Introduction
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani, a renowned name in the Indian television industry, has not only graced the small screen with her exceptional acting skills but has also left an indelible mark as a model, businesswoman, and social activist. In this blog post, we delve into the multifaceted life of Gauri, exploring her early years, illustrious career, personal life, and her impactful contributions beyond the realm of entertainment.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Education
Born on 16th September 1977 in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, Gauri Pradhan Tejwani spent her formative years traversing the length and breadth of India due to her father’s service in the Indian Army. Despite the constant relocations, Gauri pursued her education diligently. She attended Carmel Convent School in Udhampur and later enrolled at Sir Parshurambhau College in Pune for a BSc in Electronics. Additionally, Gauri pursued a course in psychology from an institute affiliated with London University, showcasing her commitment to both science and humanities.
How Gauri Pradhan Tejwani entered Miss India 1998
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani was born in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India in a Marathi family. Her father was a retired Indian Army officer and her mother was a homemaker. She had an elder brother and a younger sister. She spent her childhood travelling throughout the country due to her father’s job. She studied in different schools, one of them being the Carmel Convent School in Udhampur.
After her dad retired, the family moved to Pune, Maharashtra. She then went to Sir Parshurambhau College to study BSc in Electronics. She also enrolled for a course in psychology from an institute affiliated with London University.
Gauri Pradhan’s modelling stint commenced at age 18, primarily in Pune. She did a lot of ramp shows and television commercials for many well-known companies such as Sprite, Bru, Dabur, Pond’s, Santoor, Colgate, Philips, Breeze, etc.
In 1998, while still in her second year of college, she moved to Mumbai to take part in Femina Miss India. She was one of the contestants who reached great stardom on TV, along with Smriti Irani. Dipannita Sharma was also a contestant and made it to the top 5.
How Gauri Pradhan performed in Miss India 1998
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani looked stunning in a tangerine sleeveless top and mini skirt while walking the ramp with elan. She also impressed the judges with her confidence and poise in the interview round. However, she could not make it to the top 9, along with TV actress Smriti Irani.
The winner of Miss India 1998 was Lymaraina D’Souza, who represented India at Miss Universe 1998. The first runner-up was Annie Thomas, who represented India at Miss World 1998. The second runner-up was Vanya Mishra, who represented India at Miss Asia Pacific 1998.
How Miss India 1998 changed Gauri Pradhan’s life
Although Gauri Pradhan Tejwani did not win the crown, she gained a lot of exposure and recognition from the pageant. She continued to pursue modelling and acting as a career. She met her husband Hiten Tejwani in Hyderabad while shooting for a commercial for Breeze soap. They later co-starred in the tele-series Kutumb and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, where they played the lead pair. They fell in love and got married in 2004. They have twin children, a son and a daughter, born in 2009.
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani has also acted in other shows like Special Squad, Left Right Left, and Tu Aashiqui. She is known for playing strong and independent women characters. She is also a businesswoman who owns a jewellery store in Pune.
Gauri Pradhan is an inspiration for many aspiring models and actors who want to make it big in the industry. She’s shown that when you put in effort, stay committed, and love what you do, you can achieve anything. She is a beauty with brains and talent, who has carved a niche for herself in the entertainment world.
Achievements and awards
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani has won several awards and accolades for her work in the television industry. Some of them are:
- Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2003
- Indian Telly Award for Best Onscreen Couple with Hiten Tejwani for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2004
- Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2004
- Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2005
- Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in 2005
- Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for Kutumb in 2006
- Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role for Kutumb in 2006
- Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role (Jury) for Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi in 2015
- Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role (Jury) for Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi in 2015
- Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for Tu Aashiqui in 2018
- Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for Tu Aashiqui in 2018
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani: The Social Activist
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani is not just an entertainer, but also a social activist who supports various causes and campaigns. She is a certified yoga teacher, counsellor, pranayama, face yoga, and antenatal yoga instructor. She often shares videos and tips on her Instagram account, where she goes by the name of oorja_by_gauripradhan. She promotes yoga as a way of life and a means of achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani is also a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment, education, and child rights. She has been associated with several NGOs and organizations that work for these issues, such as Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN), Global March Against Child Labour, National Labour Academy, National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, and LDC Watch. She has also participated in various events and campaigns to raise awareness and funds for these causes, such as the UNICEF Global Leadership on the Rights of the Child in 2000, the NHRI Cooperation International Conference on Migrant Workers’ Rights in 2012, and the Abidjan Directive on the Right to Education in 2019.
Gauri Pradhan is an inspiration for many people who want to make a difference in the world. She has shown that one can balance both personal and professional life, and also contribute to the society in a positive way. She has used her fame and influence to spread the message of peace, justice, and human rights. She is a true example of a woman of substance.
Personal life
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani’s personal life is as enchanting as her professional one. She met her husband, Hiten Tejwani, while shooting a commercial in Hyderabad. Their on-screen collaborations blossomed into a real-life love story, culminating in their marriage on 29th April 2004. The couple is blessed with twins, a son named Neevan and a daughter named Katya, born on 11th November 2009. She took a five-year-long break from acting after becoming a mother, and focused on raising her children.
She also runs a jewellery business with her sister Geetanjali, which she started in 2010. She often shares pictures and videos of her family on her Instagram account, where she has over 400k followers. She also participates in various social causes and charity events with her husband.
Professional life
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani made a comeback to acting in 2014 with the show Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, where she played the role of Falguni Parekh, the mother of the female lead. She then appeared in the show Naagin 2 in 2017, where she played the role of Dr. Rashi Singh, a scientist who was involved in the research of the naagmani. She also reunited with her husband Hiten Tejwani on screen after eight years in the show Pashminna: Dhaage Mohabbat Ke, which is a romantic drama set in Kashmir.
The show started airing from October 25, 2023, and Gauri plays the role of Preeti, a single mother of the female protagonist Pashminna. She also made a cameo appearance in the show Tu Aashiqui in 2019, where she played the role of Anita Sharma, the mother of the male lead.
Future plans
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani has expressed her desire to explore different genres and mediums of entertainment, such as web series, films and theatre. She has also said that she is open to working with her husband again, as they share a great chemistry and comfort level. She has also revealed that she is interested in producing and directing content in the future, as she has a creative mind and a knack for storytelling. She has also said that she wants to balance her personal and professional life, and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Conclusion
Gauri Pradhan Tejwani’s journey is one of resilience, versatility, and impact. From her early modelling days to becoming an acclaimed actress, a devoted mother, and a social activist, she continues to inspire millions. As she ventures into new territories in the entertainment industry, Gauri remains a beacon of strength, proving that with dedication and passion, one can navigate through different facets of life, leaving an enduring legacy.