played Draupadi in the 2008 series Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. In the same year, she participated in the first season of Khatron Ke Khiladi. Later, she appeared in the Tamil film Nayagan.

In 2009, Hassanandani hosted Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo. Her only film release of the year was Ek Se Bure Do opposite Arshad Warsi. She then played the lead Anahita Mallik in Anhoniyon Ka Andhera, from 2010 to 2011. In 2010, Hassanandani appeared in the Hindi film Benny and Babloo, Kannada film Huduga Hudugi and had a special appearance in the Telugu film Ragada. In 2011, she played supporting parts in the series: Gutur Gu 2, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and had an episodic appearance in Teri Meri Love Stories. In the same year, she also appeared in the Tamil film Maharaja and the Telugu film Aha Naa Pellanta!, which was a commercial success. In 2012, she appeared in an episode of Lakhon Mein Ek, hosted Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and had a special appearance in Genius.

Established actress (2013–2020)

Hassanandani established herself among the leading actresses of Hindi television with her portrayal of Shagun Arora Raghav in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein opposite Sumeet Sachdev and Karan Patel. She played the character from 2013 to 2019 and earned four consecutive Gold Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for her performance. In 2013, she also played Sanya Nair in Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon and appeared in the first episode of Yeh Hai Aashiqui as a married woman who falls in love with her student. She then made her Punjabi film debut with Yaaran Da Katchup in 2014 and in the same year she appeared in Ragini MMS 2, which was a box office success.

Hassanandani hosted Code Red in 2015. That year, she participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 as a wild card. Following this, she appeared in the Hindi film Hero. Alongside Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, she continued to play supporting parts in Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant, Trideviyaan and Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo. In 2016, she played a professor's wife in Manalo Okkadu opposite R. P. Patnaik. The film was a moderate success. A critic from 123telugu stated, "Anita makes a comeback and is perfect in her role. She does a neat job in emotional scenes and gives ample support to Patnaik."

From 2018 to 2019, Hassanandani played Vishakha, a shape-shifting serpent in Naagin 3 opposite Rajat Tokas. She received praises for her performance and earned several accolades. She made her web debut in 2018 with Galti Se Mis-Tech, playing a married woman caught in technological glitches opposite Rithvik Dhanjani. Sana Farzeen of The Indian Express was appreciative of her chemistry with Dhanjani and her portrayal. In 2019, she also participated in Nach Baliye 9 with her husband and emerged as the first runner-up. In 2020, she reprised her role as Vishakha in Naagin 4.

Hiatus and comeback (2021–present)

Following a small hiatus due to her pregnancy, Hassanandani made her comeback with the Hindi film Maarrich opposite Tusshar Kapoor, where she played a police officer's wife.

Hassanandani returned to television after three years with Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum, where she played Roshni Sahni opposite Jay Bhanushali. From September 2024 to April 2025, she is seen portraying Devika Gupta Mittal in Suman Indori opposite Aman Sharma.

Personal life

Hassanandani married corporate professional Rohit Reddy in Goa on 14 October 2013. On 10 October 2020, she announced her pregnancy in an Instagram video featuring Reddy and herself. The couple had their first child, a boy, on 9 February 2021. They named their son as Aaravv Reddy.

Filmography

Television

Special appearances

Web series

Music videos

Discography

Awards and nominations

References

References

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