Jiya Shankar is an Indian actress and model whose warm screen presence, comedic timing, and genuine emotional authenticity have made her one of the most recognised faces in Indian television entertainment.
Born on April 17, 1995, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, she rose to national prominence through her role as Dr Iravati Ira Pandey in the long-running comedy-drama series Meri Hanikarak Biwi on &TV, a performance that turned her into a household name and confirmed her as a performer of genuine range and charm.
Her subsequent appearances in Kaatelal and Sons on SAB TV, the supernatural drama Pishachini on Colors TV, and the acclaimed Marathi-language blockbuster film Ved further demonstrated the breadth of her talent across television and cinema.
Her appearance as a contestant on Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 in 2023 brought her to an even wider national audience, where her composed, honest, and self-aware personality resonated strongly with viewers and increased her social media following substantially.
She is known within the industry as a genuinely independent spirit who has overcome a challenging personal history, her parents divorced when she was thirteen, and she was raised by her mother, Surekha Gavli, to build a career driven entirely by her own determination, training, and craft.
Profile
| Full Name | Jiya Anil Manne |
| Stage Name | Jiya Shankar |
| Born | April 17, 1995 |
| Age | 31 years old |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress, Model |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Mother | Surekha Gavli |
| Net Worth | ₹8 crore (~$1 million) |
Early Life
Jiya Shankar was born Jiya Anil Manne on April 17, 1995, in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
She has revealed publicly that Shankar is not her father’s surname but a last name she chose for herself, a fact she disclosed candidly during her Bigg Boss OTT 2 appearance.
Her parents divorced when she was thirteen years old, after which she was raised by her mother Surekha Gavli, a hairstylist who has been a constant source of support and stability throughout Jiya’s life and career.
The bond between Jiya and her mother is one of the most defining relationships in her personal narrative, and she has spoken about it with warmth and gratitude across multiple public forums.
Jiya grew up with an innate interest in performance but describes herself as having been shy and introverted during her school years. It was her training at actor Anupam Kher’s acting school, Actor Prepares, that provided the confidence and technical grounding needed to transition from natural instinct to professional craft.
She had begun giving auditions as early as age 16, demonstrating the early determination that would eventually bring her to television success.
Education
Jiya Shankar completed her schooling in Mumbai and subsequently studied at Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares acting institute, where she developed the foundational skills for her television and film career.
She has described this training as transformative, citing it as the experience that converted her innate passion for performing into professional-level craft.
Career
Jiya Shankar made her acting debut in 2013 with the Telugu film Entha Andanga Unnave, and her Hindi television debut came with Love by Chance on Bindass in 2015.
Her first significant television breakthrough was Queens Hain Hum on &TV in 2016, where she played Shreya Dixit Rathore and received the Best Debut Award.
Her career-defining role arrived in 2017 when she was cast as Dr Iravati Ira Pandey in Meri Hanikarak Biwi on &TV, a comedy-drama series that ran until 2019 and made her a nationally recognised face. The show’s success established her as a lead performer capable of anchoring a long-running series with both comedy and emotional depth.
She subsequently played Susheela Ruhail Solanki in SAB TV’s Kaatelal and Sons from 2020 to 2021 and took on the supernatural lead role of Pavitra in Colors TV’s Pishachini in 2022.
Her film career advanced significantly with her appearance in the 2022 Marathi blockbuster Ved, starring alongside Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, a production that crossed ₹75 crore at the box office and introduced her to Marathi-language cinema audiences.
Her participation in Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 in 2023, where she finished sixth, significantly expanded her national profile. She maintains active social media presences and has accumulated over 3 million Instagram followers. Upcoming projects for 2026 include a Hindi web series and a Marathi romantic drama.
Social Media
Jiya Shankar has over 3 million Instagram followers and active presences on other digital platforms.
Her social media content includes personal lifestyle posts, career updates, and engagement with her fanbase.
Personal Life
Jiya Shankar is unmarried and has spoken publicly about her close relationship with her mother.
She is passionate about fitness, mental health awareness, and animal welfare. She drives a Kia Seltos and is known for a minimalist, health-conscious lifestyle.
Net Worth
Jiya Shankar’s net worth is estimated at approximately ₹8 crore (roughly $1 million), derived from television serial fees, film appearances including the blockbuster Ved, brand endorsements, social media partnerships, and event appearances.
Filmography & TV
Entha Andanga Unnave (2013), Kanavu Variyam (2017), Love by Chance (TV, 2015), Queens Hain Hum (TV, 2016), Meri Hanikarak Biwi (TV, 2017–2019), Laal Ishq (TV, 2020), Kaatelal and Sons (TV, 2020–2021), Pishachini (TV, 2022–2023), Ved (film, 2022), Bigg Boss OTT 2 (reality show, 2023), Virgin Bhasskar 2 (web series, 2020), Good Night India (co-host, SAB TV).
Conclusion
Jiya Shankar’s career is a study in quiet, determined growth. From a shy teenager giving auditions at 16, through professional training, her Meri Hanikarak Biwi breakthrough, a Marathi blockbuster film, and a Bigg Boss stint that brought her to the entire nation’s attention, she has built a career grounded in genuine craft and personal resilience.
With upcoming projects across web and film and a social media following that continues to grow, Jiya Shankar is positioned for a long and impactful career in Indian entertainment.