Yami Gautam, the Bollywood actress currently garnering praise for her role in the film "Haq," began her entertainment career not in the film industry, but on television. Before her Bollywood debut in "Vicky Donor" (2012), Yami starred in the lead role in the TV series, "Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam".
Born on November 28, 1988, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, Yami Gautam's initial aspirations leaned towards joining the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). However, she transitioned to acting at the age of 20. She started her journey in the world of glamour with television shows. Her early TV roles included "Chand Ke Paar Chalo" (2008-2009) and "Raajkumar Aaryyan," before landing her notable role in "Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam". She also participated in reality shows like "Meethi Choori No 1" and "Kitchen Champion Season 1".
"Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam," which premiered on December 28, 2009, on Colors TV, saw Yami Gautam star alongside Gaurav Khanna. Gaurav Khanna is currently a contestant in Bigg Boss 19. In "Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam," Yami Gautam played the character Leher Mathur. The show, inspired by the 2009 Bollywood film "Delhi-6", revolved around the love story between Leher and Abeer, set against the backdrop of caste politics and social disparities in Lucknow. Abeer, a Brahmin, and Leher, a Kayastha, face opposition from their families as they navigate their relationship. The series highlighted societal issues related to caste and class distinctions. The show replaced Bigg Boss 3 on Colors TV after its finale.
After "Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam," Yami transitioned to Bollywood, while Gaurav Khanna continued his career in Indian television. Yami's Bollywood debut came in 2012 with Shoojit Sircar's "Vicky Donor," opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. In the film, she portrayed Ashima Roy, a Bengali woman who falls in love with a Punjabi man. Before "Vicky Donor," Yami also appeared in South Indian films, including the Kannada film "Ullasa Utsaha" (2010) and the Telugu film "Nuvvila" (2011).
Yami Gautam married Aditya Dhar on June 4, 2021, and they had their first child, a son named Vedavid, on May 10, 2024. "Haq" marks Yami's first theatrical release after the birth of her son. Early reviews suggest that Yami may be a contender for a National Award for her performance in "Haq".
Yami has evolved into a performer drawn to layered stories that challenge patriarchal, political, and social systems. She has also starred in films such as "Badlapur" (2015), "Kaabil" (2017), "Uri: The Surgical Strike" (2019), and "Bala" (2019). Her recent projects include "Bhoot Police" (2021), "A Thursday" (2022), "Dasvi" (2022), "Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga" (2023), "OMG 2" (2023), and "Article 370" (2024).
