Shalini Pandey (born 23 September 1993) is an Indian actress who works in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films.[1] She made her acting debut in the Telugu film Arjun Reddy (2017),[2] and has since acted in the Tamil film 100% Kadhal (2019), the Telugu films Mahanati (2018) and 118 (2019), and the Hindi films Jayeshbhai Jordaar (2022) and Maharaj (2024).
Early life
Pandey was born on 23 September 1993 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Before making her acting debut, Pandey worked as a theatre artist in Jabalpur.[3][4]
Career
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Pandey made her screen debut with the Telugu film Arjun Reddy in 2017, where she played a medical student opposite Vijay Deverakonda.[5][2] A major commercial success, the film earned her the SIIMA Award for Best Female Debut – Telugu nomination.[6] Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost noted, "Shalini as Preethi, is good and it’s the vulnerability that she encapsulates that makes the love story so intense." While, Murali Krishna CH from Cinema Express stated that she delivered a "measured performance" with the right amount of subtlety.[7][8]
In her first film of 2018, Pandey made her Hindi film debut with a cameo appearance in Meri Nimmo.[9] The same year, she played Savitri's friend in the Telugu film Mahanati, a major box office success.[10][11]
Pandey at the launch of her film, 100% Kadhal in 2019
Pandey had five film releases in 2019. She first played Sowcar Janaki in the Telugu film NTR: Kathanayakudu.[12] She then played the lead in the Telugu film 118, opposite Nandamuri Kalyan Ram.[13] The film was a commercial success. Neeshita Nyayapati of Times of India found her performance to be "okay" but praised her chemistry with Kalyan Ram.[14] Later the year, Pandey made her Tamil film debut with 100% Kadhal, playing a college student opposite G. V. Prakash Kumar, a box office failure.[15] In her next Tamil film, she played the lead opposite Jiiva in Gorilla.[16] In her final film of the year, she played a college student opposite Raj Tarun in the Telugu film Iddari Lokam Okate, a box office average.[17]
Career expansion (2020–present)
Pandey made her full fledged Hindi film debut in 2020, with Bamfaad. She played a Hindu girl in love with a Muslim boy, opposite Aditya Rawal.[18][19]Anna MM Vetticad found her to be "efficient" but added that she lacks "spark".[20]Saibal Chatterjee opined that Pandey conveys with a degree of conviction.[21] That year, she also played a possessive girl in the Telugu film Nishabdham.[22] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute noted, "Shalini is a surprise as the possessive Sonali. She's meant to be annoying yet likable. A tough ask, but Shalini pulls it off."[23]
Pandey portrayed a Gujarati housewife and mother opposite Ranveer Singh in the Hindi film, Jayeshbhai Jordaar, that released in 2022 and was a box office failure.[24][25]Sukanya Verma stated that she doesn't leave any impact.[26] Post a two year hiatus, Pandey played the lead opposite Junaid Khan in the Hindi film Maharaj.[27] Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint opined that she "pulls her weight" in a short but important role.[28] Sana Farzeen of India Today noted that in her brief role, she tugs at your heartstrings.[29]
.jpg)