Poorna Jagannathan

Biography

Poorna Jagannathan, born on December 22, 1972, is an accomplished American producer and actress of Indian heritage. She gained widespread recognition for her compelling performances, particularly as Safar Khan in HBO's acclaimed miniseries *The Night Of* and as Nalini Vishwakumar in Netflix's popular teen comedy series *Never Have I Ever*.

In addition to her acting career, Jagannathan is a passionate advocate for social issues. She co-created, produced, and starred in the groundbreaking play *Nirbhaya*, which has been hailed as "one of the most powerful and urgent pieces of human rights theatre ever made." This work is regarded as a pivotal moment in India’s movement for women's empowerment, shedding light on critical societal issues.

Her influence and contributions to the arts and advocacy have not gone unnoticed. In 2021 and 2022, she was recognized as one of the "Top 100 Most Impactful Asians" in America by Goldhouse. Furthermore, *People* magazine featured her in their 2024 "The Beautiful Issue," and *Verve* magazine included her in their list of the top 50 most powerful women in India in 2014. Jagannathan continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, using her platform to inspire change and empower others.