Roopa Ganguly

Roopa Ganguly: A Versatile Career in Film and Politics Roopa Ganguly, born November 25, 1966, is a prominent Indian actress, playback singer, and politician. Her career spans decades, marked by significant contributions to both the entertainment and political spheres. Ganguly rose to national prominence portraying Draupadi in B.R. Chopra's iconic Mahabharat (1988-90), a role that garnered widespread acclaim and several awards, including the Smita Patil Memorial Award. This followed her breakthrough in the Bengali TV series Muktabandha (1987). Her versatility is evident in her collaborations with renowned directors like Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen, Goutam Ghose, and Rituparno Ghosh, showcasing her ability to adapt to diverse characters and accents. Often compared to Shabana Azmi, she's recognized for her powerful portrayals and emotional range. Ganguly's filmography includes critically acclaimed Bengali films such as Padma Nadir Majhi (1992) and Antarmahal (2005), the latter earning her an Osian's Cinefan Festival Special Jury Mention. She also won the Best Actress award at the 9th Dhaka International Film Festival for her role in Krantikaal (2005). Beyond acting, she's a trained Rabindra Sangeet vocalist and classical dancer, and in 2011, she received the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her contribution to Abosheshey (2012). Her film career boasts cumulative worldwide gross exceeding US$100 million. Her political career includes serving as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), President of BJP Mahila Morcha in West Bengal, and holding key positions within the West Bengal Motion Picture Artistes' Forum. Directors like Goutam Ghose and Rituparno Ghosh have lauded her transformative acting abilities and emotional depth.