Archana Puran Singh

Early life

Archana Puran Singh is a Rajput. She was born in Dehradun to Chaudhary Puran Singh, an affluent lawyer who owned Chevrolet Impala car and had represented Sanjay Gandhi in 1975-1977 Emergency in India related cases, but did not want his children to become lawyers as he believed this profession sometimes required compromise with own conscience while representing the clients. She is the third among the four siblings.

After she completed her 1st to 11th at Convent of Jesus and Mary, Dehradun, she went on to Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi to study literature where she stayed in the college hostel. After she finished college, her father coincidentally connected to his old friends in Mumbai for reasons unrelated to movies, but series of events saw Archana moving to Mumbai in a paying guest house where she stayed for four years with Mitali Mukherjee - wife of singer Bhupinder Singh.

Career

In films

She made her film debut with Nikaah in 1982 at the age of 20. In 1987, she starred in Jalwa opposite Naseeruddin Shah. Later, she did roles in films like Agneepath (1990), Saudagar (1991), Shola aur Shabnam (1992), Aashiq Awara (1993), and Raja Hindustani (1996); she did item songs in films like the Govinda-starrer thriller Baaz and the Suniel Shetty starrer Judge Mujrim.

Thereafter, she has largely restricted herself to supporting roles in Hindi films, often in comedies. Some of her films are Love Story 2050, Mohabbatein, Krrish, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Masti, De Dana Dan and Bol Bachchan.

In television

She became a television anchor, with Wah, Kya Scene Hai on Zee TV in 1993 which was followed by Uncensored. She later acted in Shrimaan Shrimati, Junoon and hosted Archana Talkies on Sony Entertainment Television. She also acted in the TV show Zee Horror Show.

She also directed sitcoms like Jaane Bhi Do Paaro and Nehle Pe Dehla and produced Samne Wali Khidki.

In 2005, she was a contestant in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 1, in which she participated with her husband, Parmeet Sethi; they were eliminated in the sixth episode. In 2006, she and her husband hosted another dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 1).

Thereafter, she appeared as a judge on comedy shows, including Sony Entertainment Television's Comedy Circus. In 2015, she appeared in SAB TV's The Great Indian Family Drama as Begum Paro.

In 2019, she entered as the judge/permanent guest in The Kapil Sharma Show replacing Navjot Singh Sidhu, and reprised her role in The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix in 2024. In 2019, she acted as Lakhan's mother, Paramjeet, in SAB TV serial, My Name Ijj Lakhan opposite her real life husband, Parmeet Sethi.

Filmography

Films

Television

Awards and nominations

Personal life

Her first marriage with the model Gurinder Singh, also known as Sunny Reya who died accidentally in 1991, did not work and ended in a divorce. She later married actor Parmeet Sethi on 30 June 1992 after 4 year long cohabitation. They have two sons, Aaryamann and Ayushmaan. Her son Aaryamann got engaged to actress Yogita Bihani in August 2025.

Notes

References

References

1. Archana Puran Singh. (2025-01-27). "How I Broke My Hand! {{!}} Accident at Shoot and Surgery Update {{!}} @ArchanaPuranSingh_Official".
2. (7 July 1998). "Face Off – Archana Puran Singh". [[The Indian Express]].
3. (25 September 2021). "Archana Puran Singh: I don't believe in hiding my age, if kids are 25, will people think you're 16?".
4. . (10 October 2012). ["Archana Puran Singh – filmography"](http://movies.nytimes.com/person/470099/Archana-Puran-Singh). *[[The New York Times]]*.
5. (17 November 2024). ""I AM SINDHI!" Clarifies Tamanna Bhatia in the Kapil Sharma Show".
6. [https://www.msn.com/hi-in/entertainment/other/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AA-%E0%A4%A4-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9F-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC-%E0%A4%A5-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%97-%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A7-%E0%A4%95-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%9F-%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%AC-%E0%A4%B0-%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%8F-%E0%A4%98%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B8-%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%9A-%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%8F-%E0%A4%A5%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%97/ar-AA1LnlrK?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=d2789cc95df947ff81d85feee22e91d2&ei=13 अर्चना पूरन सिंह के पिता ने कोर्ट में लड़ा था संजय गांधी का केस, नोटों से भरी बोरी लिए घूस देने पहुंच गए थे लोग], MSN, 28 Aug 2025.
7. [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/114368165.cms Doon is my favorite city in the world], Times of India, 19 Oct 2024.
8. [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060506/ttlife.htm#6 Alive and kicking] {{Webarchive. link. (13 May 2008 ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)). The Tribune]]'', 6 May 2006.
9. "Archana uncensored".
10. "Rashami-Shilpa to reprise Reema and Archana's roles from Shriman Shrimati". The Times of India.
11. "Tribuneindia... Film and tv".
12. "Tribuneindia... Film and tv".
13. (29 March 2024). "The Great Indian Kapil Show: Comedy King Calls Archana Puran Singh His 'Lucky Charm'".
14. Bandyopadhyay, Bohni. (26 September 2024). "Archana Puran Singh recalls how she landed her first movie appearance in 1982's Nikaah". [[Mid-Day]].
15. Ramnath, Nandini. (13 June 2016). "The magic of 1980s hit 'Jalwa', starring Naseeruddin Shah as a hunk on a drug trail".
16. . (6 February 2025). ["Archana Puran Singh Movies List"](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/archana-puran-singh/filmography/).
17. . (13 June 2019). ["Archana Puran Singh was 'nervous' to kiss Anupam Kher in ''Ladaai''"](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/lifestyle/archana-puran-singh-was-nervous-to-kiss-anupam-kher-in-ladaai-787313). *[[Tribune India]]*.
18. . (30 November 2011). ["Katrina as Chikni chameli in Agneepath"](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/katrina-kaif-as-chikni-chameli-in-agneepath-145855-2011-11-14).
19. Chopra, Anupama. (24 August 1998). "The lady's a vamp". [[Living Media]].
20. Kharbanda, Navya. (16 October 2023). "Archana Puran Singh on 25 years of KKHH: I was in love with Ms Briganza and the film during narration". [[Hindustan Times]].
21. Srinivasan, VS. (1 August 1998). "Of two squares and a triangle".
22. Adarsh, Taran. (15 December 2000). "Mohabbatein Movie Review".
23. Adarsh, Taran. (4 April 2001). "Censor Movie Review".
24. Parigi, Smitha. (26 November 2003). "Eye-candy, skin and a lot of Fardeen!".
25. Adarsh, Taran. (9 April 2004). "Masti Movie Review".
26. Adarsh, Taran. (24 December 2004). "Aabra Ka Daabra Movie Review".
27. Gajjar, Manish. (8 January 2005). "Insan -this film will make an insan out of you". [[BBC Online]].
28. "TV star Archana Puran Singh to play serious role in Kavi Raz's 'The Gold Bracelet'".
29. Adarsh, Taran. (22 June 2006). "Krrish Review".
30. Adarsh, Taran. (6 October 2006). "Mera Dil Leke Dekkho Movie Review".
31. Verma, Sukanya. (16 June 2008). "Baap re baap!".
32. Sen, Raja. (7 July 2008). "Duplicate dud".
33. Adarsh, Taran. (25 July 2008). "Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Movie Review".
34. Shekhar, Mayank. (26 September 2008). "Rufoo Chakkar: Fun On The Run: Is this fun?". [[Bangalore Mirror]].
35. . (23 April 2009). ["Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!"](https://www.indiatoday.in/news.html/photo/oye-lucky-lucky-oye-361162-2009-04-23).
36. Adarsh, Taran. (12 June 2009). "Kal Kissne Dekha Movie Review".
37. . (23 April 2009). ["Bad Luck Govind - The power of the positive"](https://www.indiatoday.in/news.html/photo/bad-luck-govind-the-power-of-the-positive-361314-2009-04-23/4).
38. Gupta, Shubhra. (27 November 2009). "De Dana Dan". [[The Indian Express]].
39. Pathak, Ankur. (6 May 2011). "Review: Luv Ka The End is engaging, fun".
40. Verma, Sukanya. (6 July 2012). "Review: Bol Bachchan is amateurish and silly".
41. Verma, Sukanya. (8 July 2014). "Kick Review: Nawaz steals Salman's thunder".
42. Chatterjee, Arunava. (25 January 2015). "Movie review: Dolly Ki Doli is an entertainer with a half-baked plot".
43. Bhattacharjee, Moumita. (17 July 2020). "Virgin Bhanupriya review".
44. Verma, Sukanya. (11 October 2024). "Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video Review: Stree, Lies & Videotape".
45. Gupta, Shubhra. (7 March 2025). "Nadaaniyan movie review: Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor film rehashes every Karan Johar romcom, without his sparkle". The Indian Express.
46. Singh, Archana Puran. (1 July 2020). "Archana Puran Singh revisits Mr Ya Mrs". First of Many.
47. (23 August 2024). "Archana Puran Singh Interview - 1987".
48. [[Anupama Chopra]]. (31 January 1994). "Young, gifted and brash". Living Media India Limited.
49. Sharma, Riya. (10 April 2024). "ndia's first horror TV show was accused of spreading superstition, banned in Pakistan, later became cult classic". [[Daily News and Analysis]].
50. Farzeen, Sana. (3 April 2020). "Archana Puran Singh on Shrimaan Shrimati comeback: Will video call Rakesh Bedi and watch the episode together". The Indian Express.
51. Awaasthi, Kavita. (7 October 2016). "Junoon: Archana Puran Singh, Kitu Gidwani relive memories of the 1994 show". [[Hindustan Times]].
52. "Tribuneindia... Bollywood Bhelpuri".
53. "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Television".
54. "GR8! TV Magazine - THE INDIAN TELEVISION ACADEMY AWARDS, 2001".
55. "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Television".
56. "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Television".
57. Ali, Rashmi. (13 October 2005). "Meet the Baliye Dancers".
58. Chakraborty, Srabanti. (21 April 2006). "Kandy Floss: Where celebrities meet controversy".
59. Chakraborty, Srabanti. (24 August 2006). "Now, dancing with our stars".
60. Farzeen, Sana. (23 August 2018). "Sohail Khan and Archana Puran Singh to return with Comedy Circus on September 15". The Indian Express.
61. Shyam, Kavita. (14 February 2008). "Miss Briganza is back!".
62. . (4 January 2015). ["Satish Kaushik, Archana Puran Singh in fun-filled family drama, nawaabi style"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/satish-kaushik-archana-puran-singh-in-fun-filled-family-drama-nawaabi-style/articleshow/45729881.cms). *The Times of India*.
63. "'Bhaag Johnny' cast in Comedy Classes".
64. (20 September 2017). "SBAS: Archana Puran Singh to host game show Aunty Boli Lagao Boli". [[India TV]].
65. . (23 December 2018). ["My Name Ijj Lakhan: Archana Puran Singh, Parmeet Sethi to play reel life couple in Shreyas Talpade's show"](https://www.indiatoday.in/television/top-stories/story/archana-parmeet-sethi-to-play-reel-life-couple-1415249-2018-12-22). *India Today*.
66. . (18 February 2019). ["Archana Puran Singh shoots for The Kapil Sharma Show amid reports of Navjot Singh Sidhu's exit"](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/archana-puran-singh-replaces-navjot-singh-sidhu-in-the-kapil-sharma-show-details-inside/story-CQkkqPQxait5lar4gU8pkI.html). *Hindustan Times*.
67. Keshri, Shweta. (12 May 2022). "Archana Puran Singh and Shekhar Suman to judge India's Laughter Champion.". India Today.
68. Verma, Sonal. (3 February 2025). "The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 Announced: Kapil Sharma And Team Return To Netflix For Fresh Dose Of Comedy". Times Now.
69. "A checklist of who won what at the year-end Asian TV awards".
70. ABP News. (1 October 2021). "After a failed marriage Archana never wanted any man in her life till she met Parmeet at a party".
71. (30 June 2021). "Archana Puran Singh says her elder son has given 'many auditions': 'He is struggling to get good work'".
72. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/archana-puran-singh-cries-happy-tears-as-son-aaryamann-gets-engaged-to-girlfriend-yogita-to-move-in-together-puts-key-ring-of-their-new-house-on-her-finger-10188672/