Honestly, if you only know Manasi Parekh as the face from those early 2000s soap operas, you’re missing about 90% of the story. Most people still associate her with the high-drama world of Star Plus, but the reality is much more interesting. She didn't just stay a "TV actress." She basically rebuilt her entire identity from the ground up, moving from Mumbai's television sets to becoming the powerhouse of a whole new wave in Gujarati cinema.
It’s rare. Usually, actors pick a lane and stay there. Manasi didn't.
She took the long road. We're talking about someone who started in 2004 with Kitni Mast Hai Zindagi and somehow ended up holding a National Film Award for Best Actress in 2024. That doesn’t happen by accident. If you're looking for a roadmap of Manasi Parekh movies and tv shows, you have to look at it as a three-act play: the TV breakout, the Bollywood experimentation, and the eventual "Queen of Dhollywood" status she holds today in 2026.
The Television Era: More Than Just a Pretty Face
Before the awards and the production house, there was India Calling. That was 2005. For many of us, that was the first time Manasi really registered on the radar. She played Chandni, and it was that classic bubbly-girl-in-the-big-city trope, but she had this spark.
Then came Gulaal.
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This show was different. It wasn't your standard kitchen-politics drama. It was dusty, it was intense, and it dealt with the tradition of Devarvattu. Manasi played the lead, Gulaal, and it was probably the first hint we got that she could handle heavy, nuanced emotional weight.
But if you ask a millennial about her TV career, they won’t talk about the drama. They’ll talk about Sumit Sambhal Lega.
This was the Indian adaptation of Everybody Loves Raymond. Manasi played Maya, the wife who was constantly stuck between her well-meaning but useless husband and her overbearing in-laws. It was sharp. It was funny. And unlike most Indian sitcoms that rely on slapstick, this was actually relatable. She won an Indian Telly Award for it, and frankly, she deserved it for the timing alone.
The Pivot to Regional Cinema (And Why It Worked)
A lot of actors see regional cinema as a step down. Manasi saw it as a gold mine of storytelling.
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She started her own production house, Soul Sutra, with her husband Parthiv Gohil. That was the game-changer. Instead of waiting for a "good script" to land on her desk in Mumbai, she started making them herself in Gujarat.
- Golkeri (2020): This was her Gujarati debut. It was a massive hit. It felt fresh, modern, and didn't rely on the old-school rural clichés that had plagued the industry for years.
- Kutch Express (2023): This is the big one. If you haven't seen it, find it. She plays Monghi, a woman who discovers her husband is cheating and has to find herself again. It’s not a "victim" story; it’s a reclamation story.
- Jhamkudi (2024): A horror-comedy that absolutely smashed the box office. She played Kumud, and it proved she could carry a commercial blockbuster just as well as a prestige drama.
The National Award for Kutch Express wasn't just a win for her; it was a win for the entire Gujarati film industry. She became the first Gujarati actress to win the Best Actress National Award. That’s huge. It changed the "national" perception of what a regional actress could achieve.
The 2025-2026 Slate: No Signs of Slowing Down
As we look at the current landscape in 2026, Manasi has moved into a "mentor-producer" phase while still leading major projects. Last year, in 2025, she was everywhere.
Maharani was a standout—a remake of the Marathi film Nach Ga Ghuma. She played a working mother navigating a hilarious but touching relationship with her housekeeper. Then there was Misri and Shubhchintak. She’s also been producing devotional dramas like Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate, which recently saw a Hindi release in January 2026.
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She’s basically become the bridge. She takes Gujarati stories and gives them the production value and "polish" of a Bollywood film without losing the soul of the culture.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Career
People think she "left" Bollywood. Not really. She was in Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) as Neha Kashyap. She’s done Tamil films like Leelai.
The thing is, Manasi Parekh realized early on that being a small fish in the massive Bollywood pond wasn't as fulfilling as being the person who builds the pond in Gujarat. She chose creative control over "visibility." By producing her own work under Soul Sutra, she ensured she never had to play the "suffering mother" or the "disposable love interest" ever again.
Your Manasi Parekh Watchlist (The Essentials)
If you're just diving in, don't just watch anything. Start with these to see the range:
- Kutch Express: For the "prestige" acting and the National Award-winning performance.
- Sumit Sambhal Lega: For her comedic timing. It's on Disney+ Hotstar and it still holds up.
- Jhamkudi: If you want a fun, spooky night in.
- Do Not Disturb: Her web series on MX Player. It’s a very intimate look at a modern marriage.
Next Steps for You
If you want to really understand her impact, watch Kutch Express first. It’s the benchmark for her career. After that, check out the Soul Sutra YouTube channel—they often post behind-the-scenes content that shows how she actually produces these films. It’s a masterclass in how to transition from an actor to a creator in the modern Indian entertainment industry.