Rupali Ganguly (born 5 April 1977) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi television.[1] One of the highest-paid television actresses in India,[2] Ganguly is known for portraying Manisha "Monisha" Singh Sarabhai in the sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (2004–2006) and Anupamaa Joshi in the drama Anupamaa (2020–present). She is a recipient of two Indian Telly Awards and one Indian Television Academy Award.[3]

Rupali Ganguly
Ganguly in 2024
Born (1977-04-05) 5 April 1977 (age 47)
OccupationActress
Years active1985–present
Known for
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
Spouse
Ashwin K Verma
(m. 2013)
Children1
Parents
RelativesVijay Ganguly (brother)

Born to film director Anil Ganguly, Ganguly started her acting career as a child, making her debut at age seven in her father's film Saaheb (1985). Following appearances in less favourably received films, Ganguly had her career breakthrough with her portrayal of Dr. Simran Chopra in the medical drama series Sanjivani: A Medical Boon (2003–2005). In 2006, she participated in Bigg Boss 1. Ganguly continued to appear in numerous successful television series, portraying Sujata in Ek Packet Umeed (2008) and Pinky Khanna Ahuja in Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi (2011–2013), following which she took a sabbatical from acting for seven years, and returned with Anupamaa.[4]

Early life and family

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Ganguly was born on 5 April 1977 in Bombay, (present-day Mumbai), Maharashtra into a Bengali Hindu family.[5][6] Ganguly's father, Anil Ganguly, was a director and screenwriter and her brother Vijay Ganguly is a choreographer. She studied hotel management and theatre.[7][8][9]

Career

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Ganguly made her acting debut at age seven with her father's film Saaheb in 1985 in her childhood.Her first film is Balidan Bengali Film when she was nearly 12years old. She made her television debut in Sukanya in 2000, and has also appeared in Sanjivani and Bhabhi.[10]

Ganguly received widespread recognition and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Monisha Sarabhai, a middle-class young woman married in a high society, Cuffe Parade-living socialite family in the cult sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai from 2004 to 2006. Later in November 2006, Ganguly participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 1. She got evicted in its tenth week.[11]

She is also a part of many Hindi theatre plays in her career, Some of her plays are Oye Ki Girl Hain, Selfie, and Patte Khul Gaye. In 2009, she participated in Colors TV's stunt based reality show, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 2.[12] She also gave voice over in an animation film Dashavatar in 2008.[13] In 2000, she established an advertising agency in Mumbai.[7]

Since 2020, she is portraying the titular character in StarPlus's Anupamaa. Ganguly made her digital debut in 2022 with her ongoing show Anupamaa's prequel web series named Anupama: Namaste America which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in 2022.[14]

Political career

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Ganguly started her political career in 2024, by joining Bharatiya Janta Party at the party headquarters in Delhi, on 1 May 2024.[15] On joining BJP, she said, "The one personality that attracts everyone towards BJP is PM Narendra Modi. When I see this 'Mahayagya' of development, I feel that I should also take part in this."[16][17]

In the media

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A report from Times Of India marked her as the highest earning Indian television actor in 2023.[18][19] Ganguly is known for portraying powerful roles on-screen.[20] In the Eastern Eye's "Top 50 Asian Stars" list, she was placed 29th in 2022.[21] In 2023, Ganguly featured in an ad for the Vocal for Local campaign, along with her Anupamaa co-actor Gaurav Khanna.[22]

Controversy

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In November 2024, Rupali filed a defamation lawsuit for Rs 50 Crore against her stepdaughter Esha Verma on purported allegations.[23] Esha Verma posted a video on her social media account, alleging that her father, Ashwin K Verma, harassed her mother.[24] After defamation suit Esha deleted the post from her social media handles.[25]

Personal life

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Ganguly married businessman Ashwin K. Verma on 6 February 2013. The couple has a son born 25 August 2013.[26][27][28] [29]

Filmography

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Films

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  • All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1985 Saaheb Uncredited [30]
1987 Mera Yaar Mera Dushman
1990 Balidan Bengali film
1996 Angaara Gulabi
1997 Do Ankhen Barah Hath Neeta Dayaram
2006 Premante Inte Lizi Telugu film
2008 Dashavatar Apsara Voice role [31]
Eti Shreya Bengali film [32]
2011 Satrangee Parachute Sumitra C. Sharma [33]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2000–2001 Sukanya Sukanya Bengali Shows
2002 Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi Priya / Anjali
2002 Suraag – The Clue Shweta Episode 172
2003–2004 Zindagi...Teri Meri Kahani Riya [34]
2003–2005 Sanjivani: A Medical Boon Dr. Simran Chopra [35]
2004 Bhabhi Roshni Khanna
2004–2006 Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Manisha "Monisha" Singh Sarabhai [36]
2005–2007 Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii Gayatri Agarwal
2005 Kkavyanjali Mona Mittal [37]
2005 CID: Special Bureau Meera [38]
2006 Yes Boss Sharmili
2006–2007 Bigg Boss 1 Contestant 6th place
2007 Sapna Babul Ka... Bidaai Roopa
2008 Ek Packet Umeed Sujata Dharamraj [30]
Zara Nachke Dikha Contestant Season 1
2009 Aapki Antara Anuradha Rai
Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 Contestant 12th place [39]
2010 Kitchen Champion 2
Meethi Choori No 1
Baa Bahoo Aur Baby Rekha Sharma
2011 Adaalat Public Prosecutor Rohini Malik
Mujhe Meri Family Se Bachao Sweetie Avasthi
2011–2013 Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi Pinky Kaur Khanna Ahuja [40]
2013 Bioscope Host
2020–present Anupamaa Anupamaa "Anu" Joshi [41][42]
2022 Ravivaar With Star Parivaar [43]

Web series

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Year Title Role Ref.
2017 Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 Manisha "Monisha" Singh Sarabhai [44]
2022 Anupama: Namaste America Anupama Joshi [45]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2004 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Negative Role Sanjivani: A Medical Boon Nominated [46]
2005 Best Actress in a Comic Role Sarabhai vs Sarabhai Nominated [47]
2017 Indian Television Academy Awards Best Actress - Web Series Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2 Nominated [48]
2021 Best Actress - Popular Anupamaa Nominated [49]
2022 Won [50]
Best Actress (Drama) Nominated
Nominated [51]
2023 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Lead Role Won [52]
Best Onscreen Couple (with Gaurav Khanna) Won
Iconic Gold Awards Iconic Best Actress Won [53]
2024 Won [54]
Pinkvilla Screen and Style Icons Awards Best Actress - TV Won [55]
Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Most Stylish TV Actor of the Year – Female Won [56]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chat with Khiladi Rupali Ganguly!". Rediff.com Movies. 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Kapil Sharma to Hina Khan, 10 highest-paid Indian TV actors who charge a hefty amount per episode". GQ India. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Anupamaa: Rupali Ganguly is set to surprise audience with her new makeover". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Women find Akshay tough, real & simply super!". The Times of India. 9 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly's family plans distanced birthday after she tests positive for COVID-19, watch". The Indian Express. 6 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Rupali Ganguly's Quarantine Birthday is a Proof of How Family Makes Everything Special, Watch Video". CNN News18. 6 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Rupali Ganguly may tie the knot". DNA. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Anupamaa: Rupali Ganguly To Sudhanshu Pandey, Know Show's Cast Qualification". india.com. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Anupama: सात साल की उम्र में रुपाली गांगुली ने शुरू की थी एक्टिंग, बिग बॉस में भी हिस्सा ले चुकी हैं 'अनुपमा'". timesnowhindi.com (in Hindi). 10 April 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Cast of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Where are they now?". The Indian Express. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  11. ^ "Rupali Ganguly, Rimi Sen: Popular TV celebs who failed to create an impact in Bigg Boss". The Times of India. 11 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Akshay madness spreads over". The Times of India. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Shatrughan Sinha gives narration for animation film 'Dashavatar'". DNA. 14 December 2007.
  14. ^ "Rupali Ganguly all set to make her OTT debut with her ongoing hit show Anupamaa's prequel web series titled "Anupamaa: Namaste America". Know the details inside". Jagran English. April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly joins BJP: 'I feel I should also be a part of this Mahayagya'". Hindustan Times. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly joins BJP: Every Indian wants to join Modi sena". India Today. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  17. ^ The Hindu (1 May 2024). "Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly joins BJP, says impressed by PM Modi's work". Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Kapil Sharma to Rupali Ganguly, 10 highest-paid Indian TV actors who charge a hefty amount per episode". The Times of India. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Meet the 7 highest paid actors and actresses on Indian television right now". GQ India. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  20. ^ "Rubina Dilaik to Rupali Ganguly: TV actresses who played path-breaking and powerful roles on-screen!". The Times of India. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  21. ^ Asjad Nazir (18 December 2022). "Entertainment: Top 50 Asian Stars of 2022". Eastern Eye. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  22. ^ "PM Modi promotes 'vocal for local', Internet says 'women only listen to Anupamaa'". India Today. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Anupamaa Star Rupali Ganguly Files Rs 50 Crore Defamation Suit Against Stepdaughter Esha Verma Over Alleged False Claims". Bru Times News.
  24. ^ "Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha claims actor hit her mom, calls dad 'very abusive man'". Hindustan Times.
  25. ^ "Rupali Ganguly faces backlash after stepdaughter deletes post against her following legal notice". The Times of India. 13 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Rupali Ganguly gets married". India Today. Mumbai. Indo-Asian News Service. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Why does Rupali Ganguly want her son to be a farmer? Must read". India Today. Indo-Asian News Service. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  28. ^ "Rupali Ganguly blessed with a baby boy". The Times of India.
  29. ^ "The actress confirmed the news, "Yes, I am expecting. I am very happy and feel like shouting it out from the rooftop. But I need all the prayers as this is a high risk pregnancy."".
  30. ^ a b Ganguly, Rupali (3 April 2008). "Bigg Boss made me famous" (Interview). Interviewed by Rajul Hegde. Mumbai: Rediff.com. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  31. ^ Malani, Gaurav (14 June 2008). "Dashavatar: Movie Review". The Economic Times.
  32. ^ Das, Mohua (27 May 2008). "Too mild to be hot". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  33. ^ "Satrangee Parachute Movie Review". The Times of India. 24 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  34. ^ "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Television".
  35. ^ "Revisiting the original medical drama Sanjivani: A Medical Boon". The Indian Express. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  36. ^ "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: How the popular TV sitcom influenced comedy shows". Hindustan Times. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021.
  37. ^ "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum". The Tribune. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  38. ^ "CID trivia, quirks, facts and clichés we bet you didn't know". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  39. ^ "I was targetted in Khatron Ke Khiladi". Rediff.
  40. ^ Hungama, Bollywood. "Sony TV launches TV serial 'Parvarish' | Photo Of Rupali Ganguly From The Sony TV launches TV serial 'Parvarish' Images - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama.
  41. ^ Maheshwri, Neha (22 February 2020). "Rupali Ganguly back on a fiction show after seven years". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  42. ^ "Monday Masala: Rupali Ganguly-starrer Anupamaa has the right ingredients for a hit TV show". India Today. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  43. ^ "Ravivaar With Star Parivaar: Gaurav Khanna and Rupali Ganguly to entertain in the grand finale; watch". The Times of India. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  44. ^ "Sarabhai vs Sarabhai to return in May. Here's its cast then and now". The Indian Express. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  45. ^ "Anupama Namaste America Promo: Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey's Younger Look Leave Fans Excited". News18. 18 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  46. ^ "Indian Telly Awards 2004 Popular Awards Winners". Indian Telly Awards. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  47. ^ "Indian Telly Awards 2005 Popular Awards Winners". Indian Telly Awards. Archived from the original on 17 September 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  48. ^ "ITA Awards 2017 winners list: Jennifer Winget, Vivian Dsena and Nakuul Mehta take home the trophies". The Indian Express. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  49. ^ "ITA Awards 2020 gets more than 1 crore votes in popular category. Check out the list of nominees". India Today. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Know the winners list of the 21st ITA Awards 2022". Jagran Josh. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  51. ^ "ITA Awards 2022 complete winners list: Varun Dhawan, Nakuul Mehta, Pranali Rathod, The Kashmir Files win big". The Indian Express. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  52. ^ "Celebs win big at the Indian Telly Awards 2023, see the winners". India Today. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  53. ^ "Iconic Gold Awards 2023: Celebrating the Best of Bollywood and Television on March 18th in Mumbai". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  54. ^ "Iconic Gold Awards 2024: A glittering night of glamour and excellence". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Pinkvilla Screen & Style Icons Awards: Complete list of winners ft. Rupali Ganguly, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar and more". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  56. ^ "Complete list of winners of Bollywood Hungama Style Icon Awards 2024". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
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