Antara Biswas

Indian actress (born 1982)

Vikrant Singh Rajpoot
​
​
(m. 2017)​

Antara Biswas (born 21 November 1982), known professionally as Monalisa, is an Indian actress who primarily works in Bhojpuri films and Hindi television. She participated as a contestant on Bigg Boss 10 in 2016 and is best known for portraying Mohana Rathod in the supernatural drama Nazar.[1] Monalisa is considered as one of the highest paid Bhojpuri actress.[2][3]

Early life

Antara Biswas was born to a Bengali Hindu family on 21 November 1982.[4][5] She adopted the stage name of Monalisa at the behest of her uncle.[4] She studied at Julien Day School in Elgin Road, South Kolkata, and graduated from Ashutosh College of the University of Calcutta, earning a BA degree in Sanskrit before starting out a few years ago as a small-time TV actress and model in Odia video albums.[6]

Career

Monalisa in 2010

Monalisa acted in several low-budget films before making her debut in Bollywood with Blackmail, starring Ajay Devgn and Suniel Shetty.[6] She then acted in South Indian films before coming to notice through her role in Tauba Tauba opposite Amin Gazi. She acted in a Kannada film titled Jackpot.[7]

Monalisa made her Bhojpuri film debut with Bhole Shankar alongside Mithun Chakraborty and Manoj Tiwari. The film was a major commercial success and broke the standing record for biggest opening for a Bhojpuri film.[8] She further established herself as a leading actress in Bhojpuri cinema with successful films such as Hum Bahubali, Saat Saheliyan, Devra Bada Satawela and Devra Bhail Deewana among others.[9]

Monalisa's most notable role on television include her playing Mohana Mehta Rathod in Nazar, Iravati Verma in Namak Issk Ka and Yamini Raichand in Bekaboo.[10][11] In 2022, she participated in Smart Jodi with her husband, Vikrant Singh Rajpoot and later played Rama in Favvara Chowk.[12][13]

Personal life

She married Bhojpuri actor Vikrant Singh Rajpoot in the Bigg Boss house on 17 January 2017.[14][15]

Media image

Monalisa in 2009

Monalisa is considered in the media as one of the most popular and highest paid Bhojpuri actress.[16][17] She is also one of the most followed Bhojpuri actress on Instagram with over 5.8 million followers.[18][19] In 2010, The Hindu stated that Monalisa (along with Rinku Ghosh) was the most sought after actress in the Bhojpuri film industry.[20]

Filmography

Bhojpuri films

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2008 Bhole Shankar [21]
Khatailal Mithailal
Kaha Jaiba Raja Najariya Ladaike
Tu Babua Hamaar
Shrimaan Driver Babu
2009 Ho Gaini Deewana Tohra Pyar Me
Kahan Jaiba Raja Nazariya Ladai Ke
Hum Bahubali Radhika
Dulha Albela Dulhan
Ranbhoomi
Pratigya Dancer Special appearance in song "Lehariya Luta Ae Raja"
Hum Hai Khalnayak
Sindur Daan
Jade Mein Balma Pyara Lage
Sahar Wali Jaan Mareli
2010 Ek Aur Kurukshetra
Tu Jaan Hau Hamaar
Dharmatma
Nathuniya Pe Goli Maare
Bhojpuriya Don Don's lover
Rangbaz Daroga Aanchal
Nainihal
Saat Saheliyan Mona
Devra Bada Satawela Mona [22]
Mrityunjay Special appearance
Loafer
Kanoon Hamra Mutthi Mein
Daraar
2011 Mora Balma Chail Chabila
Apne Begaane
Aakhri Rasta Bindu
Barood
The Great Hero Hiralal Hiralal's lover
Gundairaj
Ladaai La Ankhiyan Ae Lounde Raja
Kartavya
Hamaar Devdas Paro
2012 Bhaiya Hamar Dayavan
Mehraru Bina Ratiya Kaise Kati
Dacait [23]
Khuddar Sunita [23]
Naagin
Khoon Pasina Rama
Elan E Jung
2013 Bhaiya Hamar Dayavan
Rang De Pyar Ke Rang Mein
Jaan Lebu Ka Ho
Banaraswali
Pratibandh
Desh Pardesh
Kasam Wardi Ke
Biwi No. 1
Lagal Sanheiya Ke Dor
Saala Main To Sahib Ban Gaya
Ziddi Aashiq
Saawariyan Tose Laagi Kaisi Lagan
Mati Preet Jagawale
Zanzeer
Ishq Ka Manjan Ghise Hai Piya
Gumrah
Ijjat
Chhamia Bhelwali
Jeevan Yudhh
Saiyan Bhailan Pardesiyaa
Jodi No. 1
Ghulam
Mita Deb Raavanraaj
Budhwa Tamtamwala
Lagal Ba Pyar Ke Bukhar
Tulsi Bin Suna Anganwa Tulsi
Ganga Putra
Chedi Ganga Kinarewala
Natawar Lal
Ek Nihattha
2014 Devra Bhail Deewana Mona [24]
Khoon Bhari Hamaar Maang Mona
Adalat
Tere Naam
Kare La Kamaal Dharti Ke Laal
2015 Raja Babu Dolly Singh
Prem Leela
Saiyan Toofani
Suhag
Rakhtbhoomi
2017 Sarkar Raj
Jai Shree Ram
Pawan Raja Mona
2018 Jeena Marna Tere Sang Sita [25]
Dulhan Chahi Pakistan Se 2 Dancer Special appearance in song "Susuk Susuk Ke Royi Thi" [26]
Dabangg Mora Balma [27]
Mafia [28]

Other language films

Year Title Role Language Notes Ref.
1997 Jayate Aarti Hindi
1998 Hamam fi Amsterdam Odia
1999 Jai Sriram Rima Das
2001 Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence Dancer Hindi Special appearance in song
2002 Wrong Number Odia
2003 Top Somrat Bengali Bangladeshi film
2004 Adhikar
Tauba Tauba Rubina Hindi [29]
Ab Bas! Special appearance
2005 Ek Hi Bhool Tanvi
Jalwa: Fun in Love Manisha Tripathi / Tanya "Chinky"
2005 Bunty Aur Babli Dancer Special appearance in song "Bunty Aur Babli" [30]
Blackmail Dancer
Bobby: Love and Lust Bobby D'Costa
2006 Jackpot Laila Kannada [31]
Half Fry Hyderabadi Hindi
2007 Love Guru
Kaafila Niharika
Jagadam Dancer Telugu Special appearance in song "36-24-36"
2008 Encounter Dayanayak Kannada
Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Manish Sarraf’s wife Hindi [32]
Vathiyar Tamil Cameo appearance
Nagaram Telugu
Silambattam Herself Tamil Cameo appearance
2009 Boni Dancer Telugu Special appearance in song
2010 To The London Calling Sonia / Urvashi Hindi
Ek Chatur Naar
Royal Utsav
Hamilton Palace
Khoobsurat – The Beauty
Meri Life Mein Uski Wife Dipal
2011 Khubsurat Naukrani
Bablu Telugu
Kadhalukku Maranamillai Tamil
2012 En Peyar Kumarasamy
2016 Saugandh Chee Maa Baap Na Kajal Gujarati

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2016–2017 Bigg Boss 10 Contestant 6th place [33][34]
2017 Nach Baliye 8 8th place [35]
2018–2020 Nazar Mohana Mehta Rathod [36]
2019 Kitchen Champion Contestant
2020 Nazar 2 Madhulika Chaudhary [37]
2020–2021 Namak Issk Ka Iravati Verma
2021 Ankahee Dastaan: Nazar Mohana Rathod Telefilm
2022 Smart Jodi Contestant [38]
2022–2023 Favvara Chowk Rama [39]
2023 Bekaboo Yamini Raichand [40]
2024 Laal Banarasi Nayantara Sinha [41]
Mata Ki Mahima Indrayani
TBA Shamshaan Champa Mohini

Special appearances

Year Title Role Ref.
2012 Bigg Boss 6 Herself [42]
2016 Comedy Nights Bachao
2017 Comedy Dangal
2019 Divya Drishti Mohana Mehta Rathod [43]
2020 Bigg Boss 14 Herself [44]
2022 Good Night India

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Dupur Thakurpo: 2 Jhuma Boudi
2020-2022 Ratri Ke Yatri Prostitute 2 seasons [45]
2022 Dhappa Meera Episode: "Raat Ki Baat" [46]
Hasratein Shararat Bai Episode: "Shararat Bai" [47]
2023 Bajao Tanvi Choudhary

Award and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Bhojpuri Film Awards Best Actor – Female Adalat Nominated [48]
2019 Indian Telly Awards Best Actress in a Negative Role Nazar Nominated [49]
2020 Kalakar Awards Most Stylish Vamp Won [citation needed]

See also

  • List of Bhojpuri film actresses

References

  1. ^ Verma, Sukanya (17 October 201). "Bigg Boss 10: Wild theme, wacky participants!". Rediff. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Amrapali Dubey is highest paid Bhojpuri actress. See how much Monalisa and Rani Chatterjee earn". India Today. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  3. ^ "कभी 120 रुपये रोजाना कमाने के लिए नौकरी करती थीं मोनालिसा, ऐसे बनीं भोजपुरी स्टार". Aaj Tak. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Born to a Bengali Hindu family, Antara adopted the stage name of Mona Lisa at the behest of her uncle". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  5. ^ "Bigg Boss 10 November 21, episode 36 update: Manu's surprise for his 'good friend' Mona Lisa on her birthday". The Times of India. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Dare girl from Gariahat". The Telegraph Calcutta. 14 December 2005. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Understanding love". The Hindu. 16 July 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Mithun's first Bhojpuri film creates record in Bihar". Screen. 3 October 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  9. ^ "Ravi Kishan and Rajkumar R Pandey together again". The Times of India. Times News Network. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  10. ^ Shweta Keshri (30 July 2018). "Nazar to Hum: 2 new shows are all set to hit your screens today". India Today. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  11. ^ Doshi, Hasti. "Monalisa on joining Bekaboo: I will be seen in a 90s look and I'm very excited about that". The Times of India.
  12. ^ The Times f India (18 April 2017). "Monalisa and Vikrant Singh Rajput bring on-screen chemistry to city streets". www.timesofindia.com.
  13. ^ "Monalisa: Every comedy show needs an element of tadka and my character in Favvara Chowk is just that". TOI. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Bigg Boss 10: Monalisa and Vikrant Singh Rajpoot are married! View exclusive wedding and mehndi pictures & video!". india.com. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  15. ^ ABP News (5 April 2017). "NACH BALIYE: Monalisa and Vikrant KISS PASSIONATELY in front of everyone". www.abplive.com.
  16. ^ "Check out the list of 10 actresses who rule the Bhojpuri film industry". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  17. ^ "From Amrapali Dubey to Monalisa: Highest paid actresses in Bhojpuri cinema". News18. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  18. ^ "These 10 Bhojpuri stars are a sensation on social media, know how many Instagram followers they have". Navbharat Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Monalisa to Amrapali Dubey: Most followed Bhojpuri actresses on Instagram". Jagran TV. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Bhojpuri cinema edges its way to success". The Hindu. IANS. 28 August 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  21. ^ "Did you know Monalisa's first Bhojpuri movie 'Bhole Shankar' was with Mithun Chakravarty and Manoj Tiwari? Watch it here". Zee News. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Happy Birthday, Ravi Kishan; Best Bhojpuri films of the actor you must watch". The Times of India. 17 July 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Khuddar and Dacait releasing today". The Times of India. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  24. ^ "Devra Bhail Deewana released". The Times of India. Times News Network. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  25. ^ "Monalisa: Bhojpuri Movies Of The Actress With Husband Vikrant Singh Rajput". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  26. ^ "पाकिस्तान से दूसरी दुल्हन बनाकर मोनालिसा को लाएंगे भोजपुरी स्टार चिंटू". Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  27. ^ "Monalisa in Ab Dabangg Mora Balma". The Times of India. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  28. ^ "Monalisa to romance Rajkumar Shrivastava in Mafia". The Times of India. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  29. ^ Punn, Goher (11 October 2004). "Tauba Tauba Review". BBC.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  30. ^ "Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  31. ^ "Understanding love". The Hindu. 16 July 2006. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018.
  32. ^ "Money Hai Toh Honey Hai". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2008.
  33. ^ "Bigg Boss 10 contestant Antara Biswas: Want Salman Khan's attention". 17 October 2016. Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  34. ^ "Bigg Boss 10: Antara Biswas aka Monalisa gets EVICTED!". 21 January 2017. Archived from the original on 20 October 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  35. ^ "Nach Baliye 8: Mona Lisa and husband Vikrant Rajpoot's journey in the dance reality show ends!". India.com. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Whoa! 'Nazar' and Yehh Jadu hai Jin ka gets an extension". The Times of India. 7 September 2018.
  37. ^ "Nazar 2: Monalisa returns in a fiery avatar; watch new promo". The Times of India. 12 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Bhojpuri stars Vikraant Singh and Monalisa open up on reality show 'Smart Jodi'". The Statesman. 27 February 2022.
  39. ^ "Nazar actress Monalisa to star in Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's show 'Fawara Chowk'". Pinkvilla. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  40. ^ Developer, Web (7 March 2023). "Monalisa's retro makeover steals the show in Ekta Kapoor's upcoming TV series 'Bekaboo'". Mid-day. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  41. ^ Bharatvarsh, TV9 (9 May 2023). "स्टार प्लस और कलर्स टीवी को टक्कर देगा नया GEC चैनल, वाराणसी की कहानी से होगा शुभारंभ". TV9 Bharatvarsh (in Hindi). Retrieved 18 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  42. ^ "Twitter abuzz with Salman Khan and 'Bigg Boss 6'!". Bhaskar. 7 October 2012.
  43. ^ "Get ready to watch merger episode of serial Divya Drishti and Nazar". ABP News. 20 March 2019.
  44. ^ "Inside Bigg Boss 14 house, see photos". Indian Express. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  45. ^ "WATCH! Anthology series Ratri Ke Yatri's Official Trailer and All Episodes on MX Player". MX Player. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  46. ^ "Jay Bhanushali and Monalisa open up on their roles in 'Dhappa'". Mid Day. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  47. ^ "Monalisa Read 30 Novels To Play An Erotic Poetess In 'Hasratein'". Outlook India. 6 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  48. ^ "Bhojpuri Film Awards 2015 complete list of nominations". Bhojpuri Film Awards. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  49. ^ "Indian Telly Awards 2019: Winners". The Indian Express. 21 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
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