Meet Girija Oak, Internet’s new favourite who is giving tough competition to Disha Patani & Rashmika Mandanna

Girija Oak, fondly called the ‘Blue Saree Woman’, has become a viral sensation, replacing Rashmika Mandanna, Disha Patani and Triptii Dimri as the Internet’s new crush. Girija has literally taken over social media after she appeared in an interview.

Girija captivated viewers as she shared a light-hearted story from her life, including a hilarious classroom memory where her physics teacher mispronounced ‘waves’ as ‘babes’, leaving her classmates in stitches.

While this video may be many people’s first introduction to her, Girija Oak is hardly a newcomer. A celebrated name in Marathi theatre and cinema, she has also made notable appearances in Hindi films and web shows. Her credits include Taare Zameen Par, Shor in the City, Ladies Special, Jawan, and Inspector Zende.

Also Read: Rashmika Mandanna faces backlash over ‘men should get periods’ comment; says she now fears going on shows

Who Is Girija Oak?

Born on December 27, 1987, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Girija is the daughter of veteran Marathi actor Girish Oak and homemaker Padmashree Phatak. She is married to filmmaker Suhrud Godbole.

A biotechnology graduate from Thakur College of Science and Commerce in Mumbai, Girija later studied business management and trained in theatre before stepping fully into acting. Her Marathi filmography includes acclaimed titles like Gulmohar, Lajja, and Navra Maza Bhavra, while she has also acted in the Kannada film House Full.

In Bollywood, audiences fondly remember her as Jabeen in Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par (2007), and she later appeared in Shor in the City (2010) and Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Jawan (2023). She also starred as one of the leads in the TV show Ladies Special, which revolved around four women bonding over their daily train rides in Mumbai.

Her OTT work includes Modern Love: Mumbai, 13th: Some Lessons Aren’t Taught in Classrooms, and the recent thriller Inspector Zende, alongside Manoj Bajpayee.

Her Reaction to Sudden Internet Fame

Since her video went viral, Girija says her phone hasn’t stopped buzzing. Girija takes the newfound attention in stride, acknowledging that viral fame is fleeting. 

“Trends come and go,” she said. “But the work I do — that’s what really lasts. If this moment makes people discover my work, I’m happy.”