Lesser known facts about birthday girl Drashti Dhami

Drashti Dhami is one of the most popular actresses on Television and it's hard to beat this Gujarati girl. She enjoys a great fan following, thanks to the success of her shows Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon and Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani. She is currently seen on Star Plus' show 'Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil' opposite Arjun Bijlani. While there is much that is spoken about the actress, here are a few lesser known facts that you might not know about Drashti, who celebrates her birthday today (January 10):

Drashti was born on January 10, 1985 in Mumbai where she also studied. She attended Mary Immaculate Girl's High School and also went to Mumbai's Mithibai College from where she has a degree in Sociology. She belongs to a conservative Gujarati family and her sister-in-law is Suhasi Dhami of 'Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli' fame.

Drashti did many advertisements & music videos in her modelling days. She started her career in the music video Saiyaan Dil Mein Aana Re, followed by Humko Aaj Kal Hai, Teri Meri Nazar Ki Dori and a Punjabi music video Nachle Soniyo Tu. She also worked as a dance instructor before entering the TV industry as an actress. She has done several advertisements including Colgate (toothpaste) with Saif Ali Khan, Lion Honey, Pulimoottil Silks, Vasan Eye care, RKS Grand (Shopping Mall), Amul, VIP Bags and jewellery. She was also the Brand Ambassador for Canvironment Week 2011 and 2013 to support the cause of 'Save Our Planet'.

Even before she impressed judges Madhuri Dixit, Remo D'Souza and Karan Johar on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and went on to win the coveted trophy, she was confident of winning it during her Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi days. Drashti was always looking forward to participate in this reality show and was sure she would be the winner. She eventually won season 6 of the most popular and competitive dance reality show on Indian Television.

She is a diehard Salman Khan fan and loves Kareena Kapoor Khan whom she calls beauty with brains. Drashti is also a fan of Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. Also, the talented actress idolizes her mother.

She has won many awards for Geet - Hui Sabse Parayi and Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. When it comes to love, she believes in love at first sight and going with the flow. Even though she had always denied the rumours of dating businessman Neeraj Khemka but she eventually married him in 2015.

She does not have too many friends in the TV industry, and the ones close to her are Sanaya Irani, Karan Singh Grover and (surprise) Kanika Maheshwari. She loves travelling a lot and makes sure to go out on vacations with her friends often.