Happy Birthday, Renuka Shahane.

Renuka Shahane (born 7 October 1966), also known by her married name Renuka Neekhra, is a Maharashtrian actress working in the Indian film industry and in television, best known as the presenter of Doordarshan TV show Surabhi (1993–2001).

Shahane started her career with the Marathi film Hach Sunbaicha Bhau and has done many Marathi Films. She then worked in the popular TV show, Surabhi. Renuka was among the top lead actresses of Indian television in 90’s beside Kitu Gidwani, Mandira Bedi, Shefali Chhaya, and Pallavi Joshi.

She became popular after her role in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, a 1994 blockbuster film. She released her first Marathi film as a director called Rita. Adapted from her mother Shanta Gokhale’s novel, Rita Welingkar, Renuka plays the pivotal role of a friend, guide and philosopher of Rita, the protagonist. ‘Rita’ had Jackie Shroff, Pallavi Joshi, Suhasini Mulay and Mohan Agashe in the cast. She also acted in a Telugu movie money which is produced by Ram Gopal Varma which was a big hit.

Circus was one of the initial Indian television serials that she starred in. She portrayed the love interest of then relatively unknown Shah Rukh Khan’s character. Her role as a strong-willed woman in another television serial Imtihaan was widely appreciated.