Vandana Pathak is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films, theatre and television. With a career spanning more than two decades, she is best known for her comic roles in sitcoms and stage productions, particularly as Jayshree Parekh in the Khichdi franchise and as Meenakshi Mathur in the sitcom Hum Paanch. She also drew wide attention for her antagonistic portrayal of Gaura in the soap opera Saath Nibhaana Saathiya.
| Name | Vandana Pathak |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actress (film, television and stage) |
| Television debut | 1995 |
| Brought up in | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Family background | Maharashtrian family |
| Father | Arvind Vaidya, Gujarati actor |
| Notable roles | Meenakshi Mathur (Hum Paanch), Jayshree Parekh (Khichdi), Gaura (Saath Nibhaana Saathiya) |
Pathak was born in a Maharashtrian family and grew up in Ahmedabad. She is the daughter of Gujarati actor Arvind Vaidya, and her early exposure to Gujarati theatre and cinema influenced her acting career. She has frequently played Gujarati characters in Indian television serials.
Pathak made her television debut in 1995. She came into prominence with her performance as Meenakshi Mathur in the comedy series Hum Paanch, one of the early Indian sitcoms to gain a wide following.
She subsequently played Jayshree Parekh, a central character, across the Khichdi franchise, which spans television series and a film adaptation. The role established her as a recognisable face in Indian situation comedy.
In the soap opera Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Pathak departed from her familiar comic image to play the antagonist Gaura, a role that brought her renewed attention from television audiences.
Alongside her screen work, Pathak has been active in stage productions, with much of her memorable work being in comedy plays.
Pathak is regarded among the recognisable character actresses of Hindi television, particularly for her work in sitcoms and for portraying Gujarati characters. Her transition from long-running comic roles to a prominent negative role in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya demonstrated her range across genres.