Rupal Patel is an Indian actress best known for portraying Kokila Modi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya —one of the longest-running Indian TV series—and Meenakshi Rajvansh in Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke. One of the most popular saas of Indian Television she had won best saas award many a times at Star Pariwar Awards 2015, 2016, 2017 [1] In 2020, she had reprised her role as Kokila Modi in the Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 for promoting the show.[2]

Rupal Patel
Patel as Kokila in Star Plus Saath Nibhaana Saathiya in 2012
Born1974 or 1975 (age 49–50)
NationalityIndian
EducationBombay University (B.Com)
National School of Drama (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present
Known forSaath Nibhaana Saathiya
Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke
Tera Mera Saath Rahe
SpouseRadhakrishna Dutta

Early life

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Born in 1974 or 1975 in Bombay, Patel is a Gujarati and was trained in acting at the National School of Drama in New Delhi apart from having a degree in Commerce.[3][4] She owns a theatre group, Panorama Art Theatres, which is involved in children's plays.[1] She is married to actor Radhakrishna Dutta.[5]

Acting career

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Career struggles (1985–2009)

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Patel first decided to test her fate in Bollywood, and debuted there via a minor role in the 1985 movie Mehak.[1] She subsequently enacted unnoticed parts in other Bollywood films like Antarnaad (1991), Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1992), Papeeha (1993), Mammo (1994) and Samar (1999).[3] Few of these films were directed by Shyam Benegal.[6]

After her stint in Bollywood, Patel ventured in 2001 into Hindi television industry playing the role of Lakhi in Zarina Mehta's Shagun on Star Plus.[7] She was cast as Aashalata in Sau Dada Sasuna in 2002, and later featured in few episodes of famous crime thriller show Crime Patrol on Sony Entertainment Television.[4] Her struggles in her acting career continued, and after a massive gap, she essayed Vrinda in Cinevistaas Limited production Jaane Kya Baat Hui on Colors TV in 2009.[5]

Desirable success (2010–present)

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From 2010 to 2017, Patel gained tremendous popularity and appreciation for her iconic performance in Rashmi Sharma's blockbuster soap Saath Nibhaana Saathiya on Star Plus as the strict Kokila Modi.[8][9]

In January 2019, she signed a cameo appearance in Prateek Sharma's Manmohini on Zee TV as Usha/Kubarjra.[10] From March 2019 to October 2020, she portrayed the grey character of Meenakshi Rajvansh Kapadia in Director's Kut Productions television show Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke broadcast on Star Plus.[11][12]

In October 2020, Patel reprised her character as Kokila Modi in the second season of Saath Nibhaana Saathiya entitled Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 which replaced Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke.[13] She was seen in 31 episodes of the show, as it was an introductory part.[14] She appeared as a guest in Gangs of Filmistaan.[15]

Other works

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Patel is an ambassador for the Swachh Bharat India project and works for it; she received honour twice from Indian PM Narendra Modi for her works.[6]

Filmography

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Films

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1999-2000 Gubbare Sindhi Lady in episode "Masala Maami"
2001 Shagun Lakhi [3]
2002 Sau Dada Sasuna Aashalata Sheth [4]
2009 Jaane Kya Baat Hui Vrinda
2010–17 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya Kokila Parag Modi [9]
2019 Manmohini Kubarjra / Usha Cameo[10]
2019–20 Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke Meenakshi Rajvansh / Meenakshi Mehul Kapadia [11][12]
2020 Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 Kokila Parag Modi Episode 1-31
Gangs of Filmistaan Guest[15]
2021–2022 Tera Mera Saath Rahe Mithila Modi [16]
2024 Nath – Rishton Ki Agnipariksha Kailashi Devi Pratapsingh

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Actress Rupal Patel, The Original Rasode Mein Kaun Tha Questioner: Feel Blessed To Touch People In Such A Way". Mid Day. 17 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Saath Nibhana Saathiya Season 2 to launch in October". The Indian Express. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "The 'me' in the Kokilaben meme". Ahemdabad Mirror. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Das, Soumitra (18 February 2012). "Rupal Patel is different from reel life". The Times of India.
  5. ^ a b "No place for men in TV soaps: Radhakrishna Dutta". The Times of India. 26 April 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Saath Nibhaana Saathiya actor Rupal Patel gets honour from PM Modi for special cause". The Asian Age. 25 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Rupal Patel gives comedy a shot". The Times of India. 16 October 2020.
  8. ^ "I am done with my journey of playing Kokila Modi in Saath Nibhaana Saathiya: Rupal Patel". The Times of India. 4 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b "I am not quitting Saath Nibhana Saathiya, I'm too happy playing Kokila: Rupal Patel". The Indian Express. 13 February 2017.
  10. ^ a b "saath-nibhaana-saathiya-actress-rupal-patel-returns-to-tv-with-manmohini". The Times of India. 10 January 2019.
  11. ^ a b "Rupal Patel Says Kokila Modi and Meenakshi Rajvansh are like Twins". The Times of India. 19 May 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Right in the act". The Tribune.
  13. ^ "Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2 Maker Confirms Return of Gopi Bahu and Kokilaben". 28 August 2020.
  14. ^ "Saath Nibhana Saathiya Season 2 to launch in October". 28 August 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Rupal Patel will make a guest appearance in the Gangs of Filmistan". The Tribune.
  16. ^ "Rupal Patel to begin shooting for Tera Mera Saath Rahe". The Times of India. 21 July 2021.
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