Sai Tamhankar (pronunciation: [səiː t̪aːmɦəɳkəɾ]; born 25 June 1986) is an Indian film and television actress known for her work primarily in Marathi, as well as in Hindi films. She has established herself as a prominent figure in Marathi films and is recognised for her versatility and impactful performances. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in Marathi cinema and is the recipient of several awards including two Maharashtra State Film Award, a Filmfare Award, three Filmfare Marathi Awards, and eight Maharashtracha Favourite Kon awards.
She began her career in television with supporting roles in Marathi series like Tuzyavina (2003) and gained recognition with Ya Gojirvanya Gharat. She later appeared in Hindi daily soap Kasturi and Anubandh (both 2007). She made her film debut in 2008 with minor roles in Subhash Ghai's Black & White and Aamir Khan's Ghajini, followed by her Marathi film debut in comedy Sanai Choughade (2008). Her performance earned her a nomination for Favorite Actress at Maharashtracha Favourite Kon. She continued to gain acclaim with roles in films like Rita (2009) and Ajab Lagnachi Gajab Gosht (2010). Tamhankar's performance as the strong-willed girl Shirin in Sanjay Jadhav's rom-com Duniyadari (2013) marked a significant turning point in her career, earning her several awards including the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Special Appearance Actress. Her other notable films include the romantic thriller Classmates (2015), the adult comedy Hunterrr (2015), the family drama Family Katta (2016), and the comedy Vazandar (2016).
In 2018, Tamhankar gained recognition in Hindi films with Love Sonia, where she played a prostitute and continued to impress with roles in Marathi films like Girlfriend and Kulkarni Chaukatla Deshpande (2019). She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Marathi for Dhurala (2020) and received widespread acclaim for her role in Mimi (2021), for playing a Muslim friend of the title character, earning the Filmfare Award and IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tamhankar has also ventured into web series, notably Pet Puraan (2021), Manvat Murders (2024) and Matka King (2026). She starred in Sachin Kundalkar's Pondicherry (2022), receiving critical acclaim and awards for her performance as a single parent. Her recent works include India Lockdown (2022), Sridevi Prasanna (2024), Bhakshak (2024), Gulkand (2025) and Tumbadchi Manjula (2026).
In addition to her acting career, Tamhankar hosted the second season of the reality show Fu Bai Fu and has been judging Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra since 2018. She also owns the wrestling team Kolhapuri Maavle in the Zee Maharashtra Kusti Dangal.
Early life Tamhankar was born on 25 June 1986 in Sangli, Maharashtra, India, and studied at Swatantrya veer Savarkar Pratisthan, Pradnya Prabhodhini Prashala, Vishrambaug, Sangli. She was a state level Kabaddi player and has an orange belt in karate. She got into acting through a play directed by her mother's friend. Her second play, Aadhe Adhure, won her the Best Actress award, at an inter-college theater competition.
Career
Television, film debut and breakthrough (2003–2012) After her stint in plays, Tamhankar made her television debut with side roles in Tuzyavina in 2003. But she was recognised in the ETV Marathi daily soap Ya Gojirvanya Gharat. She played a tolerant wife opposite Avishkar Darvhekar. Further, she was seen in a few more daily soaps, including a supporting role in Ekta Kapoor's Kasturi and a surrogate role in Anubandh (both in 2007).
In 2008, she made her film debut with a supporting role in Subhash Ghai's crime thriller Black & White, and Aamir Khan starred Ghajini. The same year, she paired opposite Subodh Bhave and Shreyas Talpade in Sanai Choughade. This also marked her debut in the Marathi industry. Critic Ullas Shirke of Marathi Movie World noted, "Twice or thrice Sai’s inexperience can be noticed but in her debut movie she is much promising." She had received Favourite Actress nomination at Maharashtracha Favourite Kon. The following year, she was seen in the ensemble Haay Kaay...Naay Kaay, Sumbaran, and Be Dune Saade Char. Next, she appeared in Renuka Shahane's critically acclaimed Rita. Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India remarked on her performance as "effective."
In 2010, she portrayed Lady Don opposite Umesh Kamat in the comedy Ajab Lagnachi Gajab Gosht, the plot revolving around Rajeev and Priya, who are diametrically opposite to each other, and their whimsical 'Marriage'. She also had a brief appearance in Mahesh Manjrekar's political thriller bilingual film City of Gold. Tamhankar in 2011 essayed a helpless wife in the suspense comedy Don Ghadicha Daav, the remake of B. R. Chopra's 1973 film Dhund, which was inspired by Agatha Christie's 1958 play The Unexpected Guest. Her next release was Rahul Thackeray directed Raada Rox. Both films were poorly received by critics and audiences. Her final release of that year was Ankush Chaudhari directed and starred Zhakaas. The film was a super hit at the box office. The film gained her an MFK Award for Favourite Supporting Actress nomination.
Next, she played the role of Bipasha Basu's character from No Entry (2005) in the Marathi remake titled No Entry Pudhe Dhokha Aahey. She played the role of a bargirl who acts as the wife of two men. As per the character requirement, she wore a two-piece bikini in the film, which was new and very rare in the Marathi industry. The Times of India critic called "Tamhankar is the USP of this movie" but criticised her bikini scene and wrote, "She has shown remarkable guts to adorn two piece bikini in Marathi movie, but she lacks the figure and attitude to carry such bold attire." Her other three releases of that year were Dhagedore, Baburao La Pakda and Aaghor.
In 2013, Tamhankar had ten releases, including Balak Palak, Ashach Eka Betavar, and Tendulkar Out. She featured in Nikhil Mahajan's directorial debut thriller film Pune 52, alongside Girish Kulkarni and Sonali Kulkarni. The film was loosely inspired by the 1974 Hollywood classic Chinatown. She appeared as a sexy, sophisticated woman who desired to be free of her cheating spouse. The film and her role were praised by critics, with a review carried by DNA mentioned her as "who surprises with a very crisp, controlled performance." Her next release was the acclaimed Anumati, directed by Gajendra Ahire. Generally, critics had mixed reviews about her not-so-glamorous role. Following this, she was in a supporting role in Mahesh Kothare's horror comedy Zapatlela 2 and Sameer Vidwans' romantic comedy Time Please. Her eighth release of that year was the romantic musical comedy Mangalashtak Once More, she depicted the role of a focused office colleague. Ullas Shirke of Marathi Movie World commented, "Tamhankar appeared as friendly appearance, she has a sizable role and she perfectly fits into that character of career minded Sahlini."
Rise to prominence (2013–2017) Tamhankar garnered widespread recognition the same year for her starring role opposite Swapnil Joshi in Sanjay Jadhav's romantic drama Duniyadari. The plot is set against the backdrop of the late 1970s, about college campus, love-hate relationships, and eventually making them realise the true face of life. She portrayed a medical student who falls in love with Joshi's character. Duniyadari emerged as a major success with a cult status and a revenue of ₹30 crore (US$5.12 million), becoming a record of the highest grossing Marathi film of that time which was broke by Timepass (2014). Ullas Shirke of Marathi Movie World described her as "Tamhankar has found an important role to display her real acting skills. Till now, she was being used more as a glamour girl." She won the Maharashtra State Film Awards for Best Special Appearance Actress, the Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Actress and the MFK Award for Favourite Actress. Her last release was the Hindi political drama Wake Up India.
Her first release in 2014 was Sau Shashi Deodhar, a story about a woman struggling in her life due to a car accident. She plays the woman who goes through split personality disorder due to an accident. The critic wrote, "Sai’s confused and troubled state of mind is reflected in her emotions." She once again collaborated with Ahire for Postcard about human relationships. The film had its premier at the Goa Film Festival in 2013 and its theatrical release in April 2014. The Hollywood Reporter ascribed, "The nosy, laughing Tamhankar also surprises: by the end of the film, she’s the mother of two who pens stories as avidly as she once read private mail." She was next featured in the romantic drama Guru Pournima, a love story between a creative director, Guru, and a struggling actress, Pournima. The film had been shot in Goa and had faced controversy due to its title. Mihir Bhanage of TOI observed, "Sai is one actress who does well in whatever role she is given, and she doesn’t disappoint in her double role either" and concluded, "She is charming as the lover interest and effervescent as the daughter of Guru." Paloma Sharma of Rediff wrote, "Tamhankar play both mother and daughter seemed risky at first, the actress manages to pull it off with ease. Her physical transformation for both roles is worth applause." She was awarded the Best Actress Award at Sanskruti Kaladarpan. Next, she portrayed Professor in Manava Naik directed Por Bazaar, based on child trafficking. After the success of Duniyadari, the trio Jadhav, Joshi, and Tamhankar collaborated on the romantic Pyaar Vali Love Story. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews and moderate success at the box office.
In 2015, she appeared in a tomboy look in Aditya Sarpotdar's coming-of-age romantic drama Classmates, the official remake of the 2006 Malayalam film of the same name. The film features an ensemble cast of Choudhary, Sachit Patil, Sonalee Kulkarni, and Siddharth Chandekar. Overall, the film and the performances were well acclaimed. Keyur Seta of The Common Man Speaks praised the film and wrote, "Tamhankar proves to be effective once again in two starkly opposite characters." Jitendra More of Marathi Movie World found, "She suits well in the role of possessive Appu, but her performance is more dependent on the dialogues offered to her." Classmates grossed over ₹21 crore worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Marathi films of the year. Her role won her the MFK Award for Favourite Supporting Actress and nominations at the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Marathi and the Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Supporting Actress. Her other two Marathi film releases were 3:56 Killari and Tu Hi Re, opposite Jackie Shroff and Joshi, respectively. She was seen as a housewife in the Hindi adult comedy Hunterrr, opposite Gulshan Devaiah. The story revolves around an unassuming sex addict and his lustful journey in life. Raja Sen of Rediff said, "Tamhankar brings power to the role of the attractive neighbourhood bhabhi" Hunterrr earned over ₹11.2 crore worldwide against a production budget of ₹3 crore.