Rupali Ganguly, television's biggest star of the moment, has made it clear she has no plans to step away from the role that redefined her career. Speaking on Day 2 of FICCI Frames 2026 in Mumbai, the actor said she wants Anupamaa to continue far into the future — and that she is personally ready to keep playing her for decades.
"I would love to be Anupamaa as long as possible," she said, recalling how a moment on stage summed up her commitment. Producer Rajan Shahi, who appeared alongside her at the session, recounted her words in Hindi: even if she turns 80, she would play Anupamaa "on a wheelchair". The packed hall of television professionals cheered the declaration.
A proud television actor
Ganguly used the platform to champion the medium that made her a household name. She described herself as "very proud to be a TV actor", noting that television performers were once looked down upon but are now applauded. She said Anupamaa still has "so much more to say" as a character, and that the show's stories around social issues and women keep it "a relevant and needed voice" on Indian television.
Shahi, who produces the series, said the cast and crew would happily keep the show running well past its sixth year, responding to chants from the audience at the Grand Hyatt session.
An emotional moment
The session also turned personal. Ganguly broke down as she recalled the family's difficult years, saying she and her family had once lost everything, and spoke about her late father, filmmaker Anil Ganguly, whose dream had been to own a home in Mumbai. She said that after Anupamaa became a phenomenon, she was finally able to buy the family's first house in the city — fulfilling a promise tied to her father's memory.
Anupamaa, which premiered in 2020, has been one of Indian television's most-watched shows for several years, winning Ganguly a string of awards and making her one of the medium's most recognisable faces. If her FICCI Frames promise holds, viewers may be watching her in the role for years to come.
Sources: FICCI Frames 2026: Rupali Ganguly says she'll play Anupamaa even at 80, on wheelchair — Free Press Journal, September 30, 2026; 'We lost everything': Rupali Ganguly breaks down recalling struggling days and late father's dream at FICCI Frames 2026 — Free Press Journal, September 30, 2026.
"I would love to be Anupamaa as long as possible," she said, recalling how a moment on stage summed up her commitment. Producer Rajan Shahi, who appeared alongside her at the session, recounted her words in Hindi: even if she turns 80, she would play Anupamaa "on a wheelchair". The packed hall of television professionals cheered the declaration.
A proud television actor
Ganguly used the platform to champion the medium that made her a household name. She described herself as "very proud to be a TV actor", noting that television performers were once looked down upon but are now applauded. She said Anupamaa still has "so much more to say" as a character, and that the show's stories around social issues and women keep it "a relevant and needed voice" on Indian television.
Shahi, who produces the series, said the cast and crew would happily keep the show running well past its sixth year, responding to chants from the audience at the Grand Hyatt session.
An emotional moment
The session also turned personal. Ganguly broke down as she recalled the family's difficult years, saying she and her family had once lost everything, and spoke about her late father, filmmaker Anil Ganguly, whose dream had been to own a home in Mumbai. She said that after Anupamaa became a phenomenon, she was finally able to buy the family's first house in the city — fulfilling a promise tied to her father's memory.
Anupamaa, which premiered in 2020, has been one of Indian television's most-watched shows for several years, winning Ganguly a string of awards and making her one of the medium's most recognisable faces. If her FICCI Frames promise holds, viewers may be watching her in the role for years to come.
Sources: FICCI Frames 2026: Rupali Ganguly says she'll play Anupamaa even at 80, on wheelchair — Free Press Journal, September 30, 2026; 'We lost everything': Rupali Ganguly breaks down recalling struggling days and late father's dream at FICCI Frames 2026 — Free Press Journal, September 30, 2026.
