Doordarshan era actresses who are now winning hearts on OTT

The 1980s and 1990s are often considered the golden age of Indian television. While dramas like Buniyaad and Hum Log paved the way for popular serials on Doordarshan in the early 80s, soap operas like Swabhimaan and Shanti - Ek Aurat Ki Kahani in a way completely changed how we looked at DD National in the mid-90s. Naturally, during this era we also saw a pool of talented artistes proving their acting prowess in the small screen.

Actresses like Shefali Shah and Tisca Chopra are among those whose names pop up more often when we talk about TV artistes who transitioned to films and now to OTT platforms. But there are many more leading ladies from the 80s and 90s television world who too are winning the hearts of audiences with their gritty and charming performances and their unconventional roles in the digital space. We bring you a list of 10 actresses, whom we love to watch on OTT platforms…   

1. Deepika Amin

As Aiman Bibi in the 1994 DD National television show Farmaan, Deepika Deshpande Amin had garnered a lot of attention. She did a slew of shows in the 1990s - including Filmi Chakkar (1993), Safar and Junoon (both 1996). In 2021, Deepika was seen in Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, while she has also acted in ZEE5’s Ghoomketu, Netflix’s Tara Vs Bilal and The Family Vacation web series. Also a noted theatre artiste, Deepika is currently gearing up for the next run of NCPA Mumbai’s much talked-about theatrical spectacle Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, along side Denzil Smith, Neil Bhoopalam and Sohrab Ardeshir.

2. Kitu Gidwani 

Who doesn’t remember Svetlana from Swabhimaan (1995), another DD National show that in a way paved the way for soap operas in Indian television. Seen as Pinky Kapoor in the 2019 web series Fittrat that streamed simultaneously on ALTBalaji and ZEE5 and as Pramila Shastri in the 2021 comedy-drama web series Potluck on SonyLIV, Kitu Gidwani has also acted in movies like Earth, OK Jaanu, Student of the Year, Fashion and Dhobi Ghat. In a recent interview, the actress had raised concerns about the entertainment industry’s reluctance to feature older female artistes in their projects.  

3. Kruttika Desai

Her television journey started with Buniyaad in 1986, following which Kruttika Desai was seen in Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993) and Superhit Muqabla (1993). But it was her character (Vishkanya) in Chandrakanta (1994) that was most spoken about. Her other notable works include Uttaran (2008), Mere Angne Mein (2015) and Pandya Store (2021). In the 2020 ZEE5 and ALTBalaji web series Bebaakee, Kruttika was seen as Rashida Abdullah. Kruttika, who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, decided to pursue her passion in acting instead. Also a theatre artiste, she met her husband Imtiaz Khan on the set of Buniyaad. 

4. Niki Aneja Walia

Her latest web series Never Kiss Your Best Friend streamed on ZEE5 in 2022, while she has also acted in Puncch Beat (2018) on ALTBalaji. Another popular TV actress from the 1990s, Niki Aneja Walia started her journey with Baat Ban Jaye (1995). Her characters in Sea Hawks, Andaz, Dastaan, Aakhir Kaun (all in 1996), Saher (1999) and Samandar (2000) were widely acclaimed. Also seen in a pivotal role in Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani (2002), it’s often been said that Niki resembles Madhuri Dixit a lot on screen. “I take it as a compliment,” the actress once said in an interview.    

5. Mona Ambegaonkar

In the 1995 Deepti Naval-directed DD National TV series, Thoda Sa Aasman, Mona Ambegaonkar featured alongside veteran actresses Nadira and Deepti herself. Before that, she had acted in Dekh Bhai Dekh. Later, Mona was also seen in Aahat (1995) and CID (2004). In 2019, she appeared as Sunita Vyas in M.O.M. - Mission Over Mars (on ALTBalaji and ZEE5) and in the 2020 Swara Bhasker-starrer romantic comedy web series on Netflix, Bhaag Beanie Bhaag. Last year, Mona did a play reading on Chetan Datar’s acclaimed piece, Ek Madhav Baug, to mark Pride Month.

6. Mrinal Kulkarni 

An acclaimed Marathi artiste, Mrinal Kulkarni’s most memorable television roles were in Sparsh (1998), where she acted alongside Irrfan Khan and Mahesh Thakur, and in the 2000 children’s fantasy adventure series, Son Pari, among others. Later, she was also seen in the soap opera ​​Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani. Not just acting, Mrinal’s latest directorial, a Marathi film, titled Sahela Re - starring Sumeet Raghavan and Subodh Bhave - released on OTT last year. Did you know Mrinal had also won a National Award for her performance in the Amol Palekar-directed film Thang (The Quest).

7. Divya Seth

Daughter of veteran actress Sushma Seth, Divya Seth started her TV career with the iconic Hum Log in 1984. Later, she also acted in Dekh Bhai Dekh, Tehkikaat (1994) and Banegi Apni Baat (1995), among others. Her latest web series appearance is in Duranga on ZEE5, while she has also acted in The Married Woman (also on ZEE5) and Sandwiched Forever on SonyLIV. She has also done a few films including Jab We Met and Dil Dhadakne Do. In a recent interview, Divya said that as a young girl, she used to starve herself to become slim. 

8. Sakshi Tanwar 

Another well-known face of Indian television, award-winning actress Sakshi Tanwar began her career with Lalia in 1999. Then, she went on to do Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000), Kutumb (2001) and Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin (2004). The 2019 ALTBalaji and ZEE5 series M.O.M. - Mission Over Mars and 2022 Netflix series Mai: A Mother’s Rage are among her latest OTT outings.  

9. Supriya Pilgaonkar 

Supriya Pilgaonkar’s camaraderie with her onscreen mother-in-law Reema Lagoo in the 1994 DD Metro sitcom Tu Tu Main Main is still fondly remembered by many. She made her TV debut with Kshitij Ye Nahi in 1992, and has also acted in a number of Marathi and Hindi plays and films. In 2018, her web series Home streamed on ALT Balaji, while in 2021 Supriya played a pivotal role in the Taapsee Pannu-starrer ZEE5 sports drama Rashmi Rocket.

10. Achint Kaur 

She may be best remembered for her roles in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, but Achint Kaur began her TV journey with Banegi Apni Baat. Later, she also appeared in Swabhimaan and Aahat. Also a theatre artist, Achint has acted in the 2019 Netflix film Chopsticks and in the 2021 movie Koi Jaane Na that was released on Amazon Prime Video. In 2019, she also featured in the ZEE5 web series Jamai 2.0.