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{{short description|Indian actress}}
{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name        = Kitu Gidwani
| name        = Kitu Gidwani
| image      = Kitu Gidwani.jpg
| image      = Kitu Gidwani.jpg
| caption    = Kitu Giddwani in 2013
| caption    = Giddwani in 2013
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|10|22}}
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|22|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | title=Remember Kitu Gidwani? Here's what the Swabhimaan actress is up to | access-date=17 June 2024 | archive-date=17 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617151905/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_name  = Kaushalya Gidwani
| birth_name  = Kaushalya Gidwani
| death_date  =  
| death_date  =  
| death_place =  
| death_place =  
| occupation  = [[actress]], [[model (person)|model]]
| occupation  = Actress, model, dancer
| salary      =
| years_active = 1984–present
| networth    =  
| website    =  
| website    =  
}}
}}


'''Kaushalya 'Kitu' Gidwani''' (born 22 October 1967) is an [[India]]n actress and model. She has starred in several movies and [[Serial (radio and television)|serials]] on Indian [[television]].
'''Kaushalya "Kitu" Gidwani''' (born 22 October 1967) is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in several films and [[Serial (radio and television)|serials]] on Indian television.
   
   
Kitu played the role of Svetlana in ''[[Swabhimaan]]'' which brought recognition for her. Then she signed ''[[Shaktimaan]]'' and played the role of "Geeta Vishwas", a news channel reporter who stand for the truth. She left the show after a few episodes and later became popular after a TV series, ''[[Air Hostess (TV series)|Air Hostess]]'' aired on [[Doordarshan]] in 1996, and received critical acclaim for her roles in  ''[[Dance of the Wind]]'' (1997), [[Deepa Mehta]]'s ''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]'' (1998), [[Govind Nihalani]]'s ''[[Rukhmavati Ki Haveli]]'' (1991), [[Kamal Haasan]]'s ''[[Aalavandhan|Abhay]]'' and ''[[Deham]]'' (2001).<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm For Kitu Gidwani, it's mind over body! ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401090832/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |date=1 April 2018 }} Ronjita Kulkarni, ''[[Rediff.com]]'', Movies, 3 May 2002.</ref>
Kitu played the role of Svetlana in ''[[Swabhimaan]]'' which brought recognition for her. Then she signed ''[[Shaktimaan]]'' and played the role of "Geeta Vishwas", a news channel reporter who stand for the truth. She left the show after a few episodes and later became popular after a TV series, ''Air Hostess'' aired on [[Doordarshan]] in 1986, and received critical acclaim for her roles in  ''[[Dance of the Wind]]'' (1997), [[Deepa Mehta]]'s ''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]'' (1998), [[Govind Nihalani]]'s ''[[Rukhmavati Ki Haveli]]'' (1991), [[Kamal Haasan]]'s ''[[Aalavandhan|Abhay]]'' and ''[[Deham]]'' (2001).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |title=For Kitu Gidwani, it's mind over body! |last=Kulkarni |first=Ronjita |date=3 May 2002 |work=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401090832/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |archive-date=1 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>


==Early and personal life==
==Early and personal life==
Gidwani was born in [[Mumbai]]. Her [[Sindhi Hindu]] parents migrated from [[Pakistan]] after the [[Partition of India|partition]]. They lived in a refugee camp in [[Worli]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |work=The Times of India |first1=Sanghita |last1=Singh |title=It's back to the basics for Kitu Gidwani |date=1 April 2002 |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> She has a brother.


Gidwani was born in [[Mumbai]]. Her [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]] parents migrated from Pakistan after the [[Partition of India|partition]]. They lived in a refugee camp in [[Worli]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms | work=The Times Of India | first1=Sanghita | last1=Singh | title=It's back to the basics for Kitu Gidwani | date=1 April 2002 | access-date=21 December 2008 | archive-date=3 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> She has a brother.
She studied in [[Fort Convent School, Mumbai]]. She graduated in Commerce and has an [[M.A.]]  
 
in  [[French language|French]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |title=Modelling becomes a stepping-stone to the silver screen |website=India Today |date=30 June 1986 |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922140443/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> She started acting in French plays. Soon she was acting in English plays directed by Janak Toprani. She acted in some television serials and subsequently acted in a French film ''Black'' (1987), playing a Brazilian girl in it.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |title=rediff.com US edition: You can do whatever you believe of yourself: Kitu Gidwani |work=Rediff.com |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709185618/http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>
She studied in [[Fort Convent School, Mumbai]]. Her post graduation days saw her interest in [[French language|French]] and she started acting in French plays. Soon she was acting in English plays directed by Janak Toprani. She acted in some television serials and subsequently acted in a French film ''Black'' (1987),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sindhishaan.com/personalities/index.php#kitu|title=Famous Sindhis - Kidu Gidwani|access-date=13 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306224251/http://www.sindhishaan.com/personalities/index.php#kitu|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> playing a Brazilian girl in it.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm|title=rediff.com US edition: You can do whatever you believe of yourself: Kitu Gidwani|website=m.rediff.com|access-date=14 November 2013|archive-date=9 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709185618/http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Acting career==
==Acting career==
Gidwani made her television debut in 1984 on the TV soap ''Trishna'', and during the 1980s and '90s, gave some memorable performances in TV serials like ''[[Swabhimaan]]'', ''Air Hostess'' and ''Junoon''.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |first=Budhaditya |last=Bhattacharya |title=She has seen it all... |date=24 July 2013 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172235/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She caught a lot of attention after her kissing scene in bed with actor [[Tom Alter]] in ''Junoon''. In 1997, she was doing four serials at one time, besides ''Swabhimaan'' and ''Junoon'', she was also acting in ''Saahil'', ''Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |title=TV actors never had it so good: recognition, astronomical rates and roles for the asking |first=Namita |last=Bhandare |date=16 June 1997 |website=India Today |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012040712/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> She recently appeared in multi-starrer Hindi serials ''Kaashish'' and ''Kulvadhu''.


Gidwani made her television debut in 1984 on the TV soap ''Trishna'', and during the 1980s and '90s, gave some memorable performances in TV serials like ''[[Swabhimaan]]'', ''Air Hostess'' and ''Junoon''.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Budhaditya | last=Bhattacharya | title=She has seen it all... | date=24 July 2013 | access-date=14 November 2013 | archive-date=14 November 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172235/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece | url-status=live }}</ref> She caught a lot of attention after her kissing scene in bed with actor [[Tom Alter]] in ''Junoon''. In 1997, she was doing four serials at one time, besides ''Swabhimaan'' and ''Junoon'', she was also acting in ''Saahil'', ''Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16|title=TV actors never had it so good: recognition, astronomical rates and roles for the asking|first1=Namita|last1=Bh|first2=are|last2=June 16|first3=1997 ISSUE DATE|last3=June 16|first4=1997UPDATED|last4=May 2|first5=2013 11:19|last5=Ist|website=India Today|access-date=19 November 2019|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012040712/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref> She recently appeared in multi-starrer Hindi serials ''Kaashish'' and ''Kulvadhu''.
In 1997, she played the role of a Hindustani classical singer, Pallavi, who struggles to get her voice back after losing her mentor/mother, in ''Dance of the Wind''. The role won her Best Actress Award at [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |title=I'm happy, I'm free |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094944/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Pankaj Butalia]]'s ''Shadows in the Dark'' she played Lajma, a middle-aged woman living in present-day Pakistan.<ref name="auto"/> In the 2010s she played small roles in  ''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]'', ''[[Dhobi Ghat (film)|Dhobi Ghat]]'' and ''[[Student of the Year]]''.<ref name="auto1"/>
 
In 1997, she played the role of a Hindustani classical singer, Pallavi, who struggles to get her voice back after losing her mentor/mother, in ''Dance of the Wind''. The role won her Best Actress Award at [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=I'm happy, I'm free | date=23 October 2011 | access-date=14 November 2013 | archive-date=14 November 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094944/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece | url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Pankaj Butalia]]'s ''Shadows in the Dark'' she played Lajma, a middle-aged woman living in present-day Pakistan.<ref name="auto"/> In the 2010s she played small roles in  ''[[Fashion (2008 film)|Fashion]]'', ''[[Dhobi Ghat (film)|Dhobi Ghat]]'' and ''[[Student of the Year]]''.<ref name="auto1"/>


In 2001, in conjunction with Wills Lifestyle, an apparel chain owned by [[ITC Limited]], she promoted ''Wills Sport Lifestyle'' brand of clothing.<ref name="wills">{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm| title=Read(il)y made lifestyle| work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2001-07-08| access-date=2006-07-13| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110164227/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm|archive-date=10 January 2009| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2006, she also acted in a play, ''Your Place or Mine'' by [[Darshan Jariwala]].<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 Play on man-woman relationship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717103930/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 |date=17 July 2011 }} [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]], 7 July 2006.</ref>
In 2001, in conjunction with Wills Lifestyle, an apparel chain owned by [[ITC Limited]], she promoted ''Wills Sport Lifestyle'' brand of clothing.<ref name="wills">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |title=Read(il)y made lifestyle |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=8 July 2001 |access-date=13 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110164227/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |archive-date=10 January 2009 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 2006, she also acted in a play, ''Your Place or Mine'' by [[Darshan Jariwala]].<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 Play on man-woman relationship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717103930/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 |date=17 July 2011 }} ''[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]'', 7 July 2006.</ref>


She also did a play, ''Sock ’em With Honey'', where she played a traditional Parsi woman from Pakistan, whose daughter falls in love with a Jew, prompting her first trip abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921011231/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |archive-date=21 September 2003 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
She also did a play, ''Sock 'em With Honey'', where she played a traditional Parsi woman from Pakistan, whose daughter falls in love with a Jew, prompting her first trip abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |title=Kitu's Kitty is Full |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921011231/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |archive-date=21 September 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
 
In 1997, Gidwani won the Best Actress Award at the [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]], France. The award recognized her outstanding achievement for the role of ''Pallavi'' in ''Dance of the Wind''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |title=Kitu Gidwani bags Best Actress Award for her role in Dance of the Wind at France film fest |website=India Today |date=29 December 1997 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173324/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1998, Kitu won the Best Actress Award at the [[Three Continents Festival]], [[Nantes]], France. The award recognized her outstanding achievement for the role of ''Pallavi'' in ''Dance of the Wind'' (directed by [[Rajan Khosa]]).


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|''[[Holi (1984 film)|Holi]]''
|''[[Holi (1984 film)|Holi]]''
|
|
|
|<ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=27 December 2024 |title=Aamir Khan Was 'Very Nervous' To Kiss Kitu Gidwani In The 1984 Film Holi: 'He Had Just Started His Career...' |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/aamir-khan-was-very-nervous-to-kiss-kitu-gidwani-in-the-1984-film-holi-he-had-just-started-his-career-9170081.html |work=[[News18]] |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1985
|1985
|''[[Janam (1985 film)|Janam]]''
|''[[Janam (1985 film)|Janam]]''
|
|
|TV movie
|Television film
|-
|-
|1985
|1985
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|-
|-
|1986
|1986
|''[[Air Hostess (TV series)|Air Hostess]]''
|''Air Hostess''
|
|
|TV series
|TV series<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |title=Kitu Gidwani chosen by French film maker Christian Lara for his latest film Black |website=India Today |date=31 January 1987 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902172842/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
|-
|1987
|''[[Khoj (TV series)|Khoj]]''
|Kitu Gidwani , Dilip Dhawan
|TV series
|-
|-
|1987
|1987
|''[[Black (1987 film)|Black]]<ref>[https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/431248/Black/cast Black - Acting Credits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103012235/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/431248/Black/cast|date=3 November 2012}} ''[[New York Times]]''.</ref>''
|''Black''
|
|
|French film
|French film<ref name="auto2"/>
|-
|-
|1991
|1991
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|-
|-
|1994
|1994
|''[[Junoon (1994 TV series)|Junoon]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822205006/https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html|archive-date=22 August 2016|access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>
|''[[Junoon (1994 TV series)|Junoon]]''
|Mini Agrawal
|Mini Agrawal
|TV series
|TV series<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV going downhill for a decade: Kitu Gidwani |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822205006/https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1994
|1994
|''[[Tehkikaat]]''
|''[[Tehkikaat]]''
|Kavita Deshpande
|Kavita Deshpande
|Appeared as the killer in Episode 1
|TV series
|-
|-
|1995-96
|1995–1996
|''[[Saahil]]''
|''[[Saahil]]''
|Prerna
|Prerna
|TV series
|TV series
|-
|-
|1995-97
|1995–1997
|''[[Swabhimaan]]''
|''[[Swabhimaan]]''
|Svetlana Banerjee
|Svetlana Banerjee
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|-
|-
|1997
|1997
|''Karvaan (Shadows in the Dark)''
|''Karvaan''
|Lajma
|Lajma
|
|
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|''[[Dance of the Wind]]''
|''[[Dance of the Wind]]''
|Pallavi Sehgal
|Pallavi Sehgal
|[[Three Continents Festival]]
|
|-
|1997
|''[[Shaktimaan]]''
|Geeta Vishwas
|TV series
|-
|-
|1998
|1998
|''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]''
|''[[Earth (1998 film)|Earth]]''
|Bunty Sethna
|Bunty Sethna
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |title=Earth: A powerful film on the futility of Partition |website=India Today |date=2 November 1998 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173238/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1998
|''[[Shaktimaan]]''
|Geeta Vishwas (Till 8th Episode)
|TV Series
|-
|2001
|''[[Happily Ever After (2004 film)|Happily Ever After]]''
|Mme Gibson
|French film
|-
|-
|2001
|2001
|''[[Deham]]''
|''[[Deham]]''
|Jaya
|Jaya
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |title=Director Govind Nihalani goes global with English movie 'Deham' |website=India Today |date=5 February 2001 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173350/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2001
|2001
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|''[[Nazarana]]''
|''[[Nazarana]]''
|Ishita's mother
|Ishita's mother
|TV movie
|Television film
|-
|-
|2004
|2004
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|TV series
|TV series
|-
|-
|2006-07
|2006–2007
|''[[Kulvaddhu]]''
|''[[Kulvaddhu]]''
|Antra Singh Rathod
|Antra Singh Rathod
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|2008
|2008
|''[[Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na]]''
|''[[Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na]]''
|Sheela Pariyar (Meghna's Mother)
|Sheela Pariyar  
|
|
|-
|-
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|''[[Monica (2011)|Monica]]''
|''[[Monica (2011)|Monica]]''
|Pamela Garewal
|Pamela Garewal
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |title=Lesbianism is a taboo in Hindi films |website=India Today |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173347/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
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|''[[Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai]]''
|''[[Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai]]''
|Sameer's step paternal Grandmother
|Sameer's step paternal Grandmother
|TV Series
|TV series
|-
|-
|2019
|2019
|''[[Fittrat]]''
|''[[Fittrat]]''
|Pinky Kapoor
|Pinky Kapoor
|Web series released on [[ALTBalaji]] and [[List of ZEE5 original web series|ZEE5]]
|Web series
|-
|-
|2020
|2020
|''[[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|Ghost Stories]]''
|''[[Ghost Stories (2020 film)|Ghost Stories]]''
|Dhruv's mother
|Dhruv's mother
|
|-
|2023
|''[[Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |title=There is nostalgia for '80s and '90s TV show, says Kitu Gidwani |date=18 February 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402051136/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|Damayanti Barot / "Rani Sahiba"/ Queen of Ranak Garh
|TV series
|-
|2025
|Madam Driver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/madam-driver/|title=Madam Driver Movie: Review &#124; Release Date (2025) &#124; Songs &#124; Music &#124; Images &#124; Official Trailers &#124; Videos &#124; Photos &#124; News - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=7 January 2025}}</ref>
|Devika
|Hindi Film
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0317307}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{BH person|kitu-gidwani}}
* {{BH person}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gidwani, Kitu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gidwani, Kitu}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
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[[Category:Indian stage actresses]]
[[Category:Indian stage actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Indian Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Sindhi actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Actors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 09:31, 13 August 2025


Kitu Gidwani
Giddwani in 2013
Born
Kaushalya Gidwani

(1967-10-22) 22 October 1967 (age 58)[1]
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
OccupationActress, model, dancer
Years active1984–present

Kaushalya "Kitu" Gidwani (born 22 October 1967) is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in several films and serials on Indian television.

Kitu played the role of Svetlana in Swabhimaan which brought recognition for her. Then she signed Shaktimaan and played the role of "Geeta Vishwas", a news channel reporter who stand for the truth. She left the show after a few episodes and later became popular after a TV series, Air Hostess aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaim for her roles in Dance of the Wind (1997), Deepa Mehta's Earth (1998), Govind Nihalani's Rukhmavati Ki Haveli (1991), Kamal Haasan's Abhay and Deham (2001).[2]

Early and personal life[edit | edit source]

Gidwani was born in Mumbai. Her Sindhi Hindu parents migrated from Pakistan after the partition. They lived in a refugee camp in Worli.[3] She has a brother.

She studied in Fort Convent School, Mumbai. She graduated in Commerce and has an M.A. in French.[4] She started acting in French plays. Soon she was acting in English plays directed by Janak Toprani. She acted in some television serials and subsequently acted in a French film Black (1987), playing a Brazilian girl in it.[5]

Acting career[edit | edit source]

Gidwani made her television debut in 1984 on the TV soap Trishna, and during the 1980s and '90s, gave some memorable performances in TV serials like Swabhimaan, Air Hostess and Junoon.[6] She caught a lot of attention after her kissing scene in bed with actor Tom Alter in Junoon. In 1997, she was doing four serials at one time, besides Swabhimaan and Junoon, she was also acting in Saahil, Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum.[7] She recently appeared in multi-starrer Hindi serials Kaashish and Kulvadhu.

In 1997, she played the role of a Hindustani classical singer, Pallavi, who struggles to get her voice back after losing her mentor/mother, in Dance of the Wind. The role won her Best Actress Award at Three Continents Festival, Nantes.[8] In Pankaj Butalia's Shadows in the Dark she played Lajma, a middle-aged woman living in present-day Pakistan.[5] In the 2010s she played small roles in Fashion, Dhobi Ghat and Student of the Year.[6]

In 2001, in conjunction with Wills Lifestyle, an apparel chain owned by ITC Limited, she promoted Wills Sport Lifestyle brand of clothing.[9] In 2006, she also acted in a play, Your Place or Mine by Darshan Jariwala.[10]

She also did a play, Sock 'em With Honey, where she played a traditional Parsi woman from Pakistan, whose daughter falls in love with a Jew, prompting her first trip abroad.[11]

Awards[edit | edit source]

In 1997, Gidwani won the Best Actress Award at the Three Continents Festival, Nantes, France. The award recognized her outstanding achievement for the role of Pallavi in Dance of the Wind.[12]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Title Role Notes
1984 Holi [13]
1985 Janam Television film
1985 Wisdom Tree Short film
1985 Trishna Roohi TV series
1986 Air Hostess TV series[14]
1987 Black French film[14]
1991 Rukmavati Ki Haveli Kittu Gidwani
1991 The Khajuraho Short film
1994 Junoon Mini Agrawal TV series[15]
1994 Tehkikaat Kavita Deshpande TV series
1995–1996 Saahil Prerna TV series
1995–1997 Swabhimaan Svetlana Banerjee TV series
1997 Karvaan Lajma
1997 Dance of the Wind Pallavi Sehgal
1997 Shaktimaan Geeta Vishwas TV series
1998 Earth Bunty Sethna [16]
2001 Deham Jaya [17]
2001 Abhay Jayanti
2001 Aalavandhan Jayanthi Tamil film
2002 Nazarana Ishita's mother Television film
2004 Kesar Pam Mallya TV series
2005 Kasshish Ratna TV series
2006–2007 Kulvaddhu Antra Singh Rathod TV series
2006 Dil Diya Hai Michelle
2007 Strangers
2008 Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na Sheela Pariyar
2008 Fashion Anisha Roy
2009 Phir Kabhi Divya Singh
2010 Hello Zindagi Dr. Sadhana
2011 Dhobi Ghat Vatsala
2011 Monica Pamela Garewal [18]
2012 Student of the Year Manini Banerjee
2013 Ek Bura Aadmi Rukmi Devi
2015 Wedding Pullav
2016 Traffic Rehan's mother
2017 Ok Jaanu Tara's Mother
2018 Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Sameer's step paternal Grandmother TV series
2019 Fittrat Pinky Kapoor Web series
2020 Ghost Stories Dhruv's mother
2023 Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum[19] Damayanti Barot / "Rani Sahiba"/ Queen of Ranak Garh TV series
2025 Madam Driver[20] Devika Hindi Film

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Remember Kitu Gidwani? Here's what the Swabhimaan actress is up to". Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ↑ Kulkarni, Ronjita (3 May 2002). "For Kitu Gidwani, it's mind over body!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Singh, Sanghita (1 April 2002). "It's back to the basics for Kitu Gidwani". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "Modelling becomes a stepping-stone to the silver screen". India Today. 30 June 1986. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "rediff.com US edition: You can do whatever you believe of yourself: Kitu Gidwani". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bhattacharya, Budhaditya (24 July 2013). "She has seen it all..." The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  7. ↑ Bhandare, Namita (16 June 1997). "TV actors never had it so good: recognition, astronomical rates and roles for the asking". India Today. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  8. ↑ "I'm happy, I'm free". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 23 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  9. ↑ "Read(il)y made lifestyle". The Hindu. 8 July 2001. Archived from the original on 10 January 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2006.
  10. ↑ Play on man-woman relationship Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine The Tribune, 7 July 2006.
  11. ↑ "Kitu's Kitty is Full". Archived from the original on 21 September 2003. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
  12. ↑ "Kitu Gidwani bags Best Actress Award for her role in Dance of the Wind at France film fest". India Today. 29 December 1997. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  13. ↑ "Aamir Khan Was 'Very Nervous' To Kiss Kitu Gidwani In The 1984 Film Holi: 'He Had Just Started His Career...'". News18. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Kitu Gidwani chosen by French film maker Christian Lara for his latest film Black". India Today. 31 January 1987. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "TV going downhill for a decade: Kitu Gidwani". Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Earth: A powerful film on the futility of Partition". India Today. 2 November 1998. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Director Govind Nihalani goes global with English movie 'Deham'". India Today. 5 February 2001. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "Lesbianism is a taboo in Hindi films". India Today. 22 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  19. ↑ "There is nostalgia for '80s and '90s TV show, says Kitu Gidwani". 18 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  20. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood (7 January 2025). "Madam Driver Movie: Review | Release Date (2025) | Songs | Music | Images | Official Trailers | Videos | Photos | News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama.

External links[edit | edit source]

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