Mumbai, July 19: Juhi Babbar, born on July 20, 1976, in Lucknow, is the daughter of veteran actor Raj Babbar and renowned theatre personality Nadira Babbar. She inherited a rich legacy of art and literature from her grandparents, Syed Sajjad Zaheer and Razia Sajjad Zaheer, who were prominent progressive writers in Urdu literature.
Interestingly, Juhi did not receive any traditional or formal training in acting. Instead, she graduated in Fashion Design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Mumbai, beginning her artistic journey as a costume designer in plays.
Juhi made her Bollywood debut in 2003 with the film ‘Kash Aap Hamare Hote’ as Amrita. She played the role of Harman Kaur in the Punjabi film ‘Yaraan Naal Baharaan’ in 2005 and portrayed Radhika Yagnik in the TV show ‘Ghar Ki Baat Hai’ in 2009. In 2018, she took on the role of Colonel Abhay Singh’s wife in ‘Aiyaary’ and was the writer, director, and lead actress in the 2021 play ‘With Love, Aapki Saiyara.’ In 2023, she played the characters of Sameen and Zoya in ‘Faraz’ and ‘Farre.’
Life has not always been easy for Juhi. Her first marriage to filmmaker Bijoy Nambiar on June 27, 2007, ended in January 2009 due to ideological differences. However, this broken marriage and the uncertainties of the film industry did not deter her; instead, they sharpened her artistic edge. She married Anup Soni in 2011 and has a son named Imaan Soni.
Today, Juhi Babbar is regarded as one of the most powerful voices in Indian theatre. Her solo play, ‘With Love, Aapki Saiyara,’ deeply explores the identity of a modern Indian woman, her divorce, dreams, career, and social constraints, completing 100 remarkable shows by June 2024. Esteemed personalities like Javed Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Anupam Kher have praised her for this work.
Similarly, her play ‘A Love Story 1938-1979,’ which premiered at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in October 2025, also touched the hearts of audiences, where she portrayed her grandmother Razia Sajjad Zaheer in a historical and emotional role.
Awarded the prestigious ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva National Award’ in 2010, Juhi Babbar has demonstrated that a true artist’s success lies not in box office numbers but in the lives they touch with their art and authenticity. Currently, she remains actively engaged in theatre.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
