Shweta Basu Prasad is an Indian actress who won the National Film Award for Best Child Actor for the Hindi film ‘Makdee’ (2002).
Wiki/Biography
Shweta Basu Prasad was born on Friday, 11 January 1991 (age 46 years; as of 2022) in Jamshedpur, Bihar, India (now in Jharkhand). Later, Shweta, along with her family, shifted to Mumbai. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Shweta Basu Prasad’s childhood picture
From 2006 to 2010, she attended R. N. Podar School, Jain Derasar Marg, Santacruz West, Mumbai. In 2014, she pursued graduation in mass media arts and journalism at Sikkim Manipal University- Distance Education. In 2021, she did a Film Appreciation Course (online) from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
Shweta Basu Prasad’s certificate
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Brown
Figure (approx.): 36-28-34
Family
Shweta belongs to a Bengali family.
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Anuj Prasad, is a businessman and civil engineer, and he has worked in various theatre plays. Her mother’s name is Sarmistha Basu, who has been inclined towards Indian classical music for a very long time. Her brother, Rahul Prasad, is a health coach and sports nutritionist.
Shweta Basu Prasad with her ex-husband, parents, and brother
Husband
In 2013, Shweta started dating the Indian filmmaker Rohit Mittal. After being in a live-in relationship for two and a half years, the couple tied the knot on 13 December 2018. They followed Bengali and Marwadi wedding rituals.
Shweta Basu Prasad’s wedding photo
However, within a year, Shweta announced her separation from her husband through her Instagram account. On 9 December 2019, she uploaded a post on Instagram, which reads,
Hi everyone, Rohit Mittal and I have mutually decided to part our ways and end our marriage. After months of contemplation, we arrived at this decision a few months ago in each other’s best interest, as individuals. Not every book is supposed to be read cover to cover, that doesn’t mean the book is bad, or one can’t read, some things are best left unfinished. Thank you Rohit for the irreplaceable memories and always inspiring me. Have a great life ahead, forever your cheerleader.”
Later, Shweta and Rohit filed for a divorce. In an interview, while talking about the same, Shweta said,
Yes, we have filed for a legal separation. Rohit and I are perfectly cordial and friendly. As I had mentioned in my post it was a mutual decision. He has always been very supportive of my acting career and I am his fan, he is a wonderful filmmaker and I hope we work together someday. We had 5 years of a very loving, healthy and loyal relationship, we just decided to end the marriage and remain, friends, that’s it. Of course I am not closed to the idea of falling in love again but right now my only focus is my career and my work. Love happens organically great, if it doesn’t happen then no problem. Not looking for it.”
She continued,
Of course, I was sad; nobody parties when you split up with anybody, but I have an amazing family around me. Besides, I think one is his own friend or enemy in such situations; I went on to become my own friend and I am fine now.”
Career
Corporate Jobs
On 19 November 2015, Shweta started working as a script consultant at the Indian film production and distribution company Phantom Studios in Mumbai. She worked there till 14 April 2016. In 2017, she joined the Indian media house The Indian Express, as a column writer.
Television
Child Actor
In 1998, Shweta started her career as a child actor with the Hindi TV series ‘X Zone’ in which she played the role of young Anu. The series was aired on Zee TV.
Hindi TV series X Zone
She then acted in many Hindi TV serials like ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ (2000), ‘Kutumb’ (2001), ‘Koshish – Ek Aashaa’ (2002), and ‘Karishma Kaa Karishma’ (2003).
Shweta Basu Prasad in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii (2000)
Lead Actor
In 2015, she made her debut as a lead actor in the episodic TV series ‘Darr Sabko Lagta Hai,’ which aired on And TV. She appeared in the episode “Hostel” in which she played the role of Pangkhuri.
Darr Sabko Lagta Hai (2015)
She gained immense popularity with her role as Nandini Maurya in the Hindi TV series ‘Chandra Nandini’ (2017), which aired on Star Plus.
Chandra Nandini (2017)
Web Series
Telugu
In 2018, Shweta made her Telugu web series debut with the Amazon Video web series ‘Gangstars’ in which she played the role of Aishwarya.
Gangstars (2018)
Hindi
She made her Hindi web series debut with the 2019 mini-series ‘Flip.’
A still of Shweta Basu from the mini-series ‘Flip’
She then appeared in various Hindi web series like ‘Hostages’ (2019; Disney+ Hotstar), ‘Dr Donn’ (2020; ALTBalaji), ‘High’ (2020; MX Player), ‘Ray’ (2021; Netflix), and ‘Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach’ (2022; Disney+Hotstar).
Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach (2022)
Film
Child Actor
Shweta made her Bollywood debut as a child actor in the Hindi film ‘Makdee’ in which she played the dual role of Chunni/Munni.
Makdee film poster
In 2005, she appeared in the critically acclaimed Hindi film ‘Iqbal.’
Iqbal (2005)
She then acted in the Hindi films like ‘Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!’ (2005) and ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’ (2006).
Shweta Basu Prasad in Darna Zaroori Hai (2006)
Actress
Hindi
In 2017, she made her Bollywood debut as an adult actor with the Hindi film ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ in which she played the role of Urmila Shukla Bansal.
Shweta Basu Prasad in Badrinath Ki Dulhania
She has appeared in various Hindi films such as ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’ (2018), ‘The Tashkent Files’ (2019), ‘Shukranu’ (2020), ‘Serious Men’ (2020), and ‘Comedy Couple’ (2020).
Shukranu (2020)
Bengali
She made her Bengali film debut with the 2008 film ‘Ek Nadir Galpo’ as Anu.
Ek Nadir Galpo (2008)
Telugu
In 2008, she made her Telugu film debut with ‘Kotha Bangaru Lokam’ as Swapna.
Kotha Bangaru Lokam (2008)
Some of her other Telugu films are ‘Ride’ (2009), ‘Kasko’ (2009), ‘Priyudu’ (2011), and ‘Vijetha’ (2018).
A still from the film Priyudu (2011)
Tamil
In 2011, she made her Tamil film debut with ‘Raa Raa’ in which she played the role of Gayathri.
Raa Raa film poster
In 2013, she acted in the Tamil film ‘Chandhamama.’
Chandhamama (2013)
Short Film
Shweta has also acted in a few Hindi short films like ‘Int. Café: Night’ (2014), ‘Chubhan’ (2019), and ‘The Lovers’ (2020).
Chubhan (2019)
Other Work
From 2012 to 2016, she worked on the Hindi documentary ‘Roots’ starring many Indian celebrities like Shubha Mudgal, AR Rahman, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and Vishal Bhardwaj.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxznCxfLprs[/embed]
She has worked as an assistant to the Indian film director Anurag Basu in the ‘Clean Shaven’ segment of the Hindi short film ‘Madly’ (2016). She owns a company named Interiors by Shweta Basu Prasad.
Interiors By Shweta Basu Prasad
Controversy
Arrested in Prostitution Racket Case
In 2014, in a police raid, Shweta was arrested in a sex racket case from a hotel in Hyderabad along with a few businessman. Later, the media sources shared that Shweta gave a statement in which she said that due to her wrong career choices and financial issues, she had to choose that path. The media sources shared that Shweta said,
I was out of money and had to support my family and other good causes, and after finding all other doors closed, I was encouraged by some people to turn to prostitution to earn money. But I am not the one many other actresses, who also find themselves helpless and with no other choice, turn to prostitution for financial security.”
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neq_dsk6sVw[/embed]
After hearing her statement, many Indian celebrities like Deepika Padukone and Shweta Tiwari came out in her support. On 5 December 2014, she was given a clean chit by a sessions court in Hyderabad. She was then sent to a rehab centre. Later, she denied giving any such statement. She said,
The problem with our society is, as long as I was given sympathy and everyone went ‘awwww’, ‘poor girl’, ‘so sad’ and so on, everybody was supporting me. But, as soon as people understand that they got carried away by a false statement and a girl of 23 can be strong and can stand on her own feet without any sympathies, the society feels that she is lying?? What’s my fault if the news were the way they were? I cannot force anyone to like or respect me. These happen naturally. What happened was beyond my control.”
She was then asked about the businessman who was present with her in the hotel room. She said,
Who are these business men in my life? I am just as curious as all of you! So, here is the riddle: Why were the business men names who were caught ‘along with me’ not revealed? Clue: Were there any business men with me in that room at the time of detainment in the first place? Think Think. PROVE IT!”
The reporters even asked her what she was doing in the hotel if she was not involved in the racket. She replied that she was there to attend an award show and her staying arrangements were made by the organisers of the show. Later, in an interview, she said,
Anyway, enough said, enough heard. I have completely gone past the whole incident and I overlook everyone who picked up false statement(s) and encouraged mis-leading stories without verifying it’s authenticity. I overlook, because this episode does not deserve any more attention!”
Shweta Basu Prasad’s open letter to the media on her sex scandal
Awards
- 2003: 50th National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the Hindi film Makdee
Shweta Basu Prasad receiving the National Award from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
- 2006: Zee Cine Award for Best Actress (Critics) for the Hindi film Iqbal
- 2006: Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film Iqbal
- 2007: 5th Karachi International Film Festival for Best Supporting Actress for the Hindi film Iqbal
Favourites
- Fashion Brand(s): Forever One, Marks & Spencer
- Holiday destination: Himachal Pradesh
- Cuisine(s): Bengali, Italian, Chinese, Japanese
- Ice Cream Flavor: Strawberry, Belgium Chocolate
Facts/Trivia
- In 2007, she added her mother’s surname ‘Basu’ as her maiden name and changed her name from Shweta Prasad to Shweta Basu Prasad.
- After the success of the Hindi film ‘Iqbal’ (2005), Shweta’s parents decided that Shweta would focus on her studies. They even turned down the offer of the Indian director Madhur Bhandarkar’s film ‘Traffic Signal’ (2007) and Raj Kumar Santoshi’s film ‘Halla Bol’ (2008).
- She is an avid book reader and has a huge collection of books.
- In her leisure time, she loves travelling, cooking, cycling, painting, listening to music, and reading books.
Shweta Basu Prasad sitting with a painting made by her
- In her teens, she learnt to play the Sitar without the assistance of any professional.
Shweta Basu Prasad playing the sitar
- She has been invited as a guest speaker at TEDx Talks and Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares.
Shweta Basu Prasad as a guest speaker in Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares
- In 2018, she turned from being a hard-core non-vegetarian to a vegetarian.
- She is often spotted smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol.
Shweta Basu Prasad consuming alcohol
Shweta Basu Prasad holding a cigarette
- She has got a tattoo inked on her right wrist.
Shweta Basu Prasad’s tattoo
- In an interview, she shared that she was very emotionally attached to a gold necklace she had. She said,
Bengalis have a rice-eating ceremony called Annaprashon (where the child eats rice for the first time). When I was a year old, I was gifted a gold rani haar (an Indian necklace design). It’s been over 25 years now, and I am very emotionally attached to it.”