Sakshi Tanwar turned 53 on January 12. She was born on January 12, 1973, in Alwar, Rajasthan. While studying at Delhi University, she aspired to become an IAS officer. Her career path changed after she auditioned for the Doordarshan programme ‘Albela Sur Mela’ on a friend’s suggestion. She has stated that she did not expect to be selected, but the audition led to her entry into the television industry.
Following her debut, Tanwar began working regularly in television and later became widely known for portraying domestic lead roles. In 2000, she was cast by Ekta Kapoor in the television serial ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’, where she played the character of Parvati. The serial ran for nearly eight years and established her as a recognised face in Indian television. In 2011, she again collaborated with Ekta Kapoor in the serial ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’.
During ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’, Tanwar appeared in an extended intimate sequence with co-actor Ram Kapoor, including a kissing scene. The sequence drew public attention and criticism over its depiction on television. Tanwar later stated that she became emotional after filming the scene.
After gaining prominence on television, Tanwar expanded her work to Hindi cinema. She appeared in supporting roles in several films. In 2016, she played the wife of Aamir Khan’s character in ‘Dangal’, which recorded a worldwide box office collection of approximately Rs 2,000 crore. She also featured in ‘Mohalla Assi’ opposite Sunny Deol and appeared in the 2024 film ‘Sharma Ji Ki Betiyaan’. In 2025, she appeared in the web series ‘The Royals’ alongside Ishaan Khatter.
Tanwar has kept her personal life private. She has never married. In 2018, she adopted a nine-month-old girl named Ditiya and has since been raising her as a single parent. Before entering the acting profession, she worked at a jewellery shop during her studies, earning a monthly stipend of Rs 900. After not clearing the entrance examination for mass communication, she decided to pursue acting.
In 2022, Tanwar was included in the Forbes India list, becoming one of the few television actors to feature in it. She has received two Indian Television Academy Awards. At 53, she continues to work across television, films, and digital platforms.
