By I.S. Saluja

A shining name in sports and a rising TV and Cinema star, Prachi is a rare combination of many conflicting endowments. As a sportsperson, she developed physical strength, stamina and energy; and as a TV and film star she imbibed the soft aspects of physical beauty and grace.

Prachi was in New York recently. One of her family friends, Mr. Rajeev Bhambri of India Abroad introduced her to me and Mr. Baldev Singh Grewal, publisher/editor of Sher-e-Panjab, the leading Punjabi weekly published from New York. We got together in a family setting at Mr. Grewal’s residence in East Meadow. It was a huge pleasure to find this eminent personality so affectionate and simple, with no attitude, characteristic of successful TV and film artists. She made herself comfortable on a sofa and was a delight to talk to. In her conversation, she was gracefully communicative. It was a pleasure to have her to speak to The Indian Panorama and Sher-e-Panjab. After she had left, Mr. Grewal’s wife and daughter in law commented that they had seen her on TV and were full of admiration for her acting prowess, and now that they had spent some time with her they will remember her as a fine person.

Born in Delhi, Prachi shares her birthday with Father of Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Sorry, we don’t divulge the age of a lady, particularly when she is in to entertainment industry.

An imposing personality with a height of 5‟11 (a Charlie Chaplin will need a few raised steps to reach her face), Prachi is the former Captain of the Indian Netball Team which she led in Commonwealth Games 2010 held in Delhi and in other major Asian Championships in 2010-11. Indian team won its First Silver Medal in South Asian Beach Games under her Captaincy in 2011. For her feats, she is fondly known as “Queen of The Court” and “Lass of The Rings”. These are the titles given her by renowned publishing houses TOI and Indian Express.

Prachi is Brand ambassador and mentor of Netball Development Trust- India.

Here is a brief biography of the rising star in TV and cinema world.

Graduated in B.com Hons from Delhi University- Jesus and Mary College and completed her MBA degree in Human Relations and Marketing from Indraprastha University, New Delhi.

Worked on various projects with the Development Bank of Singapore, Deloitte, Accenture, Philips and 1800Sports.in as a consultant.

Worked with Accenture on a major skill development project named UDAAN – Skills to Succeed for Mobilization, Training and Employment of youths from Jammu and Kashmir under National Skill Development Council, Delhi

Currently working as an Actress and has won many accolades for her stellar performances in Star Plus TV Series Diya Aur Baati Hum as ‘Aarzoo‟ in a short span of time.

Started her sports career with Basketball and played at National Level representing Delhi. Attended the Indian Camp thrice in 2004, in Cuttack, Orissa 2002-2007

Played Indo-Singapore Series, 2010 held in Delhi& Noida, Won it by 5-0

Captain of the team in 7th YouthAsia Championship, 2010 held in Delhi.

Holds the distinction of being the Youngest Captain of the Indian Netball Team in Commonwealth Games 2010, held in Delhi

Captain of the senior team to represent India in 6th Nation Cup, Singapore, 2010

Captain of the senior team to represent India in South Asian Beach Games, 2011 in which the team got silver medal for the first time under her captaincy.

Gold Medal in 54th National Games

After having made her mark in sports, Prachi decided to go in for acting in TV serials and movies. She made her acting debut as an actor in the famous TV series Diya Aur Baati Hum on Star Plus. She played in it the role of “Arzoo”, famously known as “Mushtandi”. The serial became an instant hit and Prachi became with it a star.

Prachi had a lead role as “Nimmy” in the Punjabi Film “Arjan” directed by Manduip Singh. Next came “Bailaras” in October 2017. It was directed by Kshitij Chaudhary.

She will be seen in the lead role in a Malayalam film, due to be released in April 2019 with the megastar Mamoothy. She considers working with Mamoothy a golden opportunity and a challenging task.

Prachi is in a lead role in “Ikyawann”, a Star Plus TV   which has been on air since November 13, 2017. She stars with Namish Taneja. Written by Manasvi Arya, the show is directed by Ismail Khan/Arshad Khan.

Asked about her future plans, she said she had a long way to go. Asked about what films she enjoyed working in, she jumped to say it was the Punjabi films she enjoyed working in because Punjabis are so fun loving and straightforward.  Asked about her favorite Bollywood actor, she said she was a fan of Salman Khan. She added that Salman has a charisma and he can pull crowds which makes him a superstar. Asked if she would like to work with him, Prachi sighed and said, “wish I could”.

With such luminous record in sports and a successful career in TV and films, it should not be a surprise that Prachi came to be profusely recognized and honored. She has many distinctions to be proud of.

India won its First International Medal under her captaincy in South Asian Beach Games, 2011, Sri Lanka

Youngest Captain to represent India in Netball in the Commonwealth Games 2010

Awarded the Sports Women of the Year 2010 by Jesus and Mary College and recognized as a Sports Achiever in Delhi University Achievers List

Was part of Short films made by Delhi Aaj Tak, Pragya T.V, Focus T.V, Living India by Ayur Group and NDTV. (2010, 2011 Subject of various articles published by leading newspapers, magazines and internet-

NDTV (2011) featured her as one of the Top 10 Hottest Sports Women In India

India Today (2010) featured her as one of the Top 10 Glamorous Faces Of Commonwealth Games-2010

Sports Keeda (2010)

Cupid Speaks (2010)

Hindustan Times (2010)

Times Of India (2010), article “Queen Of The Courts”

Indian Express (2005), article “Lass Of The Rings”

Chief Guest for various sports meets and social events (2010- present)

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Sports Meet (2010) with Sushil Kumar and Dhanraj Pillay

Terry For Marathon with Satpal Singh and Mohammad Azaharuddin (2010)

Guest at Limca Book of Records with Vijender Singh, Jwala Gutta, Gagan Narang, Mary Kom, Sushil Kumar, etc. (2011)

Chal Leh Bhag Leh Sports Event, Deepalaya School Sports Meet (2011), Dev Samaj School Sports Meet (2012)

KAPSONS for its Brand Promotion, Kirti Nagar, 2012

Awarded the AAS and Aadhi Aabadi Women Achiever Award for excellence in the field of sports

Just a few. There are many more. And many more are yet to come. The Indian Panorama wishes Prachi all success in whatever she undertakes to do, because she has the qualities, faculties and character to achieve even the seemingly unachievable.