Prajakta Mali: From Girl-Next-Door to Powerhouse Actor, Producer, and Entrepreneur
Prajakta Mali’s journey in the entertainment industry is nothing short of remarkable. While many celebrities rise to fame solely through film or television, Prajakta has carved her own multifaceted path — balancing acting, production, hosting, and now entrepreneurship — all by the age of 35. She’s not just a popular face in Marathi cinema; she’s a brand in herself. From building her own farmhouse retreat to launching a jewelry label rooted in traditional design, Prajakta’s evolution is a true testament to ambition meeting authenticity.
Her early popularity came with serials like Julun Yeti Reshimgathi, where audiences first admired her for her girl-next-door charm and simplicity. This role acted as a launchpad into Marathi cinema, where she starred in films like Pandu, Dokyala Shot, and even had a role in the historical epic Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi. In recent years, she appeared in the 2023 film Teen Adkun Sitaram, a comedy-drama directed by Hrishikesh Joshi, in which she shared the screen with Sankarshan Karhade and Hrishikesh Joshi himself.
But Prajakta’s influence isn’t limited to just acting. Her stint as the charismatic host of the comedy show Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra brought her into millions of homes weekly, and her hosting of Indian Idol Marathi marked her official entry into the television hosting space. In 2022, she expanded into digital platforms with her bold role in the web series RaanBaazar, signaling her readiness to embrace diverse and challenging characters beyond traditional cinema.
In 2020, Prajakta took a leap behind the camera by launching her production house, Shivoham. Under this banner, she produced and starred in her debut film Phulwanti. The venture received appreciation not just for her performance, but for her initiative in telling unique stories from a female-led perspective — a rare move in regional cinema.
Adding another feather to her cap, Prajakta entered the business world in 2023 with the launch of her own jewelry brand, Prajaktaraj. Inspired by her love for traditional Maharashtrian ornaments, the brand offers beautifully crafted designs like Mhalasa, Sonasla, and Tulja — connecting modern buyers to their cultural roots. The brand caters to a wide range of preferences by offering jewelry in gold, silver, and copper imitation variants, creating a bridge between heritage and affordability.
Among her most cherished possessions is her farmhouse in Karjat, a picturesque 3 BHK villa nestled in the lap of nature. Named Prajaktakunj, the villa is not only a personal getaway but also a commercial success. The property can comfortably accommodate 15 to 20 guests and is available for rent — earning around ₹30,000 per night on weekends, and ₹17,000 to ₹20,000 on weekdays. She has often mentioned this farmhouse as her family’s most valuable asset, built with care and pride.
Financially, Prajakta’s career has been equally rewarding. Reports suggest she charges between ₹15 to ₹20 lakh per film, a figure that’s growing with her increasing popularity. Besides acting and production income, she also earns from directing content, endorsements, and social media. With 2.1 million followers on Instagram alone, her brand collaborations include major names like Govind Milk, Chandu Kaka Saraf Jewellers, Big Bazaar, and Kasat Sarees. She’s also a frequent feature on magazine covers and brand campaigns, adding further to her public image and income.
As of 2022, Prajakta Mali’s estimated net worth ranged between ₹16 to ₹40 crore. Considering her steady rise across multiple domains in the last three years — from cinema and business to hosting and digital content — her financial graph has undoubtedly grown stronger since then.
