Medha Shankr
{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Medha Shankr
| image = Medha Shankr spotted in Khar (cropped).jpg
| caption = Shankr in 2024
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|08|01|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/medha-shankr-addresses-typecasting-concerns-after-12th-fail-success-took-me-time-to-transition-away-from-the-character-101722426190129.html|publisher=Hindustani Times|title=Medha Shankr addresses typecasting concerns after 12th Fail success: Took me time to transition away from the character|access-date=2025-03-04}}
| birth_place = Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| occupation = Actress
| alma_mater = National Institute of Fashion Technology Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi
| spouse =
| yearsactive = 2015–present
| children =
}}
Medha Shankr (born 1 August 1999) is an Indian actress who is known for her works in Hindi films. Shankr made her acting debut with the British miniseries Beecham House (2019) and followed it with few supporting parts. She achieved her breakthrough with the biographical drama 12th Fail (2023), which won her the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut.{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/how-12th-fail-actress-medha-shankar-became-an-overnight-sensation-8791336.html|work=News18 India|title=How 12th Fail actress Medha Shankar became an overnight sensation|access-date=28 February 2024|archive-date=10 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310145822/https://www.news18.com/amp/movies/how-12th-fail-actress-medha-shankar-became-an-overnight-sensation-8791336.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://odishatv.in/news/entertainment/-12th-fail-actress-medha-shankar-takes-over-social-media-becomes-new-crush-with-magical-performance-218843/amp|work=Odisha TV|title=Medha Shankar takes over social media, becomes new crush with magical performance|access-date=28 November 2023|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231145822/https://odishatv.in/news/entertainment/-12th-fail-actress-medha-shankar-takes-over-social-media-becomes-new-crush-with-magical-performance-218843/amp|url-status=live}}
Life and career
Shankr was born and brought up in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Shankr is a trained Hindustani classical singer. She completed her master's degree in Fashion Management from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi.{{cite web|url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/shaadisthan-actress-medha-shankars-making-a-mark-23180060|work=Mid Day|title=Medha Shankar making a mark|date=27 June 2021|access-date=24 December 2021|archive-date=27 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627083119/https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/shaadisthan-actress-medha-shankars-making-a-mark-23180060|url-status=live}}
Shankr made her acting debut in 2019, with the British television series Beecham House, where she portrayed Roshanara.{{cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/medha-shankar-exploring-a-world-of-acting-opportunities/|work=Eastern Eye|title=Medha Shankar: Exploring a world of acting opportunities|date=September 2021 |access-date=15 September 2022|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018143824/https://www.easterneye.biz/medha-shankar-exploring-a-world-of-acting-opportunities/|url-status=live}} Shankr then made her film debut in 2021, with Shaadisthan, a Hindi teen musical film.{{cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/medha-shankar-shares-her-on-sets-experiences-in-shaadisthan-270254|work=The Tribune India|title=Medha Shankar shares her on-sets experiences in Shaadisthan|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231140129/https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/lifestyle/medha-shankar-shares-her-on-sets-experiences-in-shaadisthan-270254|url-status=live}} Shrishti Negi of News18 opined, "Medha channels a teenager’s vulnerabilities and simmering frustrations with utmost honesty".{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/shaadisthan-movie-review-memorable-performances-make-it-relevant-and-meaningful-3837677.html|work=News18|title=Shaadisthan Movie Review: Memorable Performances Make It Relevant and Meaningful|date=12 June 2021 |access-date=26 September 2021|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231140839/https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/shaadisthan-movie-review-memorable-performances-make-it-relevant-and-meaningful-3837677.html|url-status=live}} That same year, she portrayed the youngest sibling, Eshwari, in the streaming series Dil Bekaraar, which received positive reviews from critics.{{cite web | title=Living her dreams: Medha Shankar of 'Dil Bekaraar' hopes to make a mark as an actor | website=The Hindu | date=2021-07-13 | url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/medha-shankar-of-shadisthan-hopes-to-make-a-mark-as-an-actor/article35296497.ece/ | access-date=2021-12-16 | archive-date=31 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231143855/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/medha-shankar-of-shadisthan-hopes-to-make-a-mark-as-an-actor/article35296497.ece/amp/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Dil Bekaraar review: A warm slice of the '80s to get nostalgic with | website=Firstpost | date=2021-11-26 | url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dil-bekaraar-review-a-warm-slice-of-the-80s-to-get-nostalgic-with-10165851.html | access-date=2021-12-16 | archive-date=30 October 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030042022/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dil-bekaraar-review-a-warm-slice-of-the-80s-to-get-nostalgic-with-10165851.html | url-status=live }}
In 2022, Shankr portrayed Minara, a girl who dumps her boyfriend for an older man in Max, Min and Meowzaki. The film received critical acclaim at various film festivals.{{cite news |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/after-tremendous-response-at-busan-iffk-and-palm-springs-film-max-min-and-meowzaki-receives-overwhelming-response-at-its-first-screening-in-mumbai20230313180456/#google_vignette |title=After tremendous response at Busan, IFFK and Palm Springs, film Max, Min and Meowzaki receives overwhelming response in Mumbai |work=ANI News |access-date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=11 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111052735/https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/after-tremendous-response-at-busan-iffk-and-palm-springs-film-max-min-and-meowzaki-receives-overwhelming-response-at-its-first-screening-in-mumbai20230313180456/#google_vignette |url-status=live }} In 2023, Shankr portrayed Shraddha Joshi, an UKPSC officer in the drama film 12th Fail, opposite Vikrant Massey.{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-medha-shankr-reacts-to-12th-fail-success-recalls-her-restart-moment-in-life-vikrant-massey-vidhu-vinod-chopra-3068717/amp|work=DNA India|title=Medha Shankr reacts to 12th Fail's success, recalls her 'restart' moment in life|access-date=18 November 2023|archive-date=18 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118093217/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-medha-shankr-reacts-to-12th-fail-success-recalls-her-restart-moment-in-life-vikrant-massey-vidhu-vinod-chopra-3068717/amp|url-status=live}} Bhavna Agarwal of India Today noted, "Medha Shankr as Shraddha, has a defined part as well, and she is the crutch that helps with lighter moments in the film".{{cite news|last=Agarwal|first=Bhavna|title=12th Fail Review: Vikrant Massey passes with flying colors on performance sheet|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/12th-fail-review-vikrant-massey-passes-with-flying-colors-on-the-performance-sheet-2454280-2023-10-27|date=27 October 2023|accessdate=16 November 2023|work=India Today|archive-date=27 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027155641/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/12th-fail-review-vikrant-massey-passes-with-flying-colors-on-the-performance-sheet-2454280-2023-10-27|url-status=live}} Anuj Kumar of The Hindu stated that Shankr impresses with her "poise and warmth".{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Anuj|title='12th Fail' movie review: Vidhu Vinod Chopra delivers yet another hug of hope that is more earnest than magical|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/12th-fail-movie-review-vidhu-vinod-chopra-delivers-yet-another-hug-of-hope-that-is-more-earnest-than-magical/article67460764.ece|date=26 October 2023|work=The Hindu|access-date=31 December 2023|archive-date=27 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027161519/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/12th-fail-movie-review-vidhu-vinod-chopra-delivers-yet-another-hug-of-hope-that-is-more-earnest-than-magical/article67460764.ece|url-status=live}} The film emerged as a sleeper hit.{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/12th-fail-box-office-collection-vikrant-masseys-film-crosses-rs-50-crore-during-5th-week-in-india-101701246864646.html |title=12th Fail box office collection: Vikrant Massey's film crosses ₹50 crore during 5th week in India |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=30 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130083912/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/12th-fail-box-office-collection-vikrant-masseys-film-crosses-rs-50-crore-during-5th-week-in-india-101701246864646.html |url-status=live }} It proved to be her breakthrough and earned her wider recognition.{{cite news |url=https://www.jagran.com/lite/entertainment/bollywood-medha-shankar-got-overnight-fame-from-12th-fail-success-increase-million-followers-on-social-media-23625013.html |title=12th Fail's Medha Shankar gets overnight fame, earn million followers on social media |work=Jagran |access-date=10 January 2024 |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109083912/https://www.jagran.com/lite/entertainment/bollywood-medha-shankar-got-overnight-fame-from-12th-fail-success-increase-million-followers-on-social-media-23625013.html |url-status=live }}
Filmography
= Films =
| class="wikitable"
| style="background:#ffc;"| {{dagger|alt=Films that are in production}} |Denotes films that have not yet been released |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| 2019
| Roshanara | British series |
| 2021
| Eshwari Thakur | |
= Documentary =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Ref. |
| 2024 |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Film ! Result ! Ref. |
| rowspan="2"|2024
| rowspan="2"|12th Fail | {{won}} |
| Pinkvilla Screen and Style Icons Awards
| Best Actress - Jury Choice | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|10791162}}
- {{Instagram|medhashankr}}
{{Subject bar
|commons = yes
|commons-search = Category:Medha Shankar
|d = yes
|d-search = Q124047728
|portal1 = Biography
|portal2 = India
|portal3 = Television
|portal4 = Films
}}
{{Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shankar, Medha}}
Category:Indian television actresses
Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema
Category:Indian film actresses
Category:21st-century Indian actresses
Category:Actresses from Uttar Pradesh