Jay Bhanushali is an Indian television actor, host and film performer who works primarily in Hindi-language television and Bollywood. He is best known for his long association with reality and dance shows on Indian television, particularly as a host, and for his lead role in the daily soap Kayamath.
Key facts
| Full name | Jay Bhanushali |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 28 December 1984 |
| Place of birth | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, television host |
| Spouse | Mahhi Vij (m. 2010) |
| Notable television work | Kayamath, Dance India Dance, Bigg Boss 15 |
| Languages of work | Hindi |
Background
Jay Bhanushali was born in Mumbai into a Gujarati family. He began his career in the Indian television industry in the mid-2000s, taking up small roles before transitioning into lead and host positions.
Career
Television acting
Bhanushali came to wider attention with the Star Plus serial Kayamath, where he played the male lead Neev Shergill. The show, produced by Balaji Telefilms, ran from 2007 to 2009 and helped establish him as a recognisable face on Hindi general entertainment television. He also featured in shows such as Saat Phere – Saloni Ka Safar and Hamari Beti Raja early in his career.
Hosting
He has built a significant part of his television presence as a host of dance and reality programmes. He has hosted multiple seasons of Zee TV's Dance India Dance franchise and its associated formats, working alongside choreographers and judges drawn from the Indian film industry. His hosting credits also include other reality and stage shows on major Hindi entertainment channels.
Films
Bhanushali has appeared in Hindi films including Hate Story 2 (2014), in which he played a lead role opposite Surveen Chawla, and Ek Paheli Leela (2015). His film work has been intermittent alongside his more sustained television career.
Reality television as contestant
In 2021, Bhanushali entered the Colors TV reality show Bigg Boss 15 as a contestant. He had earlier participated, with his wife Mahhi Vij, in the couples-based reality programme Nach Baliye.
Personal life
Jay Bhanushali married television actress Mahhi Vij in 2010. The couple has a daughter, Tara, born in 2019. The family resides in Mumbai.
Significance
Within the Indian television landscape, Bhanushali is regarded as one of the more enduring presenters of dance-based reality formats, with a hosting career spanning multiple seasons and channels. His combination of acting, hosting and reality-show appearances reflects a career trajectory common among Hindi television personalities of his generation.