Mumbai’s glitzy film world often hides tales of grit and determination. Patralekha Paul, turning a year older on February 20, embodies that spirit perfectly. Born into a non-filmy family in Shillong, her journey from dreaming of accountancy to dazzling on screen is nothing short of inspiring.
Her father, a chartered accountant, envisioned her following in his footsteps. But Patralekha’s heart beat for the arts since childhood. Ditching textbooks for the spotlight, she packed her bags for Mumbai. Early struggles led her to TV commercials, where she honed her craft before big breaks.
Named by her poet grandmother, Patralekha studied at elite schools in Bangalore, including Assam Valley and Bishop Cotton Girls. A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, skilled swimmer, basketball player, and horse rider, her talents extend far beyond acting.
Her silver screen debut came in 2014 with Hansal Mehta’s ‘CityLights,’ opposite Rajkummar Rao. Playing Rakhi Singh, a resilient woman from a humble background, she won the Star Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer. The film’s raw portrayal of migration struggles earned critical acclaim, launching her career.
Chemistry with Rajkummar sparked on-screen magic, spilling into real life. Post-‘CityLights,’ she starred in ‘Love Games’ (2016), ‘Nanu Ki Jaanu’ (2018), ‘Badnaam Gully’ (2019), and the biographical ‘Phule’ (2025) as Savitribai Phule alongside Pratik Gandhi. Her OTT ventures include ‘Bosch: Dead/Alive,’ ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,’ and ‘Wild Wild Punjab.’
Love blossomed when Rajkummar spotted her in an ad. After 11 years together, they married in 2021. In 2025, they launched production house ‘Kempa Films,’ named after their mothers. Their daughter, Parvati Paul Rao, completes their happy family. Balancing reels and real life, Patralekha continues to captivate audiences.