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{{short description|Indian television and film actress|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vaishnavi Dhanraj
| image = Vaibhavi colors indian telly awards.jpg
| birth_name = Vaishnavi Bhoyar
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|08|25}}
| birth_place = [[Nagpur]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| occupation = Actress, Model
| years_active = 2008–present
| known_for =
| spouse = [[Nitin Sahrawat]] (m. 2012 - 2016)
}}

'''Vaishnavi Dhanraj''' (born 25 August 1988) is an Indian television and film actress. She was the protagonist in ''[[PK Lele A Salesman]]'', an adult Hindi film in the sex comedy genre, in which she played the role of a rich girl called Mary Marlo.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pk-lele-a-salesman/movie-review/67105315.cms |title=PK Lele A Salesman Movie Review |work=The Times of India |access-date=4 August 2019}}</ref> She has also acted as Nirbhaya in ''Satyagraha'' on [[Aaj Tak]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Vaishnavi-to-recreate-Nirbhaya/articleshow/31660271.cms |title=Vaishnavi to recreate Nirbhaya |work=The Times of India |access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> Inspector Tasha in [[Sony Entertainment Television]]'s ''[[C.I.D. (Indian TV series)|C.I.D.]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.desitvforum.net/forum/cid-cid-special-bureau/123443-tasha-die-cid.html |title=Vaishnavi Tasha to die in CID |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 February 2011}}</ref> Jahnvi in [[Na Aana Is Des Laado]], Maya Thakur in [[Begusarai (TV series)|Begusarai]] and Mahi Arora in [[Colors TV]]'s ''[[Bepannah|Bepannaah]]''.

In 2011, Vaishnavi wrote several blogs for ''[[The Times of India]]'' as part of the publication's series of celebrity blogs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/vaishnavi-dhanrajs-blog/entry/here-i-am |title=Here I am |date=23 July 2011 |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 April 2014 }}</ref>

==Early life==
Vaishnavi was born in [[Nagpur]] and did her schooling from Blind Relief Association's Mundle High School.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131102171640/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-21/tv/28215839_1_surname-soap-roles New surname has brought me luck: Vaishnavi] ''The Times of India,'' 21 December 2010</ref> After she graduated from Shivaji Science College, her family shifted to [[Kalyan]] in 2008. Vaishnavi's parents encouraged her artistic inclination and escorted her to her initial auditions.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj – Life is all about ups and downs|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-life-all-about-ups-and-downs |work=Tellychakkar |location=India |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> She was known as '''Vaishnavi Bhoyar''' during her student years.

==Career==
Vaishnavi started her acting career in 2008 with a cameo in ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]''.<ref>http://www.tellychakkar.com/video/get-know-vaishnavi-and-simran</ref> Taking note of her work in this show, the production house offered her the parallel lead in ''[[Karam Apnaa Apnaa]]'' in the same year. After acting in these two shows with the name Vaishnavi Bhoyar, she replaced her surname with her father's first name, Dhanraj, due to numerological reasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/New-surname-has-brought-me-luck-Vaishnavi/articleshow/7139008.cms |title=Times Of India |author=Elina Priyadarshini Nayak |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref> In 2009, Vaishnavi joined ''[[C.I.D. (Indian TV series)|C.I.D.]]'' (episode no. 570) as a gun-toting detective named Inspector Tasha. For this show, Vaishnavi refused stunt doubles and performed all her stunts herself. ''CID'' launched her stardom and she became widely popular as Tasha. She was last seen in [[CID (Indian TV series)|CID]] in episode no. 678

Her feisty performance in ''CID'' was instrumental in her winning the main protagonist's role in ''[[Na Aana Is Des Laado (TV series)|Na Aana Is Des Laado]]'' when the show took a time leap of 18 years in December 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/television/na-aana-is-des-laado-to-take-18-year-leap/article1-638628.aspx |title=Na Aana Is Des…Laado to take 18-year leap |work=Hindustan Times |author=Jayeeta Mazumder |date=16 December 2010 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Vaishnavi played the character of Jhanvi, a feminist who fights for women's empowerment in rural India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/jhanvi-fight-against-abortion-naa-aana-des-laado |title=Jhanvi to fight against abortion in Naa Aana Is Des Laado |publisher=Tellychakkar |date=6 June 2012 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/interviews/i-am-still-learning-taekwondo-youtube-my-character-vaishnavi-dhanraj |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj |access-date=28 February 2011 |work=Tellychakkar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/laado-gets-back-veerpur |title=Laado gets back to Veerpur |date=9 September 2011 |work=Tellychakkar |access-date=15 April 2014 }}</ref> In early 2012, Vaishnavi contemplated leaving ''Na Aana Is Des Laado'' and rejoining ''CID'' as she was dissatisfied with her role but the issue was settled amicably and she continued being a part of ''Laado'' until it ended in July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-upset-these-days |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj is upset these days |date=19 May 2012 |work=Tellychakkar |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishanvi-dhanraj-quit-laado-get-back-cid |title=Vaishanvi Dhanraj to quit Laado; get back to CID? |date=20 February 2012 |work=Tellychakkar |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> ''Na Aana Is Des Laado'' was based on the issue of [[Female foeticide in India|female foeticide]].

After a brief hiatus following her marriage, Vaishnavi returned to television with ''[[Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi]]'' on [[Sony Entertainment Television India|Sony T.V]] in May 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Vaishanavi-Dhanraj-Prashant-Ranyal-to-enter-Parvarrish/articleshow/20259459.cms |title=Vaishanavi Dhanraj & Prashant Ranyal to enter Parvarrish |date=25 May 2013 |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> She played the character of Meera Mathur, an immaculate and tranquil businesswoman, which was quite different from her previous roles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-makes-comeback-tv-sony-tvs-parvarrish |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj makes a comeback on TV with Sony TV's Parvarrish |date=1 June 2013 |work=Tellychakkar |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> The show ended in August 2013, following which Vaishnavi was offered the main antagonist's role in [[Colors TV]]'s ''[[Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon]]''. Her dramatic entry scene in the show featured a stunt sequence in which Vaishnavi walked over a tightrope strung over a busy [[Mumbai]] street.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-enters-rks-life-the-new-girl-madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj enters RK's life as the new girl in Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon |publisher=Tellychakkar |date=3 December 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> She played Riya Jaiswal/Devika, a self-obsessed, struggling [[Bollywood]] actress.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://televisionworld.in/vaishnavi-dhanraj-enters-rks-life-girl-madhubala-ek-ishq-ek-junoon/ |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj Enters Rk's Life as the New Girl in Madhubala-ek Ishq Ek Junoon |publisher=Television world |date=3 December 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.onenewspage.com/video/20131204/1522309/Madhubala-Who-is-the-new-girl-in-RK.htm |title=Madhubala: Who is the new girl in RK's life |publisher=onenewspage.com |date=4 December 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Shortly after her entry, the show took a time leap of a few years, as a result of which Vaishnavi decided to quit the show in January 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/television/tv-show-madhubala-to-take-leap-vivian-d-sena-quits-474535 |title=TV show Madhubala to take leap |publisher=NDTV |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |date=23 January 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.metromasti.com/tv/gossip/Vaishnavi-Sahrawat-aka-Rias-Christmas-plans-post-Madhubala-exit/36235 |title=Vaishnavi Sahrawat aka Ria's christmas plans |publisher=metromasti.com |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> In 2015, she gained popularity From Playing Maya Mithlesh Thakur In [[Begusarai (TV series)]].

Within a week of her exiting ''[[Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon]]'', Vaishnavi signed up for [[Star Plus]]'s epic ''[[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'', her first television show in the mythological genre.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/tv/news-interviews/Not-Pavitra-Punia-but-Vaishnavi-Dhanraj-to-enter-Mahabharat/articleshow/28842525.cms |title=Not Pavitra Punia but Vaishnavi Dhanraj to enter Mahabharat |work=The Times of India |author=Vijaya Tiwari |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Initially apprehensive about playing the mythical character of [[Hidimbi|Hidimbaa]], she took up the challenge and pulled off a critically acclaimed performance. This character required Vaishnavi to play a double role of an ugly demoness and a stunning enchantress. She later said in an interview that the heavy makeup required for the demoness look took over seven hours to apply, and that the weighty costumes made this shooting schedule one of her most unusual assignments ever.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://forum.punjabijunktion.co.in/f633/vaishnavi-dhanraj-play-bheem-s-wife-mahabharat-444769/ |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj to play Bheem's wife in Mahabharat |publisher=Punjabi Junktion |date=15 January 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://myeduniya.com/Entertainment/TvSerials/?revid=63974/ |title=Madhubala fame Ria aka Vaishnavi Dhanraj as Mahabharat's Hidimba |publisher=myeduniya.com |author=sanchi |date=17 January 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Her stardom and popularity were furthered through this role.

In March 2014, Vaishnavi was approached by Indian news channel [[Aaj Tak]] to portray [[Nirbhaya]] in the channel's new social awareness series ''Satyagraha 2014''. Aaj Tak's managing editor Supriya Prasad said that their motive was to create a pioneering show on television, and to trigger social change by bringing back [[Mahatma Gandhi]]'s values of non-violence and the pursuit of truth.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bestmediainfo.com/2014/02/aaj-tak-launches-new-show-satyagraha-2014/ |title=Aaj Tak launches new show 'Satyagraha – 2014' |publisher=bestmediainfo.com |agency=BestMediaInfo Bureau |date=24 February 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/aaj-tak-launches-series-on-mahatma-gandhi/ |title=Aaj Tak launches series on Mahatma Gandhi |work=Television Post |date=21 February 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Directed by [[Sunil Manchanda]], this series appealed to the nation's conscience. Vaishnavi later said that this role was the most challenging and humbling experience of her career.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.tellytadka.com/vaishnavi-dhanraj-recreate-delhi-gang-rape-victim-nirbhaya-aaj-tak-special-series-satyagrah/ |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj To Recreate Delhi Gang Rape Victim Nirbhaya in Aaj Tak Special Series Satyagrah. |publisher=Tellytadka |author=Vijitha Rajan |date=8 March 2014 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref>

Over the years Vaishnavi has also acted in episodic shows including ''Kitchen Champion 4'', ''[[India's Got Talent]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bollycurry.com/wallpaper/1280x800/161929-dharamji-shakes-a-leg-with-vaishnavi-dhanraj-on-india-got-talen.htm |title=Dharamji shakes a leg with Vaishnavi Dhanraj on India's Got Talent 3 Grand Finale |publisher=bollycurry.com |author=tellybuzz |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bollycurry.com/wallpaper/1280x800/161927-dharamji-with-rashmi-desai-dipika-samson-and-vaishnavi-dhanraj.htm |title=Dharamji with Rashmi Desai, Dipika Samson and Vaishnavi Dhanraj on India's Got Talent 3 Grand Finale |publisher=bollycurry.com |author=tellybuzz |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> ''[[Crime Patrol (TV series)|Crime Patrol]]'', ''[[Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://indiandrama.info/vaishnavi-dhanraj-to-play-a-super-villain-in-shapath/ |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj to play a super villain in Shapath |publisher=indiandrama.info |author=Abdul Rehman |date=1 May 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Fear Files]]''.

She was last seen playing the role of Mahi Arora in [[Colors TV]]'s ''[[Bepannah|Bepannaah]]''.

==Personal life==
On 23 December 2012, Vaishnavi married Indian actor and model [[Nitin Sahrawat]] after a year of courtship. The two first met on the set of Nitin's show ''Kitni Mohabbat Hai Season 2''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-dating-actormodel-nitin-sahrawat |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj dating actor/model Nitin Sahrawat |publisher=Tellychakkar |date=1 November 2012 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> The ceremony was conducted in [[Shantikunj]], [[Haridwar]] according to Vedic rituals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-getting-married-23-december |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj getting married on 23 December |work=Tellychakkar |access-date=13 December 2012}}</ref> The wedding reception in Mumbai was attended by Vaishnavi's friends and co actors from her shows including [[Meghna Malik]], [[Kritika Kamra]], [[Dayanand Shetty]], [[Hrishikesh Pandey]] and [[Simran Kaur]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mumbai/Celebs-attend-actor-model-Nitin-Sahrawats-wedding-reception/articleshow/18076828.cms |title=Celebs attend actor-model Nitin Sahrawat's wedding reception |work=The Times of India |date=18 January 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> For their honeymoon the couple backpacked across [[Western Ghats]] and stayed in a rustic hut on the [[Konkan]] coast for 12 days.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/vaishnavi-dhanraj-enjoying-the-phase-her-life-post-marriage |title=Vaishnavi Dhanraj is 'enjoying the phase in her life post marriage' |publisher=Tellychakkar |date=27 April 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> The wedding was included in the list of biggest celebrity weddings of the year by the media.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://idiva.com/photogallery-entertainment/10-biggest-tv-celebrity-weddings-this-year/20184/9 |title=10 Biggest TV Celebrity Weddings This Year |publisher=idiva.com |date=13 March 2013 |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref>

In March 2014 [[NDTV]] launched a new channel, NDTV Prime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/photos/news/srk-priyanka-at-the-launch-of-ndtv-prime-india-s-first-2-in-1-channel-17296 |title=SRK, Priyanka at the launch of NDTV Prime – India's first 2-in-1 channel|publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> Nitin and Vaishnavi were the guests for the launch episode of [[NDTV]] Prime's ''The Getaway'', in which the two were given a [[Hyundai Elantra]] which they then drove down to [[Kamshet]]. The theme of this episode being adventure, the couple then paraglided off the challenging Shelar's Site. This episode was shot at their [[Lokhandwala Complex]] home and also featured their pet [[Labrador Retriever]] Thor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-getaway/the-perfect-weekend-getaway-near-mumbai/314090 |title=The perfect weekend getaway near Mumbai |publisher=NDTV |date=21 March 2014 |access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>

Sahrawat and Dhanraj filed for legal separation in July 2015 and were divorced in January 2016, opting for a mutual and amicable divorce in Bandra family court. Emotional disconnect was cited as the reason for the parting. In December 2016, a Bollywood gossip website alleged that marital abuse was a reason for the divorce.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.spotboye.com/television/tv-interviews/tv-actress-vaishnavi-dhanraj-says-her-husband-beat-her-up-until-her-leg-bled/58458ebdaa06626027f19d0f|title=TV Actress Vaishnavi Dhanraj Says Her Husband Beat Her Up Until Her Leg Bled! |last=Lalwani |first=Vickey |work=SPOTBOYE |date=6 December 2016 |access-date=11 May 2019}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Films===
{| class="wikitable" style="24:95%;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Year !! Film !! Role
|-
| 2018
|''[[Vodka Diaries]]''

|Ananya
|-
|2018
|''[[PK Lele A Salesman]]''
| Mary Marlo<ref>{{cite news |url=https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/pk-lele-a-salesman/movie-review/67105315.cms |title=PK Lele A Salesman Movie Review |work=The Times of India |access-date=21 January 2019 }}</ref>
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable" style="24:95%;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Year !! Show !! Role
|-
| rowspan="2"|2008 || ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]'' ||
|-
| ''[[Karam Apnaa Apnaa]]'' || Aastha Vivan Kapoor
|-
| 2009-2010 || ''[[C.I.D. (Indian TV series)|C.I.D.]]'' || Inspector Tasha Kumar
|-
| 2010-12 || ''[[Na Aana Is Des Laado]]'' || Jhanvi
|-
| 2011 ||''Kitchen Champion 4'' || Contestant
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2012 || rowspan="2" | ''[[Crime Patrol (TV series)|Crime Patrol]]''|| Nisha
|-
| Renu Gawde
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2013 || ''[[Hum Ne Li Hai- Shapath]]'' || Nayantara/Sakuna
|-
|''[[Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi|Parvarrish–Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi]]'' || Mrs. Mathur
|-
|''[[Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon|Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon]]'' || Riya
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2014 || ''[[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|Mahabharat]]'' || Hidimbaa
|-
|''Satyagraha''|| [[Nirbhaya]]
|-
|''The Getaway''|| Herself
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Begusarai (TV series)|Begusarai]]''|| Maya Thakur
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2016 || ''Beti Ka Farz'' || Avantika
|-
|''[[Sasural Simar Ka]]''|| Kamya
|-
|''[[Yeh Vaada Raha (TV series)|Yeh Vaada Raha]]'' || Icchha
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Beyhadh]]'' || Pooja
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Bepannaah]]''|| Mahi Arora
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Navrangi Re!]]'' || Chitralekha
|-
|- 2020 || ''[[Yeh Teri Galiyan]]'' || TBA
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha]]'' || Namrata
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Vaishnavi Dhanraj}}
* {{IMDb name|4480587}}
*{{Instagram|vaishnavidhanraj}}
* {{Facebook |realvaishnavi }}
{{authority control}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhanraj, Vaishnavi}}
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Marathi people]]
[[Category:Actresses from Nagpur]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]

Vaishnavi Dhanraj - Revision history

108.56.139.120: Unexplained content removal;