She started her career with
Hum Paanch in 1995. She also acted in Gujarati plays. After the success of
Hum Paanch, Pathak was chosen to star in another sitcom called
Khichdi, playing the role of Jayashree Parekh. In 2005, she reprised the same character in its sequel,
Instant Khichdi which was equally successful as its predecessor. However, she was replaced by actress
Nimisha Vakharia in the
film adaptation of the series, which was released in 2010. She portrayed the twisted character of Sheela Devi in
SAB TV's light-comedy show
Main Kab Saas Banoongi. In 2011, she had a starring role in another comedy show,
R. K. Laxman Ki Duniya. She also starred in
Mahisagar. She played the role of an alien in television series
Badi Door Se Aaye Hai. She said that she took inspiration from her father for the character. In 2015, she entered
Star Plus's longest-running popular show
Saath Nibhaana Saathiya. Pathak said that she "had been doing comedy for the last 14 years" and "was on the lookout for more serious roles when Gaura of
Saathiya came her way.". She took a break from the show in May 2016; but returned to the series in October 2016. The show went off-air in July 2017. In 2017, she was cast as the villainous character of Padmini (also called Vaidehi) in
Colors TV's medical drama show
Savitri Devi College & Hospital. ==Personal life==