Apara Mehta

Apara Mehta is an Indian television and Bollywood actress most famously known for playing Tulsi's mother in law Savita Mansukh Virani in the iconic show Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.^[1]

Apara Mehta
Mehta in 2023
Born	Apara Mehta
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1975–present
Spouse	Darshan Jariwala ​ ​ (m. 1980; sep. 2003)​
Children	Khushali Jariwala
Parent(s)	Ushakant Mehta (Father) and Mandakini Mehta (Mother)

Personal life

Born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, Apara is the only child of her parents, and no stranger to being a performing artist. She started learning classical music and Kathak from a young age. At the age of 15, she hosted a children's television programme for Ahmedabad Doordarshan.

In 1980 she married Indian television and film personality Darshan Jariwala, with whom she has one daughter. The two have mutually separated but are not legally divorced. Excerpts about their personal life were shown in the reality show Maa Exchange, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television.

Her career naturally veered towards theatre as she married into a theatre family.

Theatrical career

Mehta has worked on stage since 1981. She has acted in over 150 plays in various roles. She has found a constant career in plays.

Television career

• Apara started her television career anchoring a children's programme called Santakukdi for Mumbai Doordarshan at the age of 15.
• Her first major break was in Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, in which she played Paro.
• Greater success came with Ekta Kapoor's blockbuster Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, in which she played Savita Mansukh Virani (mother-in-law of lead character Tulsi) on StarPlus.
• She then appeared in a negative role as Kukki Kaaki in Saat Phere and other soaps like Parrivaar, Dhak Dhak In Dubai, Dillagi, Alpviram, Hum Hain Anari, Love Marriage and Chandan Ka Palna.
• She also did comedy roles in Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo as Damini Devi Diwan, Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai as Pari on SAB TV and as Leela in Hamari Saas Leela on Colors TV.
• She also played supporting roles in some Bollywood films.
• She played a role in Firangi Bahu on Colors TV.
• She used to appear in Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai as Basundi on SAB TV.
• She was on the weekend horror/thriller fiction show Qayamat Ki Raat on Star Plus in 2018.
• She appeared in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai and Sai-Shraddha aur Saburi
• She played Manmita Chaddha in Choti Sarrdaarni and later appeared in Maddam Sir.

Television

• Alpviram
• Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1999)
• Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2000–2006) As Savita Mansukh Virani
• Khichdi (2004) Guest Appearance
• Saat Phere as Kukki Kaki (2006)
• Karam Apnaa Apnaa (2006)
• Parrivaar (2007)
• Chandan ka palna aur resham ki dori as Kusum
• Dhak Dhak In Dubai (2007)
• Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat (2009)
• Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo as Damini Devi Diwan (2009–2012)
• Hamari Saas Leela as Leela (2011)
• Kya Huaa Tera Vaada as Suhasi Alok Singh (2012–2013)
• Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai as Pari (2012)
• Firangi Bahu (Sahara One) (2013–2014)
• Jamai Raja as Nani (2014–2016)^[2]
• Tu Mere Agal Bagal Hai as Basundi (2014)
• Woh Teri Bhabhi Hai Pagle as Mrs. Dilwale on Sab TV (2016)
• Naya Mahisagar as Tiwari Mehta
• Brahmarakshas (TV series) as Jasmit/Jassi/Dadi Bua (2016)
• Bakula Bua Ka Bhoot on &TV as Rekha (2017)
• Qayamat Ki Raat as Madhuri Thakur (Gauri's paternal grandmother)
• Bhabhi ji Ghar Par Hai as Alpaa-episodic role (2018)
• Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Cameo (2021)
• Indiawali Maa as Kesar Masi (2021)
• Choti Sarrdaarni as Manmita Chaddha (2021)
• Maddam Sir as Sarita Singh (2022)

• Jai Hanuman - Sankat Mochan Naam Tiharo^[3] (2022)
• Anupamaa as Gurumaa Malti Devi (2023)
• United State Of Gujarat (Gujarati Show) (2024-present)

Filmography

• Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001) - Dayashankar's elder sister
• Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) - Prostitute
• Devdas (2002 Hindi film) (2002) - Badi Aapa
• Just Married (2007)
• Tees Maar Khan (2010) - Tabrez Mirza Khan's (Tees Maar Khan) mother
• Bachubhai (2023) - Gujarati Film ^[4]