Who is Anusha Dandekar?
Anusha Dandekar is an Indian‑Australian MTV VJ, actress, singer, and model who continues to make waves in South Asian entertainment. Born in Sudan and raised in Australia, she shot to fame as a charismatic host on MTV India’s flagship shows like House of Style and India’s Next Top Model. As of July 2025, she is trending due to her appearance at Cannes 2025 for her Marathi film Juna Furniture and her advocacy for female empowerment on social media. Fun fact: Anusha refers to Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan as her “first father‑in‑law” after starring with him in Viruddh.
Key Information
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anusha Dandekar |
| Nickname | Anusha |
| Profession | VJ, Actress, Singer, Model |
| Known For | MTV hosting, Bollywood & Marathi films |
| Age | 43 |
| Date of Birth | 9 January 1982 |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Years Active | 2003–present |
| Hometown | Khartoum, Sudan (born); Sydney, Australia (raised) |
| Current Residence | Mumbai, India |
| Religion | Not publicly stated |
| Nationality | Indian‑Australian |
| Educational Qualification | Not publicly listed |
| Hobbies | Travel, fitness, reading |
| Marital Status | Single |
Early Life & Education
Anusha Dandekar was born on 9 January 1982 in Khartoum to Marathi parents Shashidhar and Sulabha Dandekar. She was raised in Sydney with her sisters Shibani and Apeksha. Growing up in Australia, she developed a passion for performance and communication, which led her to move to Mumbai at 19 in 2002 to pursue a career in entertainment.
Physical Appearance
- Height: ~5′6″ (approx.)
- Weight: Not publicly known
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Dark Brown
- Tattoos: Not publicly known
Career Journey
- Debut: Started her career in 2003 hosting House of Style on MTV India.
- Film Debut: Appeared in Bollywood’s Mumbai Matinee (2003), followed by Viruddh (2005) opposite Amitabh Bachchan.
- Music: Released first English single Better Than Your Ex in June 2012.
- MTV Host & Judge: Hosted shows like MTV Dance Crew, Teen Diva, and judged India’s Next Top Model.
- Regional Cinema: Debuted in Marathi film Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha (2012) and starred in Baap Manus (2023).
- Recent Work: In 2025, her film Juna Furniture received attention at Cannes.
- Awards: Won Cosmopolitan’s Best VJ (2008); Maharashtra Times Best Debut (2006).
Relationships
- Relationships: Previously dated actor Karan Kundra for approx. 3+ years, confirmed breakup after allegations of infidelity surfaced in 2021.
- Anusha Dandekar dated actor Jason Shah known for his role in Heeramandi in early 2021. They reportedly ended things by August the same year. In mid‑2024, Jason described their breakup as a rushed decision and claimed Anusha tried to “fit him in a box”. Anusha publicly refuted his comments, accusing him of lying and stating she does not want her name used for publicity. She emphasized achievements like her film Juna Furniture rather than relationship gossip.
- Recent Buzz: As of 2025, she hasn’t publicly confirmed any new partner.
- Lifestyle: Advocates for female self‑respect and resilience; frequently shares fitness and travel moments on Instagram.
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Shashidhar Dandekar |
| Mother | Sulabha Dandekar |
| Brother(s) | – |
| Sister(s) | Shibani, Apeksha |
Viral Moments
- NMACC Gala Incident (2023): Video went viral showing Gauri Khan refusing interview with Anusha she strongly defended her approach on Instagram.
- Relationship Fallout: Cryptic Instagram posts about “truth” and “lies” in 2021 stirred public debate after breakup with Karan Kundrra.
Net Worth
- Estimated Net Worth: ₹10–15 crore (approx.)
- Income Sources:
- TV hosting and judge fees
- Film and OTT work (Bollywood and Marathi)
- Music and brand endorsements
- Social media collaborations and public appearances
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Username / Handle | Followers (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| @anushadandekar | 1.6M+ | |
| Twitter/X | Not publicly active | – |
| Not verified | – |
Lesser Known Facts
- Speaks fluent Marathi, English, and Hindi.
- Considers Amitabh Bachchan her “first father‑in‑law” after working together in Viruddh.
- Enjoys travel – attended Cannes 2025 for Juna Furniture premiere .
- Began her career anchoring fashion shows and teen programs.
- First job was as a VJ on MTV’s youth‑centric shows.
- Known for candid and motivational Instagram posts.
- Featured on covers of Cosmopolitan, Elle, Seventeen.
- Advocates mental health and self-confidence.
- Often collaborates with her sister Shibani on social initiatives.
- Maintains a disciplined fitness routine shared with fans online.
Latest Updates
- Cannes 2025: Juna Furniture screened at Marché du Film.
- Public Appearances: Attended Amitabh Bachchan’s 80th birthday bash in January 2025.
- Current Base: Primarily Mumbai, working across film and hosting engagements.
FAQs
Q1. What is Anusha Dandekar’s age?
She was born on 9 January 1982, making her 43 years old as of July 2025.
Q2. Is Anusha Dandekar married?
No, she is currently unmarried and hasn’t publicly confirmed any relationship as of July 2025.
Q3. Who is Anusha Dandekar dating now?
As of mid‑2025, Anusha has not publicly disclosed any partner.
Q4. What does Anusha Dandekar do for a living?
She works as an MTV VJ, film actress, singer, model, and host.
Q5. What is Anusha Dandekar known for?
She is best known for hosting MTV shows, her roles in Viruddh, Baap Manus, and her music single.
Q6. What are Anusha Dandekar’s latest projects in 2025?
Her Marathi film Juna Furniture was featured at Cannes 2025, and she remains active in hosting and public events.
Q7. Has Anusha Dandekar been involved in any controversies?
Yes, she made headlines after a strained interaction with Gauri Khan at the NMACC gala and following her breakup with Karan Kundrra.
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