Ashlesha Sawant is an Indian television actress known for her work in Hindi television serials. Active since the early 2000s, she has appeared in numerous daily soaps and is best recognized for her roles in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar, Kumkum Bhagya, and Anupamaa. Her career spans over two decades.
In November 2025, Sawant married fellow television actor Sandeep Baswana, her long-time partner and former co-star, following many years of companionship.
Early Life and Education
Ashlesha Sawant was born on September 24, 1984, in Pune, Maharashtra, India. She was raised in a middle-class family. Her father, V. P. Savant, served as an officer in the Indian Air Force, while her mother, Mangala Savant, managed the household. She has one sister, Suyesha Sawant.
Sawant completed her schooling in Pune and later earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree (T.Y.B.Com) in 2003. During her college years, she explored modeling and trained for the Gladrags contest, which introduced her to the entertainment industry.
Career
Early Career
Sawant began her television career in the early 2000s after auditioning for Balaji Telefilms productions. Her initial on-screen appearance was a minor role in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which led to more prominent casting opportunities.
Television Career
Sawant gained wider recognition with her role as Teesha Mehta Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2002–2003), one of Indian television’s longest-running and most influential soap operas. The role marked her breakthrough and established her presence in prime-time television.
She subsequently appeared in several notable serials, including:
- Kammal as Anita Bhatia Jajoo
- Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand as Rohit Sharma’s wife
- Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar (2005–2009) as Tara Singh
- Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara as Preeti Diwan Deshpande
In 2014, she joined the cast of Kumkum Bhagya, portraying Meera, a supporting character whose role extended for several years. Her long association with the show made her one of its consistent supporting performers.
From 2022 to 2025, Sawant appeared in Anupamaa as Barkha Mehta Kapadia, an antagonistic role in one of India’s highest-rated television series.
Recent Work
Sawant has continued to remain active in television. Her recent appearances include roles in Pavitra Rishta, Jhanak, and Gudiya Rani (2024–2025), where she returned to a prominent character arc.
She made her Hindi film debut in Haryana (2022), playing the character Bimla.
Personal Life
Relationship and Marriage
Ashlesha Sawant met Sandeep Baswana in 2002 on the sets of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, where both were part of the principal cast. Their professional association developed into a personal relationship, and the couple chose to live together for several years without formal marriage.
In November 2025, following a spiritual visit to Vrindavan and with the consent of their families, the couple married in a private ceremony at the Chandrodaya Temple in Vrindavan. The wedding was attended by close family members.
Sawant is six years younger than Baswana. As of 2026, the couple has no children.
Public Image
Sawant is regarded as a private individual who has largely avoided media controversies. Her long-term partnership prior to marriage occasionally attracted public discussion due to prevailing social norms, though neither she nor Baswana publicly engaged in debate over their personal choices.
She has also been noted for maintaining a clear distinction between her on-screen roles—often portraying antagonistic characters—and her off-screen persona.
Physical Appearance
Sawant is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) tall. Throughout her career, she has maintained a consistent on-screen presence suited to long-format television productions.
Filmography
Television
- Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
- Kammal
- Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand
- Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar
- Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara
- Kumkum Bhagya
- Anupamaa
- Pavitra Rishta
- Jhanak
- Gudiya Rani
Film
- Haryana (2022)
