Kishori Shahane
Kishori Shahane is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Kishori Shahane began their career in 1993 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 33 years. With 30 credits to their name, Kishori Shahane remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Kishori Shahane's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 58
Biography
Kishori Shahane (also known as Kishori Shahane Vij) is a Hindi and Marathi film actress and classical dancer who has appeared in over 130 Marathi and 50 Hindi films since the early 1990s. She appeared in high-profile Hindi productions including Ashutosh Gowariker's Mohenjo Daro (2016), Pyaar Mein Twist (2005), Shaadi Se Pehle (2006), and the biopic PM Narendra Modi (2019). Beyond acting, she directed and produced the Marathi film Mohatyachi Renuka, for which she won the Maharashtra State Award for Best Editing in 2007. She is also a prominent television presence, playing a long-running role in the popular serial Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin from 2020 to 2024.
Career Milestones
Bollywood debut in Karma
Lead debut in Marathi cinema
Maharashtra State Award for Best Editing
Portrayed Indira Gandhi in biographical film
View film →Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in Negative Role
Iconic Roles
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
Matriarch of the Chavan family; a powerful antagonistic role that earned her multiple Indian Television Academy and Indian Telly Awards for Best Actress in Negative Role.
PM Narendra Modi
Portrayed the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Omung Kumar's biopic; selected after a look test for her close physical resemblance to the historical figure.
Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye
A prominent matriarchal role in the popular Hindi TV drama series, showcasing her continued dominance in character-driven roles.
Defining Moments
Playing Madhu, the class-conscious and overbearing mother whose social prejudices drive key dramatic and comedic conflict in the romantic drama
The role showcased her range in character comedy and antagonistic supporting parts, contributing to the film's family-audience appeal alongside Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia
View film →Playing Mrs. Hanumant Singh in Tigmanshu Dhulia's gritty crime-action thriller alongside Nana Patekar, holding her own in a male-dominated, intense cast
Being cast in a Tigmanshu Dhulia directorial — known for authentic, hard-edged Hindi cinema — marked a recognition of her dramatic credibility beyond mainstream Bollywood
View film →Playing Aunt Bima, the restrictive aunt of protagonist Sarman, in Ashutosh Gowariker's epic period drama set in the Indus Valley civilization
Reviewers singled her out alongside Nitish Bharadwaj as lending credible support in a big-budget spectacle, demonstrating her ability to hold her own in large ensemble period films
Portrayal of Indira Gandhi in the biographical film, capturing the former Prime Minister's mannerisms and physicality after being selected via a look test for her strong resemblance
Widely noted as a standout performance in a film dominated by the lead actor — critics specifically called out her ability to 'grab eyeballs' in a challenging historical role, one of the most iconic political figures in Indian history
View film →Kishori Shahane by the Numbers
If you watched every Kishori Shahane film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 11h. Most-paired with Manoj Joshi — 3 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →






Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Kishori Shahane.
Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Kishori Shahane has worked most frequently with Satish Kaushik (2 films), Manoj Joshi (3 films), Satish Shah (3 films), Boman Irani (2 films), and Om Puri (2 films).









Legacy & Influence
Kishori Shahane is a respected figure in Indian cinema, recognized for her versatility across Marathi and Hindi film industries, as well as television. Her career trajectory showcases a journey from classical dance to a multifaceted performer. Trained as a Kathak dancer, she brought a distinct grace and expressive physicality to her screen roles, which became a hallmark of her performances. Shahane first gained significant attention through her work in Marathi cinema and television, where she established herself as a dependable and talented actress capable of handling diverse characters. Her transition to Hindi films, though less prolific, saw her taking on supporting roles in notable projects. A key contribution lies in her ability to portray strong, often traditional yet resilient female characters, adding depth to the narratives. Her work in television, particularly in popular Marathi and Hindi serials, made her a familiar and beloved face in households, extending her influence beyond the big screen. While not necessarily a mainstream Bollywood lead, her sustained presence across decades in regional and national media underscores a career built on skill and adaptability. She is often regarded as an artist who balanced commercial projects with more culturally rooted Marathi cinema, thereby contributing to the bridge between regional and national entertainment spheres. Her performances are remembered for their authenticity and emotional resonance, particularly in motherly or authoritative roles. Without dwelling on unverified accolades, her legacy is that of a dedicated performer whose artistic foundation in classical dance enriched her acting, leaving a subtle but appreciable mark on the character artist landscape of Indian cinema.