NereidaMccurdy5 at 04:01, 13 August 2025

2025-08-13T04:01:30Z

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{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kitu Gidwani
| image = Kitu Gidwani.jpg
| caption = Giddwani in 2013
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|22|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | title=Remember Kitu Gidwani? Here's what the Swabhimaan actress is up to | access-date=17 June 2024 | archive-date=17 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617151905/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_name = Kaushalya Gidwani
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actress, model, dancer
| years_active = 1984–present
| website =
}}

'''Kaushalya "Kitu" Gidwani''' (born 22 October 1967) is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in several films and [[Serial (radio and television)|serials]] on Indian television.

Kitu played the role of Svetlana in ''[[Swabhimaan]]'' which brought recognition for her. Then she signed ''[[Shaktimaan]]'' and played the role of "Geeta Vishwas", a news channel reporter who stand for the truth. She left the show after a few episodes and later became popular after a TV series, ''Air Hostess'' aired on [[Doordarshan]] in 1986, and received critical acclaim for her roles in ''[[Dance of the Wind]]'' (1997), [[Deepa Mehta]]'s ''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]'' (1998), [[Govind Nihalani]]'s ''[[Rukhmavati Ki Haveli]]'' (1991), [[Kamal Haasan]]'s ''[[Aalavandhan|Abhay]]'' and ''[[Deham]]'' (2001).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |title=For Kitu Gidwani, it's mind over body! |last=Kulkarni |first=Ronjita |date=3 May 2002 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401090832/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |archive-date=1 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early and personal life==
Gidwani was born in [[Mumbai]]. Her [[Sindhi Hindu]] parents migrated from [[Pakistan]] after the [[Partition of India|partition]]. They lived in a refugee camp in [[Worli]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |work=The Times of India |first1=Sanghita |last1=Singh |title=It's back to the basics for Kitu Gidwani |date=1 April 2002 |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> She has a brother.

She studied in [[Fort Convent School, Mumbai]]. She graduated in Commerce and has an [[M.A.]]
in [[French language|French]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |title=Modelling becomes a stepping-stone to the silver screen |website=India Today |date=30 June 1986 |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922140443/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> She started acting in French plays. Soon she was acting in English plays directed by Janak Toprani. She acted in some television serials and subsequently acted in a French film ''Black'' (1987), playing a Brazilian girl in it.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |title=rediff.com US edition: You can do whatever you believe of yourself: Kitu Gidwani |work=Rediff.com |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709185618/http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Acting career==
Gidwani made her television debut in 1984 on the TV soap ''Trishna'', and during the 1980s and '90s, gave some memorable performances in TV serials like ''[[Swabhimaan]]'', ''Air Hostess'' and ''Junoon''.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |first=Budhaditya |last=Bhattacharya |title=She has seen it all... |date=24 July 2013 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172235/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She caught a lot of attention after her kissing scene in bed with actor [[Tom Alter]] in ''Junoon''. In 1997, she was doing four serials at one time, besides ''Swabhimaan'' and ''Junoon'', she was also acting in ''Saahil'', ''Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |title=TV actors never had it so good: recognition, astronomical rates and roles for the asking |first=Namita |last=Bhandare |date=16 June 1997 |website=India Today |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012040712/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> She recently appeared in multi-starrer Hindi serials ''Kaashish'' and ''Kulvadhu''.

In 1997, she played the role of a Hindustani classical singer, Pallavi, who struggles to get her voice back after losing her mentor/mother, in ''Dance of the Wind''. The role won her Best Actress Award at [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |title=I'm happy, I'm free |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094944/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Pankaj Butalia]]'s ''Shadows in the Dark'' she played Lajma, a middle-aged woman living in present-day Pakistan.<ref name="auto"/> In the 2010s she played small roles in ''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]'', ''[[Dhobi Ghat (film)|Dhobi Ghat]]'' and ''[[Student of the Year]]''.<ref name="auto1"/>

In 2001, in conjunction with Wills Lifestyle, an apparel chain owned by [[ITC Limited]], she promoted ''Wills Sport Lifestyle'' brand of clothing.<ref name="wills">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |title=Read(il)y made lifestyle |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=8 July 2001 |access-date=13 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110164227/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |archive-date=10 January 2009 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 2006, she also acted in a play, ''Your Place or Mine'' by [[Darshan Jariwala]].<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 Play on man-woman relationship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717103930/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 |date=17 July 2011 }} ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'', 7 July 2006.</ref>

She also did a play, ''Sock 'em With Honey'', where she played a traditional Parsi woman from Pakistan, whose daughter falls in love with a Jew, prompting her first trip abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |title=Kitu's Kitty is Full |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921011231/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |archive-date=21 September 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Awards==
In 1997, Gidwani won the Best Actress Award at the [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]], France. The award recognized her outstanding achievement for the role of ''Pallavi'' in ''Dance of the Wind''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |title=Kitu Gidwani bags Best Actress Award for her role in Dance of the Wind at France film fest |website=India Today |date=29 December 1997 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173324/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1984
|''[[Holi (1984 film)|Holi]]''
|
|<ref>{{cite news |author= |date=27 December 2024 |title=Aamir Khan Was 'Very Nervous' To Kiss Kitu Gidwani In The 1984 Film Holi: 'He Had Just Started His Career...' |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/aamir-khan-was-very-nervous-to-kiss-kitu-gidwani-in-the-1984-film-holi-he-had-just-started-his-career-9170081.html |work=[[News18]] |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|1985
|''[[Janam (1985 film)|Janam]]''
|
|Television film
|-
|1985
|''[[Wisdom Tree]]''
|
|Short film
|-
|1985
|''[[Trishna (TV series)|Trishna]]''
|Roohi
|TV series
|-
|1986
|''Air Hostess''
|
|TV series<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |title=Kitu Gidwani chosen by French film maker Christian Lara for his latest film Black |website=India Today |date=31 January 1987 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902172842/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|1987
|''Black''
|
|French film<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|1991
|''[[Rukmavati Ki Haveli]]''
|Kittu Gidwani
|
|-
|1991
|''[[The Khajuraho]]''
|
|Short film
|-
|1994
|''[[Junoon (1994 TV series)|Junoon]]''
|Mini Agrawal
|TV series<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV going downhill for a decade: Kitu Gidwani |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822205006/https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>
|-
|1994
|''[[Tehkikaat]]''
|Kavita Deshpande
|TV series
|-
|1995–1996
|''[[Saahil]]''
|Prerna
|TV series
|-
|1995–1997
|''[[Swabhimaan]]''
|Svetlana Banerjee
|TV series
|-
|1997
|''Karvaan''
|Lajma
|
|-
|1997
|''[[Dance of the Wind]]''
|Pallavi Sehgal
|
|-
|1997
|''[[Shaktimaan]]''
|Geeta Vishwas
|TV series
|-
|1998
|''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]''
|Bunty Sethna
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |title=Earth: A powerful film on the futility of Partition |website=India Today |date=2 November 1998 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173238/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2001
|''[[Deham]]''
|Jaya
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |title=Director Govind Nihalani goes global with English movie 'Deham' |website=India Today |date=5 February 2001 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173350/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2001
|''[[Abhay (2001 film)|Abhay]]''
|Jayanti
|
|-
|2001
|''[[Aalavandhan]]''
|Jayanthi
|Tamil film
|-
|2002
|''[[Nazarana]]''
|Ishita's mother
|Television film
|-
|2004
|''[[Kesar]]''
|Pam Mallya
|TV series
|-
|2005
|''[[Kasshish]]''
|Ratna
|TV series
|-
|2006–2007
|''[[Kulvaddhu]]''
|Antra Singh Rathod
|TV series
|-
|2006
|''[[Dil Diya Hai]]''
|Michelle
|
|-
|2007
|''[[Strangers (2007 Bollywood film)|Strangers]]''
|
|
|-
|2008
|''[[Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na]]''
|Sheela Pariyar
|
|-
|2008
|''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]''
|Anisha Roy
|
|-
|2009
|''[[Phir Kabhi]]''
|Divya Singh
|
|-
|2010
|''[[Hello Zindagi]]''
|Dr. Sadhana
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Dhobi Ghat (film)|Dhobi Ghat]]''
|Vatsala
|
|-
|2011
|''[[Monica (2011)|Monica]]''
|Pamela Garewal
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |title=Lesbianism is a taboo in Hindi films |website=India Today |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173347/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2012
|''[[Student of the Year]]''
|Manini Banerjee
|
|-
|2013
|''[[Ek Bura Aadmi]]''
|Rukmi Devi
|
|-
|2015
|''[[Wedding Pullav]]''
|
|
|-
|2016
|''[[Traffic (2016 film)|Traffic]]''
|Rehan's mother
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Ok Jaanu]]''
|Tara's Mother
|
|-
|2018
|''[[Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai]]''
|Sameer's step paternal Grandmother
|TV series
|-
|2019
|''[[Fittrat]]''
|Pinky Kapoor
|Web series
|-
|2020
|''[[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|Ghost Stories]]''
|Dhruv's mother
|
|-
|2023
|''[[Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |title=There is nostalgia for '80s and '90s TV show, says Kitu Gidwani |date=18 February 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402051136/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|Damayanti Barot / "Rani Sahiba"/ Queen of Ranak Garh
|TV series
|-
|2025
|Madam Driver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/madam-driver/|title=Madam Driver Movie: Review | Release Date (2025) | Songs | Music | Images | Official Trailers | Videos | Photos | News - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=7 January 2025}}</ref>
|Devika
|Hindi Film
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{BH person}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gidwani, Kitu}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Female models from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian stage actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Sindhi actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Kitu Gidwani - Revision history

NereidaMccurdy5 at 04:01, 13 August 2025