Archana Chandhoke is an Indian television presenter, actress and radio jockey who works mainly in Tamil television and cinema. Widely known simply as Archana, she has been a familiar face on Tamil screens for more than two decades, from Comedy Time on Sun TV in the early 2000s to Namma Veetu Kalyanam on Star Vijay and, since 2015, a long run of shows on Zee Tamil. She is best known today as the host of the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in both its Seniors and Li'l Champs editions.
She reached a wider audience as a wildcard contestant on Bigg Boss Tamil season 4 in 2020, and has built a parallel career in films with supporting roles in Vaigai Express (2017), Doctor (2021), Madras Matinee (2025) and Mask (2025).
As of November 2026, her most recent television season as host, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs season 5 on Zee Tamil, concluded in June 2026, and her next film, the mystery John Doe directed by Madhumita, is scheduled for release on 13 November 2026.
Quick facts
Name | Archana Chandhoke |
Also known as | Archana, VJ Archana |
Occupation | Television presenter, actress, radio jockey |
First television work | English newsreader on Jaya TV (1999) |
Known for | Comedy Time, Namma Veetu Kalyanam, Athirsta Lakshmi, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Super Mom, Bigg Boss Tamil 4 |
Film debut | En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (2015) |
Latest film release | Mask (21 November 2025) |
Next film | John Doe (scheduled for 13 November 2026) |
Spouse | Vineet Muthukrishnan (married 2004) |
Career
Newsreading and Sun TV (1999 to 2007)
Archana began on television in 1999 as an English newsreader on Jaya TV while she was still in college. She then moved to Sun TV, where she presented Comedy Time from 2000 to 2007 and Ilamai Pudhumai. Comedy Time, which she hosted alongside Chitti Babu, is the show that first made her a recognisable name in Tamil households.
Star Vijay years (2008 to 2014)
In 2008 she joined Star Vijay, where she hosted Namma Veetu Kalyanam until 2014 and appeared on the comedy competition Kalakka Povathu Yaaru. During this period she also presented Veedu Manaivi Makkal on Kalaignar TV in 2013 and Celebrity Kitchen on Puthuyugam TV in 2014.
Zee Tamil and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (2015 to 2019)
Zee Tamil signed her in 2015 for the women's game show Athirsta Lakshmi, which she hosted until 2018. She became the channel's regular face for its biggest music franchise, hosting Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 1 (October 2017 to April 2018, won by Varsha) and season 2 (May to August 2019, won by Aslam), as well as the Li'l Champs editions for children. She was also a judge on the children's talent show Junior Super Star alongside K. Bhagyaraj and Khushbu.
From November 2018 she co-hosted Super Mom, a Zee Tamil game show for mothers and daughters, together with Zaara Vineet. The pair returned for season 2 in 2019 and season 3, which ran from September 2022 to January 2023 with Khushbu as judge. In 2019 she also made a cameo appearance as herself in the Zee Tamil serial Sembaruthi.
Bigg Boss Tamil 4 (2020 to 2021)
Archana entered the fourth season of Bigg Boss Tamil, hosted by Kamal Haasan on Star Vijay, as a wildcard contestant on day 11. The season premiered on 4 October 2020 and ran for 105 days. She served as house captain in week 4, won the captaincy task again in week 11, and was evicted on day 77 after facing the public vote. Aari Arjunan won the season at the finale on 17 January 2021.
Return to Star Vijay, radio and digital work (2021 to 2023)
After Bigg Boss she worked again with Star Vijay, where she was one of the main hosts, with Ma Ka Pa Anand, of the couples' reality show Mr and Mrs Chinnathirai season 3, which aired from April to December 2021 with Gopinath Chandran and Devadarshini as judges. She also hosted special episodes for the channel, including the Bigg Boss Tamil 4 Kondattam special, and was a judge on Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Champions season 3 in 2022.
In 2021 she took up a morning show on Radio Mirchi, Hi Chennai with Achuma, and in 2020 she launched Wow Life, a Tamil lifestyle channel on YouTube. Back on Zee Tamil, she hosted Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 3 from December 2022 to June 2023, which was won by Purushothaman.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa seasons 4 and 5 (2024 to 2026)
She continued as the franchise host on Zee Tamil. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 4 ran from 27 April to 20 October 2024, with Srinivas, Saindhavi, Karthik, Vijay Prakash and Shweta Mohan on the panel, and was won by Magizhan Paridhi. She also hosted Li'l Champs season 4, which ran from November 2024 to May 2025.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 5 premiered on 24 May 2025 and ended with its grand finale on 23 November 2025. Shweta Mohan and S. P. Charan joined Srinivas, Vijay Prakash, Saindhavi and Karthik as judges, and Susanthica Jayachandran was the winner. Archana then hosted Li'l Champs season 5, her fourth consecutive season for the franchise, from 6 December 2025 to its live finale on 7 June 2026, which was won by Abhisheka.
Films (2015 to 2026)
Her first film appearance was a small uncredited part in En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (2015), directed by Shaji Kailas and starring R. K. The same director cast her as Anuradha in Vaigai Express (2017), with Neetu Chandra in the female lead. In 2018 she played Thaara in Vignesh Karthick's Yenda Thalaiyila Yenna Vekkala, and she lent her voice to Aadai (2019) before a special appearance as herself in Naan Sirithal (2020).
Her best-known film role came in Doctor (2021), written and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sivakarthikeyan, who also played the lead. Archana played Sumathi, the sister-in-law of Priyanka Mohan's character, whose young daughter is kidnapped. Released on 9 October 2021, Doctor drew positive reviews and was one of the biggest Tamil hits of that year.
In 2025 she appeared in two films. She played Priya in Madras Matinee, the debut feature of director Karthikeyan Mani with Kaali Venkat and Sathyaraj, which released on 6 June 2025 and later streamed on Sun NXT and Amazon Prime Video. She then played Thaen in Mask, an action thriller directed by debutant Vikarnan Ashok and presented by Vetrimaaran, starring Kavin and Andrea Jeremiah. Mask released on 21 November 2025 to mixed to positive reviews and began streaming on ZEE5 on 9 January 2026.
As of November 2026 her next release is John Doe, a Tamil psychological mystery directed by Madhumita and produced by Arka Mediaworks, with Arjun Das in the lead. Archana and Zaara Vineet are both in the cast, and the film is scheduled to open in theatres on 13 November 2026.
Filmography
Year | Film | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | En Vazhi Thani Vazhi | Uncredited | Shaji Kailas | Film debut |
2017 | Vaigai Express | Anuradha | Shaji Kailas | Released 24 March 2017 |
2018 | Yenda Thalaiyila Yenna Vekkala | Thaara | Vignesh Karthick | Released 23 February 2018 |
2019 | Aadai | Voice-over | ||
2020 | Naan Sirithal | Herself | Special appearance | |
2021 | Doctor | Sumathi | Nelson Dilipkumar | Released 9 October 2021 |
2025 | Madras Matinee | Priya | Karthikeyan Mani | Released 6 June 2025 |
2025 | Mask | Thaen | Vikarnan Ashok | Released 21 November 2025; on ZEE5 |
2026 | John Doe | Madhumita | Scheduled for 13 November 2026 |
Television as host
Years | Show | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
2000–2007 | Comedy Time | Sun TV | With Chitti Babu |
2007 | Ilamai Pudhumai | Sun TV | |
2008 | Kalakka Povathu Yaaru | Star Vijay | |
2008–2014 | Namma Veetu Kalyanam | Star Vijay | |
2013 | Veedu Manaivi Makkal | Kalaignar TV | |
2014 | Celebrity Kitchen | Puthuyugam TV | |
2015–2018 | Athirsta Lakshmi | Zee Tamil | |
2016–2018 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs seasons 1 and 2 | Zee Tamil | |
2017–2019 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors seasons 1 and 2 | Zee Tamil | |
2018–2019 | Super Mom seasons 1 and 2 | Zee Tamil | With Zaara Vineet |
2021 | Mr and Mrs Chinnathirai season 3 | Star Vijay | With Ma Ka Pa Anand |
2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil 4 Kondattam | Star Vijay | Special show |
2022 | Super Mom season 3 | Zee Tamil | With Zaara Vineet |
2022–2023 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 3 | Zee Tamil | |
2024 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 4 | Zee Tamil | |
2024–2025 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs season 4 | Zee Tamil | November 2024 to May 2025 |
2025 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Seniors season 5 | Zee Tamil | 24 May to 23 November 2025 |
2025–2026 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs season 5 | Zee Tamil | 6 December 2025 to 7 June 2026 |
Reality shows and other appearances
Year | Show | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Genes season 1 | Participant | Zee Tamil |
2017–2019 | Junior Super Star seasons 1 and 2 | Judge | Zee Tamil |
2019 | Sembaruthi | Cameo as herself | Zee Tamil |
2020–2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil season 4 | Wildcard contestant; evicted on day 77 | Star Vijay |
2022 | Kalakka Povathu Yaaru Champions season 3 | Judge | Star Vijay |
2023 | Tamizha Tamizha season 3 | Guest | Zee Tamil |
Radio and digital
Year | Work | Role | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Wow Life | Creator | YouTube |
2021 | Hi Chennai with Achuma | Radio jockey | Radio Mirchi |
Awards
Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal | Best Anchor (Female) | Won |
2018 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal | Favourite Anchor | Won |
2018 | Galatta Nakshatra Awards | Best Anchor | Nominated |
2019 | Galatta Nakshatra Awards | Sensational Anchor | Won |
2019 | Ananda Vikatan Awards | Best Anchor | Won |
2020 | Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal | Favourite Anchor | Nominated |
2022 | Edison Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Doctor) | Won |
Personal life
Archana married Vineet Muthukrishnan in 2004.
FAQ
Who is Archana Chandhoke?
She is a Tamil television presenter, actress and radio jockey who began as an English newsreader on Jaya TV in 1999 and became well known through Comedy Time on Sun TV.
Which shows does Archana Chandhoke host?
She is the host of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on Zee Tamil, in both the Seniors and Li'l Champs editions, and has hosted Super Mom with Zaara Vineet.
Was Archana Chandhoke in Bigg Boss Tamil?
Yes. She entered Bigg Boss Tamil season 4 as a wildcard contestant on day 11 in 2020 and was evicted on day 77.
What films has Archana Chandhoke acted in?
Her films include Vaigai Express (2017), Yenda Thalaiyila Yenna Vekkala (2018), Doctor (2021), Madras Matinee (2025) and Mask (2025).
What is Archana Chandhoke's next film?
John Doe, a psychological mystery directed by Madhumita with Arjun Das in the lead, is scheduled for release on 13 November 2026.
Which awards has Archana Chandhoke won?
She won Best Anchor (Female) and Favourite Anchor at the 2018 Zee Tamil Kudumbam Viruthugal, Best Anchor at the 2019 Ananda Vikatan Awards, and Best Supporting Actress at the 2022 Edison Awards for Doctor.
