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Rati Agnihotri

Rati Agnihotri

Actor · Born December 10, 1960 (65) · Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India

Rati Agnihotri was born on December 10, 1960 to a Punjabi family in Bombay, India, and has an older sister and brother. Although, she came from a traditional, conservative family, she was allowed to model at age 10, since her sister Anita was a Miss Young India. When she was a teenager, her father relocated the family to Madras, Tamil Nadu because of his job. There, she attended Good Shepherd's Convent school and acted in a school play. Bharati Raja, one of Tamil Nadu's famous film director, was in the audience and was on the lookout for a heroine to star in his new film. He met with Rati's father and promised the film would wrap in a month. Her father reluctantly agreed, and a sixteen-year-old Rati was very excited to star in her first film, Pudhiya Varpukal (1979). It was also her hero Bhagyaraj's first film, and he coached her with her lines by teaching her Tamil. The film became a blockbuster, with Rati an overnight sensation. Bharati Raja soon directed her in her second film, Neeram Maradapukal (1979). Even though she was Punjabi, South Indian audiences embraced her as if she was truly one of their own, and she reciprocated the feeling by calling herself "Tamilian at heart" and calling Madras her "home." She also starred in Telugu and Kannada films and made 32 films in just three years. She worked with big banners and top stars, such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Shobhan Babu, Chiranjeevi, Vishnuvardhan, N.T. Rama Rao, Krishna, and Nageshwara Rao. Ironically, her entry into Hindu films came from her strong connection to South Indian cinema. She had worked with director K. Balanchander once before and had been Kamal Haasan's leading lady in many South Indian films, so she wasn't surprised when they approached her for the Hindi remake of their Telugu blockbuster, Marocharithra (1979). Now re-titled "Ek Duje Ke Liye" (1981), the film was about passionate lovers who are torn apart by their parents in the storytelling tradition of Romeo and Juliet. It became the top grossing hit of 1981 and introduced into Hindi films the 5 stars of the South Indian film industry: director K. Balachander, hero Kamal Haasan, heroine Rati Agnihotri, supporting actress Madhavi, and playback singer S.P. Balasubramaniam. Although all received Filmfare nominations, only Rati and S.P. Balasubramaniam were the real beneficiaries, both becoming top stars in their field. The unforgettable musical score by Laxmikant-Pyarelal rose the film to soaring heights, and there were rumors about how the film's love story about tragic lovers inspired real life lovers to take their own lives. Rati's father, who was also managing her career, shielded her from the hysteria as she was still so young. He effectively kept her starring in only Hindi films after Ek Duje Ke Liye, and she ended the decade starring in over 43 Hindi films. Her biggest hits were Shaukeen (1982), Farz Aur Kanoon (1982), Coolie (1983), and Tawaif (1985) for which she received her second Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. Her father's death along with her marriage to businessman and architect Anil Virwani on February 9, 1985 convinced Rati to leave Hindi films when she was still at the top. In 1987, her only son Tanuj was born, and she concentrated on raising him and focusing on other creative interests, such as designing her husband's architectural creations. She also received a degree in Reike, where she distantly heals people. Even though she retired from films, she would still appear at film events looking beautiful and glamorous, and as a result, the film offers kept coming in. After 16 years of saying no, she finally said yes realizing that her son is growing up and she had more time for herself. Her family supported her decision. She returned to films by playing Kajol's glamorous mother in Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001). More film offers came in, and she took them, such as Yaadein (2001) and Dev (2004). After a 20-year absence from South Indian films, she returned to the South in the Tamil film Majnu (2001). She also made her Malayalam debut in Anyar (2003) and English debut in An Ode to Lost Love (2003). She also has acted on stage in plays such as "Please Divorce Me Darling" (2005) and television serials, such as Sixer (2005). She still keeps up with supporting her husband's architectural creations and devotes time to social causes like cancer, AIDS and menopause awareness for 40 plus women. In 2010, she supported her son Tanuj Virwani's decision to enter films as an actor. In 2015, she separated from her husband.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
December 10, 1960 (65)
From
Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 22% in 30 days

What are Rati Agnihotri's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
44%
Morality
25%
Self
21%
Power
6%
Society
3%
Survival
2%
Romantic love10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 10 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 12 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 5 of 11 analyzed roles.

Ally
5 of 11
Shapeshifter
2 of 11
Mentor
2 of 11
Hero
1 of 11
Threshold guardian
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
15
Romantic
11
Tense
8
Hopeful
7
Joyful
4
Other
18

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rati Agnihotri's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

  • Eros Now15 titles

Subscription and free streaming for Rati Agnihotri's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

94 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page.

  • Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai(2017)

    as Rajmata Pratibha Devi

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Downtown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Mrs. Oberoi

  • Dictator(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Singh Is Bliing(2015)

    as Harpreet Kaur

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Second Hand Husband (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • The Shaukeens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Laali's Wife

  • Spark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Purani Jeans(2014)

    as Monica Ray

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Shaadi Ke Side Effects (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Trisha's Mother

  • One by Two(2014)

    as Meenu Sharma

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Hum Hai Raahi CAR Ke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Dehraadun Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Neelima Sharma

  • Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Diary of a Butterfly(2012)

    as Shobha

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Jaanleva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Kiran Jaitley

  • Chatur Singh Two Star(2011)

    as Savitri Y. Singh

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Bin Bulaye Baraati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Kusum Verma

  • Admissions Open (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Radhika

  • My Husband's Wife(2010)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Aao Wish Karein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Nisha V. Mehra

  • Phir Kabhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Lakshmi

  • Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Ram's Mother

  • Aainaate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Urmila Sanyal

  • Ru-Ba-Ru(2008)

    as Meera

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Jimmy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Mrs. Pushp

  • Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pehchaan: The Face of Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Socha Na Tha(2005)

    as Aditi's Aunt

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Sankranthi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Mrs. Bhat

  • Kis Kis Ki Kismat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mrs. Kokila Hasmukh Mehta

  • Shukriya: Till Death Do Us Apart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sandhya K. Jindal

  • Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha(2004)

    as Dr. Shashi Rawat

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sulochana Khanna

  • Krishna Cottage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sunita Menon

  • Dev (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Dr. Bharati Singh

  • Hum Tum(2004)

    as Anju Kapoor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Chupke Se (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Kaante (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Major's wife

  • Yeh Hai Jalwa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Smita Mittal

  • Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Maya

  • Kranti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Sushma Singh

  • Majunu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Heena's Mother

  • Yaadein...(2001)

    as Shalini Singh Puri

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Kabhi To Milenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 340 episodes · Actor

  • Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Archana Khanna

  • Zalzala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Hukumat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Kusum Singh (Arjun's Wife)

  • Dadagiri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Ek Aur Sikander(1986)

    as Doctor Anita

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Zindagani(1986)

    as Anuradha "Anu"

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Aap Ke Saath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Deepa/Salma

  • Dekha Pyar Tumhara(1985)

    as Anu

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Karishma Kudrat Kaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Radha/Vijay's sister

  • Bhavani Junction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Shakuntala

  • Jaanoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Kanchan

  • Babu(1985)

    as Pinky

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Bepanaah(1985)

    as Advocate Bhavna Bharadwaj

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Zabardast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Sunita

  • Ek Se Bhale Do (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Jenny

  • Ulta Seedha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Shobha Roy

  • Pighalta Aasman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Anuradha "Anu"

  • Tawaif(1985)

    as Sultana

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Srimadvirat Veerabrahmendra Swami Charitra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Raziya

  • Mera Faisla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Boxer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Rajni khatau

  • Mashaal(1984)

    as Geeta

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Aarti

  • Raktha Bandhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Roopa

  • Main Awara Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Coolie(1983)

    as Julie D'Costa

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Mazdoor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Smita Batra

  • Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye(1983)

    as Malati

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Pasand Apni Apni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Geeta

  • Rishta Kagaz Ka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Aarti A. Sharma

  • Shubh Kaamna(1983)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Swami Dada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Maya

  • Ayaash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Mrs. Jaswant Singh

  • Shaukeen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Anita

  • Farz Aur Kanoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Poonam

  • Sumbandh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Kiran H. Mathur

  • Jeene Ki Arzoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Laxmi

  • Sahhas(1981)

    as Radha V. Singh

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ek Duuje Ke Liye(1981)

    as Sapna

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Tiruguleni Manishi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Seeta

  • Kazhugu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Hema

  • Murattu Kaalai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Punnami Naagu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Anbukku Naan Adimai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Gowri

  • Kalinga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Ullasa Paravaigal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Nirmala

  • Niram Maaratha Pookkal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Rathi

  • Puthiya Vaarpugal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Jothi

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 94 titles from 1979 to 2017; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

Singh Is Bliing (2015)

$20M worldwide

Highest rated

Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Chatur Singh Two Star (2011)

Film career

19792017

Peak 1982 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1982Screen debut· Star

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting94 of 94: 94 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score46th

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s46 · acting2000s27 · acting2010s19 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Rati Agnihotri's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 25; across their 24 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 25 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive7
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2017)

97th percentile spread · 53% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)

Midcredits 94th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Rati Agnihotri work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rati Agnihotri's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Suresh Oberoi shares the most, 5.

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers