Vaishnavi Macdonald: Difference between revisions

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| image              = Vaishnavi Macdonald 2014-05-11 13-37.jpg
| image              = Vaishnavi Macdonald 2014-05-11 13-37.jpg
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            =  
| caption            = Macdonald in 2014
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1974|9|9|df=y}}
| birth_date        =  
| birth_place        = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_place        = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| other_names        =  
| other_names        =  
| known_for          = ''[[Shaktimaan]]'', ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]'', ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]'', ''[[Oru Mutham Manimutham]]''
| known_for          = ''[[Shaktimaan]]'', ''[[Miley Jab Hum Tum]]'', ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]''
| spouse            = Leslie Macdonald
| spouse            = Leslie Macdonald
| children          = 1
| children          = 1
| website            = {{URL|https://vaishnavireinvented.com/}}
| website            =  
| occupation        = Actress
| occupation        = Actress
| years_active      = 1988–present
| 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.]]''
'''Vaishnavi Macdonald''' ([[née]] '''Mahant''') is an Indian 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.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} 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]].''


== Early life and career ==
== 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]].''
 
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>
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>
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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 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.
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|date=24 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and has a daughter.


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
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| 1994
| 1994
|''[[Laadla (1994 film)|Laadla]]''
|''[[Laadla (1994 film)|Laadla]]''
|
|Item girl in song ''Ladki hai kya''
|
|
|-
|-
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|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| ''[[Baabul]]''
| ''[[Baabul (2006 film)|Baabul]]''
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|-
|-
| ''Chingari''
| ''Chingaari''
|
|
|-
|-
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| Meera Sachdev
| Meera Sachdev
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2007
| ''[[Mamta (TV series)|Mamta]]''
| ''[[Mamta (TV series)|Mamta]]''
| Vasundhara
| Vasundhara
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|-
|-
| rowspan="3"| 2010
| rowspan="3"| 2010
| ''Bairi Piya''
| ''[[Bairi Piya (TV series)|Bairi Piya]]''
| Sunanda Devi Pundir
| Sunanda Devi Pundir
|-
|-
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| Indu Bhanushali  
| Indu Bhanushali  
|-
|-
| Hum Paanch Phir Se
| ''Hum Paanch Phir Se''
| Parikrama  
| Parikrama  
|-
|-
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| 2019–2020
| 2019–2020
| ''[[Divya Drishti]]''
| ''[[Divya Drishti]]''
| Mahima Shergill  
| Mahima Shergill aka Laal Chakor
|-
|-
| 2020–2021
| 2020–2021
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| Mrs. Gopalani
| Mrs. Gopalani
|-
|-
|2021
| rowspan="2"|2021
|''Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye''
| ''[[Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye]]''
|Zahida Baig
| Zahida Iqbal Baig
|-
|-
|2021-present
| ''[[Tera Yaar Hoon Main]]''
|[[Tera Yaar Hoon Main|''Tera Yaar Hoon Main'']]
| Shobha Roy
|Shobha Roy
|-
|-
|}
| 2021–2022
 
| ''[[Meet: Badlegi Duniya Ki Reet]]''
== Publications ==
| Anubha Ashok Hooda
 
* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Invisible Hand of God''.  [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]]&nbsp;[[Special:BookSources/979-8669664565|<bdi>979-8669664565</bdi>]].
* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Cinderella Effect: Nothing Here is Forever''. Pen It! Publications, LLC. [[ISBN (identifier)|ISBN]]&nbsp;[[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
| 2022
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Rishtey Awards]]
| ''[[Banni Chow Home Delivery]]''
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Mata Pita Award
| Vandana Hemant Singh Rathore
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke]]''
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| 2015
| 2022–2025
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Rishtey Awards]]
| ''[[Parineetii (TV series)|Parineetii]]''
| style="text-align:center;" |
| Parminder Rajveer Bajwa
| style="text-align:center;" | ''[[Tashan-E-Ishq]]''
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| 2016
| 2025-Present
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Zee Gold Awards]]
| Rimjhim
| style="text-align:center;" | Best Actress in a Supporting Role
| Rani Sa
| 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}}
|}
|}
== Publications ==
* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Invisible Hand of God''.  {{ISBN|979-8-6696-6456-5}}.
* Macdonald, Vaishnavi. ''The Cinderella Effect: Nothing Here is Forever''. Pen It! Publications, LLC. {{ISBN|978-1-954868-15-1}}.


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


{{DEFAULTSORT:MacDonald, Vaishnavi}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:MacDonald, Vaishnavi}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Actresses from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Indian television actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi television]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:Kasautii Zindagii Kay]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Actresses in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Kannada cinema]]
{{authority control}}

Latest revision as of 21:12, 16 February 2026


Vaishnavi Macdonald
Macdonald in 2014
Born
Vaishnavi Mahant

Bombay, Maharashtra, India
OccupationActress
Years active1988–present
Known forShaktimaan, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke
Spouse(s)Leslie Macdonald
Children1

Vaishnavi Macdonald (née Mahant) is an Indian 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's recently launched Aye Mere Humsafar.[citation needed] She has acted in various Bollywood films such as Bambai Ka Babu, opposite Saif Ali Khan, 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.

Early life and career[edit | edit source]

As a child she moved to 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.[1] She subsequently appeared in Barsaat Ki Raat, Ladlaa, Maidan-E-Jung, Bambai Ka Babu, Daanveer and Oru Mutham Manimutham.

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.[2]

She went on to play leading roles in several Telugu films.

She played the role of Sameera's mother Sapna in Chhoona Hai Aasmaan and Bhaskar's mother in the 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[3] and has a daughter.

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Films[edit | edit source]

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Veerana Child Jasmine Pratap
1994 Laadla Item girl in song Ladki hai kya
1995 Maidan-E-Jung Radha
1996 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 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[edit | edit source]

Year Title Role
1998–2005 Shaktimaan Geeta Vishwas
1998–1999 Main Dilli Hoon Sanyogita
1998 Saturday Suspense
X Zone
Awaz Ki Duniya Herself (co-anchor)
1999 Naagin Cameo
Baat Ban Jaaye Guest appearance
Zee Horror Show – The Party
2000 Raju Raja Rajashaab ACP Ratna
Naqab
2001 Dushman
Chingaari
Gharana
Choti Maa – Ek Anokha Bandhan Sharda/Shakti
Chandan Ka Palna Resham Ki Dori Shreya
Suraag – The Clue
2004 Dekho Magar Pyaar Se Priyanka
K. Street Pali Hill Ishita Khandelwal
2005 Kasautii Zindagii Kay Madhavi Bose/Madhavi Vineet Khanna
2005–2007 Ek Ladki Anjaani Si Meera Sachdev
2007 Mamta Vasundhara
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
2009 Mere Ghar Aayi Ek Nanhi Pari
Bhaskar Bharti Bhaskar's mother
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
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 aka Laal Chakor
2020–2021 Aye Mere Humsafar Surajmukhi Sharma
2020 Shaadi Mubarak Mrs. Gopalani
2021 Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye Zahida Iqbal Baig
Tera Yaar Hoon Main Shobha Roy
2021–2022 Meet: Badlegi Duniya Ki Reet Anubha Ashok Hooda
2022 Banni Chow Home Delivery Vandana Hemant Singh Rathore
2022–2025 Parineetii Parminder Rajveer Bajwa
2025-Present Rimjhim Rani Sa

Publications[edit | edit source]

  • Macdonald, Vaishnavi. The Invisible Hand of God. ISBN 979-8-6696-6456-5.
  • Macdonald, Vaishnavi. The Cinderella Effect: Nothing Here is Forever. Pen It! Publications, LLC. ISBN 978-1-954868-15-1.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "First of Many: Vaishnavi MacDonald revisits Veerana". The Indian Express. 25 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. ↑ An Interview with Vaishnavi Mahant. 12 October 2001. www.indiantelevision.com Accessed 1 February 2011.
  3. ↑ "Christmas 2019: Here's how Vaishnavi Macdonald celebrates the festival". India Today. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vaishnavi_Macdonald&oldid=472982"
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