Prajakta Mali

Indian actress (born 1989)

  • Julun Yeti Reshimgathi
  • Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra
Websiteprajaktamali.in

Prajakta Mali (born 8 August 1989) is an Indian actress known for her work in Marathi film and television. She was born in Pandharpur and brought up in Pune.[2] She started her career with Star Pravah's Suvasini in 2011. Later, she appeared in Zee Marathi's Julun Yeti Reshimgathi in 2013. Currently she is hosting Sony Marathi's Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra.

Early life

She studied B.A. and M.A. in Performing Arts in “Bharatnatyam” at Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University. She was also awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture for higher studies in Bharatnatyam.[3]

Career

Early work and Julun Yeti Reshimgathi (2001–2015)

Prajakta participated in dance reality shows from an early age; at the age of 14, she won the Hindi dance show, Kya Masti Kya Dhoom (2001), which aired on Star Plus.[4] She made her acting debut with an uncredited role in Shah Rukh Khan's starred Swades in 2004.[5] Subsequently, she appeared in a small role in Gandhi, My Father.[6] In 2008, she made her Marathi film debut as a child actress in Sanjay Surkar's Taandala - Ek Mukhavta, she played the young version of Asawari Joshi's character. The film didn't have any dialogue for Mali.[7] Following this, she made her television debut with Firuni Navi Janmen Mi, produced under Kothare & Kothare Vision. In 2011, she played the energetic young girl, whose world centers around her family, in the Marathi daily soap Suvasini, produced by Smita Talwalkar’s Asmita Chitra Productions.[8]

In 2013, Mali got widespread recognition for her role as Meghana Kudalkar Desai opposite Lalit Prabhakar in the Julun Yeti Reshimgathi aired on Zee Marathi. The plot revolves around how the two become inseparable and face every obstacle together to be madly in love with each other.[9] Next, she was a contestant on the fifth season of the dance reality show Eka Peksha Ek —Apsara Aali.[10] The same year, she was seen in an important role in the critically acclaimed comedy drama Kho-Kho, directed by Kedar Shinde.[11][12] The following year, she played the role of Bijli in the ensemble film Sangharsh.[13]

Pivotal role and critical acclaim (2017–present)

After a gap of two years, in 2017, she was seen alongside Prabhakar and Sonalee Kulkarni in Prakash Kunte's romantic drama Hampi. Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India called her performance "convincing".[14] Ulhas Shirke of Marathi Movie World wrote, "She does extremely well to invite the audience attention with her bubbly character for almost the next half an hour" and further concluded, "will surely help her to find better roles in Marathi films."[15] The film was successful at the box office. Next, she appeared as a protagonist in Zee Marathi's comedy show Naktichya Lagnala Yaycha Ha, which had many special appearances by well-known Marathi celebrities, including Subodh Bhave, Siddharth Chandekar, Prasad Oak, Gashmeer Mahajani, and Swapnil Joshi.[16][17][18]

In 2018, Mali portrayed the girl next door character in an ensemble comedy drama Party opposite Suvrat Joshi.[19] The film was not so well received by critics and audiences.[20][21] The same year, she made two guest appearances in Ani... Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar and Ranangan.[22] In the former, she enacted the role of Asha Kale in the superhit song "Gomu Sangatina" from the 1975 Marathi film Ha Khel Sawalyancha.[23]

The next year, she once again paired opposite Joshi in the black comedy film Dokyala Shot, a remake of the Tamil film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012). The story is based on a true story that involves a young man who experiences retrograde amnesia after a cricket incident two days before his wedding. She played the Tamil girl, Subbulakshmi Iyengar, who falls in love with Marathi guy Abhijit.[24] The film was a critical and commercial success. Critics appreciated her southern role but felt it was limited.[25][26]

She hosted Marathi television shows Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra[27] for Sony Marathi in 2018 and Mast Maharashtra Travel Show in the year 2020 for Zee Marathi.[28][29] Mali portrayed a negative role in the critical and commercial hit Pandu (2021), directed by Viju Mane.[30] Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India described her as "a surprise package."[31] She won Maharashtracha Favourite Kon for Favourite Villain.[32] The film grossed ₹5.9 crore worldwide.[33]

In 2022, her first release was Digpal Lanjekar's directorial historical action drama Pawankhind, based on the life of Maratha warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande. She played the real-life character of Shrimant Bhavanibai Bandal.[34] The film was a huge commercial and critical success, becoming the fifth highest-grossing Marathi film of all time with earnings of ₹58 crore (US$7.3 million) worldwide.[35][36] Her next release was the family drama Luckdown Be Positive, opposite Ankush Chaudhari. The film revolves around a married couple and the problems that arise due to lockdown. Preeti Atulkar of The Times of India ascribed Chaudhari and her chemistry as "remarkable" and wrote, "They look convincing as a couple on screen."[37] She had a guest appearance as Naina Chandrapurkar in the musical romantic Chandramukhi, where she was seen in the song "Sawaal Jawaab" alongside Amruta Khanvilkar.[38] Her last release of that year was critically acclaimed Y.[39] It was screened at the Pune International Film Festival and MAMI.[40]

The same year, she made her digital debut with the political thriller Raanbaazar, which was streamed on Planet Marathi OTT.[41] The story revolves around the two escorts, who become entangled in a dangerous web of politics, power, and conspiracy.[42] Mali portrayed the cheerful and generous prostitute from Kamathipura who works at a seedy brothel. Initially, she was reluctant to play a play sex worker, but her actor friends Prasad Oak and Amruta Khanvilkar convinced her to take the challenge.[43] For her role, she had to gain 11 kg of weight and practice eating masala gutka.[44][45] The series was one of the most anticipated and critically acclaimed series of the year. Kayur Seta of Cinestaan wrote that "Mali goes completely against her image and gives a great performance as Ratna."[46] Shaheen Irani of Ott Play called her "powerful" and wrote, "She plays her role to perfection, and to an extent, you get drawn to understanding her fun-loving character that is also very influential."[47] It emerged as the most watched Marathi web series, with more than 10 million views.

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Films

  • All films are in Marathi, unless otherwise noted the language.
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2004 Swades College girl Hindi film; Uncredited role [5]
2007 Gandhi, My Father Gulab's friend Hindi film [6]
2008 Taandala - Ek Mukhavta Sonsala Child artist [7]
2013 Kho-Kho Suman - 2014 Sangharsh Bijli [49]
2015 Mahanayak Vastant Tu — Guest Appearance
2017 Hampi Girija [50]
Anaan
2018 Ani... Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar Asha Kale Special appearance in song 'Gomu Sangtina' [22]
Ranangan - Special appearance in song 'Vinayaka Gajanana'
Party Arpita [51]
2019 Dokyala Shot Subbulakshmi Iyengar [52]
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Kashi Bai Hindi film; Uncredited role
2021 Pandu Karunatai Pathare
2022 Pawankhind Shrimant Bhavanibai Bandal
Luckdown Be Positive Sapana [53][54]
Chandramukhi Naina Chandrapurkar Special appearance in song 'Sawaal Jawaab' [38]
Y Reema Screened at PIFF and MAMI [55][53]
2023 Teen Adkun Sitaram Reva [56]

Television

Year Show Role Channel Notes Ref(s)
2001 Kya Masti Kya Dhoom Contestant Star Plus Winner [4]
2010 Firuni Navi Janmen Mi Shreayasee Fakt Marathi
2010-2011 Bandh Reshmache Aditti Star Pravah
2011-2013 Suvasini Savitri Star Pravah [citation needed]
2013 Eka Peksha Ek - Apsara Aali Contestant Zee Marathi [10]
2013-2015 Julun Yeti Reshimgathi Meghna Desai Zee Marathi [57]
2017 Naktichya Lagnala Yayach Ha Nupur Deshpande Zee Marathi [58][59]
2018-2022 Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra Host Sony Marathi
2020 Mast Maharashtra Zee Marathi [60]
2021-2023 Indian Idol Marathi Sony Marathi

Web series

Year Serial Role Notes
2022 RaanBaazaar Ratna [61]

References

  1. ^ "Prajakta Mali: Happy Birthday Prajakta Mali". zee5. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Prajakta Mali: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday". eTimes. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Prajakta Mali: Lesser known facts about the actress". eTimes. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Prajakta Mali turns nostalgic; cherishes the memories of winning Hindi reality show Kya Masti Kya Dhoom". The Times of India. 18 December 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra host Prajakta Mali reveals she has worked with Shah Rukh Khan in Swades". The Times of India. 4 March 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Facts About Prajakta Mali You Probably Didn't Know". IWMBuzz. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Watch: Prajakta Mali shares a throwback video from the sets of her first Marathi film 'Tandala - Ek Mukhavata' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
  8. ^ Khot, Shweta (16 November 2011). "New Serial 'Suvasini' on Star Pravah". Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Re-telecast of TV shows Vahinisaheb and Julun Yeti Reshimgathi to begin today". The Times of India. 27 July 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  10. ^ a b "'Y': Eka Peksha Ek Apsara Aali September 17, 2013". youtube. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Kho Kho Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Prajakta Mali excited about her debut in 'Kho Kho' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Sangharsh Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Hampi Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  15. ^ Shirke, Ullhas (17 November 2017). "'Hampi' shows the natural remedy for depression". Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. ^ Salvi, Abhay (11 January 2017). "Prajakta Mali is 'Nakti' in Zee's Naktichya Lagnala Yaycha Ha!". MarathiStars. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. ^ "'नकटी'सोबत लग्न करायला सुबोध होणार तयार". eSakal - Marathi Newspaper (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Prajakta Mali and Aniket Vishwasrao together?". The Times of India. 16 January 2017. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. ^ "पार्टी". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Party Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  21. ^ author/prajaktachitnis (6 September 2018). "Party Marathi movie Review : फूल टू धमाल पार्टी". Lokmat (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  22. ^ a b "डॉ. काशिनाथ घाणेकर : गोमू संगतीनं.. गाण्याची जादू पुन्हा अनुभवा!". Loksatta (in Marathi). 26 October 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Subodh Bhave reveals the new song 'Gomu Sangatina' from his upcoming movie "Ani... Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar"". The Times of India. 26 October 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  24. ^ Salvi, Abhay (1 March 2019). "Dokyala Shot Review: A Nonsensical Laugh Riot that Both Hits & Misses!". MarathiStars. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  25. ^ author/online-lokmat (28 February 2019). "Dokyala shot movie review : निव्वळ टाईमपास असलेला 'डोक्याला शॉट'". Lokmat (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  26. ^ "Dokyala Shot Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Prajakta Mali excited to host Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra once again - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  28. ^ "Prajakta Mali wraps up the shoot of her travel show 'Mast Maharashtra'". Times of indiaaccess-date=2020-12-01.
  29. ^ "Masta Maharashtra: Here's Why Prajakta Mali Is The Perfect Choice To Host The Travel Show". Zee5. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  30. ^ "पांडू". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Pandu Movie Review : Bhau Kadam and Kushal Badrike's camaraderie is the highlight of Pandu". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  32. ^ "असं कधी वाटलं नव्हतं...नायिका नाही पण या भूमिकेसाठी प्राजक्ताला मिळाला सर्वोत्कृष्ट पुरस्कार". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Pandu Box Office Collection | All Language | Day Wise | Worldwide - Sacnilk". www.sacnilk.com. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Exclusive! Prajakta Mali: My role in 'Pawankhind' is small but important". The Times of India. 1 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  35. ^ Kaushal, Sweta. "Marathi Cinema: Planet Marathi, Everest Entertainment Lead Industry To Steady Growth". Forbes. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  36. ^ "पावनखिंड". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  37. ^ "Luck Down Be Positive Movie Review : The chemistry between Ankush Chaudhari and Prajakta Mali is remarkable in this rom com". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  38. ^ a b MMW, Team (28 April 2022). "Amruta Khanvilkar and Prajakta Mali come face to face in 'Chandramukhi'". Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  39. ^ Kadam, Ganesh Pandurang. "Y चा थरारक ट्रेलर आला! चित्रपटप्रेमींची उत्कंठा शिगेला". Hindustan Times Marathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Pune International Film Festival". www.piffindia.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  41. ^ "'असंच काहीसं घडलं होतं... कदाचित', 'रानबाजार'चे अखेरचे दोन भाग 'या' दिवशी होणार प्रदर्शित | raanbazar web series last 2 episode will release on 10 june 2022 know the details". Loksatta (in Marathi). 9 June 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  42. ^ "'RaanBaazaar' trailer: Tejaswini Pandit and Prajakta Mali starrer looks promising-Watch". The Times of India. 19 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  43. ^ "खरं तर रानबाजार सीरिज मी सोडली होती, त्यानंतर अमृतानं खूप शिव्या घातल्या होत्या... काय म्हणाली प्राजक्ता माळी". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  44. ^ "'रत्ना'साकारण्यासाठी प्राजक्तानं केलं असं काही". maharashtratimes.com (in Marathi). Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  45. ^ ""मी धूम्रपान कधीच केलं नाही पण...", भूमिकेची गरज अन् प्राजक्ता माळीला करावी लागली मनाला न पटणारी गोष्ट | actress prajakta mali talk about her role in raanbaazaar webseries and say no to smoking". Loksatta (in Marathi). 15 June 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  46. ^ Seta, Keyur. "RaanBaazaar review: Abhijit Panse's drama on dirty politics is hard-hitting". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  47. ^ "Raanbaazaar part 1 review: Tejaswini Pandit's much-awaited Marathi web series creates a beautiful chaos". OTTPlay. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  48. ^ "Kho Kho (2013) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  49. ^ "मल्टीस्टारर 'संघर्ष'चा फस्ट लूक लाँच, बघा PICS". Divya Marathi (in Marathi). 29 November 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  50. ^ "'Hampi' clocks a year: Prajakta Mali releases special teaser of song 'Marugelara' - The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  51. ^ "रसिकांनाही चढणार 'मैत्रीचा हँँगओव्हर',प्राजक्ता माळीची 'पार्टी' रसिकांच्या भेटीला". Lokmat (in Marathi). 27 August 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  52. ^ "Dokyala Shot: Survat Joshi and Prajakta Mali starrer is a complete laugh riot- The Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  53. ^ a b "'Luck Down': Prajakta Mali Celebrates The Wrap Of Her New Project Alongside Ankush Chaudhari". spotboye. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  54. ^ "Ankush Chaudhari and Prajakta Mali's 'Luckdown' teaser is out! - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  55. ^ "'Y': Prajakta Mali Starrer Film 'Y' Reaches Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) in 2020 After Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) in 2019". spotboye. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  56. ^ "Teen Adkun Sitaram: "चीनने जगाची ठासली अन् आपण.."; प्राजक्ता माळीच्या तीन अडकून सीतारामचा धमाकेदार टीझर एकदा पाहाच". eSakal - Marathi Newspaper (in Marathi). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  57. ^ "Re-telecast of Julun Yeti Reshimgathi begins, Prajakta Mali shares about the serial - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  58. ^ "मेघना झाली नुपूर, वाचा, 'नकटीच्या लग्नाला...'मध्ये मेन लीड साकारणा-या प्राजक्ताविषयी A to Z". Divya Marathi (in Marathi). 18 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  59. ^ "Trending & Viral Photos News - Film Photos, Latest Film Pictures, Lifestyle, Sports, Travel, Health, Celebrity Pictures, News Photos Gallery, फोटो गॅलरी".
  60. ^ "'Maharashtrachi Hasya Jatra' fame Prajakta Mali to host upcoming travel show 'Mast Maharashtra' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  61. ^ "RaanBaazaar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Senior actor Sachin Khedekar". The Times of India. 20 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 May 2023.

External links