Aarti Gupta Surendranath

Aarti Gupta Surendranath is an Indian model, actress, producer, and creative consultant known for her work in advertising, public service cinema, and cultural advocacy. Her career began at very early age of 15 as a model, for which she was selected after a nationwide search for the prestigious Sunsilk shampoo ad campaign. She gained national recognition through prominent print and television advertising campaigns before transitioning into films and creative production.

Born in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, she gained national recognition in the 1980s as one of India's most prominent models, appearing in several high-profile television commercials and magazine covers. She later transitioned to acting and became a notable figure in the entertainment and advertising industries, working alongside her husband, ad filmmaker Kailash Surendranath.

She is well known for her work in Hindi cinema, particularly for her roles in the horror films. Her performances contributed to popularisation of the horror genre in the 1980s, making her debut in the 1984 movie Purana Mandir, which became a major box-office success and one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

Parallel to her work in advertising and films, Gupta pursued an independent entrepreneurial venture in fashion. During this phase, she established a specialised and exclusive business focused on the creation of bridal trousseaus and couture garments. Operating on a by-appointment-only basis from a small workshop, the venture gained a strong reputation through word-of-mouth without formal advertising. Known for its personalised approach and craftsmanship, the business achieved considerable popularity before Gupta gradually stepped away from it due to the demands of film production, family life, and her expanding professional commitments.

In addition to her work in acting and production, she has been involved in Wildlife Trust of India for conservation and animal welfare initiatives. She was associated with the Say No to Shahtoosh campaign, which focused on protecting the endangered Tibetan antelope (also known as Chiru), and later worked very actively for the Emeralds for Elephants charity auction in 2011, which raised funds for elephant conservation corridors in India.

Gupta was widely recognised for her influence on fashion and style during the 1980s and 1990s, and was featured in Femina India’s list in 2025. In addition to her work in cinema and advertising, she has been involved in initiatives supporting women's rights as well as animal rights. She is a co-founder of the production company Kailash Picture Company. Since 1984, She has been married to filmmaker Kailash Surendranath, with whom she has two children.