^^^DRASHTI DHAMI EDITS SECTION ^^^

Drashti Dhami (born 10 January 1985)^[1] is an Indian television actress, model and dancer. She is recognized for her roles in the shows Dill Mill Gayye, Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi, Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon and Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani.^[5]In 2016, Dhami played the role of Naina in the Star Plus show Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil. Dhami is also the winner of dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 6 in 2013.

Dhami was born on 10 January 1985 to a Gujarati family in Mumbai where she also studied. She attended Mary Immaculate Girl's High School and also went to Mumbai's Mithibai College from where she has a degree in Sociology.^[3]

Dhami began her career in modeling with print and television advertisements before debuting in the entertainment industry with her appearance in the music video for "Saiyyan Dil Mein Aana Re" followed by "Humko Aaj Kal Hai", "Teri Meri Nazar Ki Dori" and a Punjabi music video "Nachle Soniyo Tu" and done advertisements like Colgate (toothpaste) with Saif Ali Khan, Lion Honey, Pulimoottil Silks, Vasan Eye care, RKS Grand (Shopping Mall), Amul, VIP Bags and jewellery. Her first role was in the Star One show Dill Mill Gayye, where she portrayed Dr. Muskaan. She then appeared as the female lead on the STAR One show Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi.^[3]

Dhami also made a brief appearance through her dance performance for the show Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha. She then played the lead role in the Colors TV serial Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon opposite to Vivian Dsena from 2012-2014. She is also the winner of the sixth season of Indian dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa alongside choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan.^[6] In June 2014, Dhami for a short duration hosted the seventh season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. She was also the Brand Ambassador for Canvironment Week 2011 and 2013 to support the cause of 'Save Our Planet'. She has been roped in as the face of MATRIX India's hair colour brand - SoColor.^[3] In 2015, Dhami played the roles of Rani Gayatri and Savitri in a show Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani on Zee TV.^[7][8] She left the show in May 2016.^{[citation needed]}

In 2016, she was also part of a web series called I Don't Watch TV along with many TV celebrities aired on a web-content platform.^[9] Dhami was also the captain for Team 'D' Celebrity Championship 2016, where 6 teams comprising 78 television personalities competed to help kids in need of education and food. Dhami won Celebrity Championship 2016 and received an Award from 'I HELP A KID.COM' Celebrity Championship.^[10]

As from November 2016, Dhami is currently playing the lead as Naina Batra inEkta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms's show Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil which is aired on Star Plus opposite Arjun Bijlani. In the same year, Dhami done the short film called The Change.^[11]

On 21 February 2015, Dhami married businessman Neeraj Khemka.^[12][13]Suhasi Goradia Dhami who is also an actress is married to her brother 'Jaisheel Dhami'.^[14]

The media praises her acting skills by giving the title of 'Queen of Expression'.^[15] Dhami is among the highest earning television actress in India.^[16][17] Dhami was included in second place on "Television's Top 10 Actresses" list by Rediff.^[18] Dhami also included in the top nine list of Indian television most stylish on-screen actress by Rediff.^[19] The UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye placed her in their "50 Sexiest Asian Women" list. In 2012, Eastern Eye placed her at twelfth position. Thereafter she remained in the top three spots for three consecutive years, listed at the third spot in 2013, the second spot in 2014, the third spot in 2015 and the fourth spot in 2016.^{[20][21][22][23][24]} Dhami included in list of FHM India 100 Sexiest women of 2014 at 10th place.^[25] In 2016, Dhami was nominated in "Sexiest Woman" list by FHM India.^[26] Dhami was listed eight among the "35 Hottest Actresses In Indian Television" by MensXP.com, an Indian lifestyle website for men.^[27] She was ranked in 38th position in The Times of India's 2014 list of "50 Most Desirable Women".^[28]

According to the survey in 2017, seventy percent male participants said they desired a partner as good looking as Dhami.^[29] During her dance performance in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, film maker Karan Johar compared Dhami to film actress Zeenat Aman.^[30] Dhami received an offer to participate in Bigg Bossbut she rejected it.^[31] Dhami was also the Brand Ambassador for Canvironment Week 2011 and 2013 to support the cause of 'Save Our Planet'.^[3] In 2016, Dhami was part of the Swachh Survekshan 2017 Initiative. An initiative for an environmentally cleaner India (Swachh Bharat Abhiyan).^[32]

Reality appearances

• 2010: Big Money: Chota Parda Bada Game as Guest participant^[35]
• 2010: Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan as Guest participant^{[citation needed]}
• 2013: Nach Baliye 5 as guest/herself (came to support her brother and sister in law Suhasi and Jai)^[36]
• 2013: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 as contestant (winner) on 14 September 2013^[3]
• 2014: Mission Sapne as herself^[37]
• 2014: Comedy Nights with Kapil as herself^{[citation needed]}
• 2014: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (season 7) as host^[38]
• 2015: Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Reloaded as herself^[39]
• 2016: I Don't Watch TV as herself^[40]

Special appearances