Rupali Ganguly

Rupali Ganguly is a highly acclaimed Indian actress and public figure, born on April 5, 1977, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Raised in a family with deep roots in the film industry, she is the daughter of the late renowned director and screenwriter Anil Ganguly. She spent her formative years in Mumbai and later pursued a degree in Hotel Management, while simultaneously exploring her passion for the performing arts through theatre. Her early exposure to cinema allowed her to make her acting debut as a child artist at the age of seven in her father's 1985 film Saaheb, followed by a significant role in the Bengali hit Balidan in 1990.

Her career in adult roles began on television in 2000 with the lead role in the series Sukanya. She achieved her first major career breakthrough portraying the character Dr. Simran Chopra in the medical drama Sanjivani: A Medical Boon between 2002 and 2005. However, it was her iconic performance as the middle-class and quirky Monisha Singh Sarabhai in the cult classic sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai that made her a household name across India. This role showcased her exceptional comedic timing and remains one of her most beloved performances. Over the years, she continued to prove her versatility through various projects, including the drama Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi.

Beyond fictional television, Rupali has been a prominent face in Indian reality TV. She was a contestant in the inaugural season of Bigg Boss in 2006 and later showcased her adventurous side in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 in 2009. After a professional hiatus to focus on her personal life and family, she made a historic comeback in 2020 with the titular role in the drama series Anupamaa. The show became a massive commercial success, consistently topping television ratings and earning her numerous accolades, including the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Award for Best Actress in 2024 and multiple Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards. As of 2026, she remains one of the highest-paid actresses in the Indian television industry.

In recent years, Rupali has expanded her influence into the digital and political spheres. She made her digital debut in 2022 with the web series Anupama: Namaste America on Disney+ Hotstar. In May 2024, she officially entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressing her desire to contribute to the nation’s development. On social media, she maintains a massive presence with millions of followers on Instagram, where she often shares glimpses of her spiritual journeys—such as her recent 2026 New Year visit to the Vaishno Devi Temple—and advocates for animal welfare. She continues to lead the cast of Anupamaa as the show explores its second-generation storylines, maintaining her status as a leading figure in Indian entertainment.