Chhaya Kadam
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Born Place: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Also Known As:

    Chayya Kadam, چایا کادام, Chaya Kadam, Chhaya

Chhaya Kadam

Chhaya Kadam is a Mumbai-born Indian actress whose compelling career spans Marathi and Hindi cinema and theatre. Raised in Kalina by a mill-worker father and homemaker mother, she excelled at state-level kabaddi in college before discovering a passion for performance, debuting on stage in Waman Kendre’s Zulva and earning a Textile Design degree from Sathaye College . She broke into film with Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry (2013) as “Nani” and won acclaim for her portrayal of a Hyderabadi dosa‑stall owner “Suman Akka” in Sairat (2016)—earning a Filmfare Marathi Best Supporting Actress nomination. Her role in Nude (2018) garnered the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Kadam has delivered memorable performances across acclaimed Hindi films such as Andhadhun (2018), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), and Jhund (2022) . In 2024, she had a banner year—earning acclaim and festival attention for Laapataa Ladies, Madgaon Express, All We Imagine as Light, and Sister Midnight. She achieved international recognition at Cannes 2024, representing All We Imagine as Light and Laapataa Ladies, even wearing her late mother’s saree and traditional nath on the red carpet—a deeply personal tribute that struck a chord with audiences. Beyond acting, Kadam has co-produced the upcoming psychological thriller Bardovi, marking her move into creative production . Known for her resilience, she overcame early industry rejections—often dismissed as being “too middle-aged”—but ultimately proved her versatility and depth through continuous hard work and critically praised roles.

Person History