by | Shweta Basu Prasad | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shweta Basu Prasad |
| Date of Birth | January 11, 1991 |
| Place of Birth | Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India |
| Profession | Actress, Director, Writer, Producer |
| Languages | Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Bengali, English |
| Education | Mass Media & Journalism graduate, R.N. Podar High School, Mumbai |
| Marital Status | Previously married to filmmaker Rohit Mittal (2018–2019) |
| Notable Awards | National Film Award for Best Child Artist (Makdee, 2002) |
Early Life and Education
Shweta was born in Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand) and moved to Mumbai with her family during her childhood. Her surname reflects a blend of her mother’s maiden name (Basu) and her father’s surname (Prasad). She completed her schooling at R.N. Podar High School in Mumbai and later graduated in Mass Media and Journalism. She has also written columns for The Indian Express.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Shweta made her film debut in 2002 with Makdee, playing dual roles as Chunni and Munni. The performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.
In 2005, she starred in Iqbal as Khadija, a role that made her a household name and won her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 5th Karachi International Film Festival.
After taking a break to focus on education, she returned to filmmaking with a passion project — a documentary titled Roots, which explored Indian classical music and featured legends like A.R. Rahman, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.
Rise in Regional Cinema
Shweta made her Telugu cinema debut with Kotha Bangaru Lokam (2008), which was a major commercial success. She later appeared in several Tamil and Bengali films, expanding her footprint across Indian regional cinema.
Television & OTT Comeback
Shweta returned to television with a lead role in Chandra Nandni (2016–2017), playing Queen Nandini opposite Chandragupta Maurya.
Her second innings in Hindi films and digital platforms saw immense success with:
- The Tashkent Files (2019) – acclaimed performance as journalist Raagini Phule
- Serious Men (2020, Netflix)
- Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach (2022, Disney+ Hotstar)
- India Lockdown (2022, ZEE5)
- Jubilee (2023, Amazon Prime)
- Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper (2024, Netflix)
- Oops! Ab Kya? (2025, JioHotstar)
Directorial Debut and Short Films
In 2023, Shweta made her directorial debut with Retake, a short film starring Anupam Kher. The film premiered at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF).
She has also acted in and produced short films like Interior Café: Night, Visa, Chubhan, and The Lovers.
Documentary Work and Love for Classical Music
Shweta is a trained sitar player and deeply passionate about Indian classical music. Her documentary Roots (2016) is a unique effort that includes interviews with maestros and an animated segment explaining the 5,000-year history of Indian music.
Personal Life & Controversies
In 2014, Shweta was involved in a legal controversy in Hyderabad but was later cleared of all charges. She publicly clarified her stance in an open letter and has since continued her career with dignity and grace.
She was married to filmmaker Rohit Mittal in 2018, but the couple separated in 2019.
Awards & Accolades
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | National Film Award | Makdee | Best Child Artist | Won |
| 2006 | Zee Cine Award | Iqbal | Best Actress (Critics) | Won |
| 2007 | Karachi Intl. Film Festival | Iqbal | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2009 | Filmfare Awards South | Kotha Bangaru Lokam | Best Actress (Telugu) | Nominated |
Notable Filmography
Films
- Makdee (2002) – Chunni/Munni
- Iqbal (2005) – Khadija
- Kotha Bangaru Lokam (2008) – Swapna
- Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) – Urmila
- The Tashkent Files (2019) – Raagini
- Serious Men (2020) – Anuja
- India Lockdown (2022) – Mehrunissa
- Tribhuvan Mishra: CA Topper (2024) – Shobha Pathak
Web Series & Television
- Chandra Nandni (2016–2017) – Nandini
- Hostages (2020) – Shikha Pandey
- Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach (2022) – Lekha
- Jubilee (2023) – Ratna Das
- Oops! Ab Kya? (2025) – Roohi Jani
Final Thoughts
Shweta Basu Prasad’s career reflects resilience, talent, and reinvention. From a National Award-winning child star to a respected figure in the Indian digital content space, she continues to evolve as an actress, filmmaker, and storyteller.
