Biography of Pallavi Sharda
Pallavi Sharda, born on 5 March 1992 in Perth, Western Australia, has made the most of her 33 years (as of 2025). Despite being raised in Perth, the acclaimed Indian–Australian actress grew up most of her life in Melbourne.
She grew up in the quiet of Melbourne’s suburbs, where her home life was filled with music, dance, and culture. From a young age, she trained in Bharatanatyam, performing regularly while also excelling academically. At just 16, she entered the University of Melbourne to study Law, Media & Communications, and French. Even with a promising academic career in front of her, Pallavi could help looking at the stage.
Drawn to performance, Pallavi made the bold decision at 18 to move to Mumbai to pursue acting. With no contacts in the industry, she began her career from scratch, working her way into Bollywood productions.
Pallavi Sharda film career was built through sheer persistence and determination in her attempts to make the Bollywood Stage. She made her debut with a cameo in My Name Is Khan and quickly established herself with lead roles in films like Besharam, Hawaizaada, and Begum Jaan.
Her performances ranged from contemporary romantic dramas to historical period pieces, showcasing her versatility as both an actress and dancer.
Along the way, she became recognised as the first Indian-Australian actress to headline a Bollywood film, carving a unique space for herself in one of the world’s most competitive industries.
Her success in Bollywood paved the way for an international career spanning Hollywood, British television, and Australian productions.
As a dancer, she became recognised as one of the best Bharatanatyam dancers in Australia, with notable achievements such as her win as Miss India Australia in 2010 and her "Queen of Moomba" title in 2015 truly shining her dancing career.
Pallavi appeared in the Academy Award–nominated Lion alongside Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman, starred in the family blockbuster Tom & Jerry, and led Netflix’s Wedding Season series as Asha Maurya, becoming the first South Asian diaspora actress to front a Hollywood studio rom-com.
In the UK, she featured in dramas such as Beecham House and The One, while in Australia she built a strong profile with shows including Les Norton, Retrograde, and the critically acclaimed The Twelve, where her role as Corrie D’Souza earned her widespread recognition and a Logie Award nomination.
Today, Pallavi uses her platform not only to showcase her range as a performer but also to advocate for greater representation and equity in the industry.
She has consistently spoken out on the challenges faced by women of colour in film and television, using her own journey as proof that barriers can be broken.
Whether through her artistry, cultural roots in dance, or her work onscreen, Pallavi continues to create space for more diverse voices while championing the next generation of women determined to tell their own stories.
Career Highlights / Filmography
Film:
Wedding Season (Netflix, 2022)
Lion (2016)
Tom & Jerry: The Movie (2021)
Begum Jaan (2017)
Besharam (2013)
UnIndian (2015)
Save Your Legs (2012)
Black Site (2022)
Television:
The Twelve (Foxtel, 2022)
The Office Australia (Amazon Prime, 2024)
Beecham House (ITV, 2019)
Retrograde (ABC, 2020)
Pulse (ABC, 2017)
Les Norton (ABC, 2019)
The One (Netflix, 2021)
Triangle (ABC Pilot)
Murder (CBS Pilot)
Podcast:
Where We Belong (The Imperfects, 2023)
Other Notable Work:
Face of Indian Premier League (2022)