Pragya Jaiswal

Jaiswal was born on 12 January 1991^[4] in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Pragya Jaiswal completed her education from Symbiosis Law School at Pune.^[5][6] During her initial days at Symbiosis University, she participated in various beauty pageants and became a model. In 2014, she received the Symbiosis Sanskritik Puraskar for her achievement in the field of art and culture.^[7]

Jaiswal made her acting debut with the Tamil film Virattu, in 2014.^[8]

In 2015, Jaiswal ventured into Telugu films with Mirchi Lanti Kurradu opposite Abijeet.^{[citation needed]} Her career marked a turning point with Kanche, where she played a princess opposite Varun Tej. The film emerged a commercial success.^[9][10][11] Suresh Kavirayani of Deccan Chronicle noted, "Pragya looks beautiful and perfectly fits her role of a princess."^[12]

Following Kanche's success, she had four releases in 2017. She first appeared in Om Namo Venkatesaya, a box office failure.^[13] Her next film, Gunturodu opposite Manchu Manoj also failed at the box office.^[14] Jaiswal next played an IPS officer in Nakshatram.^[15] Sridhar Adivi of The Times of India stated that her role is packed with both "glamour and substance".^[16] She had an extended cameo in Jaya Janaki Nayaka, her final film of the year.^{[citation needed]} In 2018, she appeared in Achari America Yatra opposite Vishnu Manchu, which was an average grosser.^[17]

Post a three year hiatus, Jaiswal played an IAS officer in Akhanda opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna.^[18] The film was a commercial success and became the third highest grossing Telugu film of 2021.^[19] Firstpost noted, "Saranya is relatively well-written and Pragya carries her well."^[20] In 2022, she played a NIA officer in the box office failure, Son of India.^[21]

Jaiswal returned to Hindi films with the 2024 ensemble comedy Khel Khel Mein, playing a boutique owner opposite Aditya Seal.^[22] Anuj Kumar of The Hindu stated, "A confident Pragya turns up in a Hindi film for a change and plays the role of an entitled brat without caricaturising it.".^[23] Her latest movie is Daaku Maharaj, starring opposite Nandamuri Bala Krishna.