Kishori Shahane
FinalistKishori Shahane
Bio
Kishori Shahane Vij is an Indian actress, classical and folk dancer, and film producer born on 4 January 1965 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. She is a trained classical and folk dancer who has performed on stage in India and abroad. While studying at Mithibai College, Mumbai - known as the cultural hub of the city - she was crowned Miss Mithibai. She is married to Hindi film producer and director Deepak Balraj Vij (they met during the making of Hafta Bandh in 1991 and married thereafter); their son is Bobby Vij. She made her Marathi film debut and quickly rose to fame with blockbusters like Meherchi Saadi, Vajwa Re Vajwa, Ek Daav Dhobi Pachad, and Navra Mazha Navsacha. Her stage performances in Moruchi Mavshi (Marathi) and Aadhe Adhure (Hindi, directed by Amal Allana) earned her wide acclaim. Her Hindi TV debut came with Ghar Ek Mandir, followed by Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, Sindoor, and others. In 2016, she played a transgender character in Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki (Colors TV). In 2017, she appeared in the Bollywood film Simran (with Kangana Ranaut) and participated in the Mrs. Gladrags beauty pageant (runner-up, 2003). As a producer, her Marathi film Mohtyachi Renuka won the Maharashtra State Award for Best Editing (2007); she also produced Malik Ek (Hindi, starring Jackie Shroff, based on the life of Sai Baba). She is best known in recent years for playing the formidable Bhavani Chavan in Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyar Mein (Star Plus/Sony, 2020-24), a role considered one of the most iconic antagonists in Indian TV, for which she won ITA, Indian Telly, and Iconic Gold Awards. In 2019, she participated in Bigg Boss Marathi Season 2 on Colors Marathi hosted by Mahesh Manjrekar. She was honoured by host Manjrekar with the Shining Star Award of the Season at the Grand Finale and finished 5th overall.
130+ Marathi films and 50+ Hindi films across a 35-year career; breakthrough Marathi films Meherchi Saadi and Vajwa Re Vajwa; Hindi soap operas Ghar Ek Mandir, Sindoor, and Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin; Colors TV serial Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki (2016-17) as a transgender character; Star Plus / Sony serial Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyar Mein (2020-24) as Bhavani Chavan - her most iconic recent role, winning ITA, Indian Telly, and Iconic Gold awards; Bollywood film Simran (2017, with Kangana Ranaut); 5th place finalist of Bigg Boss Marathi Season 2 (2019).