Karishma Tanna Bio, Career, TV Shows, Movies, Awards and More

Karishma Tanna is an Indian actress, model, and television host best known for her versatile career spanning over two decades

Rising from humble beginnings in Mumbai, she made her mark in daily soaps, reality TV, films, and web series.

In recent years, she earned critical acclaim for her powerful performance in the Netflix crime drama Scoop (2023), which brought her international recognition.

Her journey is marked by persistence, reinvention, and resilience from being a face on television to winning awards on global platforms.

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Karishma Tanna’s Biography

Early Life and Background

Karishma K. Tanna was born on 21 December 1983 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to a Gujarati family.¹

Her father passed away in 2012, and she was raised by her mother, Jasmine Tanna, along with her younger sister, Grishma (sometimes spelled Drishma) Kadam. ²

She completed her education in Mumbai, graduating from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics.

Even while pursuing her studies, she developed a strong interest in performing arts, and she took her first steps into acting at a young age.³

Karishma is known to be a fitness enthusiast and maintains a disciplined lifestyle. Her physical presence is striking she stands approximately 5′9″ (175 cm) tall, with dark brown eyes and black hair.

Career

Karishma Tanna’s career can be broadly divided into several phases: television debut, reality shows, film appearances, and her breakthrough in web series.

Television (Early Years)

• Karishma made her television debut in 2001 with the iconic Star Plus daily soap Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, where she played the character Indu.

• Over the years, she featured in a number of popular television shows, including Kahi To Milenge, Manshaa, Shararat, Kkusum, Paalkhi, Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha, and more.

• She also worked in supernatural drama series like Qayamat Ki Raat (2018–2019), produced by Ekta Kapoor.

Geeta, was a powerful character & Karishma Tanna nailed it!

She did justice to the character and she had never looked better in this Dabang lady look.@PrimeVideo #HushHush #KarishmaTanna pic.twitter.com/E8ScjTiHEb

— Karishma Tanna (@KarishmaTannaK) November 19, 2025

Reality TV & Hosting

Karishma has been active on reality television, which has played a significant role in defining her public image:

• In 2008, she participated in the dance-competition show Zara Nachke Dikha.⁴

• In 2014, she was a contestant on Bigg Boss 8, finishing as the first runner-up.

• In 2015, she appeared on Nach Baliye 7, a celebrity dance reality show, along with her then partner Upen Patel.

• In 2016, Karishma competed in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, another dance reality show.

• A major milestone came in 2020 when she won Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10, the stunt-based reality show hosted by Rohit Shetty.

• She has also hosted shows, such as India’s Magic Star (2010) and others.

Film Career

• Karishma made her Bollywood film debut with Dosti: Friends Forever (2005) in a small role.

• Her first lead film role came in 2011 with the Kannada movie I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona.

• She appeared in Grand Masti (2013), a comedy produced by Indra Kumar.

• She was also cast in the biopic Sanju (2018), where she played “Pinky,” a character in Ranbir Kapoor’s film about Sanjay Dutt’s life.⁵

Web Series / Digital Breakthrough

• Karishma’s most acclaimed work in recent times is the Netflix series Scoop (2023), a crime drama directed by Hansal Mehta, in which she plays Jagruti Pathak, a crime journalist.

• Scoop is based on the real-life memoir of Jigna Vora and has received critical and commercial success.

• For her performance in Scoop, Karishma won the Best Actress (Critics) award at the Busan International Film Festival, 2023.

Achievements & Awards

Karishma Tanna’s dedication and talent have earned her several accolades:

Personal Life

• In 2014, Karishma started dating actor Upen Patel, whom she met on Bigg Boss 8. The two got engaged in 2015 but later separated in 2016.

• In 2021, she got engaged to Varun Bangera, a Mumbai-based real estate businessman.

• The couple was married on 5 February 2022 in a private ceremony.

• According to her, they share a “mature relationship”: she is Gujarati, he is Mangalorean, and they respect each other’s backgrounds.

• In her interviews, Karishma has spoken about a difficult phase after Sanju. Despite praise for her role, she said she spent up to a year out of work, which led to a period of emotional struggle.

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Challenges and Comebacks

Karishma Tanna’s journey has not always been smooth. After her role in Sanju, she admitted that she faced a lull in her career.

She said she was depressed because she expected more opportunities after the film’s success, but they did not materialize.

She worked through that phase by relying on brand endorsements, Instagram collaborations, and smaller projects until her breakthrough in the OTT world came with Scoop. That role helped her re-establish herself as a serious actor.

Filmography

Here are some of the key works in Karishma Tanna’s career:

• TV Shows

  • Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (debut)

  • Paalkhi

  • Naagarjuna – Ek Yoddha

  • Qayamat Ki Raat

• Reality Shows

  • Bigg Boss 8 (2014) – 1st Runner-up

  • Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 (2020) – Winner

  • Zara Nachke Dikha (2008)

  • Nach Baliye 7 (2015)

  • Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2016)

• Films

  • Dosti: Friends Forever (2005) – small role

  • I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona (2011, Kannada) – lead role

  • Grand Masti (2013)

  • Sanju (2018) – played “Pinky”

• Web Series

  • Scoop (2023) – Jagruti Pathak (Netflix)

Impact & Legacy

Karishma Tanna’s career is notable for several reasons:

1. Versatility: She has succeeded in soap operas, reality TV, films, and web series. Not many actors transition so fluidly across mediums.

2. Resilience: Her ability to bounce back from career slowdowns, especially after Sanju, is a powerful part of her story.

3. Recognition: Winning Best Actress at a major international platform (Busan FF) for Scoop has boosted her credibility in the OTT space.

4. Role Model: For many aspiring actors, Karishma is an example of how to maintain relevance and evolve with changing entertainment landscapes.

 

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FAQ’s

Q1: When was Karishma Tanna born?

A1: She was born on 21 December 1983.

Q2: What was Karishma Tanna’s first TV show?

A2: Her television debut was in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2001).

Q3: Did Karishma Tanna win any reality show?

A3: Yes, she won Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 in 2020.

Q4: What is Karishma Tanna’s most acclaimed web series?

A4: Scoop (2023) on Netflix, where her performance as Jagruti Pathak earned her international recognition.

Q5: Who is Karishma Tanna married to?

A5: She is married to Varun Bangera, a Mumbai-based businessman. The wedding took place on 5 February 2022.

Q6: What awards has she won for Scoop?

A6: She won the Best Lead Actress (Critics) award at the Busan International Film Festival in 2023. She also has other awards in web series categories (see her IMDb awards list).

Q7: What difficult moments has she spoken about in her career?

A7: She openly discussed a phase of depression after Sanju when she expected more work but opportunities dried up.

Conclusion

Karishma Tanna’s journey in the Indian entertainment industry is a testament to her talent, determination, and adaptability.

From a young television actress to a reality show winner and finally an internationally recognized OTT star, she has built a multifaceted career.

Despite setbacks and personal challenges, she has consistently reinvented herself. Her role in Scoop stands out as a turning point, opening new doors and earning her critical acclaim.

As she continues to explore different mediums, she remains an inspiring figure for many aspiring actors and fans alike.

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1. en.wikipedia.org
2. movieetalks
3. wikigraphy
4. imdb
5. hindustantimes