Jiya Shankar is an Indian television actress born on April 17, 1995, in Mumbai, who gained recognition through roles in Telugu and Tamil films before establishing herself in Hindi television. She rose to national prominence as a contestant on Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 in 2023, where she met social media influencer Elvish Yadav. Contrary to viral rumors in February 2026, Jiya Shankar is not engaged to Elvish Yadav and they are not getting married—the engagement speculation was promotional content for a dating reality show they are hosting together.
Jiya Shankar Wiki / Biography
| Personal Details | Information |
| Full Name | Jiya Shankar |
| Date of Birth | April 17, 1995 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Age | 30 years (as of 2026) |
| Education | Graduate from Mumbai; trained at Anupam Kher Acting Institute |
| Profession | Television actress, film actress |
| Net Worth | Approximately $490,000 USD |
| Monthly Income | ₹10-30 lakhs |
| Debut Film | Entha Andanga Unnave (Telugu, 2013) |
| Debut TV Show | Love by Chance (2015) |
Jiya Shankar grew up in a Hindu middle-class family in Mumbai and completed her schooling and graduation there. She initially considered a career in digital marketing before deciding to pursue acting. To develop her skills, she enrolled at the Anupam Kher Acting Institute, which significantly improved her craft and confidence.
What is Jiya Shankar’s Family Background?
Jiya Shankar was raised by her single mother, Surekha Gavli, a hairstylist by profession. Her parents separated when she was 13 years old, after which she had no contact with her father. She has no siblings and no male figures in her family.
During Bigg Boss OTT 2, Jiya spoke emotionally about her upbringing, telling fellow contestant Abhishek Malhan: “Nobody has lived the life that I have. I don’t have a dad and it’s not easy to live with a single mom. I’ve no male in my family, not even a brother. It’s just me and my mom”. In a 2023 interview, she revealed that her parents’ separation pushed her into depression and that she doesn’t remember her father.
Her mother Surekha later disclosed that Jiya’s father did not provide financial support after the separation, making their situation particularly difficult. Jiya has credited her mother as her strongest support system throughout her career.
How Did Jiya Shankar Start Her Acting Career?
Jiya Shankar trained at the Anupam Kher Acting Institute after initially considering a career in digital marketing. She made her film debut in the Telugu movie Entha Andanga Unnave (2013), followed by the Tamil film Kanavu Variyam (2017).
Her television career began in 2015 with Love by Chance, playing Alisha Rai. Her breakthrough role came as Dr. Iravati Desai Pandey in Meri Hanikarak Biwi, which brought her widespread recognition. In 2020, she appeared in Kaatelal and Sons as a bold Haryanvi character and the web series Virgin Bhasskar 2.
What Was Jiya’s Biggest Career Success?
Jiya Shankar played a key role in the 2022 Marathi blockbuster Ved, directed by and starring Riteish Deshmukh alongside Genelia D’Souza. The film became a massive commercial success, earning ₹60.67 crores against a ₹15 crore budget—a profit of 304%. Ved became the second highest-grossing Marathi film of all time after Sairat.
The film’s phenomenal run included recording its highest single-day collection (₹4.53 crores) on its second Saturday, with collections jumping 79.76% from Friday. Trade analysts described its performance as “extraordinary” and labeled it a blockbuster.
Are Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav Engaged?
No, Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav are not engaged and are not in a romantic relationship. In early February 2026, Elvish posted an Instagram photo holding a hand with a diamond ring visible, captioned “Gave love another chance & I found my heart” and tagged Jiya Shankar. Jiya reshared the post with a heart emoji, generating millions of impressions and widespread media coverage speculating about an engagement.
The timing and presentation mimicked authentic celebrity engagement announcements, with both celebrities posting coordinated content simultaneously. Neither immediately clarified the posts, allowing speculation to build for several days before Jiya addressed the rumors. Sources close to both celebrities confirmed they are not dating and have maintained only a professional friendship since meeting on Bigg Boss OTT 2.
What Show Are Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav Hosting?
Engaged Roka Ya Dhoka Season 2 is a dating reality show that premiered on JioHotstar on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026. The series features Gen-Z contestants testing their compatibility as they attempt to transition from casual “situationships” to committed relationships.
The first season premiered in 2025 with hosts Harsh Gujral and Uorfi Javed, and was won by Sifat Sehgal and Karan Raj. Jiya and Elvish were cast as the second season’s hosts based on their Bigg Boss OTT 2 connection and individual social media followings.
How Did Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav Meet?
Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav first met as contestants on Bigg Boss OTT Season 2 in 2023. Elvish won that season, while Jiya competed as a strong contestant. Following the show, they maintained a friendship and reunited several times, including a meeting documented in Elvish’s vlog in September 2023. Their connection from Bigg Boss OTT 2 established a professional relationship that led to their casting as co-hosts for Engaged Season 2.
What Other Dating Rumors Has Jiya Faced?
Before the Elvish Yadav engagement rumors, Jiya Shankar was linked to several other individuals. In December 2025, reports claimed she was set to marry influencer Fukra Insaan (Abhishek Malhan). Instead of issuing a formal denial, Jiya posted a romantic photo on Instagram with a mystery man kissing her forehead, captioned “Let’s leave false rumors in 2025!” with a red heart emoji. During her time on Kaatelal and Sons, Jiya’s on-screen chemistry with co-star Paras Arora led to dating rumors, though both stated they were just friends. Her participation in multiple reality shows and social media presence has made her a frequent subject of relationship speculation.