Born on September 12, 1988, Prachi Desai's hometown is Surat. However, she grew up in Panchgani, Maharashtra. The actress, who is best known for her role as Bani Walia in the television serial Kasamh Se, started her career at a very young age. Prachi was 17 when she made her television debut

"I was 17 when I entered the industry and it took me almost a year to even realise that Bani had become such a household name," said Prachi, who had to quit studies after her HSC board exams to pursue acting full-time for 'Kasamh Se'

Prachi Desai shared this picture when the #10yearchallenge was trending on social media. She captioned the picture, "Picture on the left was taken when I was 19yrs old at the look test of my first ever film #RockOn in 2008 by the amazing @abheetgidwani .. and picture on the right was taken over a year ago by my friend & excellent photographer @gauravsawn [sic]"

Though Prachi doesn't regret quitting studies, she sometimes does miss experiencing college life. "I'm hoping that someday I'll be able to continue with my studies. I want to study psychology," said Prachi Desai

However, because of her hard work, Prachi Desai was able to be a part of her elder sister Esha Desai's dream. "I could help her pursue MBA in Australia, which otherwise would have been difficult. However, the only thing that I feel bad about is that I couldn't give my ailing grandmother enough time in her last days. My naani had dementia and she only recognised me. But because of my work, I wasn't able to be by her side. I feel very guilty. The sight of my naani in her last days still gives me sleepless nights sometimes," said Prachi

Sharing her childhood memories in Panchgani, Prachi Desai said, "I have so many memories, but the one closest to my heart is playing throwball and volleyball in the rain. Back in school, we girls used to die for a throwball or a volleyball match, as we would get to roll in the mud and then get the rest of the day off! I even remember arguing with my PT teacher about letting boys play football and not allowing the girls to play our games"

Coming back Prachi Desai's journey in showbiz, she has had her share of struggle when she moved from Panchgani to Mumbai to pursue her dreams. The initial years were quite unpleasant for Prachi in the city. "I soon learnt that when you are too young and successful, not many people around like it. I'd hardly open my mouth for fear of saying something wrong," said the actress

That was the time her mentor Ekta Kapoor advised Prachi to not let the jealousy and hatred get to her. Well, even Kapoor had started young and who better to give Prachi the right advice than Ekta! 

After Kasamh Se, Prachi Desai made her debut in Bollywood with Rock On! The actress says it was not so easy as an outsider to get the first break in Bollywood. "I feel that the industry can be unfair sometimes. When you are an outsider, people don't take you seriously. I personally think you need an extreme push for people to promote you and bring you to a certain level," said Prachi

Prachi Desai believes that one needs to be very ambitious as an actor to survive in the industry. "Every actor has to be ambitious, otherwise you can't survive in the industry. Every small little thing can completely bog you down. I am ambitious, but I am not over-ambitious. I know things that I can do and things that I can't," she said

After playing Farhan Akhtar's wife in Rock On! (2008), Prachi Desai teamed up with Tusshar Kapoor in Life Partner (2009). However, her role as Emraan Hashmi's love interest in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010), caught more attention from the audience, especially her Dimple Kapadia act (read short knotted top and skirt from Bobby) in the song Pee Loon. In 2012, she featured in two films - Teri Meri Kahaani (co-starring Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra) and Bol Bachchan (opposite Abhishek Bachchan)

In 2013, Prachi Desai teamed up with John Abraham for I Me Aur Main and was also seen romancing Sanjay Dutt in Policegiri. However, both failed to give a boost to Prachi's career

However, in 2014, Prachi Desai shed all her inhibitions and was seen in a never-seen-before avatar in the Ek Villain item number Awari. She proved, with her sultry act in the song, that she can be a girl-next-door and can set the temperatures soaring too!

Post the item number, Prachi Desai was seen in Azhar (2016) opposite her Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai co-star Emraan Hashmi and later in Rock On 2. Carbon (2017) a short film was Prachi's last acting venture. She has been missing from the silver screen ever since

A look at a few more lesser-known facts about Prachi Desai:

If not Bollywood, Prachi Desai surely would have been doing something in the field of psychology. She has always been passionate about pursuing psychology, however, seems like the acting bug bit her a little too soon

Prachi Desai is a hardcore non-vegetarian

Prachi Desai has a huge watch fetish. She had once revealed that she has lost count of the number of watches she owns. "Every time I see a new watch, I can't control myself. Apart from watches, I also like diamond studs, bracelets and anklets," said Prachi

One of the things that Prachi Desai loves about her job is that it gives her a chance to visit places across the world

Prachi Desai has studied German as a language for a year

Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Prachi Desai!