{{Short description|Indian actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Kitu Gidwani | image = Kitu Gidwani.jpg | caption = Giddwani in 2013 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|22|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | title=Remember Kitu Gidwani? Here's what the Swabhimaan actress is up to | access-date=17 June 2024 | archive-date=17 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617151905/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/photo/Remember-Kitu-Gidwani-Heres-what-the-Swabhimaan-actress-is-up-to-89524/1 | url-status=live }}</ref> | birth_place = Bombay, Maharashtra, India | birth_name = Kaushalya Gidwani | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Actress, model, dancer | years_active = 1984–present | website = }}

'''Kaushalya "Kitu" Gidwani''' (born 22 October 1967) is an Indian actress and model. She has starred in several films and serials on Indian television. Kitu played the role of Svetlana in ''Swabhimaan'' which brought recognition for her. Then she signed ''Shaktimaan'' and played the role of "Geeta Vishwas", a news channel reporter who stand for the truth. She left the show after a few episodes and later became popular after a TV series, ''Air Hostess'' aired on Doordarshan in 1986, and received critical acclaim for her roles in ''Dance of the Wind'' (1997), Deepa Mehta's ''Earth'' (1998), Govind Nihalani's ''Rukhmavati Ki Haveli'' (1991), Kamal Haasan's ''Abhay'' and ''Deham'' (2001).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |title=For Kitu Gidwani, it's mind over body! |last=Kulkarni |first=Ronjita |date=3 May 2002 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401090832/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/may/03kitu.htm |archive-date=1 April 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early and personal life== Gidwani was born in Mumbai. Her Sindhi Hindu parents migrated from Pakistan after the partition. They lived in a refugee camp in Worli.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |work=The Times of India |first1=Sanghita |last1=Singh |title=It's back to the basics for Kitu Gidwani |date=1 April 2002 |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103053711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/8491617.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> She has a brother.

She studied in Fort Convent School, Mumbai. She graduated in Commerce and has an M.A. in French.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |title=Modelling becomes a stepping-stone to the silver screen |website=India Today |date=30 June 1986 |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922140443/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19860630-modelling-becomes-a-stepping-stone-to-the-silver-screen-800992-1986-06-29 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> She started acting in French plays. Soon she was acting in English plays directed by Janak Toprani. She acted in some television serials and subsequently acted in a French film ''Black'' (1987), playing a Brazilian girl in it.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |title=rediff.com US edition: You can do whatever you believe of yourself: Kitu Gidwani |work=Rediff.com |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709185618/http://m.rediff.com/us/2000/jun/10us.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Acting career== Gidwani made her television debut in 1984 on the TV soap ''Trishna'', and during the 1980s and '90s, gave some memorable performances in TV serials like ''Swabhimaan'', ''Air Hostess'' and ''Junoon''.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |first=Budhaditya |last=Bhattacharya |title=She has seen it all... |date=24 July 2013 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172235/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/she-has-seen-it-all/article4948811.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> She caught a lot of attention after her kissing scene in bed with actor Tom Alter in ''Junoon''. In 1997, she was doing four serials at one time, besides ''Swabhimaan'' and ''Junoon'', she was also acting in ''Saahil'', ''Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |title=TV actors never had it so good: recognition, astronomical rates and roles for the asking |first=Namita |last=Bhandare |date=16 June 1997 |website=India Today |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012040712/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19970616-tv-actors-never-had-it-so-good-recognition-astronomical-rates-and-roles-for-the-asking-831610-1997-06-16 |url-status=live}}</ref> She recently appeared in multi-starrer Hindi serials ''Kaashish'' and ''Kulvadhu''.

In 1997, she played the role of a Hindustani classical singer, Pallavi, who struggles to get her voice back after losing her mentor/mother, in ''Dance of the Wind''. The role won her Best Actress Award at Three Continents Festival, Nantes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |location=Chennai, India |work=The Hindu |title=I'm happy, I'm free |date=23 October 2011 |access-date=14 November 2013 |archive-date=14 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094944/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/im-happy-im-free/article2562544.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> In Pankaj Butalia's ''Shadows in the Dark'' she played Lajma, a middle-aged woman living in present-day Pakistan.<ref name="auto"/> In the 2010s she played small roles in ''Fashion'', ''Dhobi Ghat'' and ''Student of the Year''.<ref name="auto1"/>

In 2001, in conjunction with Wills Lifestyle, an apparel chain owned by ITC Limited, she promoted ''Wills Sport Lifestyle'' brand of clothing.<ref name="wills">{{cite news |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |title=Read(il)y made lifestyle |work=The Hindu |date=8 July 2001 |access-date=13 July 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110164227/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2001/07/08/stories/0408403s.htm |archive-date=10 January 2009 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> In 2006, she also acted in a play, ''Your Place or Mine'' by Darshan Jariwala.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 Play on man-woman relationship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717103930/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060707/cth2.htm#5 |date=17 July 2011 }} ''The Tribune'', 7 July 2006.</ref>

She also did a play, ''Sock 'em With Honey'', where she played a traditional Parsi woman from Pakistan, whose daughter falls in love with a Jew, prompting her first trip abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |title=Kitu's Kitty is Full |access-date=21 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030921011231/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=62400 |archive-date=21 September 2003 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Awards== In 1997, Gidwani won the Best Actress Award at the Three Continents Festival, Nantes, France. The award recognized her outstanding achievement for the role of ''Pallavi'' in ''Dance of the Wind''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |title=Kitu Gidwani bags Best Actress Award for her role in Dance of the Wind at France film fest |website=India Today |date=29 December 1997 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173324/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19971229-kitu-gidwani-bags-best-actress-award-for-her-role-in-dance-of-the-wind-at-france-film-fest-831160-1997-12-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |1984 |''Holi'' | |<ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=27 December 2024 |title=Aamir Khan Was 'Very Nervous' To Kiss Kitu Gidwani In The 1984 Film Holi: 'He Had Just Started His Career...' |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/aamir-khan-was-very-nervous-to-kiss-kitu-gidwani-in-the-1984-film-holi-he-had-just-started-his-career-9170081.html |work=News18 |access-date=5 June 2025}}</ref> |- |1985 |''Janam'' | |Television film |- |1985 |''Wisdom Tree'' | |Short film |- |1985 |''Trishna'' |Roohi |TV series |- |1986 |''Air Hostess'' | |TV series<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |title=Kitu Gidwani chosen by French film maker Christian Lara for his latest film Black |website=India Today |date=31 January 1987 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=2 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902172842/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19870131-kitu-gidwani-chosen-by-french-film-maker-christian-lara-for-his-latest-film-black-798459-1987-01-31 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> |- |1987 |''Black'' | |French film<ref name="auto2"/> |- |1991 |''Rukmavati Ki Haveli'' |Kittu Gidwani | |- |1991 |''The Khajuraho'' | |Short film |- |1994 |''Junoon'' |Mini Agrawal |TV series<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV going downhill for a decade: Kitu Gidwani |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822205006/https://in.news.yahoo.com/tv-going-downhill-decade-kitu-gidwani-033821838.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref> |- |1994 |''Tehkikaat'' |Kavita Deshpande |TV series |- |1995–1996 |''Saahil'' |Prerna |TV series |- |1995–1997 |''Swabhimaan'' |Svetlana Banerjee |TV series |- |1997 |''Karvaan'' |Lajma | |- |1997 |''Dance of the Wind'' |Pallavi Sehgal | |- |1997 |''Shaktimaan'' |Geeta Vishwas |TV series |- |1998 |''Earth'' |Bunty Sethna |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |title=Earth: A powerful film on the futility of Partition |website=India Today |date=2 November 1998 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173238/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19981102-earth-aamir-khan-nandita-das-rahul-khanna-830118-1998-11-01 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2001 |''Deham'' |Jaya |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |title=Director Govind Nihalani goes global with English movie 'Deham' |website=India Today |date=5 February 2001 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173350/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/20010205-director-govind-nihalani-goes-global-with-english-movie-deham-775793-2001-02-04 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2001 |''Abhay'' |Jayanti | |- |2001 |''Aalavandhan'' |Jayanthi |Tamil film |- |2002 |''Nazarana'' |Ishita's mother |Television film |- |2004 |''Kesar'' |Pam Mallya |TV series |- |2005 |''Kasshish'' |Ratna |TV series |- |2006–2007 |''Kulvaddhu'' |Antra Singh Rathod |TV series |- |2006 |''Dil Diya Hai'' |Michelle | |- |2007 |''Strangers'' | | |- |2008 |''Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na'' |Sheela Pariyar | |- |2008 |''Fashion'' |Anisha Roy | |- |2009 |''Phir Kabhi'' |Divya Singh | |- |2010 |''Hello Zindagi'' |Dr. Sadhana | |- |2011 |''Dhobi Ghat'' |Vatsala | |- |2011 |''Monica'' |Pamela Garewal |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |title=Lesbianism is a taboo in Hindi films |website=India Today |date=22 April 2009 |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116173347/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/lesbianism-is-a-taboo-in-hindi-films-45228-2009-04-21 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- |2012 |''Student of the Year'' |Manini Banerjee | |- |2013 |''Ek Bura Aadmi'' |Rukmi Devi | |- |2015 |''Wedding Pullav'' | | |- |2016 |''Traffic'' |Rehan's mother | |- |2017 |''Ok Jaanu'' |Tara's Mother | |- |2018 |''Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai'' |Sameer's step paternal Grandmother |TV series |- |2019 |''Fittrat'' |Pinky Kapoor |Web series |- |2020 |''Ghost Stories'' |Dhruv's mother | |- |2023 |''Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |title=There is nostalgia for '80s and '90s TV show, says Kitu Gidwani |date=18 February 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402051136/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/there-is-nostalgia-for-80s-and-90s-tv-show-says-kitu-gidwani-1192544.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |Damayanti Barot / "Rani Sahiba"/ Queen of Ranak Garh |TV series |- |2025 |Madam Driver<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/madam-driver/|title=Madam Driver Movie: Review &#124; Release Date (2025) &#124; Songs &#124; Music &#124; Images &#124; Official Trailers &#124; Videos &#124; Photos &#124; News - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=Bollywood Hungama |date=7 January 2025}}</ref> |Devika |Hindi Film |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{BH person}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gidwani, Kitu}} Category:Living people Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema Category:Indian film actresses Category:Female models from Mumbai Category:Indian stage actresses Category:Indian television actresses Category:Indian Sindhi people Category:Sindhi actresses Category:Actresses from Mumbai Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:21st-century Indian actresses Category:Actresses in Hindi television Category:Year of birth missing (living people)