Roopa Ganguly, famous for her memorable role as Draupadi in the 1980s television series Mahabharat, was taken into custody by Kolkata Police at a demonstration near a police station. The ex-BJP MP, who had gained attention for her political career in the past, is once again in focus because of this controversy.
The protest staged at Bansdroni Police Station on the night of October 2 led to the headquarters being located at Lalbazar. The ex-BJP MP was requesting the freedom of fellow party member Rubi Das, who was arrested in relation to a traffic incident. Ganguly was taken into custody for disrupting the work of the police. The demonstration occurred after a 15-year-old boy was fatally hit by an excavator while standing next to his bike. The event caused anger among residents, resulting in immediate demonstrations and damage to the excavator used.
Roopa Ganguly gained popularity for her portrayal in Mahabharat, especially her captivating performance in the ‘cheer-haran’ sequence. She received numerous praises for her performance, including the Smita Patil Memorial Award. She also returned to her role in Mahabharat Katha, solidifying her place in Indian television history.
Roopa Ganguly’s portrayal as Draupadi in Mahabharat marked the start of her career. Roopa collaborated with renowned filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen and Rituparno Ghosh. In 1987, she rose to fame due to the Bengali show Muktabandha and achieved nationwide acclaim in 1988 with Ganadevta. In 2015, Roopa Ganguly had a major career shift when she decided to pursue a career in politics. Prior to the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, she became a BJP member and was elected as an MP in the Rajya Sabha. Nonetheless, she was defeated by Trinamool Congress candidate Laxmi Ratan Shukla in the 2016 elections in Howrah North. After cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu’s resignation, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha later in the year.