Roopa Ganguly, who is known for her unforgettable role as Draupadi in the 1980s classic Mahabharat, has found herself in the headlines once more. The former BJP MP was arrested by Kolkata Police during a protest outside a police station, reigniting interest in her dynamic life and career beyond the screen.
Roopa was taken into custody and brought to the Kolkata Police Headquarters at Lalbazar after leading a protest at the Bansdroni Police Station on the night of October 2.The former BJP MP was advocating for the release of fellow party member Rubi Das, detained in connection with a road accident. Ganguly’s arrest was due to obstructing police duties. This protest was ignited by the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy who was hit by an excavator while standing with his bicycle, leading to widespread anger among locals and resulting in overnight demonstrations and vandalism of the involved excavator.
Confirming the same to ETimes, Lalbazar police stated that Roopa Ganguly was first taken to the lock-up, then subsequently brought to court before being released.
Ganguly gained widespread recognition for her captivating performance in the iconic ‘cheer-haran’ scene of Mahabharat, which left audiences spellbound. Her remarkable portrayal earned her numerous awards, including the Smita Patil Memorial Award. She further solidified her legacy by reprising her role in Mahabharat Katha, becoming a prominent figure in Indian television history.
Her portrayal of Draupadi in Mahabharat marked the beginning of a remarkable career. She collaborated with renowned directors like Mrinal Sen and Rituparno Ghosh, with her journey taking off in 1987 with the Bengali series Muktabandha. She gained national fame in 1988 with Ganadevta and starred in several popular Hindi shows, including Kanoon (1993), Chandrakanta (1994), Karam Apnaa Apnaa (2007), and Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (2009). In Bengali television, her notable works include Janmabhoomi (1997) and Draupadi (2000).
In 2015, Roopa Ganguly shifted gears in her career by venturing into politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections and became a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha. Although she lost the Howrah North seat to Trinamool Congress candidate Laxmi Ratan Shukla in 2016, she was later nominated to the Rajya Sabha after cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation.
ETimes attempted to contact Roopa Ganguly for her comments on the matter, but there was no response from her by the time this article was published.
