Ashwini Kalsekar

Actor · Born January 22, 1970 (56) · Mumbai, India

Ashwini Kalsekar is an Indian actress who has worked in the Marathi and Hindi television and film industries. She completed her B.A. in Mumbai and graduated in 1991. After completing her studies, she started theatre from 1991 to 1994, during which she was under the mentorship of actress Neena Gupta (1992 - 1993) to upskill her acting skills. From 1992 to 1995, she also trained under a theatre acting coach, Mohammed Vakil. Kalsekar made her debut on TV with Shanti (1994) and was next seen in C.I.D. (1998), a popular TV show where she played the role of a cop, Inspector Asha. She then bagged the lead role in the comedy serial Mr Gayab (1999), directed by Suhas Kadav, which also starred Sourav Chakraborty. Her role as Shalaka Catwoman in Shaktimaan (1997), a superhero serial, made her popular, especially among kids, as the Indian Catwoman. She also played popular roles as Jigyasa Walia in Ekta Kapoor's Kasamh Se (2006). The role got her the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, and other major awards. Kalsekar also played the role of Sikka Thakuriaan in Episode #1.252 (2012) and was a judge in the Marathi reality show Fu Bai Fu (2009) in 2013. Her other popular roles include playing Maham Anga in Jodha Akbar (2013) and playing an evil witch, Saudamini, in Kavach... Kaali Shaktiyon Se (2016). For her role in Jodha Akbar, Kalsekar got critical acclaim and major awards like the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, the Zee Gold Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role, and other major awards. She has appeared in OTT series like Chargesheet - The Shuttlecock Murder (2019), along with Anupam Gahoi, which was featured on Zee5. Kalsekar also appeared in the Hotstar Specials show Rudra: The Edge of Darkness (2022), along with stars like Ajay Devgn, Raashi Khanna, and Esha Deol. Kalsekar's film career has been quite noticeable, as she has worked with big names and banners like Rohit Shetty, Ram Gopal Varma, and Sriram Raghavan. In 1996, she entered the film industry with the Marathi film Tula Jhapar La. In 2003, she appeared as an intelligence officer in the movie The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003). Other popular Bollywood performances include Khakee (2004), directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn and the movie Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005). She then appeared in Apaharan (2005), Johnny Gaddaar (2007), starring Dharmendra and Rimi Sen and Golmaal Returns (2008), starring Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, and Arshad Warsi. In 2010, Kalsekar's top performances included Rakta Charitra (2010), in which she played the role of Inspector Ashwini. She also appeared in Golmaal 3 (2010) starring Mithun Chakraborty, Ajay Devgn, and Kareena Kapoor. Kalsekar made her Tollywood debut in the movie Badrinath (2011), in which she played the role of Sarkar's wife. She has also been a part of Singham Returns (2014), where she plays the character of TV journalist Meera Shori. In 2015, she got the role of Detective Joshi in Badlapur (2015). Kalsekar was next seen in Golmaal Again (2017), Andhadhun (2018) and Simmba (2018). She also appeared in a comical role as Ashwini in Laxmii (2020), Bade Pandit's Wife in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), and Shakuntala Devi in Cirkus (2022). Kalsekar married Murli Sharma (2009 - present), a film and TV actor.

What are Ashwini Kalsekar's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Thriller2 titles53^rd

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight

Morality

39%

Bonds

24%

Power

15%

Survival

13%

Self

7%

Ideas

1%

Society

1%

Deception8 Family bonds5 Justice3 Romantic love3 Survival3 Greed3 Identity3 Redemption3

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 1 · Wry 4 · Earnest 13

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 6 · Dark 6

Stylized

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 5

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 8 · Intense 10

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 7

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 3

Engaged

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 2

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

Easy watch 5 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 5

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian

2 of 4

Shadow

1 of 4

Trickster

1 of 4

Threshold guardianas PSI Trupti Sonawane in Koi Jaane Na (2021)
Threshold guardianas Benny (Housekeeper) in 36 Farmhouse (2022)
Shadowas Sons and daughters-in-law in Vanvaas (2024)
Tricksteras Queenie in Monkey Man (2024)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense

16

Absurd

6

Joyful

4

Dread

5

Melancholic

5

Other

17

How their films linger

Fun6 Thought-provoking7 Bittersweet7 Cathartic4 Unsettling4 Hopeful4

How their films end · 8 with a twist

Happy6
Bittersweet8
Tragic1
Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ashwini Kalsekar's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 23 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (8).

Also on these channels

Eros Now2 titles, show their 2 titles on Eros Now

Subscription and free streaming for Ashwini Kalsekar's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 23 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Golmaal 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Actor
The Narmada Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Actor
Psycho Saiyaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)
Show 6 episodes · as Ratna Chauhan
Manjar(2026)
Actor
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Son of Sardaar 2(2025)
as Premlata
Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Vanvaas(2024)
Actor
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3(2024)
as Panditayeen
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video(2024)
as Bulbul
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
Hamare Baarah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)
as Afreen Liyakat
Monkey Man(2024)
as Queenie
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Merry Christmas(2024)
as Scarlet Fernandes
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Daak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Actor
Pop Kaun? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)
Show 6 episodes · as Satwant Kaur (Satty)
Cirkus(2022)
as Shakuntala Shenoy
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2(2022)
as Bade Pandit's Wife
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Rudra: The Edge Of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Show 6 episodes · as Commissioner Deepali Handa
36 Farmhouse(2022)
Actor
Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films
Koi Jaane Na(2021)
as PSI Trupti Sonawane
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
Laxmii(2020)
as Ashwini
Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films
My Friend Ganesha 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Actor
The Chargesheet: Innocent or Guilty? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
Show 8 episodes · as Abha Abhyankar
Tindey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Shammo
Simmba(2018)
as Judge Smita Palukar
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
Dassehra(2018)
as Kanchan devi
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Andhadhun(2018)
as Rasika Jawanda
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Partners - Trouble Ho Gayi Double (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Show 220 episodes · as Neena Nadkarni
Golmaal Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
as Damini
Shut Up And Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Actor
Dongri Ka Raja(2016)
as Raja's mother
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Ek Tha Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
as Gomti
Badlapur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Mrs. Joshi
Rahasya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Actor
Singham Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
as Reporter Meera Shorey
Familywala(2014)
Actor
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Jodha & Akbar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
Show 565 episodes · as Maham Anga
Dehraadun Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
as Advocate Dipali
Jeena Hai Toh Thok Daal(2012)
as I.G.
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Badrinath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)
as Sarkar's Wife
Ganga Kii Dheej (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Show 135 episodes · as Maha Mai
Golmaal 3(2010)
as Chintu
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
Rakht Charitra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
as Inspector Ashwini Sinha
Phoonk 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
as Madhu
Rokkk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
as Yashoda Puri
Ek Tho Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Actor
All the Best: Fun Begins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
as Mary
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
as Mrs. Kapoor
Golmaal Returns(2008)
as Munni
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Phoonk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
as Madhu
Speed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as Pam
Johnny Gaddaar(2007)
as Varsha
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films
Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Actor
Ankahee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as Mrs. Shilpa Mehta (as Ashwini Kalsekar)
Musafir(2004)
as Angela
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
K. Street Pali Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 428 episodes · as Misha Kaul
Khakee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Sawant's Wife
C.I.D.(1998)
Show 210 episodes · as Inspector Asha
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows
Afra Tafri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor
Kuku Ki Kundli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 54 titles, 51 of them dated from 1998 to 2026; peak year 2024.

Biggest box office

Andhadhun (2018)

$62M worldwide

Highest rated

Manjar (2026)

Midcredits 99^th

Film career

19982026

Peak 2024 · their film career is on the way up. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

1998Screen debut· C.I.D.
2004First film· Khakee
2024Best so far· Monkey Man

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting54 of 54 · 44^th

By decade

1990s1 · acting2000s12 · acting2010s20 · acting2020s18 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles

0%

041419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Ashwini Kalsekar's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41^st percentile, the median of all 22; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 30^th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

30^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

52^ndpercentile

Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

72^ndpercentile

Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 23 titles, by percentile

75^th and up6
50^th to 74^th2
25^th to 49^th10
Below 25^th5

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 23 titles are Mixed.

Universally Loved4
Loved with Detractors1
Divisive6
Cult Classic1
Crowd Pleaser1
Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024)

99^th percentile spread · 47% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Manjar (2026)

Midcredits 99^th · 99% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 36. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ashwini Kalsekar's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore7 titles30–74 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most films

Sex & Nudity9 titles18–44 · median 25 · mildnear the median of all films

Profanity7 titles20–57 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs7 titles8–61 · median 26 · mildnear the median of all films

Frightening / Intense7 titles42–72 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most films

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.