Tanya Maniktala Bio, Age, Career, Movies, Family and More

Tanya Maniktala is a fast-rising Indian actress who has made a mark across streaming and films with expressive, grounded performances

Viewers first discovered her in the coming-of-age web series Flames, but it was her luminous turn as Lata Mehra in Mira Nair’s A Suitable Boy that put her on the global map.

Since then she has led distinctive projects across genres from romance-fantasy in Tooth Pari: When Love Bites to a gritty detective drama in P.I. Meena, and feature films like Mumbaikar and the actioner Kill.

Tanya’s appeal is simple: she plays ordinary people with clear emotions. Her characters feel familiar without being predictable, whether she’s the studious teenager in Flames, the thoughtful literature student in A Suitable Boy, or a private investigator navigating danger in P.I. Meena.

Casting stories and interviews show that her path wasn’t linear she briefly worked as a copywriter before acting took over yet this detour sharpened her eye for detail and dialogue.

Below is a complete, reader-friendly biography with a stats table, career timeline, key roles, style notes, and a concise FAQ.

Also Read: Raghav Juyal Bio, Career, Family, Girlfriend, Net Worth and More

Tanya Maniktala’s Biography

Early Life and Education

Tanya was born and raised in Delhi in 1997. She studied English Literature at Shivaji College (University of Delhi).

While in college she explored theatre, and after graduating she worked as a copywriter at an advertising agency.

Those months in advertising helped her observe people, write sharper lines, and understand the rhythm of everyday speech skills that later enriched her performances on screen. ¹

Her entry into acting was not the result of years of formal training or industry connections. She auditioned for parts, tried stage work, and briefly considered stepping away from acting altogether. Then came an audition that changed everything. ²

Quick Stats

Starting Out: First Credits and Web Breakthrough

School-day shorts and the road to Flames

Tanya’s earliest screen work dates to 2018, followed by a breakout in Flames, the Delhi-set coming-of-age web series from TVF/Timeliners.

As Ishita, she balanced charm with restraint, playing a bright student navigating first love and academic pressure.

The show was a word-of-mouth hit and has run across multiple seasons since 2018.

Flames put Tanya in front of the exact audience that would later root for Lata Mehra young viewers who appreciated honest writing and performances that felt lived in.

Her chemistry with co-star Ritvik Sahore and the show’s everyday realism showed she could carry a story without melodrama.

Breakthrough: Lata Mehra in A Suitable Boy (2020)

The turning point came when Tanya landed the central role of Lata Mehra in Mira Nair’s BBC miniseries A Suitable Boy, adapted from Vikram Seth’s classic novel.

The series aired on BBC One in July–August 2020 and later streamed globally on Netflix (outside North America and China).

Tanya’s performance won praise for its warmth and intelligence, anchoring a massive ensemble that included Tabu and Ishaan Khatter.

Interviews reveal that Tanya was working as a copywriter when she auditioned, and even considered giving up on acting before this project happened.

The casting team saw in her the “traditional yet modern” quality needed for Lata curious, independent, yet mindful of family. She has spoken about feeling intimidated on such a large production but found her rhythm with support from the cast and crew.

Anthologies, Social-media Dramas and Romance-Fantasy

After A Suitable Boy, Tanya explored different formats:

• Chutzpah (2021, SonyLIV): A drama about the Internet’s hold on modern lives, featuring interlinked stories. Tanya played Shikha amid a cast that included Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh.

• Feels Like Ishq (2021, Netflix): An anthology of youthful love stories. Tanya appeared in one of the segments, again leaning into naturalistic romance and quiet humor.

• Tooth Pari: When Love Bites (2023, Netflix): A playful romance-fantasy set in Kolkata where Tanya led as Rumi, a vampire who falls for a shy dentist. The series paired her with Shantanu Maheshwari and gave her a quirky, stylized world to play in.³

These choices showed a willingness to experiment moving from a period drama to contemporary, social-media-shaded tales, to a supernatural romance with a comic edge.

Leading a Thriller: P.I. Meena (2023)

In P.I. Meena on Prime Video, Tanya stepped into the shoes of Meenakshi “Meena” Iyer, a young private investigator drawn into a deeper conspiracy.

The series premiered on November 3, 2023, across 240+ countries and territories. Playing Meena demanded a different gear: physical risk, moral dilemmas, and an investigative mind that stays three steps ahead while processing grief and doubt.⁴

On the Big Screen: Mumbaikar (2023) and Kill (2024)

• Mumbaikar (2023): Directed by Santosh Sivan and adapted from the Tamil hit Maanagaram, the film featured Vikrant Massey and Vijay Sethupathi. Tanya appeared in a principal role as the story intercut several lives in one frenetic city day. The film went straight to JioCinema.

• Kill (2024): A high-octane action film noted for its relentless train-set violence and genre bravado, headlined by Lakshya. Tanya starred opposite him and drew notice for bringing vulnerability and emotional stakes to a brutal narrative.⁵

Social Presence and Public Image

Tanya’s Instagram handle @tanyamaniktala offers a careful mix of work updates, editorial shoots, and personal reflections.

She occasionally shares behind-the-scenes glimpses and brand collaborations. Her feed retains the same unfussy charm that defines her screen roles.

Also Read: Mannu Sandhu Bio, Family, Career, Personal Life and More

Career Timeline

• 2018: Starts screen journey; Flames debuts and becomes a youth favorite.

• 2020: Breakout as Lata Mehra in A Suitable Boy (BBC One; later Netflix worldwide ex-NA and China; Acorn TV in NA).

• 2021: Appears in Chutzpah (SonyLIV) and Feels Like Ishq (Netflix).

• 2023: Leads Tooth Pari: When Love Bites (Netflix); headlines P.I. Meena (Prime Video); features in Mumbaikar (JioCinema).

• 2024: Stars in action film Kill.

Recognitions

• BAFTA Breakthrough India (participant): Tanya was selected among the talents in the inaugural India cohort announced in 2021. The program supports emerging creatives with mentorship and industry networking.⁶

Selected Filmography

• Series

  • Flames (2018– ) — Ishita (lead)

  • A Suitable Boy (2020) — Lata Mehra (lead)

  • Chutzpah (2021) — Shikha

  • Feels Like Ishq (2021) — segment role

  • Tooth Pari: When Love Bites (2023) — Rumi (lead)

  • P.I. Meena (2023) — Meenakshi “Meena” Iyer (lead)

• Films

  • Mumbaikar (2023) — ensemble feature directed by Santosh Sivan (JioCinema)

  • Kill (2024) — action feature; praised for intensity and commercial impact

Beyond the Camera

Public conversations and profiles paint her as reflective and grounded. She credits family support, college theatre, and a habit of observing people in real life.

She also maintains an active but unpretentious social presence, sharing gratitude posts and career milestones.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tanya Maniktala (@tanyamaniktala)

FAQ’s

1) Who is Tanya Maniktala?

Tanya Maniktala is an Indian actress known for leading roles in the web series Flames, the BBC/Netflix miniseries A Suitable Boy, Netflix’s Tooth Pari, Prime Video’s P.I. Meena, and films like Mumbaikar and Kill.

2) When and where was she born?

She was born on 7 July 1997 in Delhi, India.

3) What did she study?

She studied English Literature at Shivaji College, University of Delhi.

4) What was her breakthrough role?

Her breakthrough was Lata Mehra in A Suitable Boy (2020), directed by Mira Nair. It aired on BBC One and later streamed globally on Netflix (outside North America and China).

5) Which web series made her popular with young audiences?

The web series Flames (2018– ) built an early fan base and showcased her naturalistic acting in a relatable school-tuition setting.

6) Is she active in films too?

Yes. She was part of Mumbaikar (2023) and starred in the action film Kill (2024).

Conclusion

Tanya Maniktala has grown from a relatable web-series lead into a versatile actor who can headline both intimate dramas and high-stakes thrillers.

With a breakout in A Suitable Boy, experimentation in shows like Tooth Pari and P.I. Meena, and the momentum of films like Kill, she represents a new generation of Indian talent comfortable across platforms and genres.

If you enjoy character-driven stories with emotional clarity, keep an eye on her next releases they tend to surprise, and they tend to stick.

Also Read: Meherzan Mazda Bio, Age, Career, TV Shows, Girlfriend and More

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. radiotimes
3. imdb
4. deccanherald
5. filmfare
6. imdb