Payal Rohatgi (born in Hyderabad) is an Indian actress and model who appears in Bollywood films. Rohatgi was born in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, India. She is the daughter of Veena Rohatgi and Shashank Rohatgi.
She has a brother named Gaurav Rohatgi. She was brought up in a middle class family and grew up in Ahmedabad in Gujarat. She completed her schooling from Udgam School and did her engineering from L.D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad. She is a computer engineer by profession.
Rohatgi started her career by modeling for popular brands like Amul, Nirma, and Nescafe. She gained attention after appearing in a television ad for Cadbury's Temptations Chocolates. Around this time she also appeared in music videos by rock band, Silk Route and Indipop artist, Kay Kay.
In 2002, she participated in the Femina Miss India contest. The same year, she won the Miss Tourism World in Medellin, South America. After starting her career in Bollywood, Rohatgi has cut back on the number of products she endorses. However, she appeared along with cricketer Virender Sehwag in an ad film for Dabur's Lal Dantmanjan. The film was directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She was also seen in an ad film for Eveready battery in 2006 with Amitabh Bachchan, which was directed by Pradeep Sarkar.
Rohatgi made her Bollywood debut in 2002 with Harry Baweja's, Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai?, a Hindi remake of the Hollywood teen flick American Pie. In later years, she appeared in the films, Plan (2003), Police Force (2003) and Rakht (2004).
In 2006, she got her major breakthrough with the film, 36 China Town, also starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and Paresh Rawal. Later that year in July, she appeared in the critically acclaimed, Corporate, in which she played the part of an item girl. In 2007, her first release was Priyadarshan's Dhol, produced by the Percept Picture Company. She played a positive second lead character, paired opposite Arbaaz Khan.
