February 20 marks Patralekha’s special day, a milestone for the actress whose life reads like a Bollywood script. Born in Meghalaya’s Shillong to a CA dad who dreamed of her crunching numbers, she chose the unpredictable world of cinema instead.
Relocating to Mumbai, she kickstarted with commercials, facing rejections head-on. Her poetic heritage from grandma inspired her stage name. Educated in Bangalore’s prestigious schools, she’s a powerhouse: Bharatanatyam expert, athlete, and rider.
2014’s ‘CityLights’ was her game-changer. Directed by Hansal Mehta, she embodied Rakhi’s hardships alongside Rajkummar Rao, bagging a promising talent award. Their on-screen sizzle turned real, evolving into marriage after over a decade.
Subsequent roles in ‘Love Games,’ ‘Nanu Ki Jaanu,’ ‘Badnaam Gully,’ and 2025’s ‘Phule’—where she portrayed trailblazing Savitribai—showcased her range. OTT hits like ‘Bosch: Dead/Alive’ and ‘IC 814’ further solidified her versatility.
Rajkummar, smitten since an ad glimpse, proposed eternity in 2021. Their 2025 venture, ‘Kempa Films,’ honors maternal bonds. Parenting Parvati hasn’t dimmed her drive. Patralekha’s evolution from dreamer to doer inspires many.