Bhagyashree: From Royalty to Bollywood and Beyond!

Bhagyashree Patwardhan, or simply Bhagyashree as she is known to millions, is an Indian actress who has captivated audiences with her charm and grace. Her journey is a unique one, bridging the gap between royalty and the world of cinema.

Royal Roots

Born on February 23, 1969, Bhagyashree hails from the Marathi royal family of Sangli in Maharashtra. She is the granddaughter of the last ruling Raja and the daughter of the titular Raja. Despite her royal lineage, Bhagyashree's upbringing was steeped in tradition and education.

Unexpected Turn

Bhagyashree's life took an unexpected turn when she was approached for a television serial while contemplating pursuing higher studies abroad. Her debut in "Kaachi Dhoop" was well-received, leading to roles in other serials like "Honi Anhonee" and "Kisse Miya Biwi Ke."

Maine Pyar Kiya: A Star is Born

In 1989, Bhagyashree's career reached new heights with her debut film, "Maine Pyar Kiya." Opposite a young Salman Khan, Bhagyashree's portrayal of Suman garnered immense love from audiences across India. The film's success catapulted her to stardom and established her as a leading actress.

Balancing Life and Career

Despite the overwhelming success of "Maine Pyar Kiya," Bhagyashree chose to prioritize her personal life. She married Himalaya Dassani in 1990 and went on a hiatus from acting. However, her passion for cinema didn't fade. She returned to the screen occasionally, appearing in films like "Paayal" and "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye."

Beyond the Big Screen

Bhagyashree's influence extends beyond acting. She has been involved in philanthropic work and has judged dance reality shows like "DID Super Moms." Her recent television appearances showcase her versatility and continued connection with the entertainment industry.

A Legacy of Grace

Bhagyashree's story is one of grace, resilience, and a willingness to carve her own path. From her royal background to her successful film career and her dedication to family, Bhagyashree remains an inspiration for many.

Yash ji told me I was foolish but I loved being foolish, reveals Bhagyashree!

Bollywood actress Bhagyashree did something that not many stars dared to do. She quit the glamorous acting profession when she was at the peak of her career. That's right, Bhagyashree did not care for the stupendous success that came her way with the Salman Khanstarrer Maine Pyar Kiya. She gave it all up for a blissful married life. But was it all worth it?

Bhagyashree discloses all, almost 3 decades later.

This is Bhagyashree's post that is taking the viral world by storm:

“We went to school together — he was the naughtiest kid in class and I was always the class monitor. We would fight all the time and the rest of the class would have a blast! We were like Yin and Yang — the more we fought, the more it became clear that we couldn’t be apart. We never dated though…he never even told me how he felt until the last day of school. He said, ‘I have to tell you something’ and then for one week he kept trying to say it but would always back out. Finally, I went upto him and said, ‘look, just say it…I’m sure the answer will be positive’ and that’s when he told me he liked me. I come from a very conservative family, so even after that while we were in college, we would barely meet or talk on the phone. When I told my parents about him, they thought we were too young to decide something like this, and I believed as well that if he really loved me, we should be apart for sometime — he should explore, know that I’m the one and then we could be together. So we did break up when he went away to the US to study, and that’s when I signed Maine Pyaar Kiya. Before signing the film, while he was still in the States I went and met his parents to ask them if they were okay with me getting into films…we weren’t even together at that point, but I guess somewhere I knew that we would in the future. They said that they had no problems…and I began shooting. When he came back home during the course of the shooting we both knew that we wanted to be together, but my parents still wouldn’t allow us to meet or speak on the phone…so I decided to speak to them. I told tell them that seeing him made me happy, that I couldn't be without him, but they were still adamantly against our relationship. I knew then that there wasn’t any other way.”

“I called him up after this conversation and asked him, ‘are you sure of yourself, of us? This is the deciding day…either I’d be in his life forever or not at all.’ I said, ‘I’m leaving my house now, if you love me come and pick me up’ and within 15 minutes he was under my house. We had a small ceremony at a temple — his parents, Salman, Sooraj ji, a few of our friends attended and that’s how we go married.There after, Maine Pyaar Kiya went on to become such a big hit, but I was a woman so in love with my husband and my son Abhimanyu who was born soon after that I said no to every offer I got. I have absolutely no regrets though, I look at my life, my family now and I feel so proud. Yash Ji always said, ‘you’re a foolish girl’ and oh yes, I loved being foolish! Very often, people say ‘giving up such a bright career’ is backward, but I disagree. I respect and admire career women who can juggle both, but I took the decision of being a full invested home maker…and believe me, that’s a thankless job. But it’s all worth it when you see your children growing up into fine human beings. Just like I played a role in a movie, the role of a mother was a part of my life…but is not defined by it. Today, I’m into fitness, nutrition, traveling and if another movie comes along— I’ll do it all over again. I don’t like that either you’re a ‘working woman’ or a ‘stay at home mom’ — why can’t women be 10 different things…why can’t we keep exploring and with every phase, discover a new passion? From actress, to mom, to giving exams on nutrition at this age, I’ve loved every feather on my hat…and there will be plenty more to add to it!” 

Abhi Abhimanyu aaya!

Another star kid is entering the ring!

Bhagyashree’s son Abhimanyu Dassani is making his debut in Phantom Films’ quirky action-comedy Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota. The movie will be helmed by Vasan Bala of Peddlers fame, and it’ll also mark the big screen launch of the TV actress Radhika Madan. Both actors have already begun training for Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota’s action sequences, and Anurag Kashyap hopes the movie spawns a successful franchise for Phantom. Let’s see how well it does!