Aaditi Pohankar is an Indian actress who has worked across Marathi, Hindi and Tamil films and web series
She began in theatre, moved into regional cinema and gained nationwide recognition through strong, layered parts in streaming shows like She and Aashram.
She is known for intense performances, a background in athletics, and for choosing roles that test social norms.
Throughout, she has kept a grounded, unshowy public image while consistently selecting characters that demand honesty and range.
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Table of Contents
Aaditi Pohankar’s Biography
Early life and background
Aaditi Pohankar was born and raised in Mumbai into a family with a strong athletic tradition.
Her father Sudhir Pohankar and mother Shobha Pohankar were both sportspeople. As a child and adolescent she showed athletic promise and represented Maharashtra in sprint events.
That sporting foundation shaped her physical confidence and presence, qualities that later informed physically demanding screen roles.
Her early schooling was at a convent school in Mumbai and she completed a commerce degree before focussing on acting. 1
Her parents’ athletic background and a childhood in Mumbai’s theatre circles helped Aaditi move smoothly into acting from sport.
In interviews she has credited the discipline of athletics and the freedom of theatre training for shaping her approach to work. 2
Yeah and it’s raining 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/nrHPydnBw2
— Aaditi S Pohankar (@Aaditiofficial) June 11, 2024
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Aaditi S. Pohankar (also seen as Aditi Pohankar) |
| Common spelling variants | Aaditi Pohankar, Aditi Pohankar |
| Date of birth | 30–31 December 1994. |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. |
| Parents | Sudhir Pohankar (father). Mother Shobha Pohankar was a national-level hockey player (reported in interviews). |
| Education | Graduated in commerce (reported in profiles and interviews). |
| Early background | State-level athlete; gold medalist in sprint events for Maharashtra during school years. |
| Height | Listed around 1.72 m (5′ 7¾″) on public profiles. |
| Years active | 2010–present. |
| Notable works | Lai Bhaari (2014), She (Netflix, 2020), Aashram (MX Player), Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum (Tamil), Star (Tamil, 2024). |
| Social media | Active on Instagram (verified handle: @aaditipohankar). |
Theatre Training and Entry into Acting
Aaditi’s first serious exposure to performing arts came from theatre. She trained and performed under noted theatre mentors and worked in productions that demanded range. 3
One of the influential experiences was with Makrand Deshpande’s play Time Boy. Theatre not only gave her craft fundamentals but also visibility.
Director Nishikant Kamat noticed her stage work and offered her screen opportunities.
That transition from stage to screen is a familiar pathway in Indian acting circles, but Aaditi stands out for maintaining the discipline of theatre even as she moved into films and web shows.
Early Film Work and Marathi Breakthrough
Her screen debut was a small but noteworthy part in the Hindi anthology film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010). After that she worked in Marathi cinema where she had a major breakthrough.
The 2014 Marathi action drama Lai Bhaari, starring Riteish Deshmukh, brought her wider attention. In the film she played a villainous character who left an impression on audiences and critics.
The film itself became one of the highest grossing Marathi films of its time and it established Aaditi as an actor who could handle bold, challenging characters.
Her early film choices showed a willingness to play complex and sometimes morally ambiguous parts. That pattern would continue in her later work in the OTT era, where the platforms offered subtler, riskier writing for female characters.
Moving into Tamil and pan-Indian work
After establishing herself in Marathi and Hindi films, Aaditi accepted a Tamil project that widened her reach. She starred opposite Atharvaa in Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum (2017), a mainstream Tamil entertainer.
The move to regional industries beyond Maharashtra was a strategic expansion that exposed her to different filmmaking styles and linguistics.
It also prepared her to handle projects across languages and mediums, a skill that became valuable as streaming content grew in India.
The OTT arrival: She and Aashram
The streaming boom in India around 2019–2021 created space for bold storytelling. Aaditi’s two major streaming projects are commonly cited as transformative for her career.
She (Netflix, 2020) — In Imtiaz Ali’s Netflix series She, Aaditi plays Bhumika “Bhumi” Pardeshi, a police constable who is assigned to a sting operation.
The character’s journey explores sexuality, agency and the blurred ethics of law enforcement. Critics praised Aaditi’s nuanced performance; reviewers described her as riveting and noted how she unlocked the character’s complexity. She brought Aaditi to a pan-Indian audience and highlighted her ability to carry psychologically layered parts.
Aashram (MX Player) — Around the same period she appeared in Aashram, a high profile series starring Bobby Deol. In it she plays Parminder “Pammi” Lochan, a young wrestler who faces caste and gender barriers.
For the role she trained with wrestler Sangram Singh to prepare physically. Reviewers singled out her energetic, committed portrayal. The show’s popularity added significant visibility and demonstrated Aaditi’s readiness for roles that require both physical training and subtle emoting.
Together these shows marked her OTT arrival and helped convert her theatre and regional film credentials into national recognition. They also positioned her as an actor drawn to narratives that intersect with social issues.
Acting Style and Preparation
Aaditi Pohankar’s work is notable for two consistent strengths.
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Physical discipline and embodied acting. Her athletic past and ongoing training give her roles a grounded physicality. Whether she is playing a wrestler or a police officer, her body work feels credible and rehearsed. For Aashram she reportedly trained with professional wrestlers, adding realism to her performance.
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Theatre-rooted emotional layering. Her theatre background shows in her ability to sustain long scenes and carry internal arcs without melodrama. Interviews and reviews note that she prefers roles with psychological depth and that she often works to explore a character’s contradictions rather than using surface gestures.
She has also spoken in interviews about the importance of letting characters be flawed. That honesty often translates into parts that are morally complex and interesting for viewers.
Filmography
Films
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Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010) — small role; early screen appearance.
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Kunasathi Kunitari (Marathi, 2011) — early Marathi film.
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Lai Bhaari (Marathi, 2014) — played Nandini; major breakthrough opposite Riteish Deshmukh.
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Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum (Tamil, 2017) — mainstream Tamil work.
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Truckbhar Swapna (Marathi, 2018) — regional cinema role.
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Star (Tamil, 2024) — recent Tamil project showing her increasing presence in South Indian cinema.
Web series / TV
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She (Netflix, 2020) — role of Bhumika “Bhumi” Pardeshi; widely discussed performance.
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Aashram (MX Player, 2020–present) — played Parminder “Pammi” Lochan; trained for the part.
Public filmography listings like IMDb, BookMyShow and Rotten Tomatoes agree broadly on these credits though smaller listings and dates may vary.
Brand Work
Beyond films and series, Aaditi has appeared in numerous brand advertisements. She has featured in commercials for national brands including Cadbury Munch, Godrej AER, Airtel, Lenskart and Samsung.
These commercials increased her familiarity with mainstream audiences and show a parallel career path in advertising that complements her film and streaming work.
She was also included in The Times Most Desirable Women list, which highlights mainstream recognition beyond critic circles. These kinds of listings reflect both popularity and media visibility.
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Personal Life
Aaditi maintains a relatively private personal life. Publicly she has shared her bond with family and how her upbringing shaped her.
She has talked in interviews about growing up with athletic parents and the close relationship she shares with her father.
Her mother, who passed away some years ago, is often cited by Aaditi as an important influence. In media interactions she comes across as grounded and candid, preferring to let her work speak most loudly.4
She uses Instagram to share snippets of work life, shoots and the occasional personal post. As with many actors from theatre backgrounds, she rarely courts controversy and focuses attention on craft and performance.
Impact and Significance
Aaditi Pohankar’s rise coincides with the OTT revolution that offered actors robust, character-driven parts outside the traditional star system.
Her patterns of work exemplify how performers from regional or theatre backgrounds can leverage streaming platforms to reach national audiences.
By choosing roles that are layered and often socially aware, she has contributed to narratives about power, caste and gender that streaming audiences are increasingly discussing. Critics and fans often single out her earnestness and range as her defining strengths.
Awards and Recognitions
While Aaditi has received positive critical attention and media mentions, there are limited records of major national awards to her name as of the latest available sources.
Her recognition has been more in the form of notable lists, strong critical reviews and industry visibility rather than a large trophy cabinet.
This fits many contemporary actors who build reputations via series and independent films rather than mainstream award circuits.
Interviews and notable quotes
Aaditi has given a handful of in-depth interviews where she discusses craft, upbringing and the social implications of roles.
In conversations with interviewers she has emphasized theatre training, the influence of athletic discipline, and a preference for characters with moral complexity.
Recent interviews also revealed personal anecdotes about family life and how that shaped her outlook. For example, a 2025 profile discussed her bond with her parents and offered glimpses into her private memories.
Career Timeline
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2010 — Screen appearance in Love Sex Aur Dhokha.
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2011 — Marathi roles and stage appearances.
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2014 — Breakthrough with Lai Bhaari.
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2017 — Tamil film Gemini Ganeshanum Suruli Raajanum.
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2020 — Major OTT appearances in She (Netflix) and Aashram (MX Player).
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2024 — Tamil project Star and continued presence in web series and commercials.
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FAQ’s
Q1: Is her name Aaditi or Aditi?
A: Both spellings are used publicly. Many major databases and Aaditi’s own social profiles use the double-a spelling Aaditi. Media and other sites sometimes use Aditi. Both refer to the same person.
Q2: When and where was she born?
A: Public sources list her birthdate as either December 30 or 31, 1994 and her birthplace as Mumbai, Maharashtra. Different sites show slight variations but agree on the year and city.
Q3: How did she enter acting?
A: She began in theatre, training with established stage practitioners and performing in plays such as Time Boy. A director noticed her stage work and offered her film parts. Theatre formed the core of her early training.
Q4: What are her most famous roles?
A: Her roles in Lai Bhaari (Marathi), She (Netflix) and Aashram (MX Player) are widely cited as her most notable and career-defining parts.
Q5: Has she won any major awards?
A: As of the latest widely available sources, she has strong critical recognition but no record of major national film awards. She is, however, frequently praised in reviews and listed in media compilations.
Q6: Is she active on social media?
A: Yes. She is active on Instagram and posts about projects, behind-the-scenes moments and personal updates. The account @aaditipohankar is her public handle.
Q7: What kind of roles does she prefer?
A: She tends to choose complex, often morally nuanced characters. Her theatre training leads her to roles that require deep emotional work and physical preparation. She has said she wants roles people will remember.
Conclusion
Aaditi Pohankar is an actor whose reputation has been built through steady craft, courage in role selection and a willingness to train physically and emotionally for parts.
From early theatre and regional films to the national platform offered by OTT shows, her career illustrates how modern Indian actors can leverage diverse media to build meaningful body of work.
Fans and critics alike tend to admire her for authenticity rather than glamour. If she continues on the same trajectory, she is likely to remain a name associated with smart, challenging performances.
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