Debut and success in South Indian films (19982004) Hassanandani made her acting debut with the television series
Idhar Udhar in 1998, where she played Anushka. It was followed by a special appearance in the Hindi film
Taal, in 1999. In 2000, she appeared in the series
Hare Kanch Ki Choodiyan. Hassanandani made her film debut with the Telugu film
Nuvvu Nenu (2001) opposite
Uday Kiran. The film was commercial success. Jeevi of
Idlebrain noted, "Anita looks the part and gives a decent performance." From 2001 to 2002, she played Tanushree in
Kabhii Sautan Kabhii Sahelii. In 2002, Hassanandani appeared in four films. She first made her Tamil film debut with
Varushamellam Vasantham opposite
Manoj Bharathiraja. Malathi Rangarajan of
The Hindu stated, "Anita, the new find, looks charming, with expressive eyes." Her other releases that year were:
Samurai with
Vikram,
Sreeram with Uday Kiran and
Thotti Gang with
Prabhu Deva. Hassanandani expanded to Hindi films in 2003 with
Kucch To Hai opposite
Tusshar Kapoor, which was a box office failure. Her next release,
Yeh Dil, reunited her with Tusshar Kapoor but failed at the box office too. Priya Ganapati of
Rediff.com stated that she gave a "reasonably good performance". Her performance in both these films earned her nomination for
Zee Cine Award for Best Female Debut. Following this, Hassanandani appeared in three Telugu films:
Ninne Ishtapaddanu,
Aadanthe Ado Type with
Aryan Rajesh, and
Nenu Pelliki Ready with
Srikanth. A critic from
The Hindu was appreciative of her performance in the latter. That year, she also played Kareena in the series
Kohi Apna Sa. Hassanandani started 2004 with the series
Lavanya, where she played Samira and had a special appearance in
Nenunnanu. Following this, she played the lead opposite
Sohail Khan in
Krishna Cottage. Shilpa Bharatan Iyer of
Rediff.com stated, "Natassha has done reasonable jobs with the script she have been given." In her last release of the year, she played the lead opposite
Puneeth Rajkumar in
Veera Kannadiga, her Kannada debut. The film emerged a major commercial success and proved her breakthrough.
Television breakthrough and career expansion (2005–2012) Hassanandani's career marked a turning point in 2005, with
Kkavyanjali. She played Anjali "Anjum" Salve Nanda, a middle-class girl marrying into a business tycoon's family opposite Rakshak Sahni and
Eijaz Khan. The series earned her success and she won the
Indian Telly Award for Best Actress for her performance. In the same year, she appeared in the Tamil film
Sukran with
Ravi Krishna, and the Hindi films
Silsiilay and
Koi Aap Sa. In
Koi Aap Sa, Hassanandani played a rape survivor opposite
Aftab Shivdasani.
Taran Adarsh noted: "After making an impact in
Silsiilay earlier this year, Natassha gets an author-backed role and the actor is only getting better, more dependable. A sincere performance, it stands out mainly because she handles it most naturally." In 2006, Hassanandani appeared in her second Kannada film
Gandugali Kumara Rama, opposite
Shiva Rajkumar. R G Vijayasarathy stated the she "shines" among the actresses. In 2007, she first played Swati Bhatia in
Kayamath and then appeared in the Hindi films:
Dus Kahaniyaan and
Just Married. From 2007 to 2008, she played Sanchi Virani in
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi opposite
Naman Shaw. Following her supporting parts in the series
Kasamh Se,
Kya Dill Mein Hai and
Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, Hassanandani played
Draupadi in the 2008 series
Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki. In the same year, she participated in the first season of
Khatron Ke Khiladi. Later, she appeared in the Tamil film
Nayagan. In 2009, Hassanandani hosted
Comedy Circus Ka Jadoo. Her only film release of the year was
Ek Se Bure Do opposite
Arshad Warsi. She then played the lead Anahita Mallik in
Anhoniyon Ka Andhera, from 2010 to 2011. In 2010, Hassanandani appeared in the Hindi film
Benny and Babloo, Kannada film
Huduga Hudugi and had a special appearance in the Telugu film
Ragada. In 2011, she played supporting parts in the series:
Gutur Gu 2,
Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai and had an episodic appearance in
Teri Meri Love Stories. In the same year, she also appeared in the Tamil film
Maharaja and the Telugu film
Aha Naa Pellanta!, which was a commercial success. In 2012, she appeared in an episode of
Lakhon Mein Ek, hosted
Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and had a special appearance in
Genius.
Established actress (2013–2020) Hassanandani established herself among the leading actresses of Hindi television with her portrayal of Shagun Arora Raghav in
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein opposite
Sumeet Sachdev and
Karan Patel. She played the character from 2013 to 2019 and earned four consecutive
Gold Award for Best Actress in a Negative Role for her performance. In 2013, she also played Sanya Nair in
Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon and appeared in the first episode of
Yeh Hai Aashiqui as a married woman who falls in love with her student. She then made her Punjabi film debut with
Yaaran Da Katchup in 2014 and in the same year she appeared in
Ragini MMS 2, which was a box office success. Hassanandani hosted
Code Red in 2015. That year, she participated in
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 8 as a wild card. Following this, she appeared in the Hindi film
Hero. Alongside
Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, she continued to play supporting parts in
Bahu Hamari Rajni Kant,
Trideviyaan and
Sajan Re Phir Jhooth Mat Bolo. In 2016, she played a professor's wife in
Manalo Okkadu opposite
R. P. Patnaik. The film was a moderate success. A critic from
123telugu stated, "Anita makes a comeback and is perfect in her role. She does a neat job in emotional scenes and gives ample support to Patnaik." From 2018 to 2019, Hassanandani played Vishakha, a shape-shifting serpent in
Naagin 3 opposite
Rajat Tokas. She received praises for her performance and earned several accolades. She made her web debut in 2018 with
Galti Se Mis-Tech, playing a married woman caught in technological glitches opposite
Rithvik Dhanjani. Sana Farzeen of
The Indian Express was appreciative of her chemistry with Dhanjani and her portrayal. In 2019, she also participated in
Nach Baliye 9 with her husband and emerged as the first runner-up. In 2020, she reprised her role as Vishakha in
Naagin 4.
Hiatus and comeback (2021–present) Following a small hiatus due to her pregnancy, Hassanandani made her comeback with the Hindi film
Maarrich opposite Tusshar Kapoor, where she played a police officer's wife. Hassanandani returned to television after three years with
Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum, where she played Roshni Sahni opposite
Jay Bhanushali. From September 2024 to April 2025, she is seen portraying Devika Gupta Mittal in
Suman Indori opposite Aman Sharma. == Personal life ==