Rupa Ganguly

Roopa (or Rupa) Ganguly (রূপা গঙ্গোপাধ্যায়, rupa gônggopaddhae; born 25 November, 1966) is an Indian actress, playback singer and politician. She is one of the most popuplar faces of Indian television and mostly known her rendition of Draupadi in B R Chopra's hit television series Mahabharat (1988). She is a veteran of Bengali Parallel Cinema and acclaimed for her brilliant transformation into characters however difficult they may be She has worked with renowned directors like Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen, Goutam Ghose and Rituparno Ghosh. She won many awards including a National Award. She has been cited as the Bengali Film Industry's answer to Bollywood's Shabana Azmi for her intense ability of acting. She is a trained Rabindra Sangeet vocalist and a classical dancer. In October, 2015, she was nominated as the Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, by the President of India. She served as the President of BJP Mahila Morcha in West Bengal. She served as the General Secretary and the Vice President for the West Bengal Motion Picture Artistes' Forum, a body representing cine artistes. Ganguly rose to renown for her performance in the Bengali television series Muktabandha. Her performance in the Bengali TV series Streer Patra (1985) won her huge accolades. She got her first national break in Ganadevta (1986) TV series and shot to wider fame and popularity after she had played the character of Draupadi in Baldev Raj Chopra's Mahabharat (1988 TV series). She reprised the role Draupadi in Baldev Raj Chopra's Mahabharat Katha. She was further appreciated for her roles in TV series like Virasat and Sukanya. She acted a small part in Mrinal Sen's Ek Din Achanak (1989). In early nineties she acted in a number of commercial films but most of them flopped at box office. In 1993, she appeared In Goutam Ghose's National Award winning Bengali film Padma Nadir Majhi (1993) which earned her critical acclamation for her enticing portrayal of Kapila in it. She also earned rave review at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, 1994, for her performance in Sanat Dasgupta's National Award winning Bengali film Janani (1993). In 1995, she appeared in Amal Ray Ghatak's Bengali film Ujan which earned her the BFJA Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996. She then played the character of Anasuya, an obsessed dancer in Aparna Sen's National Award-winning Bengali film Yugant (1995). After that for a long duration she was not seen in any strong role till Rituparno Ghosh came to her with the offer of Antarmahal (2005) which earned her rave critical acclamation as well as the BFJA Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006. In the same year she acted in a role of a conceited actress in Anjan Dutt's Tarpor Bhalobasa which once again earned her rave critical acclamation. She was also acclaimed for her performance in Sekhar Das's National Award winning Bengali film Krantikaal (2005). In January 2006, she was named by The Indian Express in the list of the five most powerful actresses of 2005. She went on to earn further recognition for her roles in films like Kaaler Rakhal (2009), Chowrasta - The Crossroads of Love (2009), Chaurahen (2012), Na Hannyate (2012), Dutta Vs Dutta (2012) and Punascha (2014). In 2011, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for rendering her voice in Aditi Roy's Bengali film Abosheshey (2012). Ganguly has mostly been approached to play tameless determined characters rather than usual submissive helpless ones or it would be better to state that she has always been identified with those characters of strong resolution and free will. She has been highly applauded for her unwavering roles in films like Antarmahal (2005), Ek Mutho Chabi (2005), Dutta Vs Dutta (2012) to name a few. Goutam Ghose said that "she has that skill to transform herself into any characters she plays." Rituparno Ghosh described her as "a roisterer of pathos and exuberance through the portrayal of her characters." Mira Nair described her as "one of those most confident and powerful actresses around."