Sweta Keswani is an Indian actress, dancer, and model. She rose to fame after acting in films, TV commercials, and TV shows including Abhimaan, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, and Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand.
Wiki/Biography
Sweta Keswani was born on Tuesday, 19 August 1980 (age 42 years; as of 2022) in Delhi. She was raised in Mumbai, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Shrimati Mithibai Motiram Kundnani College of Commerce & Economics. When Sweta was studying in school, she started learning Kathak and continued it for 6 years at Sangit Mahabharati Institute in Mumbai. Sweta also got dance training in Jazz from Shiamak Davar. She immigrated to New York in 2011.
A childhood picture of Sweta Keswani
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 2″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Figure Measurements (approx.): 34-30-36
Family
Parents & Siblings
Her mother’s name is Shakun Keswani. Her father’s name is Suresh Keswani (deceased).
Sweta Keswani along with her parents and husband
Husband & Children
Sweta Keswani got married to Alexx O’Nell, an American actor and musician, in 2008; however, they divorced in 2011.
A wedding picture of Sweta Keswani and Alexx O’Nell from 2008
On 28 December 2011, Sweta tied the knot with Ken Andino, a New York-based lawyer. They welcomed a baby girl named Issy in 2013.
Sweta Keswani and her husband Ken Andino
Sweta Keswani’s family picture
Religion
Sweta Keswani follows Buddhism, and she is a Soka Gakkai Buddhist and a leader in the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist community (USA).
Career
Television
TV series
Sweta Keswani made her first acting debut in the Indian TV show ‘Abhimaan’ (1999) as Dolly Tyagi/Dolly Naresh Sehgal.
Sweta Keswani in a still from the TV show ‘Abhimaan’
She rose to fame after playing a negative role in ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ (2001-2003) as Avantika Ajay Agarwal and the lead role in the StarPlus’ series ‘Baa Bahoo Aur Baby’ (2007-2010) as Gudiya Thakkar.
Shweta Kawaatra (left) and Sweta Keswani (right) in a still from the TV serial ‘Kahanii Ghar Ghar Kii’
Gudiya Thakkar in Hindi TV serial ‘Baa Bahu Aur Baby’
She played the role of an obsessive lover in the TV show ‘Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand’ on StarPlus.
Sweta Keswani played a negative role in the series ‘Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand’
Sweta then played the role of Monica in the horror TV series ‘Raat Hone Ko Hai’ in episode 47. In 2007, she appeared as Indu on the crime TV series ‘CID’ in Episode 457 titled The Case of the Dangerous Lady. She then worked in the Hindi TV series Adaatlat in which she played the character of an advocate.
Sweta Keswani in TV series ‘Adaalat’ as an Advocate Aarti Keswani
In 2022, Sweta Keswani made an appearance in the American drama/comedy TV series ‘Roar’ as Pushpa. In 2021, She appeared in another US drama TV series titled The Amsterdam as Soma Kulkarni.
Sweta Keswani as Soma Kulkarni in a still from Episode 9 of season3 of the TV series ‘New Amsterdam’
In 2019, Sweta Keswani played the role of an FBI agent in the supernatural thriller American TV series ‘NOS4A2.’
Sweta Keswani appeared in the TV series ‘NOS4A2’ Season 2; Episode 204 and Episode 206 and Episode 208 as Chitra Surinam (Recurring FBI Agent)
Sweta Keswani played the role of Maura in the TV series ‘The Blacklist.’
The Blacklist; Episode 415- ‘Apothecary’; Sweta Keswani as Maura
Reality show
She participated with her then-husband Alexx O’Nell in Nach baliye season 3.
Contestants Sweta Keswani and Alexx O’Nell in Nach baliye season 3
Nach Baliye season 3; Sweta Keswani with Amita Chandekar Tiwari, Rakhi Sawant, Padmini Haldankar, and Kashmera Shah dressed up in traditional Indian attires for their performances
Host
In 2005, Sweta hosted the comedy show ‘Kyunki Yeh Hai Hasya Kavi Muqabala,’ which was a huge hit overseas, that aired on Smile TV (Zee TV in UAE, UK, and the US) followed by a talk show called ‘Bollywood Aur Kya,’ which aired on Sahara One.
A picture of Sweta Keswani during the comedy show ‘Hasya Kavi Muqabla’ from 2005
Sweta Keswani along with Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty in the special episode of the talk show ‘Bollywood Aur Kya’ in 2005
Sweta also appeared in a Stand-Up comedy TV show, Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano, which aired on StarPlus. In this show, she appeared in different get-ups and performed pranks on people.
Sweta Keswani in ‘Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchano,’ a comedy show in which she pulled pranks on people while wearing prosthetic makeup for disguise
Advertisements
Sweta Keswani has appeared in many commercials for popular brands like Audi, Panasonic Televisions, Parachute hair oil, Wall’s Ice Cream, Pond’s, and Fanta.
Sweta Keswani in the Audi Q5 advertisement
In 2018, she gave her voice to the Me Too movement awareness film created by L’Oreal.
Sweta Keswani in the Me Too movement awareness film created by L’Oreal (2018)
Production
Sweta was a co-producer and co-creator of the award-winning American web series titled Struggle City (2021). She also played the role of Prisha in the series.
Theatre & Drama
Sweta played the role of Margaret Wilson, an assistant Vice Principal and former DA, in the play titled Mrs. Petricone.
Sweta Keswani in a still from the play ‘Mrs.Petricone’ that was performed at the First Reformed Church in New York
Sweta played the role of a pastor named Emily of the Unitarian Congregation in a play titled Kindness Committee.
Sweta Keswani in a still from the play called Kindness Committee
In 2021, Sweta was featured in two out of five plays of The Green Plays Project, an outdoor theatre event. The plays in which she performed are titled ‘A Window’ and ‘Lifeday.’
In graphics; Sweta Keswani during one of the plays by The Green Plays Project
In 2010, Sweta performed in a comedy play titled ‘Birthday Suite.’
Sweta Keswani (second last) in an animated poster of the play ‘Birthday Suite,’ a comedy of errors and colossal confusion revolving around two married couples, hotel staff, a suite and a birthday
In 2007, Sweta Keswani played the role of the protagonist’s wife in the play called Residence Visa.
Sweta Keswani in the play Residence Visa
Sweta Keswani wrote and acted in a play titled ‘Fragile’ the story of which was based on the life of her costume designer who lost her life in the 2005 Mumbai floods.
Sweta Keswani with Tom Alter in the play ‘Fragile,’ which was written by Sweta herself
Model
In 2017, Sweta appeared in the magazine ‘The Sindhian’ along with Paris Keswani, ambassador of goodwill and Founder of the Great Giving Global Academy.
Sweta Keswani and Paris Keswani on the cover of the magazine ‘The Sindhian’ (2017)
In 2005, Sweta Keswani was featured on the cover of GR8 Magazine along with the Indian Idol Season-1 winner Abhijeet Sawant.
Front cover of the GR8 magazine featuring Sweta Keswani and Abhijeet Sawant
In 2015, Sweta also posed for IBM’s print advertisement.
My IBM print advt:#businesslook #printmodel: https://t.co/veJEUidjIa pic.twitter.com/7py57oWbJb
— Sweta Keswani (@SwetaKeswani1) December 27, 2015
Sweta Keswani has modelled for various magazines and designers.
Sweta Keswani during a photoshoot
Film
Sweta appeared in the Hindi film ‘Gas Station On the Expressway’ in 2007.
Sweta Keswani on the cover of the Hindi film ‘Gas Station On the Expressway’ (2007)
In 2004, Sweta appeared in the Hindi film ‘Love In Nepal.’
Sweta Keswani on the banner of the film ‘Love in Nepal’ (2004)
Sweta was cast in the Hindi film ‘Chor Mandli’ to play the role of ‘Chanda.’
Sweta Keswani in Middle-Eastern theme dance from the film ‘Chor Mandli’
In 2022, Sweta Keswani played the role of a neurologist, Dr. Patel, in the American drama film ‘As They Made Us.’ Sweta made her American film debut with ‘The Memsahib’ in which she played the role of an Indian princess named Vinita.
Sweta Keswani (L) in the character of Vinita, an Indian princess, in the drama film ‘The Memsahib’ (2006)
Short Film
She worked in the short films ‘Black Valentine’ and ‘Back-Up’ (2013).
Sweta Keswani played the character of Dipti, who is a lost love of the lead in the short film ‘ Back Up’
Achievements
The web series ‘Struggle City’ got nominated at Vegas Movie Awards-August 2020 Edition for the best web/TV series; which Sweta Keswani co-produced and co-created. Struggle City has also been nominated for Best Ensemble Cast (Comedic) and Outstanding trailer in 2021 at New Jersey Web Festival.
Favourites
- Beach: Playa Negra (Puerto Rico)
- Book: Harry Potter series
Facts/Trivia
- When Sweta Keswani was in 2nd standard, she acted in an adaption of the famous story ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’ by Robert Southey.
- Sweta is the Vice President of River’s Edge Theatre Co. in Westchester (NY) since 2020.
- Sweta Keswani has been featured on the cover of a book titled ‘On The Loop’ by J.D. Robinson.
Sweta Keswani got featured on the cover of a book called On The Loop
- In 2006, she helped spread awareness of the importance of the Hepatitis A vaccine.
- Sweta collaborated with various artists for raising AIDS awareness in 2007.
- Sweta likes to cook. She runs a YouTube channel, where she shares recipes of vegan and gluten-free drinks, salads, sandwiches, etc.
- Sweta is a fitness enthusiast, and she often shares her fitness regimen on social media.
Sweta Keswani during her TRX training session
- During Nach Baliye season-3, Sweta and her partner, Alexx O’Nell, were in the top 4 finalists.
- Sweta enjoys alcoholic beverages on various occasions.
Sweta Keswani enjoying her drink
- Sweta calls herself a Nemophilist (lover of forests) and a Hodophile (one who loves to travel).
- During an interview, while talking about the challenges Sweta faced when she moved to Hollywood projects, she said,
My long history on Indian television had no meaning there. It was hard to find a good representation and even harder to be seen by casting people. There weren’t enough roles being written for people of colour. Usually, there were just small stereotypical U5 as they are called -meaning under five lines.”
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education