Anita Hassanandani. If you grew up watching Indian television in the mid-2000s, that name probably conjures up images of a girl next door with soulful eyes. Or, if you’re a Gen Z fan of supernatural dramas, you likely know her as the fierce, fashion-forward shape-shifting serpent.
Honestly, her career trajectory is a bit of a wild ride. Most actors get pigeonholed. They’re either "TV actors" or "movie stars." Anita? She basically ignored those labels and built a bridge between them before it was cool.
The Anjali Phase: When Television Found Its Darling
Before the glitz of the film world really took hold, Anita—then often credited as Natassha—became the face of Balaji Telefilms. You can’t talk about anita hassanandani movies and tv shows without starting at the Balaji altar.
1998 was the quiet start with Idhar Udhar, but the real explosion happened with Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii. She played Tanushree, and suddenly, she was everywhere. But the absolute peak? That has to be Kkavyanjali (2005).
As Anjali Salve, she wasn't just another lead. She was the lead. The show was a massive romantic drama that paired her with Eijaz Khan, and their chemistry was so potent it literally defined an era of Star Plus programming. It’s funny looking back—the show was high-octane drama, yet Anita brought a certain grounded vulnerability to it that won her the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress.
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Jumping to the Big Screen (and the South Indian Connection)
While Hindi audiences were busy crying with her on TV, Anita was actually making massive waves in the South. In 2001, she starred in the Telugu film Nuvvu Nenu.
It wasn't just a hit. It was a cultural reset for Telugu romantic cinema.
She played Vasundhara, a role that proved she could carry a commercial blockbuster on her shoulders. This success led to a string of movies in multiple languages:
- Tamil: Varushamellam Vasantham and the Vikram-starrer Samurai.
- Kannada: Veera Kannadiga opposite the legendary Puneeth Rajkumar (this one was a huge breakthrough).
- Hindi: Her Bollywood debut in Kucch To Hai (2003) alongside Tusshar Kapoor.
Let's be real: her Hindi film career didn't quite hit the same heights as her Telugu or Kannada runs. Movies like Yeh Dil and Krishna Cottage have developed a bit of a cult following over the years—especially for the music—but at the time, the box office was lukewarm.
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The Shagun Arora Reinvention
Most people thought Anita's peak was behind her by the early 2010s. They were wrong.
When she took the role of Shagun Arora in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (2013), she did something risky. She played a mother. She played a "vamp." Well, kind of. Shagun was a complex, layered antagonist who eventually found redemption.
This role fundamentally changed how people viewed her. She wasn't the weeping Anjali anymore. She was stylish, sharp-tongued, and incredibly effective at being the person you loved to hate. She won four consecutive Gold Awards for Best Actress in a Negative Role. That’s not just luck; that’s a masterclass in staying relevant.
Entering the "Naagin" Universe and Reality TV
Then came the "Snake" era. In Naagin 3, she played Vishakha (Vish).
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If you haven't seen the show, it sounds wild. If you have, you know Anita was arguably the most stylish part of it. Her sarees and blouses became a national trend. She brought a certain "edge" to the supernatural genre that kept the ratings through the roof.
She also wasn't afraid to get messy on reality TV. You’ve probably seen her on:
- Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 1 (9th place)
- Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8
- Nach Baliye 9 (where she and husband Rohit Reddy finished as 1st runners-up)
Where is she now? (2025-2026 Update)
After a well-documented break for motherhood, Anita didn't just fade away. She’s back in the grind. She recently made her TV comeback with Suman Indori (2024-2025) playing Devika Gupta Mittal. It’s another juicy, grey-shaded character that proves she’s still got that "vamp" spark.
She’s also heading back to her roots in Telugu cinema with the upcoming film Oh Bhama Ayyo Rama (2025-2026), where she plays Meenakshi.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- The Language Hopper: She isn't just a Bollywood or TV star; she’s a pan-Indian actor who has worked in 5+ languages.
- The Style Icon: From the simple salwar kameez of Anjali to the avant-garde blouses of Vishakha, she’s influenced Indian fashion for two decades.
- The Resilience: Transitioning from a 1990s TV debut to a 2025 leading role in a regional film is a feat very few actors pull off.
If you’re looking to binge-watch her work, start with the classics. Watch Nuvvu Nenu for the raw 2000s romance, then skip to Yeh Hai Mohabbatein to see her transform into a powerhouse performer.
To stay updated on her latest projects, keep an eye on official casting announcements for the 2026 regional film circuit, as her "comeback" into South Indian cinema is currently gaining significant momentum among distributors.