# Hrishitaa Bhatt (हृषिता भट्ट)
**Hrishitaa Bhatt** (हृषिता भट्ट), also spelled Hrishita Bhat, is an Indian actress and model who debuted in the historical drama *Asoka* (2001) opposite [Shah Rukh Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/shah-rukh-khan) and is best known for her acclaimed role in *[Haasil](https://www.edgepedia.org/haasil-2003-film)* (2003).[1](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37235-hrishitaa-bhatt?language=en-US) Born in 1981 in Mumbai into a Bengali-speaking family, she has worked in [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema) and in Bengali, Telugu, Bhojpuri, Kannada, and Marathi films, and more recently in streaming series and television.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) • [3](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/i-am-a-simple-girl-hrishitaa/articleshow/3062526.cms)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, into a Bengali-speaking family[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) |
| Film debut | *Asoka* (2001), as Devi, opposite Shah Rukh Khan, who offered her the role[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) |
| Breakthrough | *Haasil* (2003), as Niharika Singh opposite Jimmy Shergill; the role brought her fame and critical acclaim[1](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37235-hrishitaa-bhatt?language=en-US) • [4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/-Hrishitaa-Bhatt/filmography) |
| Early fame | The Liril soap advertisement and the Aryans music video "Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra" with Shahid Kapoor[5](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/shahid-kapoor-first-actress-birthday-special-hrishitaa-bhatt-movies-know-about-her-3279602.html/amp) |
| Languages | Fluent in Hindi, English, and Bengali[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) |
| Marriage | Married Anand Tiwari, a senior diplomat at the United Nations, on March 4, 2017, in a private ceremony in Delhi[6](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/hrishitaa-bhatt.html) • [5](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/shahid-kapoor-first-actress-birthday-special-hrishitaa-bhatt-movies-know-about-her-3279602.html/amp) |
| Recent work | *Cuttputlli* (2022), *India Lockdown* (2022), the series *Swaraj* (2023) as Rani Lakshmi Bai, *Womaniya* (2024), and *Tez Raftaaar* (2025)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) |
## Early life and modeling
Bhatt took dance lessons as a child and was athletic through her school years. She originally wanted to be a pilot. After completing her education at Trinity College, London, she took Kathak lessons from the choreographer [Shiamak Davar](https://www.edgepedia.org/shiamak-davar) and then auditioned successfully for the Liril advertising campaign, becoming known as the "Liril girl with the cute smile".[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/)
In 1999, the same year as the Liril advertisement, Universal Music released the album containing the Aryans song "Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra", in which she appeared alongside a teenage [Shahid Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/shahid-kapoor) in what is remembered as his first romantic music video. The song became widely popular and made her famous.[5](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/shahid-kapoor-first-actress-birthday-special-hrishitaa-bhatt-movies-know-about-her-3279602.html/amp) Her screen presence in the video added to her popularity, and a close media friend of the [Bachchan family](https://www.edgepedia.org/bachchan-family) recommended her for a lead role in *Shararat* (2002), opposite [Abhishek Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/abhishek-bachchan).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/)
## Film career
Shah Rukh Khan himself offered Bhatt a role in the historical drama *Asoka* (2001), which became her film debut; she has described herself as fortunate to have been launched by him.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) • [3](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/i-am-a-simple-girl-hrishitaa/articleshow/3062526.cms) She was nominated for a Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for the film.[5](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/shahid-kapoor-first-actress-birthday-special-hrishitaa-bhatt-movies-know-about-her-3279602.html/amp) • [10](https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jan/11zee.htm)
**The 2000s.** She followed *Asoka* with *Dil Vil Pyar Vyar* (2002), *Out of Control* (2003), *Haasil* (2003), *Charas: A Joint Effort* (2004), *Ab Tak Chhappan* (2004), *[Kisna: The Warrior Poet](https://www.edgepedia.org/kisna-the-warrior-poet)* (2005), *Jawani Diwani: A Youthful Joyride* (2006), *Jigyaasa* (2006), and *Ankahee* (2006).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) It was *Haasil*, in which she played [Niharika Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/niharika-singh) opposite Jimmy Shergill, that brought her fame and critical acclaim.[1](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37235-hrishitaa-bhatt?language=en-US) • [4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/-Hrishitaa-Bhatt/filmography) During this period she changed the spelling of her name from Hrishita to Hrishitaa.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) She co-starred with actors including Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Emraan Hashmi, Vivek Oberoi, Jimmy Shergill, Shah Rukh Khan, and Madhavan.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/)
**Regional and later films.** Bhatt has worked across languages: she appeared in a Kannada-language film and a Bengali film with Raju Mukherjee, and in Bengali, Telugu, and [Bhojpuri cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/bhojpuri-cinema).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) • [3](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/i-am-a-simple-girl-hrishitaa/articleshow/3062526.cms) Her debut Marathi film, *Mani Mangalsutra* (2010), cast her as Savitri, a woman who had been in a live-in relationship for 30 years, a role spanning the character's life from her twenties to her sixties.[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/bhatt-naturally/lite/) Her Hindi films in the 2010s included *Miss Tanakpur Haazir Ho* (2015), *[Junooniyat](https://www.edgepedia.org/junooniyat)* (2016), *Shorgul* (2016), and *Bhabhipedia* (2017).[8](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/hrishitaa-bhatt/filmography/)
**Recent work.** In 2022 she appeared in *Cuttputlli* as Seema Singh and in *India Lockdown* as Swati, and in 2023 she played Rani Lakshmi Bai in one episode of the series *Swaraj: Bharat ke Swatantrata Sangram Ki Samagra Gatha* and Pupul in *Alor Koley*. She starred in the series *Womaniya* (2024) and the film *Tez Raftaaar* (2025).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/) In a 2022 interview she described it as a relief to no longer be typecast, in a phase where, in her words, content is the king.[9](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/hrishitaa-bhatt-it-s-a-big-relief-not-being-typecast-anymore-101666874335464.html)
## Beyond acting
Bhatt has taken roles in film administration: she was a member of the steering committee of the [International Film Festival of India](https://www.edgepedia.org/international-film-festival-of-india) in 2017 and later served on its selection panel.[9](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/hrishitaa-bhatt-it-s-a-big-relief-not-being-typecast-anymore-101666874335464.html) She is also credited as a producer.[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/-Hrishitaa-Bhatt/filmography)
## References
1. [Hrishitaa Bhatt, The Movie Database](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/37235-hrishitaa-bhatt?language=en-US)
2. [Hrishitaa Bhatt, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1064764/)
3. [I am a simple girl: Hrishitaa, Times of India (May 23, 2008)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/i-am-a-simple-girl-hrishitaa/articleshow/3062526.cms)
4. [Hrishitaa Bhatt Filmography, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/-Hrishitaa-Bhatt/filmography)
5. [कहां गुम हैं शाहिद कपूर की पहली हिरोइन ऋषिता भट्ट?, TV9 Hindi](https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/shahid-kapoor-first-actress-birthday-special-hrishitaa-bhatt-movies-know-about-her-3279602.html/amp)
6. [ऋषिता भट्ट जीवनी, Filmibeat Hindi](https://hindi.filmibeat.com/celebs/hrishitaa-bhatt.html)
7. [Bhatt Naturally!, The Indian Express (August 12, 2010)](https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/bhatt-naturally/lite/)
8. [Hrishitaa Bhatt Filmography, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/hrishitaa-bhatt/filmography/)
9. [Hrishitaa Bhatt: It's a big relief, not being typecast anymore, Hindustan Times (2022)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/hrishitaa-bhatt-it-s-a-big-relief-not-being-typecast-anymore-101666874335464.html)
10. [rediff.com, Movies: Lagaan sweeps FairGlow Zee awards](https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jan/11zee.htm)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Hindi film actors, 1990s–2000s › Surnames symbols to J*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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