Rupalli Ganguli's Interview

Rupali Ganguly's got her first major break with Sanjivani as the quintessential vamp, but then proved she could tickle our funny bones too when she started playing the bumbling Monisha in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai.

Her girl-next-door looks, down-to-earth attitude can make you fall in love with her instantly. Has she always been like that, we wondered. The chirpy and talkative actress shares her childhood and growing up years with Kavita Shyam..

What was your childhood like? (your school, college)
I have grown up watching stars walking in and out of the sets and in my house. (Rupali's father is Anil Ganguly, the well known filmmaker)
Initially I was this thin, scrawny little thing so my mom fed me with all kinds of vitamins to make me fat and eventually, I became extremely plump.

Tell us about your childhood memories, incidents and pranks?
I was a brat and used to beat up all the boys in school. I was very tomboyish, yet very much into studies.

How were you as a student academically and in extra-curricular activities?
I was a complete bookworm with spectacles and oil dripping from my hair. I was a monitor and a prefect, always amongst the first three rankers and a teachers' pet throughout my school days. But I must tell you I have a great memory.
I had danced just once in fifth standard on stage, and I was so hopeless that I ended up just standing and staring at the audience.

What about your family and friends?
My parents were strict disciplinarians and I was not allowed to go out after 10 pm and my mom used to drop and pick me up wherever I used to go. My holidays used to be at papa's outdoor locations. My brother is my biggest critic and I can make him sit late in the night to make him watch my serials but he's touring all the time with the Shiamak Davar troupe so he's most of the time in Canada.My best friend Rajit has been by thickest pal from junior KG and I just have to give him a call and we can go to the seaside even at 12 in the night. His wife also joins in the fun now. In fact we are vada pau freaks even now.

How were your growing up years, ambitions and did you have crushes?
I never wore jeans till I was 18 and only wore long skirts and salwar kameez so I was a complete 'ghati'. I wanted to get into editing or become a cameraperson and I still have dreams of becoming a director someday.
I was so boring and unapproachable that no guy would approach me but I remember having a crush on this guy called Sharad in my tuition class, sadly I never spoke to him and nothing happened between the two of us.

How did you get into media?
I got into acting because I loved the idea of putting up make-up every day. I had my first brush with acting in a Bengali film called Bolidan at the age of 13 followed by two forgettable Hindi films and because of the casting couch in the film industry I decided to chuck it .
But by then the acting bug had bitten me badly. I did a hotel management course for a year and left that too. Thereafter I decided to do plays and in the process I got picked up by Shobha De for Sukanya. I gave a screen test for Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi where I played a double role and then Sanjivani was my lucky mascot and now Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai!