Jennifer Winget on her journey, divorce, family's support ...
Acclaimed actress. An actress known for her powerful performances in shows like Beyhadh and Bepanah.
Jennifer Winget is a highly celebrated Indian actress who has established herself as one of the most prominent and highest-paid stars in Hindi television. Known for her versatile and powerful performances, she has won numerous accolades throughout her career.
Early Life and Background- Date of Birth: May 30, 1985
- Place of Birth: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Family: She comes from a mixed heritage, with a Punjabi Hindu mother, Prabha Winget, and a Maharashtrian Christian father, Hemant Winget. This diverse background is a subject of interest to her fans.
- Early Career: Jennifer began her acting journey as a child artist at a very young age. She appeared in Bollywood films such as Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) and Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya (2000) in minor roles. She made her television debut in 2002 with the children's fantasy show Shaka Laka Boom Boom. She later played the lead role in the show Karthika (2004) where she portrayed a struggling singer.
Jennifer gained significant recognition for her supporting role as Sneha Bajaj in the popular series Kasautii Zindagii Kay (2005-2007). She further solidified her position as a promising actress with her role as Dr. Riddhima Gupta in the youth-oriented medical drama Dill Mill Gayye (2009-2010).
Her career took a major turn when she was cast as Kumud Sundari Desai in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-produced show Saraswatichandra (2013-2014). Her nuanced performance in this series earned her critical acclaim and an Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress (Jury).
Critically Acclaimed Roles (2016-Present)Jennifer's career reached new heights with her portrayal of complex characters, showcasing her immense talent and versatility.
- Beyhadh (2016-2017): Her role as the obsessive and psychotic protagonist, Maya Mehrotra, was a game-changer for Indian television. This negative character was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, earning her the ITA Award for Best Actress (Jury). She later reprised the role as Maya Jaisingh in the show's second season, Beyhadh 2.
- Bepannah (2018): She received further accolades for her performance as Zoya Siddiqui, a young widow who finds love again in this romantic drama. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Harshad Chopda was a major highlight of the show, earning them the Indian Telly Award for Best On-Screen Jodi.
Jennifer has successfully transitioned to the digital space, starring in web series that have further cemented her status as a versatile actress.
- Code M (2020): She made her web debut with this military drama, where she played Major Monica Mehra, a fierce army lawyer. The series and her performance received a positive response, earning her a Filmfare OTT Award nomination for Best Actor (Female).
- Raisinghani vs Raisinghani (2024): She is currently starring in this web series, which focuses on the lives of lawyers in a prestigious law firm.
Jennifer Winget was married to fellow actor Karan Singh Grover. The couple tied the knot on April 9, 2012, but separated in November 2014 and their divorce was finalized in 2015.
Awards and RecognitionJennifer Winget is a recipient of numerous awards for her outstanding performances:
- Indian Television Academy Awards: Best Actress (Jury) for Saraswatichandra (2013) and Beyhadh (2017).
- Indian Telly Awards: Best Actress in a Lead Role (Jury) for Saraswatichandra (2014) and Best Actress in a Lead Role (Popular) for Bepannah (2019).
- Gold Awards: Best Actress (Jury) for Bepannah (2018).
- Other Accolades: She won the dance reality show Zara Nach Ke Dikha 1 (2008) and later hosted its second season. She has also been consistently ranked among the most desirable women on Indian television by The Times of India and has been recognized for her powerful and impactful roles, with her fashion sense and public persona also garnering significant attention.