Narayani Shastri, born on April 16, 1978, was raised in Pune. She completed her junior college studies from Symbiosis College in Pune and then moved to Mumbai to complete her studies at Government Law College. (All pictures/Narayani's Instagram account)
Narayani Shastri shot to fame with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Piya Ka Ghar. But her journey in showbiz started in the year 2000 with Kahani Saat Pheron Ki, a show which aired on DD National.
In the same year, she also made her Bollywood debut with the forgotten film Ghaath. The film starring Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu and Om Puri met with a positive response from critics but failed at the Box Office. Narayani played a small role (daughter of Sachin Khedekar) in the film. Remember the song 'Baba Ye Meri Yeh Jawani' featuring Raveena Tandon? It was in this film!
After Ghaath, Narayani Shastri appeared in the National Award-winning film Chandni Bar (2001). Interestingly, this was Narayani's second film with Tabu. Though Narayani had a blink and miss role in the film, it definitely befitted her to catch attention in the glamour world and to gain more offers from producers.
In the meanwhile, Narayani Shastri also bagged two television shows. She featured in one of Hindi television's most popular shows - Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Narayani played the character of Kesar, Tulsi's (Smriti Irani) sister in the show.
She also bagged big roles in shows such as Koi Apna Sa, Kkusum, Piya Ka Ghar and Mamta. Out of these, Narayani had played a negative character in the serial Kkusum... Ek Aam Ladki Ki Kahani.
Amidst television shows, Narayani Shastri also tried her hand at the Marathi film industry. She had featured in Nana Patekar-starrer Pak Pak Pakaak.
In 2008, Narayani Shastri also featured in the critically acclaimed film Mumbai Meri Jaan. Though the actress acted in several Bollywood films, her career in the film industry could never take off.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her husband Steven Graver aka Tony and best friend Manasi Scott.
Back to the television industry, Narayani Shastri starred in TV shows like - Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann, Namak Haraam, Phir Subah Hogi, Piya Rangrezz, Rishton Ka Chakravyuh and Laal Ishq, in recent years.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her husband Steven Graver aka Tony and best friend Manasi Scott.
In 2018, Narayani Shastri was part of the mythological show Karn Sangini. She replaced actress Amita Khopkar to play Karn's mother Radha in the show. The show, however, ended in February 2019.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with Aashim Gulati on the sets of Karn Sangini.
On the personal front, the 42-year-old actress has fitness on her mind always. "I am a fitness freak, but I don't believe in dieting at all. It is the biggest turn off for me. Workout helps. I wake up at six in the morning and head to the gym," Narayani told mid-day.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her mother.
Narayani Shastri dated actor Gaurav Chopra for several years and even participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye Season 2 with him, before calling it quits. The actress married her British boyfriend Steven Graver, aka Tony, in 2015.
However, it was a hush-hush wedding and the actress revealed her marital status in 2017, almost a year-and-a-half later. Only Narayani Shastri's mother and few close friends were present at the wedding.
Narayani Shastri revealed in an interview that both of them were not planning to get married, initially. Marriage came to their mind mutually one day, when they wondered 'Why don't we want to tie the knot, given that the two of us want to be together always?' And the very next day they called the registrar.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her husband Tony and friend Shveta Salve.
'I was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and only my mother and a few close friends were at the wedding. We did not want to blow it out of proportion. Tony and I needed some time to get comfortable with the idea of being married and now, we are comfortable with the thought,' Narayani said.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her husband Tony and friend.
In 2019, Narayani Shastri moved to Goa with her artiste husband Steven Graver. Earlier, the couple used to live in Andheri. However, in a recent interview, Narayani cited reasons to leave the city and move to Goa, for good.
Pictured: Narayani Shastri with her husband Tony and friends.
Till the time Narayan Shastri's shows were shot at Film City (Goregaon), the actress managed the commute. However, while many television sets, especially the mythological ones, moved to Naigaon, the actress' commute became very long.
Sometimes it would take her almost two-three hours to reach the set because of traffic jams. She would hardly get time to spend time with her husband or for that matter just be at home. As Steven Graver is a painter he, too, wanted to move to a place away from Mumbai's hustle-bustle. And they landed in Goa!
Well, looking at the pictures on her Instagram account, it clearly is evident how happy Narayani Shastri is in her life.
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