Richa Moorjani Biography: From Kathak Dancer to “Never Have I Ever” Star & Cultural Advocate

Richa Moorjani

Richa Moorjani, born on May 26, 1989, in Saratoga, California, is a renowned Indian-American actress who gained international recognition for her role as Kamala Nandiawada in Netflix’s hit series Never Have I Ever. Known for her versatility and authentic portrayal of South Asian characters, she has become a prominent figure in Hollywood, admired for both her talent and her dedication to cultural representation.

Beyond acting, Moorjani is a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion, and social causes, including environmental sustainability and mental health awareness. Her unique combination of artistic skill and activism has made her a respected voice in the entertainment industry, inspiring young women of color and contributing to authentic representation in media.

Key Fact

Key FactDetails
Full Name/Real NameRicha Shukla Moorjani
Birth Date/Birth PlaceMay 26, 1989, United States (California)
Age36 years (2025)
Family BackgroundIndian-American; father is Bhojpuri from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; mother is Kannadathi from Karnataka; family managed a Bollywood music band
EducationSaratoga High School; University of California, Davis (Communications major, Dramatic Arts minor, graduated 2011)

Early Life of Richa Moorjani

Richa Moorjani was born on May 26, 1989, in Saratoga, California, to a culturally rich Indian-American family. Her father is Bhojpuri from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and her mother is Kannada from Karnataka, giving her a strong connection to Indian traditions and arts from an early age. She grew up immersed in music, dance, and storytelling, which shaped her passion for performing and storytelling.

From a young age, Moorjani trained in classical Indian dance forms like Kathak and Bollywood, while also exploring theatrical arts. She attended Saratoga High School and later pursued higher education at the University of California, Davis, earning a degree in Communications with a minor in Dramatic Arts in 2011. Her early exposure to arts, education, and multicultural influences laid the foundation for her future success as a versatile actress in Hollywood.

Full name/Real name: 

Richa Shukla Moorjani

Birth date/Birth place: 

Born on May 26, 1989, in the United States, with family roots in India (father from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; mother from Karnataka).

Family background:

Richa Moorjani’s family managed a Bollywood music band and is rooted in Indian culture. She grew up in Saratoga, California, in a culturally rich Indian-American household.

School/University:  

She attended Saratoga High School in California and graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2011, majoring in communications with a minor in Dramatic Arts.

Career Journey of Richa Moorjani

Richa Moorjani began her acting career with guest roles on popular television series such as The Mindy Project, NCIS: Los Angeles, and 9-1-1, showcasing her versatility and on-screen presence. Her early work in episodic TV laid the foundation for her breakthrough role and established her as a rising talent in Hollywood.

Richa Moorjani

Her breakthrough came with the Netflix series Never Have I Ever (2020–2023), where she played Kamala Nandiawada, a PhD student at Caltech. This role earned her widespread recognition, critical acclaim, and a growing fanbase, solidifying her place in the industry. During the peak years of her career, Moorjani expanded her portfolio with significant roles such as Officer Indira Olmstead in Fargo (Season 5), demonstrating her ability to take on both comedic and dramatic roles. Her notable works reflect a commitment to authentic storytelling and representation, making her a prominent figure for South Asian representation in Hollywood.

Physical Appearance of Richa Moorjani

Age: 

Richa Moorjani is 36 years old as of 2025, born on May 26, 1989.

Height: 

Her height is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).

Weight: 

 57 kg (125 lbs)

Body measurement: 

 32-25-35 inches

Physical attributes:   

Richa Moorjani has brown eyes and long dark hair. She is a classically trained dancer in Kathak and Bollywood styles, which contributes to her graceful and poised presence. Her physical expressiveness complements her acting, lending authenticity to her roles.

Major Achievements of Richa Moorjani

Richa Moorjani has made a remarkable impact in Hollywood, particularly as a champion for authentic South Asian representation. Her role as Kamala in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever brought her international recognition, earning praise for her ability to portray complex, relatable characters. She has also been featured in critically acclaimed projects like Fargo (Season 5), highlighting her versatility across comedic and dramatic genres.

Beyond her acting, Moorjani is recognized for her advocacy work in promoting diversity, inclusion, and representation of marginalized communities. She has been acknowledged as one of the top 100 Asian Americans impacting culture and society, using her platform to inspire young women of color and aspiring actors in Hollywood. Her achievements showcase a blend of talent, social impact, and cultural influence, cementing her as a rising star and a voice for meaningful representation in entertainment.

Richa Moorjani

Personal Life of Richa Moorjani

Family:

Richa Moorjani’s family lives in Saratoga, California, and they managed a Bollywood music band. Her father is Bhojpuri from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and her mother is Kannadathi from Karnataka, India.

Nationality:

She is American, born and raised in the United States.

Religion:

Christianity

Ethnicity:

Richa Moorjani is Indian-American, with her father being Bhojpuri and her mother Kannadathi, representing two distinct Indian ethnic groups.

Marital status/Relationship:

Richa Moorjani is married to Bharat Rishi Moorjani. Their marriage has been highlighted for its unique proposal story.

Net worth:

3.66 Million

Social media presence:  

She has an active social media presence, especially on Instagram, where she shares her professional work, personal insights, and advocates for diversity, mental health, and environmental causes.

PlatformUsername/HandleLink
Instagram@richamoorjanihttps://www.instagram.com/richamoorjani/
FacebookRicha Moorjanihttps://www.facebook.com/richamoorjaniofficial/
X (Twitter)@RichaMoorjanihttps://x.com/richamoorjani?lang=en

Interesting Facts About Richa Moorjani

  • Breakthrough Role – Richa gained international fame for her role as Kamala in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.
  • Classically Trained Dancer – She is trained in Kathak, Bollywood, and Hip-Hop, showcasing her versatile performance skills.
  • Cultural Roots – Her father is Bhojpuri from Varanasi and her mother is Kannada from Karnataka, giving her strong Indian heritage.
  • Advocate for Diversity – Richa actively promotes representation, inclusion, and social issues in Hollywood.
  • Recognized Influencer – Named among the top 100 Asian Americans impacting culture and society for her contributions on and off-screen.

Conclusion of Richa Moorjani

Richa Moorjani has emerged as one of the most inspiring Indian-American actresses in Hollywood, celebrated for her authenticity, grace, and cultural pride. Through her breakout role as Kamala in Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever”, she brought South Asian representation to the global stage, proving that diverse stories have universal appeal. Her dedication to both her craft and social advocacy has made her a powerful voice for inclusion, representation, and empowerment in the entertainment industry.

Beyond acting, Richa Moorjani’s influence extends into activism and cultural leadership, where she continues to advocate for equality, environmental awareness, and mental health. Her journey from a classically trained dancer to an internationally recognized actress symbolizes passion, perseverance, and purpose. As she continues to grow her career, Richa remains a role model for aspiring artists worldwide, representing the strength and beauty of diversity in Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Richa Moorjani

1. Who is Richa Moorjani?
Richa Moorjani is an Indian-American actress, best known for her role as Kamala in Netflix’s hit series “Never Have I Ever.”

2. When and where was Richa Moorjani born?
She was born on May 26, 1989, and raised in Saratoga, California, USA, to parents of Indian descent.

3. What is Richa Moorjani’s educational background?
Richa graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a degree in communications and a minor in dramatic arts.

4. What are Richa Moorjani’s most notable works?
Her most acclaimed roles include “Never Have I Ever” and “Fargo” Season 5, where she showcased her range as an actress.

5. What causes does Richa Moorjani support?
Richa is an advocate for diversity, inclusion, mental health, animal rights, and environmental sustainability, using her platform to inspire positive change.

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