Urfi Javed

Some Lesser Known Facts About Urfi Javed

• Urfi Javed is an Indian TV actress and model who is known for her bold and bizarre fashion statement.

  

• She is often trolled on social media for her over-the-top outfits.

  

• She grew up in a conservative family in Lucknow, where patriarchy ruled. In an interview, she said that in her family, girls were not allowed to have their say in any matter, and only men were allowed to make decisions. ^[12]Times of India She said,
  

  Growing up in Lucknow, I did not understand why I was stopped from dressing a certain way. I was mentally and physically abused; I even tried comitting suicide but in that one moment, I decided to give my life a second chance. I ran away to Delhi. I was just 17. I began taking tuitions to support myself. Later, I started working in a call center. Soon, I decided to go and try my luck in Mumbai. I had no money or place to live so I used to stay at my friends’ houses. I did odd jobs, giving interviews and even gave auditions.”

• When she was in her first year in college, someone put her pictures on a porn site. According to her, all hell broke loose and her father started abusing her physically and mentally without giving her a chance to explain. ^[13]Koi Moi

• According to her, she then ran away from the misogynist environment of her home because of the patriarchal ideologies of her father. She took along her 2 sisters, leaving behind her mother and her 2 siblings, and moved to Delhi. ^[14]Koi Moi

• Upon being asked in an interview, she recalled how long it took her to just survive after leaving her house. ^[15]Koi Moi She said,
  

  I stayed in a park for a week in Delhi. Then we three started looking for jobs. I got a job in a call center. My father got remarried and then the whole responsibility of the family came on to me and my sisters’ shoulders.”

• Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked as an assistant to a fashion designer in Delhi.

• She visited Mumbai for a job interview, which did not go in her favour but because of her passion for acting, she stayed and gave various auditions. She bagged her first role within 3 months in 2015, in a TV serial Tedi Medi Family. ^[16]The Times Of India

• Later, she did various shows such as Chandra Nandini (2016-17), Bepannaah (2018), Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (2020) etc.

• In 2021, she entered the Bigg Boss OTT house as a contestant. However, her Bigg Boss journey was short-lived as she was eliminated after 7 days in the first elimination of the show.

  

• According to Urfi, after her eviction from Bigg Boss within a week, she became jobless, and she then tried experimenting with the one thing she was best at, i.e., clothes. ^[17]News 18

• In 2021, she debuted with Puncch Beat 2 as Meera in the web series.

• She has also featured in various Punjabi music videos, such as Chat Sohniye (2021), Crazy (2022), and Befikra (2022).

• After her stint in Bigg Boss OTT, she rose to fame and people started believing that she is Javed Akhtar‘s granddaughter because of her last name. Shabana Azmi, the wife of Javed Akhtar, tweeted to clarify that they are not related.

• Urfi tried to dismiss the rumours in an interview. ^[18]India Today She said,
  

  People have cooked up stories just because my entire name is Urfi Javed. But he was never associated with me in any way. All this is just done to troll him and put his name down by associating my outfit controversy with him. But how is that even relevant? Even if his own granddaughter wears anything of her choice what’s wrong with that? Why is he being held responsible for that?”

• She used this opportunity to style her airport outfit. She wore a white t-shirt with a print that said ‘Not Javed Akhtar’s Granddaughter’.

  

• She has also been seen sporting similar outfits to those of Hollywood celebrities, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid.

  

• Apparently, Urfi was supposed to work with his ex-boyfriend Paras Kalnawat for Star Plus Channel’s top-rated show Anupama. Later, she disclosed in an interview that her ex stood in the way of her opportunity and asked the team to not cast her. ^[19]India Today She said,
  

  We were supposed to work together in a show, I guess Anupamaa only. He requested the creative director and everyone to not cast me in the show. Whenever there is even a slight chance of me being in the show, he would request the team to not cast me. Because apparently, his girlfriend present or ex would not like it.”

• In an interview, Urfi revealed that directors often tell her that she does not have the innocent face that is required for a TV lead. ^[20]The Times Of India She said,
  

  Somehow, casting directors tell me that I don’t have that innocent face to play a lead on TV. I only get negative roles to play. Also, with lead, the problem is that one gets so over exposed playing a similar character for years that after the show ends or one quits, it is difficult to get serials. However, with parallel leads, this isn’t the problem. This doesn’t mean that I would not want to play a lead, but I don’t run after it,”

• In 2023, she entered Bigg Boss OTT 2 as a guest, where she donned a leather skirt and a bralette, adorned with accentuated screws.

  

• Urfi Javed has often been spotted carrying the Bhagavad Gita, the 700-verse Hindu scripture while travelling. In an interview, she disclosed that she is intrigued by this religion and wants to know more about its logical inferences to fade away extremism from her life. ^[21]The Times Of India

• Urfi enjoys alcoholic beverages on various occasions. ^[22]Daily India

  

• Speculations about Urfi’s engagement began in October 2023 when her sister Urusa Javed posted a picture on social media. In the picture, which was posted on Urusa’s Instagram story, Urfi was seen participating in a puja alongside an unidentified man, whose face was kept concealed with a heart emoji. Urfi, on the other hand, has not commented on the circulating rumours. ^[23]The Times of India

  

• In a 2024 podcast, Urfi revealed that she doesn’t have a surname and the name “Javed” was chosen for media purposes. She also disclosed that her passport and Aadhaar card only contain her first name.

• In June 2025, she appeared as a contestant in the Prime Video reality show, The Traitors India. She, along with Nikita Luther, won the show in July 2025 and received a cash prize of Rs. 70 lakh.