VanBoas1588: expand structure and updated info based on references

2026-02-16T15:42:25Z

expand structure and updated info based on references

->Sid95Q: /* Television */Cu

2021-11-15T07:53:13Z

Television: Cu

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{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vaishnavi Macdonald
| birth_name = Vaishnavi Mahant
| image = Vaishnavi Macdonald 2014-05-11 13-37.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|9|9|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| other_names =
| known_for = ''[[Shaktimaan]]'', ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]'', ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]'', ''[[Oru Mutham Manimutham]]''
| spouse = Leslie Macdonald
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|https://vaishnavireinvented.com/}}
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1988–present
}}

'''Vaishnavi Macdonald''' ([[née]] '''Mahant'''; 9 September 1974) is an [[India]]n film and TV actress who is best known for playing Geeta Viswas in [[Mukesh Khanna]]'s television series ''[[Shaktimaan]]'', telecasted on [[Doordarshan]]. She is currently seen in [[Dangal (TV channel)|Dangal's]] recently launched Aye Mere Humsafar.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Suthar|first=Author: Manisha|date=2020-08-24|title=Vaishnavi MacDonald bags Dangal TV's Aye Mere Humsafar|url=https://www.iwmbuzz.com/television/news/vaishnavi-macdonald-bags-dangal-tvs-aye-mere-humsafar/2020/08/24|access-date=2020-09-14|website=IWMBuzz|language=en-US}}</ref> She has acted in various [[Bollywood]] films such as ''[[Bambai Ka Babu (1996 film)|Bambai Ka Babu]]'', opposite [[Saif Ali Khan]], ''[[Gharana Mogudu|Ladlaa]]'' and Barsaat Ki Raat (1998). She is also known for playing Shilpa Sharma in ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]'', Shail in the [[Zee TV]] show ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]'' and Leela Taneja in the television series ''[[Tashan-E-Ishq|Tashan-E-Ishq.]]''

== Early life and career ==

Her father is a Vaishnav [[Hindu]] (the reason she took the screen name Vaishnavi), while her mother is [[Christians|Christian]]. Raised as a Hindu, she converted to Christianity in the early 1990s. She is currently a born again Christian believer who is more into a relationship with God not religion.<ref name=interview />

As a child she moved to [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] where she decided to become a scientist. However, while vacationing in [[Mumbai]], she had the opportunity to appear in the [[Ramsay Brothers]]' horror film ''[[Veerana]]'' and decided to pursue acting as a profession.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-25|title=First of Many: Vaishnavi MacDonald revisits Veerana|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/vaishnavi-macdonald-veerana-ramsay-brothers-horror-film-acting-debut-first-of-many-7320274/|access-date=2021-07-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> She subsequently appeared in ''Barsaat Ki Raat'', ''[[Gharana Mogudu|Ladlaa]]'', ''[[Maidan-E-Jung]]'', ''[[Bambai Ka Babu (1996 film)|Bambai Ka Babu]]'', ''Daanveer'' and ''[[Oru Mutham Manimutham ]]'' (a 1997 Malayalam film with actor [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]]).

From 1998 to 2005, she played the female lead Geeta Vishwas in the superhero series ''[[Shaktimaan]]'' on [[Doordarshan]]. The show, as well as her character, got high acclaim and was considered her breakthrough role. When her journalist character Geeta Vishwas was written out of the series, fan protests prompted the producers to bring her back. In 2000, she played the role of ACP Ratna, a daring police officer in the comedy serial ''Raju Raja Rajasaab'' on Sahara TV.<ref name=interview>[https://www.indiantelevision.com/interviews/actor/vaishnavi.htm An Interview with Vaishnavi Mahant.] 12 October 2001. www.indiantelevision.com Accessed 1 February 2011.</ref>

She went on to play leading roles in several [[Telugu cinema|Telugu]] films.

She played the role of Sameera's mother Sapna in ''[[Chhoona Hai Aasmaan]]'' and Bhaskar's mother in the [[Sony Entertainment Television (India)|Sony Entertainment Television]] serial ''[[Bhaskar Bharti]]''. She also appeared in ''Karmyudh'' on Doordarshan in the role of Inspector Shivangi Chauhan.

She is married to Leslie Macdonald<ref>{{Cite web|title=Christmas 2019: Here's how Vaishnavi Macdonald celebrates the festival|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/video/christmas-2019-vaishnavi-macdonald-celebrates-the-festival-1631176-2019-12-24|access-date=2021-07-06|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> and has a daughter.

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes
|-
| 1988
|''[[Veerana]]''
| Child Jasmine Pratap
|
|-
| 1994
|''[[Laadla (1994 film)|Laadla]]''
|
|
|-
| 1995
|''[[Maidan-E-Jung]]''
|Radha
|
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Bambai Ka Babu (1996 film)|Bambai Ka Babu]]''
| Anita
|
|-
| 1996
| ''Daanveer''
| Sudha
|
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Oru Mutham Manimutham]]''
|Lekha
|Malayalam Movie
|-
| 1998
|''Barsaat Ki Raat''
|Rangeeli
|
|-
| 2001
|''Dal – The Gang''
|Reshma
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Baabul]]''
|
|
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Mata (2006 film)|Mata]]''
|Swamini ("dil wanted" song)
| Kannada movie
|-
| 2008
| ''Saanchaa''
|
|
|-
| 2011
|''[[Mummy Punjabi]]''
| Amrita (Jackie Shroff's wife)
|
|-
|2014
|''[[Super Nani]]''
| Mann's mother
|
|-
| 2017
|''[[Who Is the First Wife of My Father]]''
| Nikita
|
|-
| 2018
|''[[Raja Abroadiya]]''
|Prakash Kaur
|
|-
| 2019
|''[[Dosti Ke Side Effects]]''
|Shristi's mother
|
|-
| 2019
|''Hansa Ek Sanyog''
|
|
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
|-
| 1998–2005
| ''[[Shaktimaan]]''
| Geeta Vishwas
|-
| 1998–1999
| ''[[Main Dilli Hoon]]''
| Sanyogita
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1998
| ''[[Saturday Suspense]]''
|
|-
| ''[[X Zone]]''
|
|-
| ''Awaz Ki Duniya''
| Herself (co-anchor)
|-
| rowspan="3"| 1999
| ''Naagin''
| Cameo
|-
| ''Baat Ban Jaaye''
| Guest appearance
|-
| ''Zee Horror Show'' – The Party
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2000
| ''Raju Raja Rajashaab''
| ACP Ratna
|-
| ''Naqab''
|
|-
| rowspan="6"| 2001
| ''Dushman''
|
|-
| ''Chingari''
|
|-
| ''Gharana''
|
|-
| ''Choti Maa – Ek Anokha Bandhan''
| Sharda/Shakti
|-
| ''[[Chandan Ka Palna Resham Ki Dori]]''
| Shreya
|-
| ''[[Suraag – The Clue]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2004
| ''[[Dekho Magar Pyaar Se]]''
| Priyanka
|-
| ''[[K. Street Pali Hill]]''
| Ishita Khandelwal
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2001 TV series)|Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]''
| Madhavi Bose/Madhavi Vineet Khanna
|-
| 2005–2007
| ''[[Ek Ladki Anjaani Si (TV series)|Ek Ladki Anjaani Si]]''
| Meera Sachdev
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Mamta (TV series)|Mamta]]''
| Vasundhara
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2007–2008
| ''[[Chhoona Hai Aasmaan]]''
| Sapna/Anupama Singh
|-
| ''[[Kahe Naa Kahe]]''
| Urmila
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Saas v/s Bahu]]''
| Contestant
|-
| 2008–2010
| ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]''
| Shilpa Sharma
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| ''[[Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari]]''
|
|-
| ''[[Bhaskar Bharti]]''
| Bhaskar's mother
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2010
| ''Bairi Piya''
| Sunanda Devi Pundir
|-
| ''Karmyudh''
| Shivangi Chauhan
|-
| ''[[Sapnon Se Bhare Nena]]''
| Anjali
|-
| 2010–2012
| ''[[Sasural Genda Phool]]''
| Suhana's Mother
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Maa Exchange]]''
| Herself
|-
| 2012–2015
| ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]''
| Shail Garg
|-
| 2015–2016
| ''[[Tashan-E-Ishq]]''
| Leela Taneja
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil]]''
| Cameo Role
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2017–2018
| ''[[Dil Se Dil Tak]]''
| Indu Bhanushali
|-
| Hum Paanch Phir Se
| Parikrama
|-
| 2017–2019
| ''[[Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai]]''
| Vishakha Maheshwari Somani
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Savdhaan India]]''
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Mitegi Laxman Rekha]]''
| Devyani
|-
| 2019–2020
| ''[[Divya Drishti]]''
| Mahima Shergill
|-
| 2020–2021
| ''[[Aye Mere Humsafar]]''
| Surajmukhi Sharma
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Shaadi Mubarak]]''
| Mrs. Gopalani
|-
|2021
|''Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye''
|Zahida Baig
|-
|2021-present
|[[Tera Yaar Hoon Main|''Tera Yaar Hoon Main'']]
|Shobha Roy
|-
|}

== Publications ==

* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Invisible Hand of God''. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]] [[Special:BookSources/979-8669664565|<bdi>979-8669664565</bdi>]].
* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Cinderella Effect: Nothing Here is Forever''. Pen It! Publications, LLC. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]] [[Special:BookSources/9781954868151|<bdi>978-1954868151</bdi>]].

== Awards ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width=5%| Year
! style="width:28%;"| Award
! style="width:30%;"| Category
! style="width:17%;"| Serial
! style="width:10%;"| Outcome
|-

| 2006
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Actress in a Supporting Role
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Ek Ladki Anjaani Si]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2014
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Indian Telly Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jury Award)
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2014
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Rishtey Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Mata Pita Award
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 2015
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Rishtey Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Tashan-E-Ishq]]''
| {{won}}
|-
| 2016
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Gold Awards]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Actress in a Supporting Role
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Tashan-E-Ishq]]''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Padmashri Award]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Art
| style="text-align:center;" |
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Global Book Awards]]''
| style="text-align:center;" | For her book
| style="text-align:center;" |
| {{nom}}
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=0883305|name=Vaishnavi Macdonald}}
* {{Instagram|vaishnavimacdonald_official|name=Vaishnavi Macdonald}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:MacDonald, Vaishnavi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
{{authority control}}

Vaishnavi Macdonald - Revision history

VanBoas1588: expand structure and updated info based on references

->Sid95Q: /* Television */Cu