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Actor

1986-09-18 · Mumbai, India · Female

4 series in the catalog

Priya Bapat (born 18 September 1986) is an Indian actress who works in Marathi and Hindi films, television, theatre and web series. Known for her versatility across genres, she has received several accolades including two Maharashtra State Film Awards and a Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar, in addition to multiple nominations at Filmfare Marathi and other ceremonies.

Bapat began her career as child artist with television dramas and the films such as Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000) and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003), before gaining prominence with the Marathi blockbuster Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy! (2009). Bapat established herself with acclaimed performances in the period drama Kaksparsh (2012), the drama Happy Journey (2014), the slice of life Vazandar (2016), the phycological drama Pimpal (2017), and the feminist drama Aamhi Doghi (2018).

Beyond films, Bapat has been active in theatre with plays like Nava Gadi Nava Rajya and Jar Tar Chi Goshta, and has found success in digital media her portrayal of Poornima Gaikwad in City of Dreams (2019–2023), which won her several awards and emerged as a defining role. She has also appeared in Hindi films including Chakki (2022), Visfot (2024) and Costao (2025).

In addition to acting, Bapat has engaged in entrepreneurial ventures, co-founding a clothing label with her sister. She married actor Umesh Kamat in 2011, with whom she frequently collaborates on stage and screen.

Early life and education

Priya Bapat was born on 18 September 1986 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to Sharad and Smita Bapat. She was raised in Dadar, where she spent her childhood in a chawl on Ranade Road.

Bapat studied at Balmohan Vidyamandir, where she developed a keen interest in the performing arts and regularly participated in plays, dramas, and talent competitions. She received training in classical music under Shubhada Dadarkar for two years, with a focus on devotional songs and later trained under vocalist Uttara Kelkar, though she eventually discontinued due to vocal cord issues. After finishing school, Bapat pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and subsequently earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Ramnarain Ruia College, Matunga. During her time in college, she also completed a short course in filmmaking.

Career

Child artist and early recognition (2000–2010)

Priya Bapat stepped into acting as a child artist, appearing in the acclaimed Marathi television shows Damini (2000), Bandini (2000), De Dhamal (2001), and in the theatre production Vatevaratee Kaachaa Ga. Her film debut came the same year with Jabbar Patel’s National Award-winning biographical drama Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (2000), where she played young Ramabai Ambedkar.

She next featured as a child actor in Chandrakant Kulkarni’s Bhet (2002). Bapat later grabbed attention in Bollywood through brief but notable appearances in Rajkumar Hirani’s Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and its sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006), both starring Sanjay Dutt. Recalling her audition, she once said, "I went to Hirani's office. I auditioned and I got the part. It was that simple." Between 2004 and 2006, she made a mark on television with Adhuri Ek Kahani, playing a spirited role opposite established actors like Swapnil Joshi, Kishori Godbole and Neena Kulkarni. Her energy on screen was widely appreciated.

Her transition into lead roles began in 2009 with Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy!, a story highlighting an underdog’s struggle against social ills. Playing an aspiring actress struggling against stereotypes about Marathi women, she starred opposite Sachin Khedekar, Suchitra Bandekar and Mahesh Manjrekar. The film struck huge at the box office, collecting ₹25 crore worldwide to emerge as the highest grossing Marathi film of that time. For this, she earned a V. Shantaram Annual Film Award nomination for Best Debut Artiste in a Leading Role. In 2010, she appeared in Zee Marathi’s Shubham Karoti, which explored the complexities of a joint family, She simultaneously took on roles in films such as Anandi Anand and Aika Dajiba alongside veterans like Vikram Gokhale, Ashok Saraf, Suhas Joshi, Mohan Joshi and Vandana Gupte.

Breakthrough and acclaimed performances (2011–2018)

Bapat transitioned back to theatre, starring opposite Umesh Kamat in Nava Gadi Nava Rajya in the 2011, a stage play later adapted into Gujarati and Konkani. The story of a newlywed couple’s emotional journey resonated with audiences, and critics admired the duo’s chemistry. Ambarish Ganesh of Indian Nerve wrote that “Bapat as the childlike Amruta steals hearts”.

A turning point came with her performance as Uma, a young widow, in Mahesh Manjrekar’s Kaksparsh (2012). Set in the 1930s Konkan and based on Usha Datar’s short story, the film explored a Chitpavan Brahmin family’s turbulent fate. The film won widespread acclaim and ran for over 100 days in theatres, collecting ₹14 crore at the box office. making it the top-grossing Marathi film of the year. It is now regarded as a milestone in Marathi cinema. Critics praised her portrayal, with The Times of India noting, "Priya Bapat who played ‘Older Uma’ has more responsibility on her shoulder but she has fulfilled the challenge with her great acting skills," while critic Keyur Seta called her performance “terrific”, adding, "The scenes where she depicts pain and tragedy prove her talent." The role won her the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress and the Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Actress, besides a nomination at the MFK Award for Favourite Actress.

Her 2013 releases included the comedy Aandhali Koshimbir, where critics remarked that she served mostly as the glamour quotient, and Time Please, Sameer Vidwans’ film adaptation of Nava Gadi Nava Rajya, again with Kamat, Siddharth Jadhav and Sai Tamhankar. Critics commented on her dynamic character arc, with Aparna Phadke noting, "She brings about the contrast... When she has to crack emotionally she does so with sadness that reflects in her eyes." The role brought her another nomination at Maharashtracha Favourite Kon. She followed it with Sachin Kundalkar’s drama Happy Journey (2014), co-starring Atul Kulkarni, where she played a ghost reconnecting with her estranged brother. The film grossed ₹4 crore and won her a second Maharashtra State Film Award. For her portrayal, Keyur Seta called her a “scene-stealer”, remarking, "You just can’t stop adoring her due to the manner in which she gets her act right."

In 2015, she featured in Ravi Jadhav’s romantic Timepass 2, opposite Priyadarshan Jadhav, playing the grown-up Prajakta Lele (Praju), the sequel to the 2014 film of the same name. While the film drew mixed reviews, it collected ₹31 crore and ended up the third highest-grossing Marathi film of the year. She also appeared in Lokmanya: Ek Yugpurush the same year, another box-office success.

The following year, she reunited with Sai Tamhankar and Sachin Kundalkar for comedy Vazandar (2016), where both actors gained weight to portray two friends struggling with body image. Bapat not only acted but also lent her voice to two songs. The film’s subject gave it wide attention, including screenings across India and the United States Critics praised her dedication, Mihir Bhanage of The Times of India noted, "Sai and Priya’s physical transformation shows their dedication to the job and their performances speak a thousand words," However, Maharashtra Times critic Rituja Joshi argued that the characters did not appear as overweight as the title suggested. The film earned her a Filmfare Marathi nomination despite only moderate box-office results.

She next collaborated with Gajendra Ahire in the festival-acclaimed Pimpal, opposite Dilip Prabhavalkar, playing a compassionate doctor. The film won honours at the Kolhapur International Film Festival, Pune International Film Festival and Bengaluru International Film Festival. She followed it with Gachchi, a situational comedy. Ullas Shirke wrote, "Bapat has played the…