Antara Mali is the daughter of noted Mali Jagdish photographer.

Made her acting debut Mali in Katha Prima 1999 film (directed by Ram Gopal Varma). Pharma became her frequent collaborator and went to make several films with her​​, as he did with actress Urmila Matondkar. Although critically acclaimed for her performance in each of her films she stopped acting after her movie post Mr., Miss (2005) (which was also written and directed) did not do well and was critically panned. And praised by Madhuri Dixit Bollywood legend, by playing aspiring actress inspired by Madhuri in the film Main Madhuri Diixit Hun Chahti Banna.