Pankhuri Awasthy is an Indian television actress known primarily for her work in Hindi-language daily soaps and historical dramas. She gained recognition for playing the title role in the period drama Razia Sultan on &TV, and later appeared in several family dramas on Star Plus and other Hindi general entertainment channels.
Key facts
| Full name | Pankhuri Awasthy |
|---|---|
| Profession | Television actress |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Languages of work | Hindi |
| Notable role | Razia Sultan in Razia Sultan (&TV) |
| Spouse | Gautam Rode (actor) |
| Medium | Indian television |
Background
Awasthy completed her schooling and higher education before entering the television industry. She moved into acting after participating in modelling and screen tests, and made her debut in Hindi television in the early 2010s. She is fluent in Hindi and English and has spoken in interviews about training in dance and stage performance prior to her television career.
Career
Awasthy first drew wide attention with her portrayal of the medieval Delhi Sultanate ruler Razia Sultan in the historical fiction series Razia Sultan, telecast on &TV. The show dramatised the life of Razia, the only female sovereign to sit on the throne of Delhi, and Awasthy played the lead from the character's youth through her reign.
Following Razia Sultan, she appeared in mainstream family dramas, including Suryaputra Karn in a supporting capacity and the Star Plus serial Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki. She has also featured in finite series and reality-based content, and has collaborated with her husband, actor Gautam Rode, in promotional and digital projects.
Personal life
Pankhuri Awasthy married actor Gautam Rode in 2018. The couple, both established faces on Hindi television, have spoken publicly about their professional collaborations and family life. They reportedly welcomed twins in 2023.
Selected television work
- Razia Sultan (&TV) — title role
- Suryaputra Karn (Sony TV) — supporting role
- Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki (Colors TV) — supporting role
Significance
Awasthy's casting as Razia Sultan placed her among a small group of younger Hindi television actresses to headline a historical biographical serial centred on a female ruler. Her performance contributed to the wider trend of period dramas on Indian general entertainment channels during the mid-2010s, alongside shows such as Jodha Akbar and Maharana Pratap.