Rupali Ganguly in a throwback with her dad. (courtesy: rupaliganguly)
Anupamaa star Rupali Ganguly opened up about her father and late filmmaker Anil Ganguly's struggle, in a recent interview with Pinkvilla. The 45-year-old actress stated in the interview that her father had to sell their house after a film with Dharmendra was delayed. She told Pinkvilla, "People used to sell their houses to make movies. When a movie flops, you sell the house, like how it happened with us. Dad had made a film with Dharmendra. When it took three to four years to complete because papa's USP was making the films fast."
Anil Ganguly was best-known for directing films like Kora Kagaz (1974) and Tapasya (1975), both of which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Recalling the incident, Rupali said, "But this Dharmendra film that got delayed for four years, resulted in a massive loss for the family. But it's okay, whatever goes up has to come down too."
Rupali added during the interview, "We had a very grounded middle-class upbringing because I think my father had struggled a lot. He had run away from Calcutta came to Bombay, and stayed on the footpath. He shared his room with Jagjit Singh and everybody they were all struggling together. My father has gone through a lot of hardships."
Anil Ganguly had also directed films like Saaheb (1985), Mera Yaar Mera Dushman (1987), and Angaara (1997). He died at the age of 82 in 2016.
Rupali Ganguly plays the titular role in the popular TV show Anupamaa, which will soon have a prequel titled Anupama - Namaste America. Rupali Ganguly, a popular name in the Hindi television industry, is best-known for starring in TV shows like Sanjivani, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Kkavyanjali, Aapki Antara, Adaalat, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Baa Bahoo Aur Baby.