This 23-year-old actress is winning hearts playing an 85-year-old Seethabhai in the devotional show Sri Raghavendra Mahathme

A 23-year-old actress portraying an 85-year-old grandmother has become one of the most talked-about performances on Kannada television, with Bhavani Purohit earning widespread praise for her role as Seetabhai in Sri Raghavendra Mahathme.

Her convincing portrayal—despite the significant age gap—has drawn attention from viewers and industry observers alike, positioning her as a standout performer on the show.

Bhavani, an MBA graduate with a strong background in theatre, took on the demanding role early in her career. Her training in dance and drama during her college years helped her build the foundation required to step into such a complex character.

However, the journey was not without challenges. Entering the industry through modelling, she faced societal perceptions, irregular schedules, and initial struggles in adapting to the television space. With the support of her family, particularly her parents, she continued to pursue acting and gradually found stability in her career.

The actress has credited her family as a key source of strength, recalling her mother’s advice to remain grounded and choose roles thoughtfully. Bhavani has maintained that she prefers characters she can be proud of in the long term.

Portraying an elderly woman required focused effort, particularly in mastering voice modulation and body language. While the initial episodes proved challenging, her performance has since been widely appreciated for its authenticity and emotional depth.

Her role as Seetabhai also highlights a broader shift in television storytelling, where actors are increasingly experimenting beyond age-defined casting. Bhavani’s ability to convincingly transcend generational boundaries underscores her versatility.

As Sri Raghavendra Mahathme continues to engage audiences, her performance is emerging as one of its key highlights, marking her as a promising talent in the Kannada television industry.