Rupa Ganguly
Encyclopedia
Rupa Ganguly or Roopa Ganguly (born 25 November 1966) is an India
n actress in the Hindi
and Bengali language
film industry, as well as television She became popular after playing Draupadi
in the hit Television series Mahabharat
(1988), and in film is most known for her roles in films like Padma Nadir Majhi
(1993) by Gautam Ghose
, Yugant
(1995) by Aparna Sen
, and Antarmahal (2006) by Rituparno Ghosh
.
near Kolkata
, West Bengal
, India
. She grew up in a joint family
.
She passed her Madhyamik Exam from Beltala Girls' High School
She graduated from the Jogamaya Devi College
, an affiliated undergraduate women's college of the historic University of Calcutta
, in Kolkata
.
starrer, Saaheb
1985, as a child actress. Her second role was in Malayalam film, Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986), with Mamoothy as lead. Though her first role as a lead actress, was the pivotal role of Draupadi
, in B.R. Chopra's mythological TV series, Mahabharat
(1988), which immediately got her attention, and also lead to a role in Mrinal Sen
's, Ek Din Achanak
(1989).
Her other notable works are in award-winning film, Padma Nadir Majhi
(1993) by Gautam Ghose
, Yugant
(1995) by Aparna Sen
, Abar Aranye
(2003) by Gautam Ghose
, Antarmahal (2006) by Rituparno Ghosh
, apart from these film appearances she has done, numerous television series, both in Bengali and Hindi, including Sukanya
(1998) etc.
After working in a few Hindi films, she shifted to Kolkata, and after appearing in numerous Bengali films through the 1990s, shifted based to Mumbai in 2007, with an English film called, Bow Barracks Forever
(2004), directed by Anjan Dutta
, and continued to act in Bengali films. She started working in Hindi TV series, with Karam Apnaa Apnaa
(2007), moving on to Love Story
(SAB TV
series) (2007), and more recently in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo
(2009).
She lived with her singer companion, Dibyendu, 13 years younger than her, in her Mumbai flat.
Rupa has since split with Dibyendu. Her appearance in the concluding episode of STAR Plus
's hit reality show, Sacch Ka Saamna
(2009), the Indian adaptation of the British reality show, The Moment of Truth, created media stir
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress in the Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
and Bengali language
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
film industry, as well as television She became popular after playing Draupadi
Draupadi
In the epic Mahābhārata, Draupadi, also known as ' is the "emerged" daughter of King Drupada of Panchāla and the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes the queen of Indraprastha...
in the hit Television series Mahabharat
Mahabharat (TV series)
Mahabharat is a successful Indian television series based on the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. The 94-episode series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra. The music was composed by critically acclaimed music...
(1988), and in film is most known for her roles in films like Padma Nadir Majhi
Padma Nadir Majhi
Padma Nadir Majhi is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Goutom Ghosh from the novel of the same name, Manik Banerjees Padma Nadir Majhi.-Plot:...
(1993) by Gautam Ghose
Gautam Ghose
Goutam Ghose is one of the most acclaimed film directors of modern India. Born in Calcutta. Graduated from Calcutta University....
, Yugant
Yugant
Yugant is a 1995 Bengali movie directed by Aparna Sen. The movie featured Anjan Dutta and Rupa Ganguly.-Plot:Deepak and Anasuya are an estranged couple, now leading separate lives in Cuttack and Bombay. They meet again after 18 months of separation, at a small fishing village where they had...
(1995) by Aparna Sen
Aparna Sen
Aparna Sen is a critically acclaimed Bengali Indian filmmaker, script writer, and actress. She is the winner of three National Film Awards and eight international film festival awards.-Biography:...
, and Antarmahal (2006) by Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh is a Bengali film director. He has won 8 National Film Awards in India and several awards at international film festivals abroad.- Early life and background :...
.
Early life and education
Rupa Ganguly was born in KalyaniKalyani, West Bengal
Kalyani is a city and a municipality in Nadia district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a part of the area covered by Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority....
near Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. She grew up in a joint family
Hindu joint family
A Hindu Joint Family or Joint Family is an extended family arrangement prevalent among Hindus of the Indian subcontinent, consisting of many generations living under the same roof. All the male members are blood relatives and all the women are either mothers, wives, unmarried daughters, or widowed...
.
She passed her Madhyamik Exam from Beltala Girls' High School
She graduated from the Jogamaya Devi College
Jogamaya Devi College
Jogamaya Devi College is a women's college in Kolkata, India. The college offers undergraduate degrees and is affiliated to the University of Calcutta. It was established in 1932.-Notable alumnae:*Maitreyi Devi*Bijoya Ray*Uma Dasgupta*Amala Shankar...
, an affiliated undergraduate women's college of the historic University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
, in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
.
Career
Rupa Ganguly debuted in the Anil KapoorAnil Kapoor
Anil Kapoor is an Indian actor and producer who mainly appears in Bollywood films. He won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Yash Chopra's film Mashaal ....
starrer, Saaheb
Saaheb
Saaheb is a 1985 Hindi movie directed by Anil Ganguly. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Rakhee, Amrita Singh, Utpal Dutt, Biswajit, Vijay Arora, Deven Verma, A. K. Hangal and Dilip Dhawan. The music is by Bappi Lahiri....
1985, as a child actress. Her second role was in Malayalam film, Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986), with Mamoothy as lead. Though her first role as a lead actress, was the pivotal role of Draupadi
Draupadi
In the epic Mahābhārata, Draupadi, also known as ' is the "emerged" daughter of King Drupada of Panchāla and the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes the queen of Indraprastha...
, in B.R. Chopra's mythological TV series, Mahabharat
Mahabharat (TV series)
Mahabharat is a successful Indian television series based on the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. The 94-episode series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra. The music was composed by critically acclaimed music...
(1988), which immediately got her attention, and also lead to a role in Mrinal Sen
Mrinal Sen
Mrinal Sen is a Bengali Indian filmmaker. He was born on 14 May 1923, in the town of Faridpur, now in Bangladesh in a Hindu family. After finishing his high school there, he left home to come to Calcutta as a student and studied physics at the well-known Scottish Church College and at the...
's, Ek Din Achanak
Ek Din Achanak
Ek Din Achanak is a 1989 art film directed by Mrinal Sen, based on a Bengali novel, Beej by Ramapada Chowdhury..- Synopsis :...
(1989).
Her other notable works are in award-winning film, Padma Nadir Majhi
Padma Nadir Majhi
Padma Nadir Majhi is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Goutom Ghosh from the novel of the same name, Manik Banerjees Padma Nadir Majhi.-Plot:...
(1993) by Gautam Ghose
Gautam Ghose
Goutam Ghose is one of the most acclaimed film directors of modern India. Born in Calcutta. Graduated from Calcutta University....
, Yugant
Yugant
Yugant is a 1995 Bengali movie directed by Aparna Sen. The movie featured Anjan Dutta and Rupa Ganguly.-Plot:Deepak and Anasuya are an estranged couple, now leading separate lives in Cuttack and Bombay. They meet again after 18 months of separation, at a small fishing village where they had...
(1995) by Aparna Sen
Aparna Sen
Aparna Sen is a critically acclaimed Bengali Indian filmmaker, script writer, and actress. She is the winner of three National Film Awards and eight international film festival awards.-Biography:...
, Abar Aranye
Abar Aranye
Abar Aranye is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Goutom Ghosh.-Plot:...
(2003) by Gautam Ghose
Gautam Ghose
Goutam Ghose is one of the most acclaimed film directors of modern India. Born in Calcutta. Graduated from Calcutta University....
, Antarmahal (2006) by Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh
Rituparno Ghosh is a Bengali film director. He has won 8 National Film Awards in India and several awards at international film festivals abroad.- Early life and background :...
, apart from these film appearances she has done, numerous television series, both in Bengali and Hindi, including Sukanya
Sukanya
In Hindu mythology, was the daughter of Shryayati, son of Vaivasvata Manu and the wife of the great sage Chyavana.The sage had spent so long in meditation that he was covered by a termite nest. The beautiful girl Sukanya came upon the nest and saw two shining objects inside...
(1998) etc.
After working in a few Hindi films, she shifted to Kolkata, and after appearing in numerous Bengali films through the 1990s, shifted based to Mumbai in 2007, with an English film called, Bow Barracks Forever
Bow Barracks Forever
-Plot:Bow Barracks Forever is a film about the disaster of the human spirit. It is not easy to fight back the march of progress. And progress brings with it change-change that is often painful, that breaks continuity, that destroys tradition, history, the power and the passion of communities that...
(2004), directed by Anjan Dutta
Anjan Dutta
Anjan Dutta is a popular artist of the 1990s Bengali music scene defined by anyodharar gaan . Anjan Dutta's style of music is different from the others in the sense that it has simple tunes, one that is reminiscent of western folk music. His lyrics are simple and more natural...
, and continued to act in Bengali films. She started working in Hindi TV series, with Karam Apnaa Apnaa
Karam Apnaa Apnaa
Karam Apnaa Apnaa is an Indian soap opera produced by Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms, which airs on STAR Plus. First it aired on August 29, 2006 at 6:30pm. Then it moved into the 8.00pm time slot but eventually moving into a morning time slot of 11:30am replacing Kesar on May 31, 2007. Karam Apnaa...
(2007), moving on to Love Story
Love Story (SAB TV series)
Love Story is an Indian television drama, produced and directed by hindi film director Anurag Basu. The series originally aired in India on SAB TV from April 30, 2007, to January 17, 2008. Beginning June 11, 2007, the series was retelecast on sister network Sony Entertainment Television...
(SAB TV
SAB TV
SAB TV is an Indian general entertainment television channel that is owned by Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd and based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It was launched on April 23, 2000 by Sri Adhikari Brothers as a general entertainment channel. In 2003, it was repositioned as a comedy-centric channel...
series) (2007), and more recently in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo
Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo
Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo is an Indian television series based on the story of an impoverished young girl who has to support her family...
(2009).
Personal life
Rupa Ganguly was married to Dhruba Mukherjee, a Mechanical Engineer, since 1992. After 14 years of marriage the couple separated in 2007, and later formally divorced in January 2009. They have a son named Aakash.She lived with her singer companion, Dibyendu, 13 years younger than her, in her Mumbai flat.
Rupa has since split with Dibyendu. Her appearance in the concluding episode of STAR Plus
STAR Plus
STAR Plus is a Hindi language general entertainment television channel based in India. The channel is part of the STAR TV network's bouquet of channels...
's hit reality show, Sacch Ka Saamna
Sacch Ka Saamna
Sacch Ka Saamna is the Indian version of the popular American reality show The Moment of Truth, which itself is adapted from the Colombian reality game show Nada más que la verdad. It premiered on STAR Plus on July 15, 2009 at 11.00 PM and airs from Monday through Friday each week...
(2009), the Indian adaptation of the British reality show, The Moment of Truth, created media stir
Filmography
- SaahebSaahebSaaheb is a 1985 Hindi movie directed by Anil Ganguly. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Rakhee, Amrita Singh, Utpal Dutt, Biswajit, Vijay Arora, Deven Verma, A. K. Hangal and Dilip Dhawan. The music is by Bappi Lahiri....
(1985) - MahabharatMahabharat (TV series)Mahabharat is a successful Indian television series based on the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata. The 94-episode series originally ran from 2 October 1988 to 24 June 1990. It was produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by his son, Ravi Chopra. The music was composed by critically acclaimed music...
(1988 TV Series) - Ek Din AchanakEk Din AchanakEk Din Achanak is a 1989 art film directed by Mrinal Sen, based on a Bengali novel, Beej by Ramapada Chowdhury..- Synopsis :...
(1989) - Kamla ki Maut (1989)
- Pyaar Ka Devta (1990)
- Bahaar Aane Tak (1990)
- Meena BazarMeena BazarMeena Bazar is a bazaar located in Karimabad of Gulberg Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.The Meena Bazaar building may have grown old from the outside and crammed from the inside, but the same women have been working and running their businesses at the bazaar for decades. Many still have memories...
(1991) - Inspector Dhanush (1991)
- SaugandhSaugandhSaugandh is an Indian film directed by Raj Sippy and released in 1991. It stars Akshay Kumar in his film debut alongside Raakhee Gulzar and Shantipriya.-Plot:...
(1991) - VirodhiVirodhi-Plot:Political journalist Jayadev unearths several scams made by a politician who in turn invites him to have a discussion. The politician tries to bribe the journalist but honest Jayadev refuses to relent, and as they discuss, a group of Maoists attack on the politician and kill him off and...
(1992) - NishchaiyNishchaiyNishchaiy is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Esmayeel Shroff, released on 17 July 1992. The film stars Vinod Khanna, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor in pivotal roles.-Plot:...
(1992) - Janani aka MotherMotherA mother, mum, mom, momma, or mama is a woman who has raised a child, given birth to a child, and/or supplied the ovum that grew into a child. Because of the complexity and differences of a mother's social, cultural, and religious definitions and roles, it is challenging to specify a universally...
(1993 - Padma Nadir MajhiPadma Nadir MajhiPadma Nadir Majhi is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Goutom Ghosh from the novel of the same name, Manik Banerjees Padma Nadir Majhi.-Plot:...
(1993) - Gopalaa (1994)
- YugantYugantYugant is a 1995 Bengali movie directed by Aparna Sen. The movie featured Anjan Dutta and Rupa Ganguly.-Plot:Deepak and Anasuya are an estranged couple, now leading separate lives in Cuttack and Bombay. They meet again after 18 months of separation, at a small fishing village where they had...
(1995) - Vrindavan Film Studios (1996)
- SukanyaSukanyaIn Hindu mythology, was the daughter of Shryayati, son of Vaivasvata Manu and the wife of the great sage Chyavana.The sage had spent so long in meditation that he was covered by a termite nest. The beautiful girl Sukanya came upon the nest and saw two shining objects inside...
(1998 TV Series) - BariwaliBariwaliBariwali is a Bengali movie released in 2000 directed by Rituparno Ghosh.The movie featured Kirron Kher, Rupa Ganguly and Chiranjeet Chakraborty.- Synopsis :...
(2000) - Abar AranyeAbar AranyeAbar Aranye is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Goutom Ghosh.-Plot:...
(2003) - Mahulbanir SerengMahulbanir SerengMahulbonir Sereng is a Bengali film directed by Sekhar Das.This film was released at 13th Brisbane International Film Festival 2004 and 19 April 2005 at Filmfest DC in Washington.-Plot:...
(2004) - Bow Barracks ForeverBow Barracks Forever-Plot:Bow Barracks Forever is a film about the disaster of the human spirit. It is not easy to fight back the march of progress. And progress brings with it change-change that is often painful, that breaks continuity, that destroys tradition, history, the power and the passion of communities that...
(2004) - Shunyo E Bukey (2005)
- Ek Mutho ChabiEk Mutho ChabiEk Mutho Chabi or Ek Mutho Chhobi is a bengali feature-film released in September 2005. The name suggests about the type of movie. Its not a movie of continuous story of 1 and half hour. Rather its a compilation of six different stories combined together, all of around 20–25 minutes duration....
(2005) - KrantikaalKrantikaalKrantikaal is an award-winning Indian Bengali feature film directed by Sekhar Das of Mahulbanir Sereng fame.-Plot:The story is of terrorism that’s plaguing different parts of the Northeast as the backdrop. Shilajeet Majumdar, a militant on the run, takes refuge in a dilapidated mansion...
(2005) - Antarmahal(2006)
- Karam Apnaa ApnaaKaram Apnaa ApnaaKaram Apnaa Apnaa is an Indian soap opera produced by Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms, which airs on STAR Plus. First it aired on August 29, 2006 at 6:30pm. Then it moved into the 8.00pm time slot but eventually moving into a morning time slot of 11:30am replacing Kesar on May 31, 2007. Karam Apnaa...
(TV series) (2007) - Love StoryLove Story (SAB TV series)Love Story is an Indian television drama, produced and directed by hindi film director Anurag Basu. The series originally aired in India on SAB TV from April 30, 2007, to January 17, 2008. Beginning June 11, 2007, the series was retelecast on sister network Sony Entertainment Television...
(SAB TV series) (2007) - Waqt Batayega Kaun Apna Kaun ParayaWaqt Batayega Kaun Apna Kaun ParayaWaqt Batayega Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya is a Hindi television saga that aired on Sony TV based on the story of a girl name Rudra who faces many hurdles by her adoptive family members...
(TV series) (2008) - Luck (2009)
- KasturiKasturi (TV series)Kasturi was an Indian soap opera produced by popular soap opera producer Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms that aired on STAR Plus channel. The series premiered on April 23, 2007. The soap concluded on March 31, 2009.- Plot :...
(TV series) (2009) - Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi KijoAgle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi KijoAgle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo is an Indian television series based on the story of an impoverished young girl who has to support her family...
(2009) - Sacch Ka SaamnaSacch Ka SaamnaSacch Ka Saamna is the Indian version of the popular American reality show The Moment of Truth, which itself is adapted from the Colombian reality game show Nada más que la verdad. It premiered on STAR Plus on July 15, 2009 at 11.00 PM and airs from Monday through Friday each week...
(2009) (TV series) - Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa DilKis Desh Mein Hai Meraa DilKis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil was a very popular Indian soap opera that aired on STAR Plus. The series is produced by popular Indian soap opera producer, Ekta Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms. The story is of two lovers, Prem and Heer and their undying love for one another...
(2011) (TV series)