Pathak is an alumna of the J. B. Vachha High School, Dadar Mumbai and the 1981 batch of the National School of Drama, Delhi.
She also acted in the hit comedy sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, for which she received the ITA Award for Best Actress - Comedy in 2005.
In July 2008 she appeared in the successful film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na as the mother of the protagonist. Naseeruddin Shah played her husband, as a deceased character who talks to her from a portrait. She has also acted in several Russian plays, as well as co-founding and being an active member of "Motley Theatre Group". She appeared in the successful film Golmaal 3 opposite Mithun Chakraborty. She was a part of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Selecting Committee for 2012 Awards.
