Kruttika Desai

She is the first television actress to go bald for a show, Uttaran. She is widely known for her role in Pandya Store.

• Name — Kruttika Desai • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 1985–present • Spouse — Imtiaz Khan • Children — Ayesha Khan • Relatives — Amjad Khan (brother-in-law) • Notable Works — * Uttaran • Mere Angne Mein • Pandya Store • Chandrakanta

Desai started her career with theatre, Modelling (Surf, White line, Reliance) and moved onto television in its earliest stages with Airhostess, Ek Kahani, and Ramesh Sippy spotted her and cast her as Mangala in Buniyad. Later she was involved in "Akansha", a theatre workshop for street children and directed their musical extravaganzas. She has also acted in some Gujarati plays and monologues. She has done over 40 serials and later in her career went on to shave her head for the serial Uttaran, making her the first woman to go bald in the history of Indian Television. Desai played many popular roles in Indian soap operas, most notably Noorjehan, A mouthful of sky, (only English serial made in India), Kussum, Chandrakanta, Betal, Black, Junoon, Ram Milaayi Jodi, Uttaran. She also did India's first count down show, Superhit Muqabala where she covered the Michael Jackson show in Bangkok, and many chat shows like Mansi and game shows like Surf Dhamaka. In 2015, she played the pivotal role of Shanti Devi in the Star Plus serial Mere Angne Mein which became one of the most successful and long-running shows. The show ended in August 2017 after a successful run of 2 years. She has done some international films like Turn left for this world, Au bout du Monde and Bengali films and a few Hindi films like Section 375, Blurr, Kiya, Sarpanch Lajoji.

Desai was married to Imtiaz Khan, an avant-garde film and serial director and actor. Imtiaz died on 15 March 2020. The couple have a daughter named Ayesha Khan who is a model and actor. Their nephews Seemaab Khan and Shadaab Khan are actors in the industry. Desai is a vegetarian.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1986-1987 — Buniyaad — Mangla • 1986 — |Air Hostess • 1993-1994 — Dekh Bhai Dekh • 1993-1994 — Superhit Muqabla • 1994-1996 — Chandrakanta — Sabhya/Ramya/Amba/Vishkanya/Jwala • 1995 — Zameen Aasmaan • A Mouthful of Sky — Anita • 1996-1997 — Kismet • 1997-1998 — Betaal Pachisi — Naina Jogan • Hungama • 2000-2001 — Noorjahan — Maharani Maan Bai • 2004-2006 — Tumhari Disha — Gargi Sehgal • Mansi • 2007-2008 — Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki — Kamya Abhay Parashar • 2007-2008 — Annu Ki Ho Gayee Waah Bhai Waah • 2007–2009 — Chandramukhi — Durgeshwari • 2008 — Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai — Mansi Veerpratap Singh — Episode 76/77 • Madhavi — Episode 94/95 • 2009 — Black — Rubi Gujral • 2010 — Do Saheliyaan — Anadi's mother • 2010-2012 — Ram Milaayi Jodi — Bharti Gandhi • 2011 — Kaala Saaya — Rubi Gujral • 2013-2015 — Uttaran — Ekadashi Chatterjee • 2015-2017 — Mere Angne Mein — Shanti Devi • 2017 — Paramavatar Shri Krishna — Chandalni • 2017-2019 — Jiji Maa — Haryali Rawat • 2018 — Shakti - Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki — Preeto's mother • 2018 — Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka — Parvati — Cameo • 2019 — Laal Ishq — Kesar Dadi — Episode 114 • 2021–2024 — Pandya Store — Suman Pandya • 2022 — Ravivaar With Star Parivaar — Episode 6/7/9/11/16 • 2025 — Meri Bhavya Life — Damayanti Thakur

• Year — Title — Role • 2020 — Bebaakee — Rashida Abdullah