# Sanjeeda Sheikh

Sanjeeda Sheikh (born 20 December 1984) is an Indian actress who works in the Hindi films and television. Sheikh is best known for playing Namrata "Nimmo" Mathuria in Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa, Ayesha Shergill in Kayamath, Nitya Goenka / Durga in Ek Hasina Thi and Kamini Mathur in Love Ka Hai Intezaar. Sheikh has since been part of the films Taish (2020), Kaali Khuhi (2020) and Fighter (2024) and the web series Heeramandi (2024).

## Early life

She was born 20 December 1984 in Kuwait into a Muslim family who hail from Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

## Career
### Debut and success in television (2003–2019)

Sanjeeda has played various roles on television soap operas. She made her acting debut as Nimmo in the 2005 TV series Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa. After that, she appeared as a vamp in the 2007 Star Plus series Kayamath. In the same year, she participated in a dancing competition show named Nach Baliye 3, with husband Aamir Ali, the couple won the competition.
In 2008, she appeared in the serial Kya Dill Main Hai opposite Aamir Ali which was telecasted on 9X channel.
In 2014, Sheikh appeared as Durga Thakur, an ambitious and confident young woman, who is seeking justice for her sister, in Ek Hasina Thi. The serial was the breakthrough of her career as her performance was acclaimed by critics and viewers and it was one of the most successful shows of Star Plus at that time.
In 2016, she appeared as Dhani in Ishq Ka Rang Safed which was the first time Sheikh played an onscreen mother, of a 5-year-old child.
In March 2017 Sheikh appeared as Renya in a supernatural web series, titled Gehraiyaan, opposite her Ek Hasina Thi co-star Vatsal Sheth. The web series is directed by debutante director Sidhant Sachdev and produced by the Vikram Bhatt production house. In 2017, Sheikh appeared as Kamini Mathur, a superstar, in a tv series titled Love Ka Hai Intezaar, opposite Keith Sequeira aired by Star Plus. The show was earlier titled as Kya Tu Meri Lage.

### Further expansion (2020–present)

In 2020, Sheikh made her Hindi film debut with Taish, playing Jahaan opposite Harshvardhan Rane. That same year, she played the character of Priya in the Netflix horror film Kaali Khuhi, opposite Shabana Azmi.
Sheikh first release of 2024, was Fighter, where she played an Air Force officer's wife Saachi, opposite Karan Singh Grover. Tushar Joshi of India Today stated, "Sanjeeda Shaikh provide the right support to able front-footers." A commercial success, it became the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year. In the same year, she played a courtesan Waheeda in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's series Heeramandi. Shomini Sen of WION noted, "Sanjeeda Sheikh create an impact with her tragic character."

## Personal life

On 2 March 2012, she married her longtime boyfriend Aamir Ali. In August 2020, it was revealed that the couple has a one-year old daughter, Ayra Ali, through surrogacy. The couple separated in 2020 after 8 years of marriage and were granted divorce in 2021 with Sheikh getting their daughter's custody.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |

### Films

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | Baghban | Neeli | |
| 2005 | Ponniyin Selvan | Priya | Tamil film |
| 2006 | Shubham | Priya | Kannada film |
| 2010 | Pankh | Kusum | |
| 2018 | Ashke | Jiya | Punjabi film |
| 2018 | Nawabzaade | Herself | Guest appearance in song "Mummy Kasam" |
| 2020 | Taish | Jahaan Brar | |
| 2020 | Kaali Khuhi | Priya | |
| 2022 | Main Te Bapu | Mahi | Punjabi film |
| 2024 | Fighter | Saachi Gill | Hindi Film |
| TBA | Kun Faya Kun † | TBA | Post-production |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006–2007 | Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa | Nimmo | |
| 2007–2009 | Kayamath | Ayesha Shergill | |
| 2007 | Nach Baliye 3 | Contestant | Winner |
| 2008 | Kya Dill Mein Hai | Naina Oberoi | |
| 2008 | Nach Baliye 4 | Host | |
| 2009–2010 | Jaane Pehchane Se Yeh Ajnabi | Ayesha | |
| 2010 | Zara Nachke Dikha 2 | Contestant | Winner |
| 2011 | Hi! Padosi... Kaun Hai Doshi? | Sejal Mehta | |
| 2011 | Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage | Sejal Mehta | |
| 2012 | Ramleela – Ajay Devgn Ke Saath | Surpanakha | |
| 2013 | Badalte Rishton Ki Dastaan | Meera Ranaut | |
| 2014 | Ek Hasina Thi | Durga Thakur / Nitya Mitra / Durga Dev Goenka | |
| 2015–2016 | Power Couple | Contestant | 4th place |
| 2016 | Ishq Ka Rang Safed | Dhani | |
| 2017 | Love Ka Hai Intezaar | Kamini Mathur | |
| 2017 | Gehraiyaan | Dr. Reyna Kapoor | |
| 2024 | Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar | Waheeda | |

#### Special appearances

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2008 | Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan | Herself |
| 2010 | Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai | Herself |
| 2013 | Bigg Boss 6 | Herself |
| 2015 | Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 | Herself |
| 2015 | Tashan-e-Ishq | Herself |
| 2015 | Bhagyalaxmi | Herself |
| 2016 | Swaragini - Jodein Rishton Ke Sur | Herself |
| 2018 | Roop - Mard Ka Naya Swaroop | Herself |
| 2018 | Kundali Bhagya | Herself |
| 2018 | Tantra | Herself |
| 2018 | Naagin 3 | Herself |
| 2019 | Kumkum Bhagya | Herself |

### Music videos

| Year | Title | Singer(s) |
| 2017 | Bas Ek Baar | Soham Naik |
| 2018 | Ajnabee | Soham Naik |
| 2018 | Tum Aaoge | Soham Naik, Ritrisha Sarmah |
| 2019 | Sajda Karu | Stebin Ben |
| 2019 | Kalla Sohna Nai | Akhil |
| 2019 | Ruka Hoon | Jigar Saraiya |
| 2021 | Toh Aa Gaye Hum | Jubin Nautiyal, Mithoon |
| 2021 | Saiyaan | Jass Manak |
| 2022 | Chaha Hai Tujhko | Sanjeev Rathod |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Role | Show/Film | Result |
| 2006 | Indian Telly Award | Best Fresh New Face (Female) | Nimmo | Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa | Nominated |
| 2008 | Zee Gold Awards | Best Actress in a Negative Role | Ayesha | Kayamath | Won |
| 2008 | Indian Telly Award | Best Actress in a Negative Role | Ayesha | Kayamath | Nominated |
| 2011 | Zee Gold Awards | Most Stylish Actress | — | — | Won |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Desh Ki Dhadkan - Best Actress | Durga | Ek Haseena Thi | Nominated |
| 2014 | Indian Television Academy Awards | Gr8! Performer Of The Year (Female) | Durga | Ek Haseena Thi | Won |
| 2019 | PTC Punjabi Film Awards | Best Debut Actress | Jiya | Ashke | Won |