Mahek Chahal

{{Infobox person

| name = Mahek Chahal

| image = Mahek Chahal at the Special screening of Nirdosh.jpg

| caption = Chahal in 2018

| birth_name = Raspreet Kaur Chahal

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1979|02|01}}

| birth_place = Oslo, Norway

| nationality = Norwegian

| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model}}

| yearsactive = 2002—present

| known_for = Kavach (Season 1)
Bigg Boss 5
Naagin 6

| height =

}}

Mahek Chahal (born 1 February 1979){{Cite news |title=Mahek Chahal gets birthday surprise |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/mahek-chahal-gets-birthday-surprise/articleshow/11740690.cms |access-date=12 June 2022 |newspaper=The Times of India |first=Sumit |last=Jha |date=3 February 2012 |language=en}} is a Norwegian actress and model who works in Hindi films and television.

She is known for her participation in the Colors TV reality show Bigg Boss 5 where she emerged as the runner-up. She also participated in stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. Chahal is best known for portraying the role of Naagin Mahek in Colors TV's supernatural franchise Naagin 6.

She began her acting career in 2002 with Telugu film Neetho and later made her Hindi debut with Nayee Padosan in 2003. She was also seen in several songs appearances for Hindi, Telugu, Punjabi and Tamil films. In 2011, Chahal participated in Colors TV reality show Bigg Boss 5 and emerged as the runner-up.

In 2021, she participated in stunt-based reality show Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. Chahal is best known for portraying the role of Mahek in Colors TV's supernatural franchise Naagin 6.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/mahek-chahal-in-comedy-circus-finale/articleshow/13408132.cms |title=Mahek Chahal in Comedy Circus finale |website=The Times of India |date=24 May 2012 |language=en |access-date=12 February 2022}}{{cite web |title=Bigg Boss Halla Bol: Mahek Chahal eliminated in mid-week eviction |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bigg-boss-halla-bol-mahek-chahal-eliminated-in-mid-week-eviction/1/414789.html |website=India Today |accessdate=12 February 2022 |date=22 January 2015}}

Personal life

Chahal got engaged to actor Ashmit Patel in August 2017, but they called off their engagement in 2020.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2020 |title=Maheck Chahal calls off engagement with Ashmit Patel, says 'I left him, I had to take that step'|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ashmit-patel-and-maheck-chahal-call-off-engagement-she-says-i-left-ashmit-i-had-to-take-that-step/story-9r9RFHVRJr5AjMtWHMlhLI_amp.html |access-date=24 September 2024 |website=Hindustan Times}}

Career

= Early work (2002–2011) =

She made her film debut in 2002 with the Telugu film Neetho playing Shalini and later made Hindi debut with romantic-comedy

Nayee Padosan playing Pooja Iyengar (A south Indian girl) the film was a moderate success at the box office. She also did item number in the film Chameli (2004). Chahal next performed in a Punjabi movie Dil Apna Punjabi playing Lisa Kaur.

In 2008, she was seen in supporting roles in Hindi films Wanted playing Shaina and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna playing Tia Roberts. She did several appearances in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/exclusive-mahek-chahal-when-i-was-new-in-the-industry-i-felt-i-should-only-do-glamorous-roles-or-item-songs-but-with-time-ive-matured/articleshow/84663983.cms |title=Exclusive - Mahek Chahal: When I was new in the industry I felt I should only do glamorous roles or item songs, but with time I've matured |website=The Times of India |date=23 July 2021 |access-date=23 July 2021}} Chahal made her television debut with C.I.D. in 2009.

= ''Bigg Boss'' and more (2011–2018) =

In 2011, she was participated in Colors TV's reality show Bigg Boss in its 5th season where she survived fifteen weeks and emerged as the runner-up. Chahal was also featured in Norwegian reality show Fristet in same year.

She then did an item number in the comedy film Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011). She also starred in Karar: The Deal (2014). Chahal launched her clothing line Mahek Chahal clothing in Norway. She again appeared in Colors TV's reality show Bigg Boss Halla Bol in 2015 where she came as a Challenger. She stayed there three weeks until got evicted by facing public votes.{{cite web |url=https://www.indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/excited-for-my-second-stint-on-bigg-boss-8-mahek-chahal/lite/ |title=Excited for my second stint on 'Bigg Boss 8': Mahek Chahal |website=theindianexpress |date=4 January 2015 |access-date=4 January 2015}}

Chahal was also seen as contestant in Power couple along with Ashmit Patel. She then did item number in Tamil film Gethu and later appeared as guest in comedy show Comedy Nights Bachao.

In 2016, she was seen portraying Manjulika an antagonist in Colors TV's supernatural thriller Kavach.{{cite web |url=https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/television/sara-khan-to-replace-mahek-chahal-as-manjaulika-in-kavach-836139/amp |title=Sara Khan to replace Mahek Chahal as Manjaulika in Kavach! |website=news.abplive.com |access-date=2 July 2016}} In 2018 she was appererad in Hindi film Nirdosh.{{cite web |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/amp/cmcm/exclusive-ashmit-patel-on-his-sizzling-chemistry-with-mahek-chahal-in-nirdosh |title=Exclusive! Ashmit Patel on his sizzling chemistry with Mahek Chahal in Nirdosh |website=freepressjournal.in |access-date=30 May 2019}} It was reported that she would appear as the dancer in Ek Thi Rani Ek Tha Raavan,{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/former-bigg-boss-contestants-mahek-chahal-to-feature-in-show-on-stalking-1412976-2018-12-19 |title=Former Bigg Boss contestants Mahek Chahal to feature in show on stalking |website=India Today |date=26 July 2015}} but Sara Khan was cast for the cameo appearance.{{Cite web |url=https://www.lokmat.com/television/sara-khan-steps-shoes-mahek-chahal/ |title=महक चहलच्या जागी सारा खानची वर्णी |date=4 January 2019 |website=Lokmat |language=mr}}

= Television comeback 2021–present =

She was seen as contestant in stunt-based reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 which is film in Cape Town, South Africa where she finished at 11th place.{{cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/khatron-ke-khiladi-11-mahek-chahal-becomes-3rd-eliminated-contestant-rohit-shetty-show/ |title=Khatron Ke Khiladi 11: Mahek Chahal becomes 3rd eliminated contestant on the Rohit Shetty show |website=Bollywood Hungama |date=16 August 2021 |access-date=16 August 2021}}

Recently, she was seen portraying Shesh Naagin Mahek Gujral the antagonist in Ekta Kapoor's popular supernatural thriller franchise Naagin 6 on Colors TV. Naagin 6 turned out to be the longest running season of the popular franchise. For portraying Mahek Gujral in Naagin 6, Chahal earned widespread acclaim and recognition. Her fierce looks and dialogue delivery made her character very popular among the audiences. For which she received numerous accolades including Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role Popular.{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tv/i-am-playing-indian-wonder-woman-maheck-chahal-on-her-role-in-naagin-6-101644335864710-amp.html |title='I am playing Indian Wonder Woman': Maheck Chahal on her role in Naagin 6 |website=Hindustan Times |date=8 February 2022 |access-date=8 February 2022}}

Filmography

= Films =

class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Language !Notes
2002	Neetho	Shalini	Telugu
2003	Nayee Padosan	Pooja Iyengar	rowspan="2"\| Hindi
2005	Anjaan	Meneka \|
2006	Dil Apna Punjabi	Lisa Kaur	Punjabi \|
rowspan="3"\|2009 \|Wanted	Shaina	rowspan="6"\| Hindi \|
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna	Tia Roberts \|
Marega Salaa	Pooja
2010	Mumbai Cutting	Nisha \|
2014	Karar: The Deal	Nikita \|
2018	Nirdosh	Adaa

== As dancer ==

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year !! Title !! Language

!Notes

2004

Chameli

| rowspan="3"| Hindi

|Song: "Sajna Ve Sajna"

2007

Chhodon Naa Yaar

|Song: "Talwar Re"

2009

Jai Veeru

|Song: "Agre Ka Ghagra"

2010

| Kedi

| Telugu

|Song: "Mu Mu Mudhante"

2011

Yamla Pagla Deewana

| Hindi

|Song: "Chamki Mast Jawaani"

2012

Bikram Singha: The Lion Is Back

| Bengali

|Song: "Na Champa Na Chameli"

2013

Jatt Airways

| Punjabi

|Song: "Ok Report"

2015

Mr. Airavata

| Kannada

|Song: "Ka Thalkattu"

2016

Gethu

| Tamil

|Song: "Mutta Bajji"

= Television =

class="wikitable" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
2009	C.I.D.	Herself	Guest
2011–2012	Bigg Boss 5	rowspan="3"\|Contestant	1st runner-up
2015	Bigg Boss Halla Bol	8th place
2015–2016	Power Couple	6th place
rowspan="2" \| 2016	Darr Sabko Lagta Hai	Sukanya
Kavach	Manjulika Shah	Main role
2021	Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11	Contestant	11th place
2022–2023	Naagin 6	Mahek	Main role
2023 \|Bekaboo \|Mahek \|

Awards

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Award ! Category ! Show ! Result
2022 \|Indian Television Academy Awards \|ITA Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role \|rowspan=2\|Naagin 6 \|{{Nom}}
2023 \|Indian Telly Awards \|Best Actress in a Negative Role \|{{won}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Award

! Category

! Show

! Result

2022

|Indian Television Academy Awards

|ITA Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role

|rowspan=2|Naagin 6

|{{Nom}}

2023