Not every actor in the film industry comes from a privileged background. From Jackie Shroff to Rajinikanth, many actors have shared their stories about the struggling days before they made it big in the industry. However, there is one actress who lived in a chawl even after making her Bollywood debut, and her story is as compelling as it is inspiring.
The actress in question is none other than Marathi star Priya Bapat. She has had significant roles alongside superstars like Sanjay Dutt and Mammootty. However, after giving only one Rs 100-crore hit, Priya Bapat decided to leave Bollywood to pursue a flourishing career in Marathi cinema.
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Priya Bapat’s journey in the film industry began at a very young age. She made her acting debut as a child artiste alongside Mammootty in the critically acclaimed movie Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. However, her grand Bollywood debut occurred only later, alongside Sanjay Dutt in the immensely popular film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., directed by Rajkummar Hirani. In this film, Priya Bapat played the role of Meenal, and it turned out to be a blockbuster. Her small yet memorable role left a lasting impression, leading to a cameo in the sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, which emerged as her first and only Rs 100-crore film in Hindi cinema.
Despite her early success in Bollywood, Priya Bapat continued to live in a chawl. The actress revealed in an interview, “I have spent almost 25 years of my life in that chawl. Till I got married, I stayed there. From celebrating Diwali together to playing games with my friends during childhood days, this chawl has given me a lot of memories.”
She further added, “The specialty of this chawl was that all the houses on a floor were connected to each other internally through doors.
. So it was easily possible to go from one house to another without getting out of the house. This system kept all the families on the floor connected to each other. Also, I feel that nowadays, the apartment system has created distance between people.”
Following the release of Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Priya Bapat decided to focus her career on Marathi cinema, a choice that has seen her flourish. She has featured in several important films, including Kaksparsh, Happy Journey, and Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush, among others. Her performances in these films have not only established her as a formidable talent but also reportedly made her one of the highest-paid actresses in Marathi cinema, charging around Rs 8 lakh per film.
In addition to her success in movies, Priya Bapat has also made significant strides in the world of digital entertainment. She has starred in several web series like City of Dreams and Raffuchakkar, which have received widespread acclaim. Her potent performances in these series have cemented her reputation as a versatile actress capable of handling complex characters with ease.
Moreover, Priya Bapat has been a familiar face on Marathi television. She has appeared in multiple TV shows like Damini, Adhuri Ek Kahani, and Bus Bai Bas Ladies Special. Each of these shows has showcased her range as an actress, further endearing her to audiences both in Maharashtra and beyond.
Priya Bapat’s journey is an amazing story of persistence, resilience, and success. From her humble beginnings in a chawl to becoming one of Marathi cinema’s brightest stars, she exemplifies what can be achieved with talent, hard work, and an unwavering belief in oneself. While her fans might miss seeing her in Bollywood films, her continued contribution to the Marathi film industry and digital platforms ensures she continues to be a beloved figure in Indian entertainment.
Despite the challenges she faced growing up and the competitive nature of the film industry, Priya Bapat has emerged victorious. She serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors who might similarly come from humble beginnings. Her story reminds us that while the road to success may be fraught with obstacles, determination and hard work can lead to triumph.
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