Surbhi Jyoti (pronounced [ˈsuɾbʱi d͡ʒjoːt̪i]; born 29 May 1988) is an Indian actress who mainly works in Hindi television and Punjabi films. She rose to fame after her portrayal of Zoya Farooqui Ahmed Khan in Qubool Hai, for which she received numerous accolades, including ITA Award for GR8! Performer of the Year.
Jyoti received wider attention after portraying a shape-shifting serpent named Praveen Bela Sehgal in Colors TV's supernatural series Naagin 3, for which she received a nomination for Best Actress at Indian Television Academy Awards. In 2021, she made her Hindi film debut with Saurabh Tyagi's comedy-drama Kya Meri Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai? opposite Jassie Gill.
Contents
Early life and education
Jyoti was born on 29 May 1988 in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. She received her early education from Shiv Jyoti Public School and then graduated from Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Jalandhar. As a student of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, she participated in debates and received honours. Jyoti is a graduate with a degree in Economics and a Master's degree in English Literature from Apeejay College of Fine Arts.
Career
Jyoti started her career in regional theatre and films. She has also been a radio jockey. She worked in Punjabi language films Ik Kudi Punjab Di, Raula Pai Gaya and Munde Patiala De as well as the Punjabi television series Akiyaan To Door Jayen Na and Kach Diyan Wanga.
At the end of 2012, Jyoti was cast in the television show Qubool Hai, which was produced by 4 Lions Films and was telecasted on Zee TV. She played the role of Zoya Farooqui. For the portrayal of the character, she won the award for GR8! Performer of the Year—Female at the Indian Television Academy Awards and Best Début Actress at the Zee Gold Awards 2013. She also won the Best Jodi Award with Karan Singh Grover. In 2014, Qubool Hai underwent a reboot, in which she played a double role of Sanam and Seher.
In 2015, she hosted three seasons of the love drama Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya opposite Meiyang Chang. At the 2015 Zee Gold Awards, Karanvir Bohra and Jyoti were given the Best Onscreen Jodi Award. In 2015, Qubool Hai introduced a 25-year leap, after which she played Mahira, her fifth role in the show. Qubool Hai ended in January 2016. In 2016, she hosted a travel-based web show Desi Explorers Taiwan, alongside many other television actors. In 2016, she joined 4 Lions Films' show Ishqbaaaz opposite Shaleen Malhotra, in a cameo as Mallika Kabeer Choudhary, a business women and architect. In September 2016, she hosted another travel show instalment Desi Explorers Yas Island.
In 2017, she featured in 4 Lions Films' web show Tanhaiyan opposite Barun Sobti, as Meera Kapoor, a non-judgmental and emotionally vulnerable fashion designer. All episodes of the web series were released on Hotstar on 14 February 2017. In 2017, she starred in Star Plus's psychological thriller show Koi Laut Ke Aaya Hai as Geetanjali Singh Shekhari, a girl from a royal family. She was paired opposite Shoaib Ibrahim, and the cast included actors Sharad Kelkar, Sreejita De and Shaleen Malhotra. The show ended on 18 June 2017.
In June 2018, Jyoti portrayed Bela Sehgal in Balaji Telefilms show Naagin 3 as the main female lead. The show, which aired on Colors TV, received high TRP's and ended in May 2019. In 2020, she appeared in Yeh Jaadu Hai Jinn Ka.
In 2020, Jyoti featured in the music video for "Aaj Bhi" opposite actor Ali Fazal. The same year, she featured in another music video for the song "Judaiyaan", opposite Darshan Raval.
Personal life
Jyoti married her long time boyfriend, actor Sumit Suri on 27 October 2024 in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony at the Jim Corbett Resorts, Uttarakhand. The couple had their first child, a girl, on 13 June 2026.
Media image
Jyoti was placed 3rd in Rediff's Top 10 Television Actresses list of 2014. In Times' Most Desirable Women on TV, she was placed 6th in 2018 and 7th in 2020. In UK-based newspaper Eastern Eye's list of 50 Sexiest Asian Women, she ranked 16th in 2014 and 17th in 2015. Jyoti is also one of the most-followed Indian television actresses in Instagram.