Anju Mahendru

Born: 11 January 1946

Anju Mahendru is one of those actors who quietly became a fixture in Indian television, building a career that's spanned decades with impressive consistency. Born in Mumbai in 1946, she's best known for her iconic role as Kamini Gupta in the cult classic *Kasautii Zindagii Kay*, where she played the scheming matriarch that audiences loved to hate. Beyond that breakout role, she's delivered memorable performances in shows like *Kohi Apna Sa*, *Kahiin to Hoga*, and *Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai*—proving she's got serious range when it comes to playing complex, layered characters. Her career really took off in the '90s and 2000s when Indian TV was exploding, and she became known for bringing gravitas to every project she touched. What really sets Anju apart is her ability to elevate supporting and antagonist roles into something unforgettable. She's the kind of actor who steals scenes without overshadowing the leads, which is honestly a lost art. Before diving into acting full-time, she also worked as a fashion designer, bringing that creative sensibility to her character choices. Even as her on-screen appearances have become more selective in recent years, her legacy as a powerhouse of Indian television remains intact—she's the rare actor who can make you believe in a character, whether they're sympathetic or absolutely insufferable. Fans still remember her work with genuine affection, which really says something about the impact she's had on the medium.