Prachi Desai (born 12 September 1988),[1] is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films and television.

Desai received the IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a gangster's lover in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010).

[5] In 2007, Desai entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Indian version of BBC Strictly Come Dancing with choreographer Deepak Singh.

In his review, Rajeev Masand stated, "Desai, saddled with what I think is the film's trickiest role, comes off unscathed because she's an actor who oozes warmth.

[12] Kaveree Bamzai from India Today opined, "Prachi Desai as Shoaib's girlfriend, is suitably tremulous and pleading.

The film received negative reviews and Sarit Ray of Hindustan Times found her role to be "irrelevant".

[22] Post a small hiatus, Desai played former cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin's wife, Naureen in his biopic film, Azhar opposite Emraan Hashmi.

[23][24] The film emerged a commercial failure, but Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost found her Naureen to be "controlled" and her heartbreak "believable".

[26][27] In 2017, Desai played a robot in the short film Carbon: The Story of Tomorrow opposite Jackky Bhagnani.

[28] In 2021, Desai returned to films after a break of four years with Silence... Can You Hear It?, where she played a police inspector Sanjana alongside Manoj Bajpai.

[33] Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times noted, "Prachi get a character that is anything but run-of-the-mill, even then she sink her teeth into it and does a good job.

"[34] In 2024, Desai reprised Inspector Sanjana in Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout, sequel to the 2021 film.

"[36] Desai is committed to star as a lead actress in the dark fantasy movie - Kosha, which is directed by Amman Advaita and produced by Abhay Raj Kanwar.