Panigrahi made her television debut with the show Amber Dhara, where she played the character of Dhara, based on the story of conjoined twins. The series aired on Sony Entertainment Television from September 2007 to March 2008. Her second show was Do Saheliyaan, where she played the role of Maithali, based on the story of best friends set in rural Rajasthan. Do Saheliyaan aired on Zee TV from March 2010 to July 2010/ After this she went on to do a negative role in the serial Bidaai, playing the role of Sakshi.

She made her Bollywood debut in the 2011 thriller Murder 2, a sequel to the 2004 hit Murder under the banner of Vishesh Films. She played the role of Reshma, a poor college student, who in need for money to survive her family, chooses to become a part-time prostitute and falls victim to a psychopathic serial killer. Her role was well-received with positive reviews from critics around the media.