Bhagyashree Dassani (born 23 February 1969), professionally known as Bhagyashree, is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films and has also appeared in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Bengali and Bhojpuri-language productions. She rose to prominence with her lead role as Suman in the romantic drama Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), opposite Salman Khan. The film became a major commercial success and established her as a popular actress in Indian cinema.

Following her successful debut, Bhagyashree appeared in several films during the early 1990s. She subsequently reduced her acting commitments after marrying businessman and actor Himalaya Dasani in 1989, choosing to devote more time to her family. She later returned to films and television, appearing in productions such as Laut Aao Trisha, Thalaivii, Radhe Shyam, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video and Raja Shivaji.

Early life and family background

Bhagyashree was born on 23 February 1969 in Sangli, Maharashtra, India, into the Patwardhan family. Her full name before marriage was Bhagyashree Patwardhan. She belongs to a prominent Marathi family associated with the former princely state of Sangli.

Her father, Vijay Singhrao Madhavrao Patwardhan, is known as the titular Raja of Sangli. In an interview with Rediff, Bhagyashree discussed her unusual childhood, describing the traditions and ceremonial responsibilities associated with her family’s background. She also explained that although her family had royal connections in Sangli, they maintained an ordinary household in Mumbai.

Bhagyashree is the eldest of three daughters. Her sisters are Madhuvanti and Purnima. She grew up between Mumbai and Sangli and attended school in Mumbai.

Education

Bhagyashree completed part of her higher education in Mumbai. In an interview with Rediff, she mentioned that she had barely completed her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree. She also spoke about her father’s academic achievements and how his educational qualifications contrasted with her own academic experience.

Bhagyashree Biography Height Weight Age Husband & More

Bio/Wiki
Profession	Actress
Famous Role	Suman in Bollywood film Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters– 163 cm in meters– 1.63 m in feet & inches– 5’ 4”
Weight (approx.)	in kilograms– 55 kg in pounds– 121 lbs
Figure Measurements (approx.)	34-26-36
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Career
Debut	Film (Hindi; As an actor): Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) as Suman Film (Kannada; As an actor): Ammavra Ganda (1997) as Rani Film (Telugu; As an actor): Yuvaratna Rana (1998) as Dr. Kasthuri Film (Bengali; As an actor): Shotru Dhongsho (2002) as Borsha Film (Bhojpuri; As an actor): Uthaile Ghoonghta Chand Dekhle (2006) Film (Marathi; As an actor): Mumbai Aamchich (2007) TV: Kachchi Dhoop (1987) as Alka
Awards	• In 1990, she won Best Female Debut for the film Maine Pyar Kiya at 35th Filmfare Awards. • In 1990, she was nominated for Best Actress for the film Maine Pyar Kiya at 35th Filmfare Awards. • In 2014, she was nominated for Performer of The Year – Female for the television show Laut Aao Trisha at Indian Television Academy Awards.
Personal Life
Date of Birth	23 February 1969 (Sunday)
Age (as of 2026)	57 Years
Birthplace	Sangli, Maharashtra
Zodiac sign	Pisces
Signature
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Sangli, Maharashtra
School	Jamnabai Narsee School, Mumbai, Maharashtra
College/University	Mithibai College, Mumbai
Educational Qualification	Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) Rediff
Religion	Hinduism
Caste	Brahmin
Food Habit	Non-vegetarian
Hobbies	Travelling, Dabncing, Cooking
Controversies	• Bhagyashree slams producers of the film Miane Pyaar Kiya: In 2021, in an interview, Bhagyashree said that her experience of working with Sooraj Barjatya for the film ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ was very disappointing. These are some of the claims made by Bhagyashree: • While she was shooting or the film in 1989, the producers of the film took her for granted. • She did not receive any appreciation by the producers after the success of the film. • She was not invited for the premiere of the film. • Once she fainted on the set and no one except her husband picked her up and took her to the room. She said that while dubbing for the film, she was called on odd hours. Masala • Bhagyashree granted bail in an accident case: In 2016, Bhagyashree was involved in an accident case after she hit her car in a two-wheeler. The rider of the two-wheeler, Mohammed Tauseef Shaikh, got some fractures on his leg. Bhagyashree was asked to appear in front fo the court in connection to the case, but her family always told that she was out of town. In 2017, the police filed an FIR against her, and she was later granted bail in the case. Mid-day
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Affairs/Boyfriends	Himalaya Dassani (businessman)
Marriage Date	January 1990
Family
Husband/Spouse	Himalaya Dassani (businessman)
Children	Son– Abhimanyu Dassani (actor) Daughter– Avantika Dassani (actor)
Parents	Father– Vijaysinghrao Madhavrao Patwardhan (lawyer and raja of Sangli) Mother– Rohini (homemaker)
Siblings	Sister– 2 • Madhuvanti Patwardhan • Purnima Patwardhan
Favourites
Actor	Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh
Actress	Alia Bhatt
Singer	Lata Mangeshkar
Fruit	Pomegranate
Co-star	Salman Khan
Stress buster	Exercising
Travel destination	London
Emoticon	Tears of Joy
Style Quotient
Car Collection	She owns a Jaguar XJI.

Career

Television debut and early acting career (1987–1988)

Bhagyashree began her acting career on television. She made her television debut with the Hindi series Kachchi Dhoop (1987), directed by Amol Palekar. The series introduced her to television audiences and gave her an opportunity to develop her acting skills before entering mainstream Hindi cinema.

Her early television experience helped her secure opportunities in films. She subsequently made her feature-film debut in the late 1980s.

Breakthrough with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)

Bhagyashree achieved nationwide recognition with her first major film, Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya. She played Suman, a young woman who falls in love with Prem, portrayed by Salman Khan.

The film became one of the most successful Hindi romantic films of its time. Its popularity established Bhagyashree as a leading actress and made her performance widely recognised among Indian audiences.

Her work in the film earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut at the 1990 ceremony. She also received recognition through the film’s success and its lasting popularity in Indian cinema.

Films in the early 1990s

Following Maine Pyar Kiya, Bhagyashree appeared in a number of Hindi films. Her subsequent projects included Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul (1991), Tyagi (1992), Paayal (1992) and Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi (1993).

In Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul, she appeared as Pooja Choudhary. She played Aarati Shakti Dayal in Tyagi and the title character in Paayal. Although these films expanded her filmography, none achieved the same level of recognition as her debut film.

Work in regional cinema and career break

During the later 1990s and 2000s, Bhagyashree explored opportunities in several regional film industries. She appeared in Kannada, Telugu and Bengali productions, including Ammavra Ganda (1997), Omkaram (1997), Yuvaratna Rana (1998) and Shotru Dhongsho (2002).

Her film appearances during this period were less frequent than those of her early career. She also appeared in Hindi films such as Maa Santoshi Maa (2003), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006) and Janani (2006).

Read More: Salman Khan | Jaya Bachchan

Bhagyashree’s career choices during this period were closely connected with her family life. She has spoken publicly about prioritising her marriage and children after the success of Maine Pyar Kiya.

Return to films and television

Bhagyashree gradually returned to more regular entertainment-industry activities. She appeared in the Hindi film Red Alert: The War Within (2010), in which she played Uma. She also took part in television programmes and reality shows.

One of her notable television roles was in the series Laut Aao Trisha (2014–2015). Her performance brought her back into the public eye and demonstrated her continued involvement in acting.

She also appeared in reality and entertainment programmes, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Smart Jodi. In 2022, she participated in the television reality show Smart Jodi with her husband, Himalaya Dasani.

Film career from 2019 onward

Bhagyashree continued appearing in films across different Indian languages. She featured in the Kannada film Seetharama Kalyana (2019) and later appeared in the historical biographical drama Thalaivii (2021), which was released in Tamil and Hindi. In the film, she portrayed Sandhya, the mother of J. Jayalalithaa, played by Kangana Ranaut.

In 2022, she appeared in the Telugu romantic drama Radhe Shyam, starring Prabhas and Pooja Hegde. She played a supporting role in the film.

In 2023, she appeared in several projects, including Chatrapathi, the Hindi remake of the Telugu film of the same name, and Salman Khan’s action-comedy Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. She also appeared in NRI Wives and Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video. In the latter, she played Kalyani Pandit.

Her subsequent projects included the television series Life Hill Gayi (2024) and an appearance associated with the sports drama Chandu Champion (2024).

Recent projects (2026)

In 2026, Bhagyashree appeared in the historical Marathi-Hindi film Raja Shivaji, directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh. She portrayed Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film was released on 1 May 2026.

She was also associated with The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman, which was released on 29 May 2026.

In November 2026, Bollywood Hungama reported that Bhagyashree had joined the cast of Hum Tere Pyaar Mein, a film featuring Krithi Shetty in her Hindi film debut and Priyanshu Chatterjee. The project was listed for 2027.

Personal life

Marriage and husband

Bhagyashree married Himalaya Dasani on 19 January 1989, shortly before the release of Maine Pyar Kiya. The couple had known each other since their school days and developed a relationship while growing up.

In interviews, Bhagyashree has discussed the difficulties surrounding her decision to marry at a young age. She explained that her father initially disapproved of the relationship and that her parents did not attend the wedding. Actor Salman Khan and filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s family were among those present at the ceremony.

Her marriage and decision to prioritise family life influenced the direction of her acting career. She later returned to the entertainment industry while continuing to maintain her family responsibilities.

Children

Bhagyashree and Himalaya Dasani have two children:

• Abhimanyu Dassani: Their son, Abhimanyu, is an actor who made his feature-film debut with Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2018). He received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance.
• Avantika Dassani: Their daughter, Avantika, is an actress. She made her acting debut with the psychological thriller web series Mithya (2022).

Bhagyashree has spoken in interviews about motherhood and how her children encouraged her to return to acting.

Awards and recognition

Bhagyashree received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance in Maine Pyar Kiya at the 1990 Filmfare Awards. The film remains the defining project of her early career.

Her performance in the television series Laut Aao Trisha also brought her recognition in television entertainment.

Filmography

Selected films

Year	Film	Role / Notes
1989	Maine Pyar Kiya	Suman
1991	Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul	Pooja Choudhary
1992	Tyagi	Aarati Shakti Dayal
1992	Paayal	Paayal
1993	Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi	Roopa
1997	Ammavra Ganda	Rani
1997	Omkaram	Shashi
1998	Yuvaratna Rana	Dr. Kasthuri
2002	Shotru Dhongsho	Varsha / Urmi
2003	Maa Santoshi Maa	Supporting role
2006	Humko Deewana Kar Gaye	Simran R. Kohli
2006	Janani	Akanksha Awasthi
2010	Red Alert: The War Within	Uma
2019	Seetharama Kalyana	Meera
2021	Thalaivii	Sandhya
2022	Radhe Shyam	Girija Rani
2023	Chatrapathi	Parvati
2023	Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan	Bhagya
2023	NRI Wives	Ayesha
2023	Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video	Kalyani Pandit
2026	Raja Shivaji	Jijabai
2026	The Great Grand Superhero: Aliens Ka Aagman	Appearance

Selected television and digital appearances

Year	Title	Type
1987	Kachchi Dhoop	Television series
2014–2015	Laut Aao Trisha	Television series
2022	Smart Jodi	Reality television
2024	Life Hill Gayi	Web series

The filmography above highlights selected credited projects and is not intended to represent a complete list of every appearance.

Legacy

Bhagyashree is particularly remembered for her performance in Maine Pyar Kiya, a film that became an important part of late-1980s Hindi popular cinema. Her portrayal of Suman, alongside Salman Khan’s Prem, contributed to the film’s enduring popularity.

Her career has included periods of frequent acting work, a family-focused break and a later return to films and television. Through projects in multiple Indian languages and her continued presence in entertainment, she has remained associated with several generations of Indian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bhagyashree?

Bhagyashree is an Indian actress best known for playing Suman in the 1989 Hindi romantic film Maine Pyar Kiya.

What is Bhagyashree’s full name?

Her name before marriage was Bhagyashree Patwardhan. She is also known as Bhagyashree Dassani.

When was Bhagyashree born?

She was born on 23 February 1969.

How old is Bhagyashree?

She is 57 years old as of November 2026.

Where was Bhagyashree born?

She is reported to have been born in Sangli, Maharashtra, India.

Who is Bhagyashree’s husband?

She is married to Himalaya Dasani. They married on 19 January 1989.

How many children does Bhagyashree have?

She has two children: actor Abhimanyu Dassani and actress Avantika Dassani.

Which film made Bhagyashree famous?

Her breakthrough came with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), in which she starred opposite Salman Khan.

Did Bhagyashree win a Filmfare Award?

Yes. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for Maine Pyar Kiya in 1990.

What is Bhagyashree’s latest film?

Among her 2026 releases is Raja Shivaji, in which she portrays Jijabai.