Mukta Barve (pronounced ; born 17 May 1981; Marathi: pronunciation (help·info)) is an Indian film, television, and theatre actress and a producer. One of the most popular Marathi celebrities, she has established a career in Marathi films. She is a recipient of seven Maharashtra State Film Awards one for Best Debut and other six for Best Actress in different plays and films.
In 1998, she made her debut to Marathi television with the show Ghadlay Bighadlay. She made her debut in Marathi theatre with Aamhala Vegle Vhayache (2021 ), a Marathi play. In 2002, she debuted into Marathi films with Chakwa. Her work was appreciated in the films Thang (2006), Maati Maay (2007), Sawar Re (2007), Saas Bahu Aur Sensex (2008), Sumbaran (2009) and Ek Daav Dhobi Pachhad (2009). The 2009 film, Jogwa became a turning point in her career, giving her back-to-back hit films: Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai (2010), Aaghaat (2009), Badam Rani Gulam Chor (2012), Lagna Pahave Karun (2013), Mangalashtak Once More (2013), Double Seat (2015) and Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2 (2015). The shows Agnihotra (2009-2010) and Eka Lagnachi Dusri Goshta (2012) are an important part of her television career. In her theatre career, Final Draft (2005), Dehbhaan (2005), Kabaddi Kabaddi (2008) and Chhapa Kata (2013) are some of her famous plays. In 2015, she became a part of three successful films which include Highway, Double Seat and Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai 2. In 2016, she appeared in two Marathi films YZ and Ganvesh.
Barve also owns a production house named Rasika Productions, under which she has produced the plays: Chhapa Kata, Lovebirds (2015) and Indira (2015), a theatre-based poetry programme, Rang Nava, in which she presents some poetry of her own and some of the others. Currently, she is acting and producing a play named CodeMantra (2016) under the banner of Rasika Productions. Mukta is also considered as Jessica Alba of India because of few similarities in their looks and choice of movie selection.
Life and family
Mukta Barve was born on 17 May 1979 at Chinchwad near Pune, Maharashtra, India. Her father worked at a telecom company and her mother was a school teacher. She also has a brother, Debu Barve who is a commercial artist. In her school, she participated in many plays. After completing her Standard 10, Barve decided to take up acting as her profession. Barve completed her 11 and 12th standard from Sir Parshurambhau College, Pune. Later, she graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University in Theatre and earned a bachelor's degree with Drama from Lalit Kala Kendra. Barve has admitted to being socially awkward as a child, and did not have many friends. Later, she moved to Mumbai to focus completely on her acting career and stayed at a girls hostel in Kurla.
