Richa Gangopadhyay
Encyclopedia
Richa Gangopadhyay is an Indian film actress, model and former beauty queen. After appearing in commercials, she made her film debut in the 2010 Telugu
political drama Leader. Since then, she went on to win critical acclaim for her role in Nagavalli
and commercial success with her role in Mirapakaay
.Her first Tamil
film is Mayakkam Enna in which she has received positive reviews for her acting.
. During the competition, she secured the title of Miss Photogenic and qualified to represent USA in the 17th Annual Miss India Worldwide Pageant. At that event held in Johannesburg
, she won awards for Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Photogenic.
Richa left the USA in 2008 to Shastrinagar, India
to embark on a career in films. She subsequently graduated with a diploma in acting from Anupam Kher
's acting school, Actor Prepares, and completed her portfolio, earning offers for work in fashion shows and for modelling. In early 2009, Richa featured in a commercial for Vatika Almond Hair Oil alongside Preity Zinta
. She also worked as a model for Peter England, Malabar Gold and Kalaniketan.
and directed by Sekhar Kammula
. She was recommended to an assistant director of Leader whilst at a gym, who in turn recommended her to Sekhar Kammula. Richa moved to Hyderabad and auditioned for the film on her birthday. She was selected instantly and shooting started 2 days later. In the film, she played the role of Archana, a CEO of a TV channel and a daughter of a politician who falls in love with the title character, played by debutant Rana Daggubati
. The film opened to positive reviews and did well commercially, with Richa's performance described as "pretty and charming" and "good in a performance oriented role" by critics. After the success of the film, director P. Vasu
signed her up to appear in Nagavalli
, a sequel to his 2005 film Chandramukhi
. The film featured an ensemble cast of Venkatesh
, Anushka Shetty
, Shraddha Das
and Poonam Kaur
. The film also opened to average reviews, with Richa's portrayal of a girl psychologically possessed by the ghost of Nagavalli, leading to critics dubbing her as "impressive" and "convincing".
Her first release in 2011 was the action film Mirapakaay
also featuring Ravi Teja
and Deeksha Seth in lead roles. She was signed after the director of the film, Harish Shankar, had noticed her at the success party of her previous film Leader. He initially offered her the role played by Deeksha as she was an NRI
, but when they met to review the script, he was convinced that Richa would do justice to the character of Vinamra, a traditional Brahmin girl. The film opened to good reviews with Richa's performance being described as "just about okay" by critics. Richa will next be seen in two Tamil films; the first being Mayakkam Enna, a drama film based on marriage featuring Dhanush
and directed by Selvaraghavan
. Furthermore she has signed on to appear alongside Silambarasan in a leading role in Dharani
's Osthe, the Tamil remake of the 2010 Hindi film Dabangg
.
Her father works as the COO of Netshape Technologies, while her mother works as a Director of Education at The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. Her parents settled in the USA in 1989 with Richa being brought up in Pennsylvania
and Michigan
. While attending Okemos High School
, she was featured in the local media for founding a youth-tutoring program for at-risk children in Lansing, which she ran for four years. She went on to major in Dietetics and Health Administration at Michigan State University
, Michigan.
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
political drama Leader. Since then, she went on to win critical acclaim for her role in Nagavalli
Nagavalli (film)
Nagavalli is a 2010 Telugu horror and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. It is a remake of the Kannada movie Aptharakshaka and a sequel to the 2005 Tamil film Chandramukhi, also directed by Vasu, which was dubbed and released in Telugu as well.The film Nagavalli...
and commercial success with her role in Mirapakaay
Mirapakaay
-External links:* at Oneindia.in* at ReviewUmpire.com* at indiancinemafans.com...
.Her first Tamil
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:* Tamil language, one of the Dravidian languages primarily spoken in India, Tamil Eelam and Southeast Asia* Tamil script, primarily used to write the Tamil language* Tamil people -See also:...
film is Mayakkam Enna in which she has received positive reviews for her acting.
Early career and modelling, 2005-09
In the Miss India USA competitions, winning the Miss Congeniality award. In August 2007, Richa won the Miss Michigan pageant and in December, she was crowned Miss India USA 2007 at the 26th annual pageant held at Royal Albert's Palace in New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. During the competition, she secured the title of Miss Photogenic and qualified to represent USA in the 17th Annual Miss India Worldwide Pageant. At that event held in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, she won awards for Miss Beautiful Eyes and Miss Photogenic.
Richa left the USA in 2008 to Shastrinagar, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to embark on a career in films. She subsequently graduated with a diploma in acting from Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher is an Indian actor who has appeared in nearly 400 films and 100 plays. Though mainly appearing in Bollywood films, he has had roles in some films from other nations as well...
's acting school, Actor Prepares, and completed her portfolio, earning offers for work in fashion shows and for modelling. In early 2009, Richa featured in a commercial for Vatika Almond Hair Oil alongside Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta
Preity Zinta is an Indian film actress. She has appeared in Hindi films of Bollywood, as well as Telugu, Punjabi and English language films. After graduating with a degree in criminal psychology, Zinta made her acting debut in Dil Se in 1998 followed by a role in Soldier the same year...
. She also worked as a model for Peter England, Malabar Gold and Kalaniketan.
Breakthrough in films, 2009-present
Richa was signed on to portray the lead role in the 2010 Telugu film, Leader produced by AVM ProductionsAVM Productions
AVM is the oldest and largest film production studio in India. It is currently owned by M. Saravanan and his son, M. S. Guhan. The most recent film they have produced since their opening with Nam Iruvar in 1947, is Vettaikkaaran and Leader. The filming studios are located in Vadapalani, Chennai....
and directed by Sekhar Kammula
Sekhar Kammula
Sekhar Kammula is an award-winning Indian Film director, writer and producer from Telugu cinema.-Early life:Sekhar was schooled at St. Patrick's High School, Secunderabad. He completed his intermediate studies from St...
. She was recommended to an assistant director of Leader whilst at a gym, who in turn recommended her to Sekhar Kammula. Richa moved to Hyderabad and auditioned for the film on her birthday. She was selected instantly and shooting started 2 days later. In the film, she played the role of Archana, a CEO of a TV channel and a daughter of a politician who falls in love with the title character, played by debutant Rana Daggubati
Rana Daggubati
Rana Daggubati is an Indian actor. Better known as Rana, he was born on 14 December 1984 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is the son of film producer D. Suresh Babu, the latter being the elder son of D. Ramanaidu. Venkatesh is D. Ramanaidu's younger son. Rana is also nephew of another Tollywood actor...
. The film opened to positive reviews and did well commercially, with Richa's performance described as "pretty and charming" and "good in a performance oriented role" by critics. After the success of the film, director P. Vasu
P. Vasu
P. Vasu is an Indian film director, writer, and actor who works in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films and a few Malayalam films as well. In a career spanning three decades, Vasu has directed over 50 films.-Personal life:...
signed her up to appear in Nagavalli
Nagavalli (film)
Nagavalli is a 2010 Telugu horror and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. It is a remake of the Kannada movie Aptharakshaka and a sequel to the 2005 Tamil film Chandramukhi, also directed by Vasu, which was dubbed and released in Telugu as well.The film Nagavalli...
, a sequel to his 2005 film Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi
Chandramukhi is a 2005 Indian horror, comedy and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Ramkumar Ganesan. With a few deviations, it is a remake of Vasu's 2004 Kannada film Apthamitra, which was in-turn a remake of the 1993 Malayalam film Manichithrathazhu...
. The film featured an ensemble cast of Venkatesh
Daggubati Venkatesh
Venkatesh Daggubati is an Indian film actor who stars in Tollywood films. He is the son of veteran Tollywood film producer, former MP, Dr. D. Ramanaidu. He is often credited as Victory Venkatesh in films and is one of the lead actors in Telugu Cinema. He has won seven Nandi Awards and four...
, Anushka Shetty
Anushka Shetty
Anushka Shetty is an Indian film actress who works mainly in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. She debuted in the 2005 Telugu film Super and rose to fame following her performance in Vikramarkudu...
, Shraddha Das
Shraddha Das
Shraddha Das is an Indian film actress who has mainly appeared in Telugu films.-Early life:Shraddha Das was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra to Bengali parents. Her father is a businessman, who hails from Purulia, while her mother is a housewife. She was brought up in Mumbai, where she completed her...
and Poonam Kaur
Poonam Kaur
Poonam Kaur is an Indian actress and model. She has frequently appeared in Telugu films apart from Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films.- Career :...
. The film also opened to average reviews, with Richa's portrayal of a girl psychologically possessed by the ghost of Nagavalli, leading to critics dubbing her as "impressive" and "convincing".
Her first release in 2011 was the action film Mirapakaay
Mirapakaay
-External links:* at Oneindia.in* at ReviewUmpire.com* at indiancinemafans.com...
also featuring Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja
Ravi Teja is an Indian Telugu film actor. He won the Nandi Award for Best Actor for the film Neninthe in 2008. He has participated in other films including Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru, Idiot,Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi, Venky, Bhadra, Vikramarkudu, Krishna, Kick, and Mirapakaay...
and Deeksha Seth in lead roles. She was signed after the director of the film, Harish Shankar, had noticed her at the success party of her previous film Leader. He initially offered her the role played by Deeksha as she was an NRI
Non-resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin
A Non-Resident Indian is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country, a person of Indian origin who is born outside India, or a person of Indian origin who resides permanently outside India. Other terms with the same meaning are overseas Indian and expatriate Indian...
, but when they met to review the script, he was convinced that Richa would do justice to the character of Vinamra, a traditional Brahmin girl. The film opened to good reviews with Richa's performance being described as "just about okay" by critics. Richa will next be seen in two Tamil films; the first being Mayakkam Enna, a drama film based on marriage featuring Dhanush
Dhanush
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja , better known by his stage name Dhanush , is an Indian film actor, occasional playback singer and lyricist, working in the Tamil film industry...
and directed by Selvaraghavan
Selvaraghavan
-Personal life:Selvaraghavan is the son of film director Kasthuri Raja, elder brother of actor Dhanush and has two sisters, who are both doctors. On 15 December 2006, he married actress Sonia Agarwal, with whom he had previously worked with on three films...
. Furthermore she has signed on to appear alongside Silambarasan in a leading role in Dharani
Dharani (director)
Dharani is an Indian film director, who primarily directs action-masala films. He is best known for directing the blockbuster films Dhill, Dhool and Ghilli.-Career:...
's Osthe, the Tamil remake of the 2010 Hindi film Dabangg
Dabangg
Dabangg is a 2010 Hindi action film, directed by Abhinav Kashyap in his directorial debut and produced by Arbaaz Khan under the Arbaaz Khan Productions. The lead actors in the film include Arbaaz's elder brother, Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha...
.
Personal life
Richa Gangopadhyay was born on 20 March, 1986 to Bengali parents, Utpal and Paula Gangopadhyay, in New DelhiNew Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
Her father works as the COO of Netshape Technologies, while her mother works as a Director of Education at The Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. Her parents settled in the USA in 1989 with Richa being brought up in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. While attending Okemos High School
Okemos High School
Okemos High School is a public high school in Okemos, Michigan, USA. It is the only high school in the Okemos Public Schools district. It is located southeast of the main campus of Michigan State University, between Bennett and Jolly Roads on the North and South, and Hulett and Hagadorn Roads on...
, she was featured in the local media for founding a youth-tutoring program for at-risk children in Lansing, which she ran for four years. She went on to major in Dietetics and Health Administration at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
, Michigan.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Language | | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Leader | Archana | Telugu Telugu language Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu... |
|
| 2010 | Nagavalli Nagavalli (film) Nagavalli is a 2010 Telugu horror and drama film directed by P. Vasu and produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. It is a remake of the Kannada movie Aptharakshaka and a sequel to the 2005 Tamil film Chandramukhi, also directed by Vasu, which was dubbed and released in Telugu as well.The film Nagavalli... |
Gowri/Chandramukhi | Telugu | |
| 2011 | Mirapakaay Mirapakaay -External links:* at Oneindia.in* at ReviewUmpire.com* at indiancinemafans.com... |
Vinamra | Telugu | |
| 2011 | Mayakkam Enna | Yamini | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
|
| 2011 | Osthe | Neduvaali | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Vaaradhi | Telugu |