[2][3] After starting her acting career working in regional language films, Desai made her Hindi television debut with Raavan (2006) and then had a dual role in Pari Hoon Main (2008).

She earned massive popularity with her notable work as Tapasya Thakur in Colors TV's long-running soap opera Uttaran (2009-2014), winning various accolades.

Desai also took part in the reality shows Zara Nachke Dikha 2 (2010), Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (2012), Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6 (2015) and Nach Baliye 7 (2015) and had a cameo in the 2012 film Dabangg 2.

Desai made her Bollywood debut with Birendra Nath Tiwari-directed 2004 romantic mystery Yeh Lamhe Judaai Ke alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Raveena Tandon.

[12][13] In 2005, Desai appeared in the Hindi film Shabnam Mausi, where she played the role of Naina alongside Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz.

[15][16] Desai made her television debut in 2006 with the mythological drama series Raavan on Zee TV, where she played the role of Queen Mandodari.

[20] Desai then appeared as Priya in Star One's horror thriller anthology series Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai alongside Manish Paul.

In 2009, Desai briefly appeared in Meet Mila De Rabba aired on Sony TV where she played the role of Dr. Meher Datta alongside Surilie Gautam and Piyush Sahdev.

[citation needed] Desai earned widespread acclaim and recognition upon entering Colors TV's long-running soap opera Uttaran in 2009, where she played the parallel lead alongside Tina Datta and Nandish Sandhu.

Desai replaced Ishita Panchal to play the role of adult Tapasya Thakur, a rich girl who gets manipulated by her maternal grandmother upon feeling less loved than her friend by her own parents.

[citation needed] Uttaran opened up newer international markets for Indian Television, making Desai a household name beyond the country's shores.

[citation needed] Desai then participated as a member of the team "Massakalli Girls" in season 2 of the dance reality television show Zara Nachke Dikha which aired on Star Plus.

[28] In 2014, Desai appeared as a victim of blind faith and a woman who is tortured by her own family in the episode-based shows Savdhaan India[citation needed] and CID[29] respectively.

[32] In October 2015, Desai appeared as a deaf and mute girl in Palash Muchhal's music video titled Teri Ek Hassi alongside Nandish Sandhu.

[33] Later in the year, Desai briefly appeared in Colors TV's Ishq Ka Rang Safed where she played the grey role of Tulsi, a widow with hidden motives.

Desai then appeared in Palash Muchhal's dance based music video titled Sajna Ve alongside Salman Yusuff Khan.

[47] Desai played the role of Palak, an ambitious Delhi University graduate and a strong follower of Gandhian ideology and Swachhta, who intends to open a residential English medium school in her village.

[52] Desai next appeared in the short film Tamas alongside Adhvik Mahajan, where she played the role of Sania[53] and participated in Ladies vs Gentlemen, a reality interactive game show hosted by Ritesh Deshmukh and Genelia D'Souza in the same year.

[54] In December 2020, Desai featured in Palash Muchhal's dance based music video titled Ab Kya Jaan Legi Meri alongside Shaheer Sheikh and Sana Saeed.

Loosely based on the infamous Tandoor case in Delhi, Desai essayed the role of Palak Sahni, an aspiring politician who is murdered by her own husband (played by Virwani).

[71] In September 2023, Desai featured in a music video titled Pyar Eda Da alongside Shoaib Ibrahim sung by Jyoti Nooran.

[73] She made her comeback on big screen with Bollywood movie titled JNU: Jahangir National University alongside Urvashi Rautela.

[75] As of 2025, Desai appears in the Gujarati film in Dharmessh Mehta-directed family drama Mom Tane Nai Samjay, where she is cast opposite Amar Upadhyay.

Desai walked the ramp at Caring with Style fashion show to raise money for cancer patients in 2015[81] and 2018[82] for designers Shaina NC and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla respectively.