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Patralekha

Patralekha at the launch of Huma Qureshi’s book Zeba (cropped)
Patralekha at the launch of Huma Qureshi’s book Zeba (cropped) Image: Wikimedia Commons. Bollywood Hungama / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Patralekha Paul (born 20 February 1990), known mononymously as Patralekha, is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindi films and streaming series. She made her feature debut in 2014 with the drama CityLights, a performance that won her the Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female.

Key facts

Full name Patralekha Paul
Date of birth 20 February 1990
Occupation Actress
Industry Hindi cinema and web series
Debut film CityLights (2014)
Notable award Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female
Spouse Rajkummar Rao

Background

Patralekha is of Bengali origin, with her surname rendered as Paul. She is professionally credited under the mononym Patralekha.

Career

Patralekha began her screen career with CityLights (2014), a drama in which her performance brought her early recognition and the Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female. She subsequently moved between feature films and long-form streaming work.

In 2017, she appeared in the streaming miniseries Bose: Dead/Alive. Her later film work includes Nanu Ki Jaanu (2018). On streaming platforms, she has featured in the series Mai Hero Boll Raha Hu (2021), Aar Ya Paar (2022) and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack (2024).

Selected filmography and series

Year Title Format
2014 CityLights Film
2017 Bose: Dead/Alive Miniseries
2018 Nanu Ki Jaanu Film
2021 Mai Hero Boll Raha Hu Series
2022 Aar Ya Paar Series
2024 IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack Series

Personal life

Patralekha is married to the actor Rajkummar Rao, with whom she has frequently been associated in public appearances during her career.

Significance

Patralekha's debut in CityLights drew attention to her work in independent and realist Hindi cinema, and her subsequent move into streaming productions reflects the broader shift of Indian screen actors towards web-based long-form content during the late 2010s and 2020s.

References