# Nia Sharma
**Nia Sharma** (born [Neha Sharma](https://www.edgepedia.org/neha-sharma), 1990) is an Indian television actress and model from Delhi, known for the lead roles of Anu in *Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha*, Manvi in *Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai*, and Roshni in [Zee TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/zee-tv)'s *Jamai Raja*, and later for reality television, web series, and music video work[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/) • [2](https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/bigg-boss-18-all-you-need-to-know-about-nia-sharma-who-brings-a-bold-persona-to-the-house-article-12834042.html/amp).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and origin | Born Neha Sharma in 1990 in Delhi, India; works under the name Nia Sharma[2](https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/bigg-boss-18-all-you-need-to-know-about-nia-sharma-who-brings-a-bold-persona-to-the-house-article-12834042.html/amp) |
| Television debut | Anu, a cousin of the protagonist, in Star Plus's *Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha* (2010)[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/) • [3](https://www.tupaki.com/photogallery/nia-sharma-purple-martini-look-1485777) |
| Signature roles | Manvi Chaudhary in *Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai*; Roshni in Zee TV's *Jamai Raja* (2014 onward)[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/) |
| Reality television | *Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8* (2017); winner of *Khatron Ke Khiladi - Made in India* (2020); *Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa* contestant (2022); *Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment* (2024 onward)[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true) |
| Web and music work | Aliya Mukherji in Vikram Bhatt's web series *Twisted* (2017); music videos including *Do Ghoont* (2021) and *Phoonk Le* (2022)[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true) |
| Fiction comeback | Nishigandha, a witch, in Colors TV's supernatural drama *Suhagan Chudail* (2024), her first fiction role in four years[6](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/nia-sharma-on-her-daily-soap-comeback-after-4-years-i-was-not-begging-for-work-i-have-the-privilege-to-take-breaks-now-101716209533791.html) |
| Poll recognition | Third place in the Top 50 Sexiest Asian Women list by Britain's *Eastern Eye* in 2016; second in 2017[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-sexiest-asian-jamai-raja-exclusive-interview-hot-see-pics-4425064/) • [8](https://www.valeorine.com/reference/nia-sharma) |
## Education and early career
Before acting, Sharma studied journalism at a Delhi college and has said she originally planned to work behind the camera rather than pursue glamorous on-screen roles[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). In 2026, appearing on *Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment 3*, she said she had always dreamt of becoming a crime reporter[9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/nia-sharma-revisits-her-journalism-dreams-onlaughter-chefs-unlimited-entertainment-3-says-always-dreamt-of-becoming-a-crime-reporter/amp_articleshow/130261358.cms). She made her debut in *Kaali - Ek Agnipariksha* as Anu, a cousin of the protagonist Rachna, and followed it with a supporting role in *Behenein*[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). In interviews she has described early struggles in Mumbai, including living in rented PGs and, by her account, starving to look slim before her career took off[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/from-starving-to-look-slim-to-living-in-rented-pgs-nia-sharma-gets-candid-about-her-initial-struggles-in-the-industry/amp_etphotostory/114586483.cms).
## Breakthrough roles
**Manvi.** Her defining early role was Manvi Viraat Singh Vadhera, a cancer patient in *Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai*; the Indian Express describes her as the first actor to go bald for such a role[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). She has said she is adored by viewers for playing Manvi rather than for the person she is today[11](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-says-she-is-hated-to-another-level-i-am-adored-for-playing-manvi-not-for-the-person-i-am-today-7528834/).
**Jamai Raja.** Playing the lead role of Roshni in Zee TV's *Jamai Raja* made her a popular face of Indian television, and she remained with the show for two years[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). She left when the makers planned a 20-year leap in the story, declining to age on screen[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). She reprised Roshni in the digital continuation *Jamai 2.0* (2019 to 2021)[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true).
Her later fiction credits include Aarohi Kashyap in *Ishq Mein Marjawan* (2017) and Brinda in the fourth season of the supernatural franchise *Naagin*, her last fiction role before her hiatus[12](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1255271-nia-sharma) • [4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms).
## Reality television and web series
Sharma featured in [Vikram Bhatt](https://www.edgepedia.org/vikram-bhatt)'s web series *Twisted* as Aliya Mukherji and appeared in the stunt reality show *Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8* in 2017[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/). She won the special season *Khatron Ke Khiladi - Made in India* in 2020[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms). Later reality appearances include *Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa* in 2022 and the cooking-comedy show *Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment*, in which she has appeared as a contestant and guest in more than a hundred episodes from 2024 onward[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true). She has also appeared in commercials for brands such as Quco Hair Perfume and Sprite[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true).
She has fronted music videos including *Do Ghoont* (2021), in which she played the title performer, and [Nikhita Gandhi](https://www.edgepedia.org/nikhita-gandhi)'s *Phoonk Le* (2022), in which she played Bijli[5](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true).
## Hiatus from fiction television
Between *Naagin 4* and her 2024 comeback, Sharma stayed away from daily soaps. In a 2022 interview she said a two-year gap from television did not mean she was out of work, and that she was ready to settle for a middle path if a good role appeared[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms). In a 2022 social media post she described the break as not voluntary, saying she was still, in her words, a beggar for work of her choice[13](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/still-a-beggar-nia-sharma-says-break-from-work-is-not-voluntary/articleshow/92418299.cms).
**Reasons she gave.** In 2024 interviews she said she had been skeptical about television's future at a time when shows were going off air within a few months, described the transition to other platforms as "extremely challenging," and said people considered her too expensive; she also said she did not want to be labeled only a diva and fashionista but to be considered for performance-oriented, woman-centric roles[14](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-on-taking-a-break-from-tv-challenges-of-transitioning-to-other-mediums-people-think-i-am-too-expensive-9471446/) • [15](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/nia-sharma-i-am-done-being-called-a-diva-and-fashionista-101657801251388.html). She added that the overall quality of television content had declined in recent years and that she believed a project should not simply come and go off air without anyone noticing[14](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-on-taking-a-break-from-tv-challenges-of-transitioning-to-other-mediums-people-think-i-am-too-expensive-9471446/).
She returned to fiction after four years as Nishigandha, a witch in [Colors TV](https://www.edgepedia.org/colors-tv)'s supernatural drama *Suhagan Chudail* (2024), saying she had not been begging for work and had the privilege to take breaks[6](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/nia-sharma-on-her-daily-soap-comeback-after-4-years-i-was-not-begging-for-work-i-have-the-privilege-to-take-breaks-now-101716209533791.html).
## Public image
In 2016, *Eastern Eye* ranked her third in its Top 50 Sexiest Asian Women list, ahead of Bollywood figures including [Katrina Kaif](https://www.edgepedia.org/katrina-kaif), Alia Bhatt, and [Sonam Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/sonam-kapoor), and named her the Sexiest Television Star in the same poll; she was placed second in 2017[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/) • [7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-sexiest-asian-jamai-raja-exclusive-interview-hot-see-pics-4425064/) • [8](https://www.valeorine.com/reference/nia-sharma). She maintains a prominent social media presence, with an Instagram account under the handle niasharma90[1](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/), and has spoken publicly about overcoming an eating disorder and about facing trolls over her fashion sense and skin tone[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms).
## References
1. [Nia Sharma famous roles, date of birth, age, Instagram page and family, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-famous-roles-date-of-birth-age-instagram-page-and-family-4703780/lite/)
2. [Bigg Boss 18 contestant: All you need to know about Nia Sharma, Moneycontrol](https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/bigg-boss-18-all-you-need-to-know-about-nia-sharma-who-brings-a-bold-persona-to-the-house-article-12834042.html/amp)
3. [Nia Sharma slays in a purple ensemble, Tupaki](https://www.tupaki.com/photogallery/nia-sharma-purple-martini-look-1485777)
4. [A two-year gap from TV does not mean I am out of work: Nia Sharma, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/a-two-year-gap-from-tv-does-not-mean-i-am-out-of-work-nia-sharma/articleshow/92936825.cms)
5. [Nia Sharma, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5011985/?showAllCredits=true)
6. [Nia Sharma on her daily soap comeback after 4 years, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/nia-sharma-on-her-daily-soap-comeback-after-4-years-i-was-not-begging-for-work-i-have-the-privilege-to-take-breaks-now-101716209533791.html)
7. [Nia Sharma feels TV stars don't know how to dress up, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-sexiest-asian-jamai-raja-exclusive-interview-hot-see-pics-4425064/)
8. [Nia Sharma, VALÉORINE reference profile](https://www.valeorine.com/reference/nia-sharma)
9. [Nia Sharma revisits her journalism dreams on Laughter Chefs Unlimited Entertainment 3, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/nia-sharma-revisits-her-journalism-dreams-onlaughter-chefs-unlimited-entertainment-3-says-always-dreamt-of-becoming-a-crime-reporter/amp_articleshow/130261358.cms)
10. [From starving to look slim to living in rented PGs; Nia Sharma gets candid about her initial struggles, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/from-starving-to-look-slim-to-living-in-rented-pgs-nia-sharma-gets-candid-about-her-initial-struggles-in-the-industry/amp_etphotostory/114586483.cms)
11. [Nia Sharma says she is hated to another level: I am adored for playing Manvi, not for the person I am today, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-says-she-is-hated-to-another-level-i-am-adored-for-playing-manvi-not-for-the-person-i-am-today-7528834/)
12. [Nia Sharma, The Movie Database](https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1255271-nia-sharma)
13. ["Still a beggar": Nia Sharma says break from work is not voluntary, The Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/still-a-beggar-nia-sharma-says-break-from-work-is-not-voluntary/articleshow/92418299.cms)
14. [Nia Sharma on taking a break from TV: 'People think I am too expensive', The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/nia-sharma-on-taking-a-break-from-tv-challenges-of-transitioning-to-other-mediums-people-think-i-am-too-expensive-9471446/)
15. [Nia Sharma: I am done being called a diva and fashionista, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/nia-sharma-i-am-done-being-called-a-diva-and-fashionista-101657801251388.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of South Asia › Indian screen actors, 2000s onward › Surnames Sh to S*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license