Sylvin Thomas at 12:25, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T12:25:37Z

New page

{{Short description|Indian film actress}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ashwini Kalsekar
| image = Ashwini Kalsekar.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Kalsekar in 2013
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = [[Mumbai, Maharashtra]], India
| other_names =
| citizenship =
| education = [[Bachelor of Arts]]
| alma_mater =
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1991–present
| notable_works = ''[[Kasamh Se]]''<br>''[[Jodha Akbar]]''
| style =
| television =
| title =
| term =
| spouse = {{married|[[Nitesh Pandey]]|1998|2002|reason=divorced}}<br />{{married|[[Murali Sharma]]|2009}}
| partner =
| parents =
| relatives =
| awards =
| module =
| signature =
| website =
}}

{{Confusing|section|date=April 2024}}'''Ashwini Kalsekar''' is an Indian actress who works predominantly in the [[Marathi language|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 (Indian TV series)|''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]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Jaya-is-a-pal-Ashwini-Kalsekar/articleshow/2158437.cms |title=Jaya is a pal: Ashwini Kalsekar |work=The Times of India |date=29 June 2007 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427005313/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/bombay-times/Jaya-is-a-pal-Ashwini-Kalsekar/articleshow/2158437.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Afsar Bitiya]]'', ''[[Jodha Akbar]]'', ''[[Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar]]'' and ''[[Kavach (TV series)|Kavach]]''. She also featured as a judge in the Marathi reality show ''"Fu bai fu"'' in 2011.

Kalsekar debuted in [[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]] like her husband [[Murali Sharma]] with ''[[Badrinath (film)|Badrinath]]''. Since 2019, she focused on [[Over-the-top media services in India|OTT]] with [[ZEE5|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 people|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/On-a-role/226252/ |title=Ashwini Kalsekar:An Actress & a Trained Kathak Dancer |date=9 October 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010223929/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/On-a-role/226252/ |archivedate=10 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Ashwini married [[Nitesh Pandey]] in 1998. They were divorced in 2002 due to undisclosed reasons.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} In 2009, she married film and television actor [[Murali Sharma]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-06 |title=Murali Sharma And Ashwini Kalsekar's Love Story Started On Sets Of Apaharan |url=https://www.news18.com/entertainment/bollywood/murali-sharma-and-ashwini-kalsekars-love-story-started-on-sets-of-apaharan-7741477.html |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
In an interview to [[The Indian Express]], she said that [[Shanti (TV series)|Shanti]] was her first acting project.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shekhar |first=Mimansa |date=6 May 2020 |title=First of Many: Ashwini Kalsekar revisits Shanti |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/ashwini-kalsekar-shanti-first-tv-show-6360520/}}</ref> She then worked in successful television serials such as ''[[CID (Indian TV series)|CID]]'', ''Anjaane'', ''Siddhant'' and ''[[K. Street Pali Hill]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ashwini Kalsekar: No one remembers that I have also played positive characters |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-No-one-remembers-that-I-have-also-played-positive-characters/articleshow/46716759.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328195317/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-No-one-remembers-that-I-have-also-played-positive-characters/articleshow/46716759.cms |archive-date=28 March 2015 |access-date=31 March 2015 |work=The Times of India|date=28 March 2015 }}</ref>

In 1990, Ashwini first appeared in a [[Odia language|Odia]] film ''Paradeshi Chadhei''.

In 1996, Ashwini performed in the [[Marathi language|Marathi]] film ''Tula Jhapar La''. This was followed by a number of films in Marathi where she appeared in supporting roles.

[[File:Murali and Ashwini.jpg|thumb|Ashwini Kalsekar with husband [[Murali Sharma]] at the sudio release of Kalsekar's 2012 film ''[[Jeena Hai Toh Thok Daal]]'']]

Her biggest break came when she was approached by [[Ekta Kapoor]] to play the [[antagonist]] in her [[Indian soap opera|soap opera]] ''[[Kasamh Se]],'' where she played the role of Jigyasa Walia. The role fetched her the [[Indian Television Academy Awards|Indian Television Academy Award]] for Best Actress in a Negative Role,{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} the [[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role]],<ref name="Telly Awards 2006">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov296.htm |title=Indiantelevision.com > News Headlines > Winners at The Indian Telly Awards 2006 |first=Anil |last=Wanvari |website=indiantelevision.org.in |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415202355/http://www.indiantelevision.org.in/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov296.htm |archive-date=15 April 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and other major awards.

In 2012, Ashwini was again approached by Ekta Kapoor to play the role of [[Maham Anga]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-jodha-akbar-to-be-aired-in-may-1822201 |title=Ekta Kapoor's Jodha Akbar starring Ashwini Kalsekar to go on air in May? |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094717/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-jodha-akbar-to-be-aired-in-may-1822201 |url-status=live}}</ref> a foster mother of [[Emperor Akbar]] in her [[Indian soap opera|historical drama series]] ''[[Jodha Akbar]]''. The role fetched her critical acclaim<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-Bids-a-Tearful-Goodbye-to-Jodha-Akbar/articleshow/43067898.cms |title=Ashwini Kalsekar Bids a Tearful Goodbye to Jodha Akbar |work=The Times of India ► |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927200633/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-Bids-a-Tearful-Goodbye-to-Jodha-Akbar/articleshow/43067898.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140923/entertainment-tvmusic/article/it-isn%E2%80%99t-easy-let-go-ashwini-kalsekar |title=It isn't easy to let go: Ashwini Kalsekar |date=24 September 2014 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103659/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140923/entertainment-tvmusic/article/it-isn%E2%80%99t-easy-let-go-ashwini-kalsekar |url-status=live}}</ref> and major awards. She went on to win the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role,<ref name="Telly Awards 2014">[http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners Winners List:Indian Telly Awards, 2014] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914102910/http://tellyawards.indiantelevision.com/tellyawards/nominees/winners |date=14 September 2015 }}</ref> the [[Zee Gold Awards|Boroplus Gold Award]] for Best Actress in a Negative Role,{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} and other major awards.

In 2012, she was a part of a Marathi comedy reality show, Fu Bai Fu. She was the judge of the show, along with Swapnil Joshi and Sanjay Jadhav, for 2 seasons.

In 2014, Ashwini performed the role of Pam Khanna<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-is-the-biggest-prankster-on-the-sets-of-Itna-Karo-Na-Mujhe-Pyar/articleshow/46186589.cms |title=Ashwini Kalsekar is the biggest prankster on the sets of Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyar |work=The Times of India |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308122527/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-is-the-biggest-prankster-on-the-sets-of-Itna-Karo-Na-Mujhe-Pyar/articleshow/46186589.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> in Ekta Kapoor's soap opera ''[[Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-to-play-Ronit-Roys-sister/articleshow/45205140.cms |title=Ashwini Kalsekar to play Ronit Roy's sister |work=The Times of India ► |date=4 December 2014 |access-date=31 March 2015 |archive-date=12 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201650/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Ashwini-Kalsekar-to-play-Ronit-Roys-sister/articleshow/45205140.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{Pending films key}}
===Films===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Notes

|-
| 1990
| ''Paradeshi Chadhei''
| Manasi (Maani), Sujan Choudhury's love interest, Choudhury family's neighbour
| [[Odia cinema|Odia film]]
|-
| 1996
| ''Tula Jhapar La''
|
| [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]]
|-
| 2003
| ''[[The Hero: Love Story of a Spy]]''
| Intelligence officer under Major Arun Khanna
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2004
| ''[[Khakee (film)|Khakee]]''
| Kamlesh's wife
|
|-
| ''[[Musafir (2004 film)|Musafir]]''
| Angela
|
|-
|rowspan="3"|2005
| ''[[Kisna]]''
| Rita
|
|-
| ''[[Aashiq Banaya Aapne]]''
| Police Officer
|
|-
| ''[[Apaharan]]''
| Anwar's wife
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Ankahee (2006 film)|Ankahee]]''
| Mrs. Shilpa Mehta
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2007
| ''[[Speed (2007 film)|Speed]]''
| Pam
|
|-
| ''[[Johnny Gaddaar]]''
| Varsha
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
| ''[[Golmaal Returns]]''
| Munni
|
|-
| ''[[Phoonk]]''
| Madhu
|
|-
|rowspan="4"|2009
| ''[[Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye]]''
| Mrs. Kapoor
|
|-
| ''[[All the Best: Fun Begins]]''
| Mary
|
|-
| ''[[Ek Tho Chance]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sumbaran]]''
|
|[[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]]
|-
|rowspan="3"|2010
| ''[[Phoonk 2]]''
| Madhu
|
|-
| ''[[Rakta Charitra]]''
| Inspector Ashwini
|
|-
| ''[[Golmaal 3]]''
| Chintu
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Badrinath (film)|Badrinath]]''
| Sarkar's wife
|[[Telugu cinema|Tollywood]] debut
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Nippu]]''
| Raja Goud's wife
|[[Telugu language|Telugu]] film
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Dehraadun Diary]]''
|
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2014
| ''[[Singham Returns]]''
| TV journalist Meera Shori
|
|-
| ''[[Poshter Boyz]]''
| Head of Health Department
| [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]]
|-
|rowspan="2"|2015
| ''[[Rahasya]]''
| Remi Fernandes
| She is Ayesha's real mother
|-
| ''[[Badlapur (film)|Badlapur]]''
| Detective Joshi
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Dongri Ka Raja]]''
| Raja's mother
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2017
| ''[[Golmaal Again]]''
| Damini
|
|-
|''[[Baghtos Kay Mujra Kar]]''
|
| [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]]
|-
|rowspan="3"|2018
| [[Mehbooba (2018 film)|''Mehbooba'']]
| Muntaz
| Telugu film
|-
| ''[[Andhadhun]]''
| Rasika Jawanda
|
|-
| ''[[Simmba]]''
| Judge Mrs. Smita Parulkar
|
|-
|2019
| ''[[Wedding Cha Shinema]]''
| Dr. Anagha Pradhan
| [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]]
|-
|2020
| ''[[Laxmii]]''
| Ashwini
|
|-
|2021
| ''[[Koi Jaane Na]]''
| Police Officer
|
|-
|rowspan=3|2022
| ''[[36 Farmhouse]]''
| Benny
|
|-
|''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2]]''
| Panditayeen
|
|-
|''[[Cirkus (film)|Cirkus]]''
| Shakuntala Devi
|
|-
|2023
|''Daak''
|
|Marathi film
|-
| rowspan="5" |2024
|''[[Merry Christmas (2024 film)|Merry Christmas]]''
| Scarlett
|Hindi/Tamil; Tamil debut
|-
|''[[Monkey Man (film)|Monkey Man]]''
| Queenie Kapoor
|English film; International debut
|-
|''[[Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video]]''
|Bulbul Didi
|
|-
|''[[Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3]]''
| Panditayeen
|
|-
|''[[Vanvaas]]''
|Rampatiya Mausi
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Son of Sardaar 2]]''
|Premlata
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Show
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1995–1997
| ''[[Shanti (TV series)|Shanti]]''
| Shasha
|
|-
| 1997
| ''Farz''
|
|
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Ek Aur Mahabharat]]''
| [[Draupadi]]<ref>[http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=14933 Of Grit and Determination]{{dead link|date=November 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
|
|-
|1997
|''[[Ghar Jamai (TV series)|Ghar Jamai]]''
|Rohini Amma
|Guest
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Aahat (Indian TV series)|Aahat]]''
| Police Inspector Smita
| Episode 86,87 Asli Yaa Naqli
|-
| 1998–2004
| ''[[CID (Indian TV series)|CID]]''
| Inspector Asha
| Supporting role
|-
| 1998
| ''Ji Sahab''
| Doctor
| Special appearance
|-
| 1999
| ''Naya Zamana''
|Kiran Indrayani
|
|-
| 1999
| ''Mr. Gaayab12''
|Nisha
| Lead role
|-
| 2001–2002
| ''[[List of programs broadcast by DD National|Anjaane]]''
|
|
|-
| 2002–2003
| ''[[Achanak 37 Saal Baad]]''
| Malini
|
|-
| 2002-2004
| ''[[Kittie Party]]''
| Natassha
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Siddhanth (TV series) | Siddhanth]]''
| ACP Netra Menon
|
|-
| 2006; 2007–2009
| ''[[Kasamh Se]]''
| Jigyaasa Walia Bali
| [[Antagonist|Main Antagonist]]
|-
| 2007
| ''[[List of programs broadcast by Sony Entertainment Television|Jeete Hai Jiske Liye]]''
| Adira Dhanrajgir
|
|-
| 2007–2008
| ''[[Virrudh]]''
| Devyani
|
|-
| 2007-2008
| ''Parrivaar''
| Manorma
| Supporting role
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Jhansi Ki Rani (2009 TV series)|Jhansi Ki Rani]]''
| Heera Bai
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Ganga Kii Dheej]]''
| Maha Mai
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Hitler Didi]]''
|Rani Bhatija
|Guest
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Afsar Bitiya]]''
| Sikka Thakurayin
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Fu Bai Fu (TV series)|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 ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Platform
!Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
!''[[Booo Sabki Phategi]]''
|Amma
|[[ALTBalaji]]
|Digital debut
|-
!''Hutatma''
|
| rowspan="2"| [[ZEE5]]
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hutatma, a web series on the creation of Maharashtra |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/web-series/story/hutatma-a-web-series-on-the-creation-of-maharashtra-1510497-2019-04-26 |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=India Today |date=26 April 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2020
!''The Chargesheet: Innocent or Guilty?''
|Abha Abhyankar
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |date=25 December 2019 |title=Politics, sports, royalty, sex: 'Chargesheet' will be brutal reminder of Syed Modi murder |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/politics-sports-royalty-sex-chargesheet-will-be-brutal-reminder-of-syed-modi-murder/340329/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 July 2021 |website=Theprint.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225113122/https://theprint.in/opinion/politics-sports-royalty-sex-chargesheet-will-be-brutal-reminder-of-syed-modi-murder/340329/ |archive-date=25 December 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
! ''[[Rudra: The Edge of Darkness]]''
| Commissioner Deepali Handa
| rowspan="2"| [[Disney+ Hotstar]]
|
|-
| 2023
! ''[[Pop Kaun?]]''
| Satwant Kaur
|
|-
|2026
!''[[Psycho Saiyaan (TV series)|Psycho Saiyaan]]''
|Ratna Singh
|[[MX Player]]
|Special Appearnce
|}

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! For
! Result
!Ref(s)
|-
| 2006
| [[Indian Telly Awards|6th Indian Telly Awards]]
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role|Best Actress in Negative Role]]
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Kasamh Se]]''
| {{won}}
|<ref name="Telly Awards 2006"/>
|-
| 2007
| [[Indian Television Academy Awards|7th Indian Television Academy Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role
| {{won}}
|<ref name="ITA 2006">[http://www.indiantelevisionacademy.com/site/awards_hhita_details_new.php?year=2007 Winners List:Indian Television Academy Awards, 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006030252/http://www.indiantelevisionacademy.com/site/awards_hhita_details_new.php?year=2007 |date=6 October 2014 }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| [[Indian Telly Awards|13th Indian Telly Awards]]
| [[Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role|Best Actress in Negative Role]]
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Jodha Akbar]]''
| {{won}}
|<ref name="Telly Awards 2014"/>
|-
| [[Zee Gold Awards|7th Boroplus Gold Awards]]
| Best Actress in Negative Role (Critics)
| {{won}}
|{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}
|}
== See also ==

* [[List of Hindi television actresses]]
* [[List of Indian television actresses]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Ashwini Kalsekar}}{{Portal bar|Biography|India|Bollywood|Television}}
* {{IMDb name|1817397|Ashwini Khalsekar}}
* {{Instagram|ashwinikalsekar|name=Ashwini kalsekar}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Ashwini Kalsekar
| list =
{{Indian Telly Award Best Negative Actress}}
{{Indian Television Academy Award Best Negative Actress}}
}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalsekar, Ashwini}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Marathi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Marathi television]]

Ashwini Kalsekar - Revision history

Sylvin Thomas at 12:25, 20 March 2026