Medha Shankar is an Indian actress who shot to fame with her role as Shraddha Joshi in the hit film 12th Fail (2023). Her heartfelt performance, blending poise and warmth, won over audiences and critics alike. A trained Hindustani classical singer and a model turned actor, Medha’s journey from Noida to Bollywood is a story of grit, passion, and never giving up.
Medha Shankar Wiki/Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Medha Shankar |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1997 |
| Age | 27 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Actress, Model, Singer |
| Hometown | Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Physical Details
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 5’5” (165 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 55 kg |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Medha Shankar Early Life
Medha Shankar was born and raised in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, in a middle-class family that valued education. Her love for the arts started early, thanks to her family’s musical roots her grandmother was a trained musician who played the violin. Medha trained in Hindustani classical music during school, learning to play the sitar, harmonium, and keyboard, but stopped after Class 10 to focus on studies. Growing up, she was a bright student, and her parents hoped she’d become a doctor or pursue a UPSC career. But Medha found her true calling in acting after trying modeling and a short film in college, which felt natural and exciting.

Medha Shankar Education
Medha studied at Vidya Bharati Public School in Noida and earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Delhi. She later pursued a master’s in Fashion Management from the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi. Despite her academic success, her heart was set on acting. She moved to Mumbai in 2018 to chase her dream, even though her father initially thought acting was for “less serious” kids.
Medha Shankar Family Details
Medha’s family includes her father, Abhay Shankar, her mother, Rachna Raj Shankar, and her elder brother, Apoorv Shankar. Her mom and brother supported her acting dreams early on, with her mother seeing her as a star like Aishwarya Rai. Her father was hesitant, worried about the film industry’s reputation, but became her biggest cheerleader after seeing her hard work. Medha keeps her personal life private but credits her family for keeping her grounded.
Medha Shankar Career Highlights
Medha Shankar kicked off her career with modeling and TV commercials for brands like Coca-Cola and Paytm. Her acting debut came in 2019 with the British series Beecham House, where she played Roshanara, a Mughal princess. She learned discipline and professionalism on this set, which shaped her approach to acting. In 2021, she starred in the OTT film Shaadisthan, playing a rebellious teen, and the series Dil Bekaraar, earning praise for her honest portrayal of emotions.
Her big break came with 12th Fail (2023), a biographical drama directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Playing Shraddha Joshi, an IRS officer, alongside Vikrant Massey, Medha delivered a standout performance. Critics, like Bhavna Agarwal from India Today, called her the “crutch for lighter moments” in the film, while Anuj Kumar from The Hindu praised her “poise and warmth”. The film, a sleeper hit grossing $8.5 million, ran for 25 weeks in theaters, a rare feat since Gadar in 2001. Medha won the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut for her role.
In 2022, she played Minara in Max, Min and Meowzaki, a role with gray shades that showed her versatility. Medha also lent her voice to the song Bolo Na from 12th Fail, showcasing her singing talent.

Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Acting Debut | Beecham House (2019) |
| Bollywood Debut | Shaadisthan (2021) |
| Breakthrough | 12th Fail (2023) |
| Awards | Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut (2023) |
Medha’s Best Work
| Project | Year | Details |
| Beecham House | 2019 | Played Roshanara, a Mughal princess |
| Shaadisthan | 2021 | Portrayed a rebellious teen |
| Dil Bekaraar | 2021 | Played Eshwari Thakur, a bold character |
| Max, Min and Meowzaki | 2022 | Played Minara, a complex role |
| 12th Fail | 2023 | Played Shraddha Joshi, earned critical acclaim |
Medha Shankar Achievements and Challenges
Medha’s journey wasn’t easy. In 2020, she faced financial struggles, living off her father’s support in Mumbai and losing three major projects, which led to self-doubt. But her passion for acting kept her going. She treated auditions like a 9-to-5 job, facing countless rejections but refusing to give up. Her persistence paid off with 12th Fail, which skyrocketed her Instagram followers from 16K to 2M after its OTT release.
Connect with Medha Shankar on Social Media
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/medhashankr
FAQs About Medha Shankar
What is Medha Shankar known for?
She’s known for her role as Shraddha Joshi in 12th Fail (2023), earning the Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut.
Where is Medha Shankar from?
She was born and raised in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and now lives in Mumbai.
What was Medha Shankar’s first project?
She debuted in the British series Beecham House (2019) as Roshanara.
What is Medha Shankar’s educational background?
She has a Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and a master’s in Fashion Management from NIFT, Delhi.
What are Medha Shankar’s future plans?
She aims to take on diverse roles, work with top directors, and avoid typecasting by choosing challenging scripts.
Medha Shankar Recent Updates
- 25 Weeks in Theaters: 12th Fail completed a rare 25-week theatrical run in 2024, celebrated with a cake-cutting event.
- Social Media Surge: Her Instagram followers grew from 16K to 2M post-12th Fail’s OTT release.
- Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Shared her love for the festival, reminiscing about Delhi traditions and enjoying Mumbai’s festive vibe.
- National Award Buzz: Expressed excitement about 12th Fail being considered for National Awards, manifesting a win for Vikrant Massey.




