Thanuja Puttaswamy, popularly known as Thanuja Gowda, is a well-known Indian television actress who rose to fame through her powerful performances in Telugu and Kannada industries. She became a household name after her role as Parvathi (Paaru) in the hit Telugu serial Mudda Mandaram. In 2025, she gained even more popularity after entering Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9.
⭐ Quick Facts About Thanuja Puttaswamy
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thanuja Puttaswamy |
| Screen Name | Thanuja Gowda |
| Date of Birth | 5 March (Year disputed: 1992) |
| Birthplace | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Profession | Actress, TV Celebrity |
| Debut Film | 6-5=2 (Kannada, 2013) |
| Debut Serial | Andala Rakshasi (Telugu) |
| Famous Role | Parvathi (Paaru) in Mudda Mandaram |
| Parents | Father – Puttaswamy, Mother – Savithri |
| Siblings | Anuja (Advocate), Pooja (Engineer) |
| Education | Bangalore University |
| Reality Shows | Cooku With Jathiratnalu (Finalist), Bigg Boss Telugu 9 |
| Industries Worked | Telugu, Kannada, Tamil |
Thanuja Puttaswamy Biography
Early Life & Education
Thanuja Puttaswamy was born in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a middle-class family. Her father Puttaswamy and mother Savithri supported her creative interests from a young age. She completed her schooling in Bangalore and graduated from Bangalore University. Though she never planned to become an actress, destiny pulled her into the world of films and television.
Career Journey
🎬 Film Debut
Thanuja began her acting career with Kannada films:
Kannada Movies

| Movie Name | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6-5=2 | 2013 | Horror thriller; her debut movie |
| Dhande Boys | NA | Kannada drama film |
Though her film appearances were few, these roles opened the door to television, where she achieved widespread fame.
📺 Television Career
Thanuja gained massive popularity through Telugu serials, especially long-running family dramas.
Serials Acted by Thanuja Puttaswamy
| Serial Name | Language | Channel / Platform | Role Played | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andala Rakshasi | Telugu | Star Maa / Local TV | Lead Role | Debut Serial |
| Mudda Mandaram | Telugu | Zee Telugu | Parvathi (Paaru) / Soundarya | 2014 – 2019 |
| Agnipariksha | Telugu | Zee Telugu | Lead Role | 2021 – 2022 |
| Siva Manasula Sakthi | Tamil | Vijay TV | Sakthi (Lead) | 2019 – 2021 |
| Cooku With Jathiratnalu (Reality Show) | Telugu | Aha | Finalist | 2024 |
| Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9 | Telugu | Star Maa | Contestant | 2025 |
⭐ Breakthrough: Mudda Mandaram

Her role in Mudda Mandaram brought her unmatched fame. She portrayed Parvathi, an innocent, emotional, and strong character loved by audiences of all ages. The show completed 1500+ episodes, making it one of the longest-running serials on Zee Telugu.
After a 20-year leap in the story, Thanuja also played Soundarya, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
⭐ Agnipariksha

In 2021, she appeared in the Telugu serial Agnipariksha, which had a successful run on Zee Telugu. Her performance received appreciation for being expressive, mature, and emotional.
⭐ Tamil TV Career
Thanuja also entered Tamil television with Siva Manasula Sakthi, where she played the lead role Sakthi. The show increased her fan following in Tamil Nadu as well.
⭐ Reality Shows
✔ Cooku with Jathiratnalu
Thanuja became a finalist in this fun cooking-comedy reality show, proving her lively, entertaining personality.
✔ Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9

In 2025, she entered the Bigg Boss house, instantly grabbing the audience’s attention with her confident and straightforward nature.
Family & Personal Life

Thanuja is very close to her mother and sisters. She often shares pictures with her family on social media. Despite being a known face, she maintains a simple lifestyle and keeps her personal life private.
Interesting Facts About Thanuja Puttaswamy
- She did not plan to join the entertainment industry — opportunities came unexpectedly.
- Her chemistry with co-star Pavan Sai in Mudda Mandaram became extremely popular.
- She is known for her grounded nature and expressive acting.
- She is fluent in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and English.
- Thanuja enjoys cooking and dancing.
- She became the inspiration for many young actresses entering Telugu serials.
FAQs About Thanuja Puttaswamy
1. Who is Thanuja Puttaswamy?
Thanuja Puttaswamy is an Indian television actress and model known for her work in Kannada and Telugu TV serials. She gained popularity for her expressive acting, screen presence, and strong role selections.
2. Which serials has Thanuja Puttaswamy acted in?
Thanuja has appeared in several daily serials, including:
- Muddulakshmi (Kannada)
- Paaru (Kannada)
- Naa Gelathi (Kannada)
- Naga Panchami (Kannada)
- Yamuna (Telugu)
- Other supporting roles in Kannada and Telugu serials
3. Is Thanuja Puttaswamy working in Telugu serials?
Yes, Thanuja has acted in Telugu-language serials, gaining good attention from the audience for her roles.
4. Has Thanuja Puttaswamy acted in movies?
As of now, Thanuja Puttaswamy has not appeared in major films. She is mostly active in television serials and regional modeling assignments.
5. What is Thanuja Puttaswamy’s age?
Her exact age is not publicly revealed. Based on her career timeline, she is assumed to be in her 20s (approx).
6. Where is Thanuja Puttaswamy from?
She is from Karnataka, India, and primarily works in Kannada television, along with some Telugu projects.
7. What is Thanuja Puttaswamy popular for?
She is popular for:
- Her lead and supporting roles in Kannada daily serials
- Her expressive acting and emotional scenes
- Her presence in Telugu serial roles
- Her social media reels and photoshoots
8. Is Thanuja Puttaswamy active on social media?
Yes, she is active on platforms like Instagram, where she posts photoshoots, behind-the-scenes content, and updates about her serials.
9. What is Thanuja Puttaswamy’s latest serial?
She is currently seen (or recently seen) in the Telugu serial “Yamuna”, along with her ongoing participation in Kannada serials. (You can update based on latest airing show.)
10. Does Thanuja Puttaswamy have any awards?
As of now, she has not received major mainstream awards, but she is appreciated by television audiences for her acting.
