Anita Raj

Anita Raj, born August 13, 1962, in what was then Bombay (now Mumbai), is one of those faces you just know if you’ve watched any classic Hindi films or caught up with Indian TV in the last few decades. She basically ruled the ‘80s Bollywood scene, popping up in a bunch of movies where her acting didn’t just carry the plot, but sometimes straight-up stole the show. If you’re flipping through old movie channels and spot a film like Clerk from 1989, chances are she’s right there, probably out-acting everyone around her and giving you all the drama, romance, or sass you could want. But she never just stuck to movies. Nope, Anita’s career kept morphing with the times. Fast forward to 2013, and she’s showing up in the Indian version of the thriller series 24, proving she can keep up with intense, edge-of-your-seat TV. That’s not all, in 2019 she’s busy mixing it up in Choti Sarrdaarni, one of those serials that totally dominated Indian TV and became a household obsession. She’s always had this vibe—sort of elegant but tough, and she just fits into every era, whether she’s in a saree or a business suit. Off the screen, Anita’s life is kind of what you’d expect from someone so deeply rooted in Bollywood. She’s been married to Sunil Hingorani since 1986, which is ages by industry standards, and they’ve got one kid. There’s not a ton of drama about her in the tabloids; she keeps it pretty chill and focused on the work. Honestly, she’s one of those rare stars who’s managed to stay relevant, respected, and just… real, even as everything around her kept shifting.