Rupali Ganguly (रूपाली गांगुली) is an Indian actress and politician born on 5 April 1977 in Kolkata, West Bengal (some sources say Mumbai), to Bengali Hindu parents. Her father, Anil Ganguly, was a film director celebrated for Hindi films including Kora Kagaz (1974) and Tapasya (1975); her brother is choreographer Vijay Ganguly. She pursued studies in hotel management and theatre. She founded an advertising agency in Mumbai in 2000. She made her acting debut at age seven in her father's film Saaheb (1985, with Rishi Kapoor). Her television debut came in Sukanya (2000), followed by career-defining roles as Dr. Simran Chopra in Sanjivani: A Medical Boon (Star Plus, 2003–2005) and as the iconic Monisha Sarabhai — the middle-class, value-conscious daughter-in-law — in the beloved sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (Star One, 2004–2006), a role that remains one of Indian television's most beloved performances. She also appeared in Bhabhi, Kkavyanjali, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Aapki Antara, Ek Packet Umeed, and Parvarrish – Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi. In November 2006, she participated in Bigg Boss Season 1 (Sony TV) and was evicted in Week 10, finishing sixth. After a seven-year hiatus from television to focus on personal life, she made a triumphant return in the title role of Anupamaa (Star Plus, from July 2020) — a transformative portrayal of a middle-class Indian homemaker's journey to self-discovery. The show became the highest-rated Hindi TV serial for years, making Rupali India's highest-paid television actress. She gave a voice-over in the animated film Dashavatar (2008) and participated in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 2 (2009). She married businessman Ashwin K. Verma on 6 February 2013; they have a son, Rudransh. In 2024, she joined the BJP and won the Surat East by-election to the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.

Playing Monisha Singh Sarabhai in the cult sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai (Star One, 2004–2006); Dr. Simran Chopra in Sanjivani: A Medical Boon (Star Plus, 2003–2005); Anupamaa Shah/Kapadia in the record-breaking daily soap Anupamaa (Star Plus, 2020–2025) — widely recognised as India's most popular television character of the 2020s; winning BJP MLA seat from Surat East in the 2024 Gujarat state assembly by-elections; participating in Bigg Boss Hindi Season 1 (2006); finishing sixth overall.

Frequently Asked