Bobby Darling

Bobby Darling, born as Pankaj Sharma on January 10, 1974 (though some records cite 1982 or 1986), is a pioneering Indian actress and television personality who hails from Delhi. Growing up in a household where her father was an English professor and bank manager, she faced a challenging childhood marked by the early loss of her mother during her teenage years. Her educational path was interrupted when she chose to leave home to pursue her own identity, leading her through various odd jobs, including working in a bank and performing as a dancer in Mumbai's club circuit. These early struggles eventually led her to the world of fashion and entertainment, where she initially found work as a dress designer and makeup artist before transitioning into acting.

Her professional acting debut occurred in 1999 with a small role as a dress designer in Subhash Ghai’s blockbuster film Taal. This breakthrough opened doors to a series of character roles in Hindi cinema, where she became known for portraying effeminate or gender-non-conforming characters in popular films such as Style (2001), Naa Tum Jaano Na Hum (2002), Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002), and Chalte Chalte (2003). Her career gained significant momentum in the mid-2000s with appearances in high-profile projects like Page 3, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, and Apna Sapna Money Money. Her versatility was particularly recognized in the 2005 Tamil film Navarasa, which earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Monaco International Film Festival. She also holds a place in the Limca Book of Records for playing the role of a gay man 18 times by the age of 23.

In addition to her film career, she became a prominent figure in Indian television, most notably as a contestant in the very first season of the reality show Bigg Boss in 2006. Her presence on the show made her one of the first major celebrities in India to represent gender diversity on a national platform. She continued her television journey with appearances in iconic shows such as Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, and the truth-based reality show Sach Ka Saamna, which famously helped her reconcile with her father. Other notable TV credits include roles in Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon?, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, and Sasural Simar Ka, as well as hosting the Late Night Show with Begum Nawazish Ali.

In recent years, the actress underwent a significant personal transformation, undergoing sex reassignment surgery in late 2015 and adopting the name Pakhi Sharma. This transition marked a new chapter in her life, though she has since faced personal hardships, including a publicized legal battle following her marriage in 2016 and subsequent health challenges like a paralysis attack. Despite these setbacks, she has remained active in the public eye through digital interviews and social media, where she continues to advocate for LGBT rights and express her desire to return to the screen in roles that reflect her identity as a woman. Most recently, she has been seen engaging with fans through various digital platforms and interviews, maintaining her status as a resilient and historical figure in the Indian entertainment industry.