Pawan Shankar is an Indian Film, OTT and Television actor who played the title role in the serial Siddhanth on Star One. He holds an MBA in finance from Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad. An alumnus of Allahabad's St. Joseph's College, Shankar graduated with a Gold Medal from Allahabad University.

He was a sportsman. He was a national cadet champion in table tennis, and represented Uttar Pradesh in 17 national-level tournaments. Shankar worked in companies including Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd., Essar Cellphone, Hutch and ICICI Securities for about 4 years.

He completed a course in acting from Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Lab, Mumbai and won the Best Actor Critics Award in the Indian Telly Awards for his performance in Siddhanth, a serial that won the best drama award in Hero Honda Indian Television Academy Awards. Shankar was nominated for the Best Actor category in Apsara Awards. Siddhanth was nominated for International Emmy Awards 2005 and reached in the Top in foreign language category.

Film critic Subhash K. Jha and others reviewed Shankar's performance in Siddhant positively. Shankar played the role of Sanjay Apte, a trade union leader, in Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasman on Star Plus, well-reviewed by Subhash K. Jha. Smriti Irani played the role of his sister in this series.

Shankar worked as a model for more than 70 Television Commercials (TVC) for Indian and Multinational brands like Ikea, Aviva, Colgate, Reid & Taylor, Complain, Graviera Suitings, India Bulls, Samsung, Bharat Matrimony, Bajaj Allianz, Horlicks, Dabur, Axis Bank, Aashirvaad Aatta, Haier, Navratna Hair Oil, Nature Fresh, Federal Bank to name a few.

He played the title role in the TV series Vicky Ki Taxi on Real TV Channel.

Shankar was the lead actor in the TV programme Kya Huaa Tera Vaada playing a man in an extra-marital affair on Sony TV produced by Ekta Kapoor.

Shankar did a negative role (cameo) for the first time in a TV show Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega concluded in December 2019.

Shankar played the role of Antagonist in the Ajay Devgan's Starrer Bhuj: The Pride of India (2021), released on Disney Plus Hotstar. Nora Fatehi was opposite Shankar.

His latest OTT release is Mumbai Diaries Season 2 released on Amazon Prime on 6th October 2023 where he plays Hasan Rahimtullah.

Upcoming projects: Tseries's Starfish Pickle releasing on 26th November 2023 in theatres where he plays the role of Martin and Empire releasing on Jiocinema where he plays the role of Vineet Bhai.

Shankar is a known entrepreneur as well, owning Fashionista Group of Exhibitions currently operating in Fashion, Education, Sustainable Fashion and Food segment.