Shobna Gulati
Biography
Shobna Gulati is a British actress, writer, and dancer born on August 7, 1966, in Oldham, Lancashire, England. She holds a degree in Arabic. Gulati is a soap star best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood's dinnerladies and Sunita Alahan in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, appearing on the show from 2001 to 2006, returning at the end of 2009, and departing again in 2013. She is also recognized for portraying Farah Khurana in River City from 2017 to 2018. Additionally, Gulati is one of very few actors to have appeared on both Coronation Street and its rival series EastEnders in the year 2000. From March 2013 to May 2014, she served as a panellist on the lunchtime chatshow Loose Women.
Career overview
Shobna Gulati is a British actress, writer, and dancer who was born on 7 August 1966 in Oldham, Lancashire, to parents of Hindu Indian descent, and holds a degree in Arabic. Her career spans over three decades, showcasing her versatility across stage and screen.
As a soap star and television actress, she is best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood's dinnerladies and Sunita Alahan in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, a role she played from 2001 to 2006, returned to at the end of 2009, and departed from again in 2013. Additionally, she portrayed Farah Khurana in River City from 2017 to 2018. Gulati is also notable for being one of very few actors to have appeared on both Coronation Street and its rival series EastEnders in the year 2000.
Beyond her acting roles in television soaps and series, Gulati appeared as a panellist on the lunchtime chatshow Loose Women from 13 March 2013 to 30 May 2014.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
46 titles- National Theatre at Home: A Tupperware of Ashes (2025) as Indrani
- The Serial Killer's Wife (2023) as Kiran
- The Royle Family - Down the Back of the Sofa (2023) as Self
- Scandalous: Phone Hacking on Trial (2023) as Self
- My Name Is Leon (2022) as Salma
- Incompatible (2022) as Dr Banerjee
- The Weakest Link (2021) as Self - Contestant
- Murder, They Hope (2021) as Vicky
- Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021) as Ray
- Celebrity Best Home Cook (2021) as Self - Contestant
- This Fortress Built By Nature (2020)
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019) as Self - Special Guest
- Brassic (2019) as Gina
- On the Edge (2018) as Andi
- Dinnerladies Diaries (2018) as Self
- Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2018) as Ray
- Richard Osman's House of Games (2017) as Self - Contestant
- Finding Fatimah (2017) as Saba
- Inside No. 9 (2014) as Posy
- In the Club (2014) as Fiona
- Vera (2011) as Chief Superintendent Khalon
- Junkhearts (2011) as Beth
- East Street (2010) as Sunita Alahan
- Celebrity Juice (2008) as Self
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007) as Self
- Saving Planet Earth UK (2007) as Herself - Presenter
- Celebrity Masterchef (2006)
- New Street Law (2006) as Salina Morris
- Soapstar Superstar (2006)
- The Secret Policeman's Ball: The Ball in the Hall (2006) as Self
- Magnolia (2006) as Janice
- Doctor Who (2005) as Najia Khan
- Love on a Saturday Night (2004)
- Comedy Connections (2003)
- Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings (2000) as Herself
- Shadowscan (2000) as Satinda
- Loose Women (1999) as Self
- dinnerladies (1998) as Anita
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Shaila Handsworth
- Ready, Steady, Cook (1994) as Self - Guest
- What Do You Call an Indian Woman Who's Funny? (1994) as Self
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Have I Got News for You (1990) as Self
- This Morning (1988) as Self
- Casualty (1986) as Preethi Chhabra
- Coronation Street (1960) as Sunita Alahan / Sunita Parekh
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Shobna Gulati best known for?
Shobna Gulati is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019), Brassic (2019), Richard Osman's House of Games (2017), Inside No. 9 (2014).
When and where was Shobna Gulati born?
Shobna Gulati was born on August 7, 1966 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK.
How many credits does Shobna Gulati have?
Shobna Gulati has accumulated over 46 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1960 to 2025.
What is Shobna Gulati's background in cinema and television?
Shobna Gulati is a British actress, writer, and dancer born on August 7, 1966, in Oldham, Lancashire, England. She holds a degree in Arabic. Gulati is a soap star best known for playing Anita in Victoria Wood's dinnerladies and Sunita Alahan in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, appearing on the show from 2...