Shalaka Ranadive

Shalaka Ranadive is an Indian television actress, who became popular during the 90’s. She is also a theater artist, producer, and director with over two decades of experience. She started her career in the early 1990s and eventually became an accomplished television actress, who has worked for leading production companies like Balaji Telefilms, BR Chopra, and UTV Productions. She was the girl from the Pehli Baar Mile Hain, a popular song from the 1991 romantic drama film, Saajan.

Shalaka acted in television serials like Swabhimaan, Zara Hat Ke, Ithihaas, and many more. She also donned several prints and television advertisements. After her stints in several TV serials, she took part in a variety of theater productions in the UK. Shalaka’s husband was based in the UK, and though she was at the peak of her career in India, she made a tough decision and left the country. Within the first six months of her stay in the UK, she is already performing on stage in front of the live audiences. She was pregnant with her first daughter when she made her first stage performance in London. During those times, she also acted in the Pakistani serial, Sard Aag.

She moved to Singapore in 2007 and ventured into stage production and direction. In 2009, she founded Wecandoit, an acting academy, which aims to encourage aspiring children and adults in pursuing their passion in performing arts. The Academy has already produced few stage plays including Dia (2009), Coming Soon (2009), Friendly Fire (2010), Trikon – The War Within (2011), Rojak (2013), and Nikki’s Magical World (2014). Also in 2014, she also directed Dhaara, which is intended for the Samarpana Festival in India and Singapore. Rojak is a critically acclaimed stage and sold out production, while Nikki’s Magical World and Dhaara were both well received by the audience. This 2016, Shalaka has directed the play, All is Well.

Shalaka also acted in My Best Friend, a short film, which was produced by Anil David Sharma and Mayuri Singh. Shalaka is also the co-owner of Dreams for Progress Ltd. (DFP). She is also representing Anupam Kher’s acting school called Actor Prepares, in Singapore, to which Wecandoit is associated.

She is currently working for the launch of the Hindi Theatre Festival, which comprises ten short Hindi plays. Shalaka also started working on a film project.