View source for Debashree Roy

{{short description|Indian actress, dancer, choreographer and animal rights activist}}
{{Lead too long|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name               = Debashree Roy
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| image              = 
| image_size         = 
| caption            = Roy in 2018
| party              = [[Trinamool Congress]] {{small|(2011 – March 2021)}}
| constituency       =
| office1            = [[West Bengal Legislative Assembly|Member of West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
| constituency1      = [[Raidighi (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Raidighi]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/aug/29/tmc-mla-debashree-roy-makes-unsuccessful-attempt-to-meet-west-bengal-bjp-chief-dilip-ghosh-2026220.html |title=TMC MLA Debashree Roy makes unsuccessful attempt to meet West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=14 September 2019}}</ref>
| term_start1        = 2011
| term_end1          = 2021
| predecessor1       = [[Kanti Ganguly]]
| successor1         = [[Aloke Jaldata]]
| module             = {{Infobox person
| embed = yes
| birth_name         = Chumki Roy
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=y|1962|08|08}}<ref name=ceowestbengal>{{Cite web |url=http://ceowestbengal.nic.in/UploadFiles/Election/WBLA/2011/affidavits_2011/134/AC134CANDIDATE.htm |title=West Bengal Assembly Election 2011 |website=ceowestbengal.nic.in |access-date=26 August 2018}}</ref><ref name=aboxoffice>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aboxoffice.com/debashree-roy |title=Debashree Roy |website=aboxoffice.com |access-date=7 September 2019 |archive-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829201138/https://www.aboxoffice.com/debashree-roy |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]], India<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=https://nocorruption.in/politician/debasree-roy/ |title=Debasree Roy MLA of RAIDIGHI West Bengal contact address & email |work=nocorruption.in |access-date=19 March 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>
| death_date         = 
| other_names        = Kolkatar rosogolla<ref name=":35">{{Cite web |title=Debashree: 'রূপ নিয়ে অহংকার কোরো না মাসি, সেরা রসগোল্লাও আজ বাসি', নেটমাধ্যমে কটাক্ষ দেবশ্রীকে |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-was-trolled-in-social-media-dgtl/cid/1286983 |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref>
| occupation         = {{hlist|[[Actress]]|[[dance]]r|[[Choreography|choreographer]]|[[politician]]}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Prosenjit Chatterjee]]|1994|1995|reason=div.}}
| relatives          = [[Ram Mukherjee]] (brother-in-law)<br/>[[Rani Mukerjee]] (niece)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lightscamerabollywood.com/rani-mukherji-biography/ |title=Rani Mukherji biography in pictures |website=www.lightscamerabollywood.com |language=en-US |access-date=6 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023204134/http://www.lightscamerabollywood.com/rani-mukherji-biography/ |archive-date=23 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| yearsactive        = 1966–present
| works              = [[Debashree Roy filmography|Full list]]
| awards             = [[National Film Awards|National Award]]<ref name=":42nd1995" /><br/>[[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards|BFJA Awards]]<br/>Kalakar Awards<ref name=":Kalakar">{{Cite web |url=http://kalakarawards.co/images/listofawardees.pdf |title=Kalakar Awards Winner |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=29 July 2017 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425155216/http://kalakarawards.co/images/listofawardees.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2012}}</ref><br/>[[Anandalok Puraskar|Anandalok Award]]
| known_for          = 
| organization       = Debasree Roy Foundation<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140901/jsp/calcutta/story_18784871.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905063323/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140901/jsp/calcutta/story_18784871.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 September 2014 |title=Rescued from sticks of death |work=The Telegraph |access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref><ref name=":FIAPO">{{Cite web |url=http://fiapo.org/members/debasree-roy-foundation/ |title=Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations |website=fiapo.org |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613135451/http://fiapo.org/members/debasree-roy-foundation/ |archive-date=13 June 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| alma_mater         = Park English School<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" />
| footnotes          = {{ubl
|In the films at her early age she was credited as "Chumki Roy" and then "Rumki Roy". The name "Debashree Roy" was later given by [[Tarun Majumdar]].<ref name="Politics" />
|She refused offers to play lead opposite [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] since their conjugal separation in 1995, leaving an ample scope to her contemporary [[Rituparna Sengupta]] and [[Satabdi Roy]].<ref name=":5" />}}
}}
}}

'''Debashree Roy''', (born 8 August 1962)<ref name=ceowestbengal/> also known as '''Debasree Roy''',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/people/debasree-roy-130692 |title=Debasree Roy movies, filmography, biography and songs |website=Cinestaan |access-date=3 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515025243/https://www.cinestaan.com/people/debasree-roy-130692 |archive-date=15 May 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is an Indian [[Actor|actress]], [[dance]]r, [[Choreography|choreographer]], [[politician]] and [[Animal rights movement|animal rights activist]].<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |title=Debashree Roy set to return to acting after 10-year hiatus |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/debashree-roy-set-to-return-to-acting-after-10year-hiatus/2073456 |url-status=live |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=www.outlookindia.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604024810/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/debashree-roy-set-to-return-to-acting-after-10year-hiatus/2073456 |archive-date=4 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name="Nataraj Group">{{Cite web |url=http://www.calcuttayellowpages.com/adver/107177about-debasree-roy.html |title=Nataraj Group |website=www.calcuttayellowpages.com |access-date=19 March 2017}}</ref>  She was a [[bankable star]] of [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]] during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.<ref name=":0" /> She has received more than forty awards including a [[National Film Award|National Award]], three [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards|BFJA Awards]], five Kalakar Awards and an [[Anandalok Puraskar|Anandalok Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2021 |title=Debashree Roy to return on screens with Bengali TV serial after decade-long hiatus |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-to-return-on-screens-with-bengali-tv-serial-after-decade-long-hiatus-9579521.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 June 2021 |website=Firstpost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514011557/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-to-return-on-screens-with-bengali-tv-serial-after-decade-long-hiatus-9579521.html |archive-date=14 May 2021}}</ref> As a dancer, she is known for her stage adaptations of the various forms of [[List of Indian folk dances|Indian folk dances]] as well as her innovative dance forms imbued with elements from [[India]]n classical, tribal and folk dance.<ref name=":Bhashyo" /> She runs Natraj dance troupe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=- FAMILY album |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/family-album/cid/1267401 |access-date=16 June 2021 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> She is the founder of Debasree Roy Foundation, a non-profit organisation that works for the cause of stray animals.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/Put-India-on-cruelty-free-cosmetics-map-Debasree-Roy/article20568572.ece |title=Put India on cruelty-free cosmetics map: Debasree Roy |work=@businessline |access-date=11 February 2018 |language=en |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013415/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/put-india-on-cruelty-free-cosmetics-map-debasree-roy/article20568572.ece1 |url-status=live}}</ref> Roy was a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]] from [[Raidighi]] [[constituency]] from 2011 till 2021.<ref name=":3" />

Her first acting assignment was Hiranmoy Sen's [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali]] devotional film ''Pagal Thakur'' (1966) where she was cast as an [[infant]] [[Ramakrishna Paramhansa]].<ref name=":0" /> Her first leading role in Bengali cinema came with Arabinda Mukhopadhyay's film ''[[Nadi Theke Sagare (1978 film)|Nadi Theke Sagare]]'' (1978).<ref name=":11" />{{efn|Her Malayalam movie ''[[Ee Ganam Marakkumo]]'' (1978) opposite [[Prem Nazir]] was released before ''[[Nadi Theke Sagare (1978 film)|Nadi Theke Sagare]]''.}} She shot to wider recognition for her role in [[Aparna Sen]]'s [[National Film Awards|National Award]] winning directorial debut ''[[36 Chowringhee Lane]]'' (1981)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29thNFAAward.aspx |title=Directorate of Film Festival |website=iffi.nic.in |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203044324/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm29thNFAAward.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Kanak Mishra's ''[[Jiyo To Aise Jiyo]]'' (1981) under [[Rajshri Productions]].<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jiyo-to-aise-jiyo-5342 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218024357/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jiyo-to-aise-jiyo-5342 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 February 2018 |title=Jiyo To Aise Jiyo (1981) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=17 February 2018}}</ref> She also appeared in several other [[Hindi]] [[film]]s such as ''Bura Aadmi'' (1982), ''[[Justice Chaudhury]]'' (1983), ''[[Phulwari (1984 film)|Phulwari]]'' (1984), ''[[Kabhie Ajnabi The]]'' (1985), ''[[Seepeeyan]]'' (1986) and ''Pyar Ka Sawan'' (1989).<ref name=":37" /> After her Bengali film ''[[Troyee]]'' (1982) became a major success at box office, she concentrated more in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=30 December 2017 |title=The Superlative Roy |url=https://filmzack.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/the-unsurpassable-roy/ |access-date=17 February 2018 |work=Filmzack |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":20">''মক্ষীরানি''. [http://www.anandalok.in/ Anandalok]. (March 1984 ed.)</ref> Her other major hits at the box office include films such as ''[[Bhalobasa Bhalobasa (1985 film)|Bhalobasa Bhalobasa]]'' (1985),<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/bhalobasha-bhalobasha-33825 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225073224/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/bhalobasha-bhalobasha-33825 |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 February 2018 |title=Bhalobasha Bhalobasha (1985) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=24 February 2018}}</ref> ''Lalmahal'' (1986), ''[[Chokher Aloy]]'' (1989), ''Jhankar'' (1989),<ref name=":26">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jankar-34568 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054652/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/jankar-34568 |url-status=live |archive-date=4 March 2018 |title=Jankar (1989) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> ''Ahankar'' (1991)<ref name=":27">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan./movies/ahankar-33457 |title=Ahankar (1991) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> and ''[[Yuddha]]'' (2005) to name a few.<ref name=":Bhashyo2" />

Roy was conferred with [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Actress Award|BFJA Award for Best Actress]] (1992) for the first time for her performance in Indar Sen's Bengali film ''Thikana'' (1991).<ref name=":31">{{Cite web |last=FilmiClub |title=BFJA Awards 1992: Complete list of Awards and Nominations |url=https://www.filmiclub.com/award/bfja-awards/bfja-awards-1992 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=FilmiClub |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212043740/https://www.filmiclub.com/award/bfja-awards/bfja-awards-1992 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was conferred with the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] (1995) as well as [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Actress Award|BFJA Award for Best Actress]] (1997) for her role in [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s [[National Film Award|National Award]] winning Bengali film ''[[Unishe April]]'' (1994).<ref name=":42nd1995" /><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |last=FilmiClub |title=BFJA Awards 1997: Complete list of Awards and Nominations |url=https://www.filmiclub.com/award/bfja-awards/bfja-awards-1997 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=FilmiClub |language=en-US |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212044620/https://www.filmiclub.com/award/bfja-awards/bfja-awards-1997 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She collaborated with [[Rituparno Ghosh]] for the second time in his [[National Film Awards|National Award]] winning Bengali film ''[[Asukh]]'' (1999) which once again earned her the [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Actress Award|BFJA Award for Best Actress]] (2000).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx |title=46th National Film Festival, 1999 |website=iffi.nic.in |access-date=3 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203091624/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm46NFAAward.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was also critically acclaimed for her performances in films such as ''[[Anutap]]'' (1992),  ''Sandhyatara'' (1994), ''[[Kaal Sandhya]]'' (1997), ''[[Prohor]]'' (2002) and ''Shilpantar'' (2004).<ref name=":Bhashyo2" />

== Family and educational background ==

{{Tree chart/start|summary=Debashree Roy family tree}}
{{Tree chart| | | |BKR|~|y|~|AR| |BKR=Birendra Kishore Roy|AR=Arati Roy}}
{{Tree chart| | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | |PL| |KM|~|y|~|RM| | |RKR| |MR| |TB| |DR| | |PL=Purnima Lahiri|KM=Krishna Mukherjee|RM=[[Ram Mukherjee]]|RKR=Ramendra Kishore Roy|MR=Mrigen Roy|TB=Tanusree Bhattacharya|DR=Debashree Roy}}

{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | |)|-|-|.}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | |RAJA | | RANI| | |RAJA=Raja Mukherjee|RANI=[[Rani Mukerji]]}}
{{Tree chart/end}}

Roy was born and brought up in a [[Bengalis|Bengali]] family in [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgl6c9loI4Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/rgl6c9loI4Y |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Chena Mukh Achena Manush |website=YouTube |date=2 December 2019 |access-date=25 December 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Her father Birendra Kishore Roy was an employee at West Bengal Finance Corporation. Her mother Arati Roy was the principal of Sai Natraj Shikshayatan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Family album |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/family-album/cid/1267401 |access-date=24 January 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=24 August 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.educationbengal.in/sai-natraj-shikshayatan |title=Sai Natraj Shikshayatan |website=Education Bengal |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013417/https://www.educationbengal.in/sai-natraj-shikshayatan |url-status=dead }}</ref> She is the youngest and sixth child after Purnima Lahiri, Krishna Mukherjee, Ramendra Kishore Roy, Mrigen Roy and Tanushree Bhattacharya.<ref name=":9" /> Purnima Lahiri, her eldest sister is a former hair stylist.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/people/purnima-lahiri-133448 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013417/https://www.cinestaan.com/people/purnima-lahiri-133448 |url-status=live |archive-date=12 October 2020 |title=Purnima Lahiri movies, filmography, biography and songs |website=Cinestaan |access-date=10 March 2019}}</ref> Her second eldest sister Krishna Mukherjee is a former [[playback singer]] and wife of filmmaker, [[Ram Mukherjee]]. They are the parents of actress [[Rani Mukerji]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |work=Rediff.com |title=First-time fumblings |date=14 November 2007 |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/14sl8.htm |access-date=23 December 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227081737/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/14sl8.htm |archive-date=27 December 2007}}</ref> Her deceased brother Ramendra Kishore Roy was a cinematographer of [[Cinema of South India|South Indian cinema]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/oct/04deba.htm |title=Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Debasree Roy profile |website=www.rediff.com |access-date=24 June 2017}}</ref> Mrigen Roy is an event manager and executive producer of Bengali cinema. Her sister Tanushree Bhattacharya, popularly known as Jhumki Roy was an actress of [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]] and a playback singer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ফ্রিজের জল, খাবার চরম অপছন্দ করতেন ছায়াদেবী, তনুশ্রী-দেবশ্রী রায়ের স্মৃতিতে নানা অজানা গল্প |url=https://thewall.in/special-feature-on-chhaya-devi-she-did-not-like-refrigerator/ |access-date=4 June 2021 |website=TheWall |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/people/jhumki-roy-131616 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504011328/https://www.cinestaan.com/people/jhumki-roy-131616 |url-status=live |archive-date=4 May 2020 |title=Jhumki Roy movies, filmography, biography and songs |website=Cinestaan |access-date=9 March 2019}}</ref> She was married to director Sanjay Bhattacharya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=দেবশ্রী রায়ের কামব্যাক এক দশক পর! ছোটপর্দার 'সর্বজয়া' এবার তিনিই |url=https://thewall.in/debashree-roy-comes-back-to-serial-after-10-years/ |access-date=25 June 2021 |website=TheWall |language=en-US}}</ref> Initially, she took her dancing lessons from her mother, her eldest sister and then Bandana Sen. later on, she was trained by [[Kelucharan Mohapatra|Kelucharan Mahapatra]].<ref name="Nataraj Group" />

==Acting career==

=== Early career as a child artist (1966—1972) ===
Roy was an infant when she was introduced to cinema. Her mother Arati Roy was a student of [[Shyamal Mitra]] and was thus well- acquainted with a number of music composers and filmmakers of Bengali cinema. She was cast in the role of an infant [[Ramakrishna|Ramkrishna Paramhansa]] in Hiranmoy Sen's devotional film ''Pagal Thakur'' (1966) alongside [[Chhaya Devi]] playing Chandramani Devi, mother of Ramakrishna.<ref>{{Cite web |title=আজও তারা জ্বলে |url=https://bartamanpatrika.com/detailNews.php?cID=33&nID=259554&nPID=20201124 |access-date=17 December 2020 |website=bartamanpatrika.com}}</ref> She was credited as "Kumari Chumki"{{efn-la|"Kumari" is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]] term that refers to an unmarried girl. The term is used as a [[title]] for a juvenile girl.}} in the film.<ref name=":30">{{Cite web |title='ছায়া'পথের নক্ষত্রলোকে |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/patrika/people-still-remembers-versatile-actress-chhaya-devi-1.712728 |access-date=21 May 2021 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> She was noted for the first time for her role in Hiranmoy Sen's another devotional film ''[[Balak Gadadhar]]'' (1969), her second film assignment where she was once again cast as a young [[Ramakrishna|Ramkrishna Paramhansa]].<ref name=":30" /> Hiranmoy Sen also zeroed in on her to play the role of [[Devi Kanya Kumari]] in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg3ydirwhC8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021060042/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg3ydirwhC8&list=PL9E794A170ED52121 |archive-date=21 October 2014 |url-status=dead |title=Balak Gadadhar (1969) |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref> During this time [[Tarun Majumdar]] was looking for a pretty but expressive little face for the role of Ranu in his new [[Thriller film|Thriller]] ''[[Kuheli]]'' (1971). [[Chhaya Devi]] who was also a part of that venture suggested Chumki's name for that role. She was cast alongside veterans like [[Biswajit Chatterjee]] and [[Sandhya Roy]] in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/kuheli-34835 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225070309/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/kuheli-34835 |url-status=live |archive-date=25 February 2018 |title=Kuheli (1971) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref><ref name="iffi422">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm42thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=42NFA.pdf |title=42nd National Film Awards |year=1995 |publisher=[[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]], [[Government of India]] |pages=26–27 |access-date=3 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012140929/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm42thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=42NFA.pdf |archive-date=12 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Nataraj Group"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mxplayer.in/show/watch-famously-filmfare-bengali/season-1/debashree-roy-online-e156783bc02aea407d2a4f246bd8d3f5 |title=Famously Filmfare Bengali {{!}} Episode 9 – Season 1 {{!}} 16 April 2019 |website=MX Player |language=en |access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref> Roy portrayed Ranu who, every night, stealthily goes out to meet a mysterious woman whom she believes to be her mother. The film was a prominent success at box office and Chumki became a starlet.<ref name=":19">''সম্রাট ও সুন্দরী''. [http://www.anandalok.in/ Anandalok]. (November 1995 ed.)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-01 |title=রান্নাঘরে রসায়নের পাঠ! ৬২-তে নতুন শুরু 'কেমিস্ট্রি মাসি' দেবশ্রীর, এবার ওটিটি-তে |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/deboshree-roys-ott-debut-chemistry-mashis-announcement-teaser-out-now-shoot-start-in-oct-31696162397452.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010214447/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/deboshree-roys-ott-debut-chemistry-mashis-announcement-teaser-out-now-shoot-start-in-oct-31696162397452.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2023 |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}</ref> She featured in ''[[Sipayi Ramu]]'' (1972).

=== Profusion of roles (1976—2007) ===
[[File:Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Union Minister for Railways.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gopal Krishna Gandhi]], [[Pranab Mukherjee]], [[Mamata Banerjee]] and Roy at the inaugural run of metro railways extending wings to the Southern Kolkata commissioning of [[Mahanayak Uttam Kumar metro station|Mahanayak Uttam Kumar]] to [[Kavi Nazrul metro station|Kavi Nazrul]] metro service, at [[Kolkata]] on August 22, 2009]]
Following the success of ''[[Kuheli]]'' (1971), [[Tarun Majumdar]] gave his word that he would introduce Roy as a leading actress when she hit her teens. Hence Arati Roy, her mother refused to let Roy play any other supporting roles in order to retain her daughter's exclusivity.<ref name=":9" /> In 1975 Roy was finally summoned for the title role in Majumdar's ''[[Balika Badhu (1976)|Balika Badhu]]''. The film was the Hindi remake of his 1967 Bengali film ''[[Balika Badhu (1967 film)|Balika Badhu]]'' (1967).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/balika-badhu-14597 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713153130/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/balika-badhu-14597 |url-status=live |archive-date=13 July 2020 |title=Balika Badhu (1976) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> After she appeared for a look test, Majumdar changed his mind considering her imperfect for this role and she got replaced by Rajni Sharma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=সংবাদদাতা |first=নিজস্ব |title=Tarun Majumder {{!}} Tarun Majumdar Death: তরুণের তিন কন্যে! এক সময় টলিউড শাসন করতেন ইন্দিরা, শিপ্রা, চুমকি |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/late-tarun-majumdar-changed-his-three-heroines-name-as-mousumi-mahua-debashree-dgtl/cid/1354583 |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> An upset Roy, then accepted a role in Sushil Mukherjee's Bengali drama ''[[Sudur Niharika]]'' (1976) where she was credited as "Rumki Roy".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/sudur-niharika-35985 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503192929/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/sudur-niharika-35985 |url-status=live |archive-date=3 May 2020 |title=Sudur Niharika (1975) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> She, then featured in Kushali Goshthi's ''Aguner Phulki'' (1978) alongside veterans like [[Anil Chatterjee]] and [[Sabitri Chatterjee]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/aguner-phulki-33455 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106211256/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/aguner-phulki-33455 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 January 2019 |title=Aguner Phulki (1978) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> During this time [[Arabinda Mukhopadhyay]] was looking for a young actress for the female lead opposite [[Mithun Chakraborty]] in ''[[Nadi Theke Sagare]]'' (1978).<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/supplementary/patrika/filmmaker-arvind-mukherjee-had-done-lot-of-sacrifices-only-for-filmmaking-1.622337 |title=সিনেমার জন্য ডাক্তারি ছেড়েছিলেন এই পরিচালক – Anandabazar |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.newsmen.in/news-item/arabinda-mukherjee-director-of-timeless-bengali-flicks-mouchak-dhanyee-meye-dies/ |title=Arabinda Mukherjee, director of timeless Bengali flicks Mouchak, Dhanyee Meye, dies |date=10 February 2016 |work=NEWSMEN |access-date=22 November 2017 |language=en-GB |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182517/http://www.newsmen.in/news-item/arabinda-mukherjee-director-of-timeless-bengali-flicks-mouchak-dhanyee-meye-dies/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Sandhya Roy]] who played the other female lead in the film suggested the director to cast Roy in the lead opposite [[Mithun Chakraborty|Chakraborty]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bangladeshpost.net/the-beautiful-icon-of-bengali-cinema/ |title=The beautiful icon of Bengali cinema |date=24 August 2018 |website=A Daily with a Difference {{!}} Latest Online English Daily among Bangladesh Newspapers |language=en-US |access-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413154203/https://www.bangladeshpost.net/the-beautiful-icon-of-bengali-cinema/ |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As described by the director, the film narrates the ebb and flow of the life of two unfathered individuals played by Roy and [[Mithun Chakraborty|Chakraborty]]. Roy played Champa, the unfathered daughter to [[Sandhya Roy]].<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/nadi-theke-sagare-35133 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402043919/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/nadi-theke-sagare-35133 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 April 2018 |title=Nadi Theke Sagare (1978) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> Upon its release, the film received favourable review. Roy was critically appreciated for her [[gaze]] in the film. She had to enact the adolescence as well as the adulthood of the character she was given.<ref name=":24" /> A perfectionist, director Arabinda Mukhopadhyay wanted her gaze to be mature enough for the adult role while practically, she was not an adult at that time. To shed off her juvenile, impulsive look, He instructed her not to undergo any conversation or any kind of playful activity for a long time before shooting.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/supplementary/patrika/ধন-য-ঢ-ল-ব-ব-1.36040 |title=ধন্যি ঢুলুবাবু – Anandabazar |website=anandabazar.com |language=en |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> The film was a major success at box office.<ref name=":20" /> She then featured opposite [[Anil Dhawan]] in Kuldeep Pandey's Hindi film ''[[Ghata]]'' (1978).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-16 |title='কেমিস্ট্রি মাসি'-র হাত ধরে ওটিটিতে দেবশ্রী রায়, ইন্ডাস্ট্রিতে থেকেও নেই অভিনেত্রী! |url=https://www.thewall.in/entertainment/why-chemistry-mashi-debashree-roy-is-not-that-visible-in-the-industry-/tid/123339 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=TheWall}}</ref> The film won critical favour but failed to create any ripple at box office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aboxoffice.com/debashree-roy |title=Debashree Roy |website=aboxoffice.com |access-date=28 July 2019 |archive-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829201138/https://www.aboxoffice.com/debashree-roy |url-status=dead }}</ref> She acted opposite [[Prem Nazir]] in [[N. Sankaran Nair]]'s Malayalam film ''[[Ee Ganam Marakkumo]]'' (1978) where she was credited as "Rugmini Roy". The film was a major failure at box office.

She, then featured in Nirmal Sarbanga's [[Road movie|road film]] ''G. T. Road'' (1980). The film did not perform well at box office.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://was.photos.timesofindia.com/celebs/bollywood/debasree-roy/articleshow/2425656.cms |title=Debasree Roy |work=The Times of India Photogallery |access-date=30 July 2017 }}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> During this time [[Tarun Majumdar]] came up with the offer for his romantic drama film ''[[Dadar Kirti]]'' (1980) and suggested to change her name into "Debashree Roy". Her mother never objected to it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debashree Roy Shares Her Memories To Work With Tarun Majumdar On His Birthday dgtl |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-shares-her-memories-to-work-with-tarun-majumdar-on-his-birthday-dgtl/cid/1322567 |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=www.anandabazar.com|language=bn}}</ref> She was cast alongside [[Sandhya Roy]], [[Kali Banerjee]], [[Ruma Guha Thakurta]], [[Tapas Paul]] and [[Mahua Roychoudhury]] in the film. She portrayed the character of Bini, the innocent sibling of Saraswati portrayed by [[Mahua Roychoudhury]]. The film became a remarkable box office success and her role and vibrant appearance was loved by the audience, alongside the reverse and solemn appearance of [[Mahua Roychoudhury]].<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/dadar-kirti-34119 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401214859/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/dadar-kirti-34119 |url-status=live |archive-date=1 April 2018 |title=Dadar Kirti (1980) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref>

She was again cast in the role of the chirpy sibling of [[Mahua Roychoudhury]] in Manu Sen's blockbuster Bengali film ''[[Subarna Golak|Subarnagolak]]'' (1981). She featured in Dilip Mukherjee's Bengali film ''Father'' (1981) alongside [[Soumitra Chatterjee]], [[Ranjit Mallick]], [[Haradhan Bandopadhyay|Haradhan Banerjee]], [[Sumitra Mukherjee]], [[Mithu Mukherjee (actress)|Mithu Mukherjee]] and Mahua Roychoudhury.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ode to mortality – Soumitra Chatterjee, now undergoing treatment in London, talks about his health, his fear of pain and a few of his favourite things |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/ode-to-mortality-soumitra-chatterjee-now-undergoing-treatment-in-london-talks-about-his-health-his-fear-of-pain-and-a-few-of-his-favourite-things/cid/633641 |access-date=30 December 2020 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> After [[Moon Moon Sen]] declined the role of Nandita, [[Aparna Sen]] proposed Roy to play the part in her directorial debut ''[[36 Chowringhee Lane]]'' (1981). Nandita along with her boyfriend Samaresh exploits her former teacher's apartment for making love to each other.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/aparna-sen-on-the-seven-most-beautiful-women-she-has-directed-13925.html |title=Aparna Sen on the seven most beautiful women she has directed |work=filmfare.com |access-date=5 August 2017 |language=en}}</ref> She was initially hesitant to do the love-making scene with [[Dhritiman Chatterjee]] who played Samaresh.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Bimala Does Now |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/what-bimala-does-now/283161 |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Outlook}}</ref> The film was a major failure at box office, still Roy was applauded by media personalities due to her good looks and unlaboured screen presence.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://newsdog.today/a/article/5979851412907103017b0a63/?d=false |title=What Bimala Does Now – NewsDog |access-date=27 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060247/http://newsdog.today/a/article/5979851412907103017b0a63/?d=false |archive-date=28 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She, then appeared in Kanak Mishra's Hindi film ''[[Jiyo To Aise Jiyo]]'' (1981), under [[Rajshri Productions]]. She played Vidya, the love interest of Kundan played by [[Arun Govil]]. The film became a jubilee hit at box office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/jan/12/10381/arun-govil-aka-ram-people-touch-my-feet-even-30-years-after-ramayan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027190058/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/jan/12/10381/arun-govil-aka-ram-people-touch-my-feet-even-30-years-after-ramayan |url-status=live |archive-date=27 October 2018 |title=Arun Govil aka Ram: People touch my feet even 30 years after Ramayan |last=Seta |first=Keyur |website=Cinestaan |access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref> The next year, she appeared in Desh Gautam's ''Bura Aadmi'' (1980) which was a major box office debacle.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://osianama.com/film-titles/bura-aadmi |title=Bura Aadmi |website=osianama.com |language=en |access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref> In 1982, she appeared in [[Tarun Majumdar]]'s Bengali film ''Meghmukti''. The same year, she featured opposite [[Mithun Chakraborty]] in Goutam Mukherjee's love triangle ''[[Troyee]]'' which became a major success at box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=27 March 2021 |title=আজও দেবশ্রীকে ভুলতে পারেননি মিঠুন চক্রবর্তী, অবশেষে অভিনেত্রীকে নিয়ে মুখ খুললেন মহাগুরু |url=https://ichorepaka.in/mithun-chakraborty-recalls-his-old-memory-with-debashree-roy/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=Ichorepaka |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519155301/https://ichorepaka.in/mithun-chakraborty-recalls-his-old-memory-with-debashree-roy/ |archive-date=19 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Prosenjit-Deboshree: জাতীয় পুরস্কার পেতেই শুরু হিংসা, কোন কারণে বিচ্ছেদ ঘটেছিল প্রসেনজিৎ-দেবশ্রী সম্পর্কে? |url=https://thebengalichronicle.com/tollywood-star-prosenjit-debashree-divorce-reason-pst/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |work=The Bengali Chronicle |date=15 June 2022 |language=bn |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727155200/https://thebengalichronicle.com/tollywood-star-prosenjit-debashree-divorce-reason-pst/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Aparupa'', her another release of the same year was a flop at the box office.

Roy featured opposite [[Tapas Paul]] in Bijoy Bose's Bengali drama ''Samapti'' (1983).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/samapti-35695 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707134952/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/samapti-35695 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 July 2019 |title=Samapti (1983) – Review, Star Cast, News, Photos |website=Cinestaan |access-date=26 September 2019}}</ref> She featured in [[Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao|K. Raghavendra Rao]]'s multistarrer Hindi film ''[[Justice Chaudhury]]'' (1983) alongside [[Jeetendra]], [[Hema Malini]], [[Moushumi Chatterjee]], [[Sridevi]] and [[Raj Kiran (actor)|Raj Kiran]].<ref name=":28">{{Cite web |title=Justice Chowdhury (1983) |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/justice-chowdhury-5656 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004750/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/justice-chowdhury-5656 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2018 |access-date=18 February 2018 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref> The film was a major success at box office.<ref name=":28" />

In 1984, she appeared in Mukul Dutt's Hindi film ''Phulwari'', under [[Rajshri Productions]].<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/phulwari-14756 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210737/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/phulwari-14756 |url-status=live |archive-date=18 February 2018 |title=Phulwari (1984) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> In the film, Roy portrayed the character of Lali, a beautiful, conceited and pampered girl who insults her boyfriend Rajiv on the day of their engagement and discloses to everyone present at her engagement party that she has given consent to marry him because she wanted to avenge an earlier incident when he humiliated her in front of the public. She was paired with [[Shashi Puri]] in this film.<ref name=":29" /> She featured alongside [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanowaljit Singh]] and [[Om Puri]] in Akash Jain's film ''[[Seepeeyan]]'' (1984), where she portrayed the role of a beautiful woman who flings herself into water after her boyfriend refused to marry her and is saved by another man whom she later marries. In 1984, she was cast in the role of ''Kundanadinee'' in Ajay Kar's Bengali period film ''Bishabriksha'', based on the veteran Bengali novelist [[Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay]]'s novel of the same name.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/bishabriksha-33904 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721105432/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/bishabriksha-33904 |url-status=live |archive-date=21 July 2019 |title=Bishabriksha (1984) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref> She then, featured in Dipranjan Bose's Bengali drama film ''Parabat Priya'' (1984), alongside [[Tapas Paul]] and [[Mahua Roychoudhury]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/parabat-priya-35316 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112021314/https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/parabat-priya-35316 |url-status=live |archive-date=12 November 2018 |title=Parabat Priya (1984) |website=Cinestaan |access-date=11 November 2018}}</ref> The film was a major success at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/ |title=চরণ ধরিতে দিয়ো গো আমারে নিয়ো না নিয়ো না সরায়ে |website=Epaper Sangbad Pratidin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409072758/https://epaper.sangbadpratidin.in/ |archive-date=9 April 2020 |access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref> She played the character of Piyali, a highly pampered girl who decides to poison a glass of milk that her husband was supposed to take.

In 1985, she was paired with [[Sandeep Patil]] in ''[[Kabhi Ajnabi The]]'' (1985), directed and produced by [[Vijay Singh (writer and filmmaker)|Vijay Singh]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare recommends: Cricket based Bollywood films |url=https://www.filmfare.com//features/filmfare-recommends-cricket-based-bollywood-films-40451.html |date=26 April 2020 |website=filmfare.com |language=en |access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref> She played the character of Geeta, who decides to sacrifice her love for the sake another woman who had previously been her boyfriend's ladylove. The film was over-hyped regarding the Bollywood debut of [[Sandeep Patil]] and Roy's sensuous enacting with him in the song sequence ''Geet Mere Hothon Ko De Gaya Koi''.<ref name="outlookindia.com">{{Cite news |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/cricketers-and-their-affairs-with-film-stars/294088 |title=Cricketers And Their Affairs With Film Stars |work=outlookindia.com |access-date=25 April 2017}}</ref> Filmfare wrote: "With those kohl eyes and her figure scantily covered with, she looked enthralling, yet she looked coy enough." Her performance in this film earned her the Calcutta and National Unity Award for Best Supporting Actress in Hindi Cinema.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com">{{Cite web |url=https://filmsack.jimdo.com/lesser-known-facts-about-debasree-roy/ |title=Lesser Known Facts about Debasree Roy |website=filmsack |language=en-US |access-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805191230/https://filmsack.jimdo.com/lesser-known-facts-about-debasree-roy/ |archive-date=5 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film theatrically opened with 80% seat occupancy, but ultimately proved itself to be a major commercial failure due to its poor screenplay.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com|title=Ten">{{Cite web |url=https://filmsack.jimdo.com |title=Ten Most Beautiful Actrsses of Bengali Cinema |website=filmsack.jimdo.com |language=en-US |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406112148/https://filmsack.jimdo.com/ |archive-date=6 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1985, she was cast opposite [[Tapas Paul]] in [[Tarun Majumdar]]'s romantic drama ''[[Bhalobasa Bhalobasa (1985 film)|Bhalobasa Bhalobasa]]''. This film established Roy's pairing with [[Tapas Paul]] as the leading on-screen pairing of the nineteen eighties.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/bengali-actor-tapas-paul-death-an-obituary-on-actor-tapas-paul-dgtl-1.1111038 |title=তাপস পাল: এক বিষণ্ণ ভালমানুষ থেকে ট্র্যাজিক হিরো |date=18 February 2020 |website=anandabazar.com |language=bn |access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com|title=Ten" /> Her other major hits with Paul are ''Uttar Lipi'' (1986), ''Arpan'' (1987), ''Shankhachur'' (1988), ''Surer Sathi'' (1988), ''Surer Akashe'' (1988), ''Nayanmani'' (1989), ''[[Chokher Aloy]]'' (1989), ''Shubha Kamana'' (1991), ''Mayabini'' (1992), ''Phire Paoa'' (1993), ''Tobu Mone Rekho'' (1994) and ''Putrabadhu'' (1998).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/bengali-actor-and-former-tmc-mp-tapas-paul-died-at-mumbai-hospital-dgtl-1.1110910 |title=কলকাতায় ফেরা হল না, মুম্বইয়ে জীবনাবসান তাপস পালের |date=18 February 2020 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |language=bn |access-date=9 April 2020}}</ref>

Roy also delivered hits with [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] and [[Chiranjeet Chakraborty]]. She was paired with [[Chiranjeet Chakraborty]] for the first time in ''Madhumoy'' (1986), which also stars [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] and [[Mahua Roychoudhury]]. Her pairing with Chakraborty conveyed major hits such as ''Mouna Mukhar'' (1987), ''Heerer Shikal'' (1988), ''Papi'' (1990), ''Tomar Rakte Amar Sohag'' (1993), ''Bhoy'' (1996), ''Beyadap'' (1996), ''Jiban Jouban'' (1997), ''Joddha'' (1987) and ''Debanjali'' (2000).

In 1988, she appeared as [[Satyavati]] in [[Baldev Raj Chopra|B.R.Chopra]]'s ''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)|Mahabharat]]''.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/story/19881031-b.r.-chopras-serial-mahabharat-promises-to-be-another-bonanza-797829-1988-10-31 |title=B.R. Chopra's serial 'Mahabharat' promises to be another bonanza |date=31 October 1988 |website=India Today |language=en-US |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>

In 1987, she was paired with [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] in Bimal Ray's ''Samrat O Sundari''. The film was a hit and gave acknowledgement to Roy's pairing with [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] as a bankable one.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} Her other hits with Chatterjee are ''[[Ora Charjon]]'' (1988), ''Jhankar'' (1989), ''Ahankar'' (1991), ''Raktelekha'' (1992), ''Purushottam'' (1992), ''Rakter Swad'' (1993), ''Shraddhanjali'' (1993) and ''Nati Binodini'' (1994). Srikanta Guhathakurata's ''Ahankar'' (1991) opened with 90% seat occupancy and grossed more than {{INR|1 [[crore]]}} at the box office.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://reader.magzter.com/reader/6u9c1qlaws8o1z2srjltsh39673814464055/396738#page/24 |title=ইন্ডাস্ট্রির অভিভাবক রূপে আমি আর নেই |work=Anandalok |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> 
Roy further received critical acclaim in her role in the Drama ''[[Anutap]]'' (1992) which was directed by [[Prabhat Roy]] as well as rave reviews for her performance in ''Thikana'' for which she won her first [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Actress Award|BFJA Award for Best Actress]] . She featured in ''Rakte Lekha'' (1992) where the number ''Ami Kolkatar Rosogolla'' became very popular.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 June 2021 |title='রূপ নিয়ে অহংকার কোরো না মাসি, ৯০ এর সেরা রসগোল্লাও আজ বাসি' |url=https://www.amarsangbad.com/entertainment/news-183949 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=Amar Sangbad |language=en}}</ref> Following the success of the film, she earned the sobriquet, Kolkatar rosogolla.<ref name=":35" /> Roy was paired with Chatterjee for the last time in [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s much acclaimed film ''[[Unishe April]]'' (1994). Roy essayed the role of Aditi, who decides to commit suicide after her boyfriend refused her to marry, but gets interrupted by her mother. India Today described her performance as an "inspired performance by Roy, who has so far been mired in Bengali commercial cinema."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://m.indiatoday.in/story/award-winning-bengali-film-unishe-april-explores-the-mother-daughter-bond/1/289027.html |title=Award-winning Bengali film Unishe April explores the mother-daughter bond 30061995 |website=m.indiatoday.in |access-date=7 September 2017}}</ref> Filmfare appreciated her performance.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://m.filmfare.com/features/recalling-rituparno-15346.html |title=Recalling Rituparno… |work=filmfare.com |access-date=19 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> The film won her the [[National Film Award for Best Actress]] category.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.filmiclub.com/award/bfja-awards/bfja-awards-1997 |title=BFJA Awards 1997: Complete list of Awards and Nominations |last=FilmiClub |website=FilmiClub |language=en-US |access-date=2 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://m.mensxp.com/entertainment/gossip/9008-top-10-national-award-winning-films-by-rituparno-ghosh.html |title=Top 10 National Award Winning Films By Rituparno Ghosh |work=www.mensxp.com |access-date=2 September 2018 |language=en}}</ref> She also garnered critical acclaim for her roles in ''Sandhyatara'' (1994) and ''Cinemay Jeman Hoy'' (1994).<ref name=":22">Debasree Roy Still Not in A Term of Turning Back. Filmstaan. (June 2010 ed.)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.citwf.com/detailPerson.asp?personID=540454&sortOn=YEAR&sortBy=UP |title=DEBASREE RAY |website=www.citwf.com |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

After Roy separated from Chatterjee, she refused to play any female lead opposite the actor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 January 2021 |title=প্রসেনজিৎ-দেবশ্রী-ঋতুপর্ণা, ইতিহাস গড়তে চলেছে কী টলিউডে! |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/prasenjit-rituparna-and-debashree-first-time-will-be-seen-in-a-film-together-story-31609736338391.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104060303/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/prasenjit-rituparna-and-debashree-first-time-will-be-seen-in-a-film-together-story-31609736338391.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2021 |access-date=21 January 2021 |work=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}</ref><ref name=":22" /> Which in turn leaves an ample scope to her two strong rivals [[Rituparna Sengupta]] and [[Satabdi Roy]] who became choices opposite Chatterjee in most of his films in late 1990s.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":25">{{Cite web |date=18 May 2021 |title=Debashree Roy starer upcoming serial Sharbojoya teaser is out |url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/entertainment/television/debashree-roy-starer-upcoming-serial-sharbojoya-teaser-is-out/ |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=Sangbad Pratidin |language=bn}}</ref> [[Chiranjeet Chakraborty]] chose her for the female lead of his directorial venture ''Bhoy'' (1996).<ref>{{Cite web |last=চক্রবর্তী |first=চিরঞ্জিৎ |title=Debashree: দেবশ্রী নিরহঙ্কার সুন্দরী অভিনেত্রী, তবে রাজনীতি ওর বিষয় নয়, জন্মদিনে লিখলেন চিরঞ্জিৎ |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/mla-actor-chiranjeet-chakraborty-penned-a-heartfelt-note-for-debashree-roy-on-her-birthday-dgtl/cid/1361604 |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> The film is inspired by ''[[Sleeping with the Enemy]]'' (1991). In 1997, Roy had two releases opposite [[Chiranjit Chakraborty|Chiranjeet Chakraborty]] {{dash}} [[Prabhat Roy]]'s ''Jiban Jouban'' and Dulal Bhowmik's ''Yoddha'' both of which were commercially successful. She gave birth to speculation and controversy for her role as [[Tishyaraksha|Tishyarakshita]] in [[Nitish Roy]]'s ''Samarpan'' aired on [[Zee Tv]].<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/media/story/19970630-vasant-badgamia-tv-serial-samarpan-continues-to-make-news-830266-1997-06-30 |title=Vasant Badgamia's TV serial Samarpan continues to make news |date=30 June 1997 |website=India Today |language=en-US |access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref><ref name=":25" />

She portrayed the role of [[Sarada Devi]] in ''[[Swami Vivekananda (1998 film)|Swami Vivekananda]]'' (1998). She appeared in [[Tapan Sinha]]'s Bengali film ''Ajab Ganyer Ajab Katha'' (1998), under the banner of [[Shree Venkatesh Films]]. She appeared in a [[cameo role]] in [[Tapan Sinha]]'s Hindi film ''Daughters of This Century'' (1999). In 1999, she appeared in [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s ''[[Asukh]]'', landing the character of Rohini Choudhury, an actress who is suspicious by nature and begins to suspect her father to be an [[HIV/AIDS|HIV]] positive due to some illegitimate relation she is not aware of.
{{cquote
| author = Debashree Roy on what made her give her nod to [[Rituparno Ghosh]]'s ''[[Asukh]]'' (in an interview with Rediff.com)<ref name=":0" />
| width = 80%
|When I heard of this role, my first reaction was "Yes, this is my role." What helped me flesh out the character was the closeness I discovered between Rohini and myself. The lowest common denominator between us is the element of loneliness, the feeling of isolation and alienation every actress experiences as part of her life. Each of us lives in an island, in our own space, where we are completely, totally alone, ...}}
The film became a commercial as well as a major critical success. It won her [[Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Actress Award]] in 2000.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

In 2000, Roy appeared in ''Debanjali'' which was debacle at box office.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2WnMYNluIgMC&q=Debashree+roy+dancer&pg=PA43 |title=Translating Desire: The Politics of Gender and Culture in India |last=Sharma |first=Anjana |date=2002 |publisher=Katha |isbn=9788187649335 |language=en}}</ref>

She appeared in [[Subrata Sen]]'s [[Ek Je Aachhe Kanya|''Ek Je Achhe Kanya'']] (2001), which was major commercial success.<ref name=":Bhashyo2" /> She was paired with [[Sabyasachi Chakrabarty]] in this film. She appeared in [[Goutam Ghose]]'s much acclaimed Bengali film ''[[Dekha]]'' (2001), alongside [[Soumitra Chatterjee]]. She featured in Prashant Bal's ''[[Hindustani Sipahi]]'' (2002).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.gulfnews.com/bollywood-buzz-1.435218 |title=Bollywood Buzz |work=Gulf News |access-date=23 June 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In 2002, she appeared in [[Bappaditya Bandopadhyay]]'s much acclaimed film ''Shilpantar.'' She played the character of a woman who works in a circus and draws masses by her act of eating raw live snakes or hens.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} In the same year, she played the character of [[Kadambari Devi]] in Sukanta Ray's film ''Chhelebela'', alongside [[Jisshu Sengupta]] playing [[Rabindranath Tagore]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/?url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/7913110-chelebela-bengali-sukanta-roy-film-childhood-and-young-days-rabindranath-tagore#2712 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013449/http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonbanglaradio.com%2Fcontent%2F7913110-chelebela-bengali-sukanta-roy-film-childhood-and-young-days-rabindranath-tagore#2712 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=12 October 2020 |title=CHELEBELA (Bengali) – A Sukanta Roy film on childhood and young days of Rabindranath Tagore {{!}} WBRi {{!}} Washington Bangla Radio on internet |access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>
{{cquote
| author = Roy on her role as [[Kadambari Devi]] in Sukanta Roy's ''Chhelebela''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/apr/26tagore.htm |title=Chhelebela will capture the poet's childhood |website=rediff.com |access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref>
| width = 80%
|Kadambari for me is a challenge . . . . this role is a different challenge. It is a period film based on real life incidents and characters. The role demands that I remain conscious of my makeup, costume, dialogue delivery, body language etc. Yet act naturally. Because I have to pretend that I belong to a Bengal of a bygone era. Kadambari is famous in Bengal's cultural and literary history. I cannot take too many liberties with the external aspects of the character. I am confident that with the hard work I put in and the good wishes of my mentors and fans, I will certainly live up to the expectations of my audience with my enactment of Kadambari.
}}
Shantimoy Bandopadhyay chose Roy to play the title role in ''[[Mej Didi (2003 film)|Mejdidi]]'' (2003) based on [[Sarat Chandra Chatterjee]]'s story of the same name.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mejdidi 2003 Bengali film |date=4 March 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOhu3NIm5eY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/YOhu3NIm5eY |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |website=Youtube.com |access-date=4 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She portrayed Hemangini, who shelters an orphan who is severely exploited by his stepsister.<ref>{{Cite web |title=- true to the roots |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/true-to-the-roots/cid/1255389 |access-date=4 November 2020 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> The film endorsed altruism. The film failed to receive favourable reviews from critics but performed well at the box office.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":22" />

She featured in Subhadro Chowdhury's [[National Film Awards|National Award]] winning film ''[[Prohor]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm50NFAAward.aspx |title=Directorate of Film Festival |website=iffi.nic.in |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505171754/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm50NFAAward.aspx |archive-date=5 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> where she played the protagonist Nandita, who donates her blood for a man who raped her earlier.

Roy featured as the titular protagonist in [[Bratya Basu]]'s ''Teesta (2005).'' It is inspired by Basu's play ''Mukhomukhi Bosibar''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ode to nature |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/ode-to-nature/cid/1277329 |access-date=24 January 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=11 August 2005}}</ref> She portrayed Teesta who fails to communicate with the world of people and finds solace in nature. Though the film became a critical and commercial failure, she won critical favour for her performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teesta |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/teesta/cid/1278204 |access-date=4 November 2020 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref> It earns her [[Anandalok Puraskar|Anandalok Award for Best Actress]] in 2005.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}} She had a series of flops such as ''Satabdir Golpo'' (2004), ''Sagar Kinare'' (2004), ''Ami Je Ke Tomar'' (2004) and ''Teesta'' (2005). She featured opposite [[Mithun Chakraborty|Mithun Chakrabarty]] in Ravi Kinagi's ''[[Yuddho]]'' (2005). The film was released with 41 prints across [[West Bengal]].<ref name="Yud">{{Cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050829/asp/calcutta/story_5169894.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111111951/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050829/asp/calcutta/story_5169894.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 November 2006 |title=Big clash means big cash |work=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]] |access-date=4 March 2020 |date=29 August 2005}}</ref> It grossed {{INR}}1.2 crore in the first week and grossed {{INR}} 3 crore overall.<ref name="Yud" /> She then featured in [[MLA Fatakeshto|''MLA Fatakesto'']] (2006) and ''[[Mahaguru (2007 film)|Mahaguru]]'' (2007).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1050219/asp/calcutta/story_4399109.asp |title=Tales told true of a woman in blue |date=19 February 2005 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107061155/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1050219/asp/calcutta/story_4399109.asp |archive-date=7 January 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> She featured in Je Jon Thake Majhkhane (2006).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Reshmi |title=Tales told true of a woman in blue |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/tales-told-true-of-a-woman-in-blue/cid/1271037 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=19 February 2005}}</ref>

She made her small screen debut in [[Soumitra Chatterjee]] starrer Bengali tv series ''Dena Paona''.<ref name=":9" /> Her other famous roles from Bengali TV series are that of ''Louhakapat'', ''Nagarpare Roopnagar'' and ''Biraj Bou'' to name few.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":Bhashyo2">{{cite web |url=https://www.bhashyo.in/editorial/will-debasree-roy-ever-look-for-a-life-time-companion/ |title=Will Debasree Roy Ever Look for A Life Time Companion |date=21 July 2005 |website=www.bhashyo.in |access-date=3 March 2018}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Roy choreographed most of her dance numbers in Bengali films. Her dance to the popular song Ami ''Kolkatar Rosogolla''<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JUSCKFBYiOA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/JUSCKFBYiOA |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Ami Kolkatar Rosogolla |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=5 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> from ''Raktelekha'' (1992) was accredited as the biggest factor for the film achieving an enormous success at box office.<ref name=":Bhashyo2" /> Several of her other memorable choreographies includes her dance numbers such as ''Aar Koto Raat Eka Thakbo''<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=64vvyOokAn4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/64vvyOokAn4 |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Aar Koto Raat Eka Thakbo |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=5 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> from ''[[Chokher Aloy]]'' (1989), ''Baje Dhol Tak Dhina Dhin''<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRt99xpzoSo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/jRt99xpzoSo |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Baje Dhol Takdhina Dhin |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=5 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> from ''Aakrosh'' (1989) and ''Bajlo Je Ghungru''<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCaZKQVl63Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/xCaZKQVl63Q |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Bajlo Re Ghungru |website=www.youtube.com |access-date=5 March 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> from ''Jhankar'' (1989).

===Setback (2008–2011)===
From 2008, Roy made some impolitic choices of selecting films that did not equalise her stature and led her career into a major setback. She featured in Nilanjan Bhattacharya's directorial debut ''[[Lal Ronger Duniya]]'' (2008) where she played Dalia Karmakar, a former sex worker who tries save the women who are entangled in their lives of prostitution.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leading lady |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/leading-lady/cid/964534 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=15 September 2007}}</ref> The film is based on Lal Ronger Prithibi, a Bengali novel by Rupak Saha.<ref name="LalRong">{{cite news |last1=Chatterji |first1=Shoma A |title=Lal Ronger Dunia (Bangla) – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/lal-ronger-dunia--(bangla)/376170/ |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=Indian Express |date=24 October 2008}}</ref> It emerged as a major critical and commercial failure. The Telegraph stated that the film failed to stand up for too many characters. The dialogues never won any critical favour as well.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nag |first1=Kushali |title=The light is red |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/the-light-is-red/cid/541628 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=22 September 2008}}</ref> Roy was appreciated for her performance. The Indian Express wrote, "Debasree Roy as Dalia gives one of her best performances in recent times".<ref name="LalRong"/> It ran for two weeks and was then withdrawn.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tolly tally |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/tolly-tally/cid/533045 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=15 October 2010}}</ref><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" />

She then featured in Tapas Chandra's ''Anubhav'' (2009). The film is based on a short story by [[Dibyendu Palit]]. She plays Purnima who tries to rescue the women mired in the profession of prostitution.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Debashree |title=Call of the dark |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/call-of-the-dark/cid/533210 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 October 2008}}</ref> The film became a box office debacle. She was appreciated for her performance in Goutam Sen's Bengali feature film ''Pakhi'' (2009). The Times of India wrote, "Debasree Roy gives a stellar performance with her act of a blind girl."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roychoudhury |first1=Amrita |title=Pakhi Movie Review {2.5/5} |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/pakhi/movie-review/4719791.cms |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=30 June 2009}}</ref> The Telegraph wrote, "Debasree stands out as a sensitive, vulnerable woman who secretly nurses a sense of betrayal."<ref>{{cite news |title=Of birds and men |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/of-birds-and-men/cid/616130 |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=29 June 2009}}</ref> The film failed to create any ripples at the box office. She featured in ''Rahasya — The Bhoutik''. The film was a major critical failure.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rahasya — The Bhoutik Movie Review {.5/5} |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/rahasya-the-bhoutik/movie-review/5305258.cms |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

She featured in Suhasish Mukherjee's drama ''Antarbas'' (2010). The film was both critically and commercially unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Antarbas Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/antarbas/movie-review/5624691.cms |date=20 May 2016 |work=The Times of India |access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref> She also featured in [[Gaurav Pandey]]'s ''[[Shukno Lanka]]'' (2010) which was a critical and commercial success. She portrayed the character of a loving woman whose husband is indifferent to her.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/My-character-is-essentialDebasree-Roy/articleshow/6079051.cms |title=My character is essential:Debasree Roy |date=11 January 2017 |work=The Times of India |access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://m.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/bengali-art-films-are-commercial-too-ficci-report/article2717958.ece |title=Bengali art films are commercial too: FICCI report |date=15 December 2011 |work=The Hindu Business Line: Mobile Edition |access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref> The film was publicised on her dance to the popular number ''Sundari Kamala''.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |url=https://filmzack.wordpress.com/2017/06/06/the-point-where-debasree-roy-is-different-from-rituparna-sengupta/ |title=The Point Where Debasree Roy Is Different From Rituparna Sengupta |date=6 June 2017 |work=Filmzack |access-date=23 January 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> She featured in ''Thikana Rajpath'' (2010) directed by Kanoj Das. She played Padma who is insisted by Manisha played by [[Indrani Halder]] to surrogate for the latter but left in lurch when Manisha becomes pregnant. Roy's performance in the film was appreciated by critics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thikana Rajpath Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/thikana-rajpath/movie-review/5432689.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=22 May 2019}}</ref> The film was a moderate grosser at box office.

In 2011, Roy had four releases {{dash}} ''Bhalo Meye Mondo Meye'', ''Ei Aranya'', ''Ekdin Thik'' and ''Jibon Rang Berang''. She featured as Siddha in Nirmalya Banerjee's ''Ekdin Thik'' (2011). The film revolves around the protagonist Nikhilesh who gets to know that he has won a prestigious award not for the merit of his literary performance but his father's influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekdin thik |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/ekdin-thik/cid/414466 |access-date=4 November 2020 |website=www.telegraphindia.com}}</ref>

During an interview conducted by [[Ei Samay Sangbadpatra|Ei Samay]] newspaper in May 2021, she was asked why she was missing from the silver screen even though a number of good films had been being made. She stated that she is not favourite of any producer or any director who prefers to cast in all his films some other actors who are his favourites.<ref name=":34">{{Cite web |title='কর্মফল পেতেই হবে', শোভন ইস্যুতে মন্তব্য দেবশ্রীর |url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/entertainment/cinema/debashree-roy-reacts-on-sovan-chatterjee-arrest-in-narada-scam-case/articleshow/82793637.cms |access-date=23 May 2021 |website=Ei Samay |language=bn}}</ref>

===Further Roles (2012–2017)===
She featured in ''[[Antore Bahire|Antare Bahire]]'' (2012), and ''[[Life in Park Street]]'' (2012). Both the films met debacle at box office.

In 2013, Roy featured in a role of a gynaecologist in Benoy Mittra's ''Antaraal''. When Mittra narrated the plot to her, she loved the plot as well as her character.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://rajcommunicationsindia.com/news.html |title=News Clipping {{!}} Raj Communications |website=rajcommunicationsindia.com |access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> She was up on her feet regarding the promotion of the film.<ref name=":1" /> The film met critical as well as commercial success.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> Times of India wrote, "After a long time Debasree seems to have taken a genuine interest both in the plot and her character."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Antaraal/movie-review/26646536.cms |title=Antaraal Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India Mobile |work=The Times of India |access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> Her next turn was Ujjal Chatterjee's ''[[Swabhoomi]]'' (2013) which was based on [[Mahasweta Devi]]'s novel ''Adhaba''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/eager-for-response-of-nandigram-victims-to-my-role-debasree-27796.html |title=Eager for response of Nandigram victims to my role: Debasree {{!}} India News – India TV |website=www.indiatvnews.com |access-date=25 February 2018 |date=13 September 2013}}</ref> She portrayed Saraswati whose husband goes missing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=On political ground – Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/on-political-ground/1070922/1 |access-date=7 January 2021 |website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref> The film turned out to be a major critical as well as commercial failure.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Swabhoomi/movie-review/22584661.cms |title=Swabhoomi Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India Mobile |work=The Times of India |access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref> Her two other releases of that year were Sukanta Roy's Jakhan Esechhilem (2013) and Ashis Roy's ''Lattoo'' (2013) both of which became major critical as well as commercial failures.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/lattoo/movie-review/19893398.cms |title=Lattoo Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India Mobile |work=The Times of India |access-date=23 January 2018}}</ref>

After a brief hiatus Roy accepted a role in Reshmi Mitra's [[India|Indo]]-[[Bangladesh]] collaboration ''[[Hothat Dekha]]'' (2017). She had to share her screen with [[Ilias Kanchan]] who she described as a delight to work with. Based on the poem of the same name by [[Rabindranath Tagore|Tagore]], the film narrates the story of two estranged lovers who, coincidentally meet on a journey by a train after a long time. The film was shot in [[Chittagong]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://odishatv.in/entertainment/tagores-poem-hotath-dekha-being-turned-into-film-164387 |title=Tagore's poem 'Hatath Dekha' being turned into film {{!}} Odisha Television Limited |date=6 September 2016 |access-date=23 January 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Comeback (2021—present)===
She was slated to be seen in [[Anup Sengupta]]'s new venture ''Tumi Ki Sei''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-is-coming-back-on-film-after-a-long-time-1.1101558 |title=অনেক বছর পর্দার আড়ালে, এ বার ফিরছেন দেবশ্রী |website=anandabazar.com |language=bn |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref> But the film did not happen. In January 2021, there arises a speculation in media that she would feature opposite [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] in a film by [[Nandita Roy]] and [[Shiboprosad Mukherjee]]. She later changed her mind and refused to star opposite Chatterjee.<ref name=":34" /> After she quit politics, she was offered the title role in ''[[Sarbojaya]],'' a Bengali TV series directed by Snehashish Chakraborty.<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |title=Actress Debashree Roy to play the titular role in 'Sarbajaya' – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/actress-debashree-roy-to-play-the-titular-role-in-sarbajaya/articleshow/82734770.cms |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> She portrays a woman who has sacrificed all her longing for the sake of her in-laws.<ref name=":33" /> Once the promo of the TV series was released, netizens started to compare the TV series to the [[Indrani Halder]] starrer TV series ''[[Sreemoyee]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2021 |title='শ্রীময়ী'র সঙ্গে তুলনা 'সর্বজয়া'র, দেবশ্রী কামব্যাক মেগা ঘিরে সমালোচনার ঝড়! |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/sarbajayas-comparison-with-sreemoyee-debashree-s-comeback-series-in-criticism-31621398646336.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519052323/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/sarbajayas-comparison-with-sreemoyee-debashree-s-comeback-series-in-criticism-31621398646336.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 May 2021 |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=18 May 2021 |title=দেবশ্রী রায়ের কামব্যাক 'সর্বজয়া' নিয়ে শুরু হয়েছে বিতর্ক |url=https://www.kolkata24x7.com/debashree-roy-set-to-come-back-in-mega-serial/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 May 2021 |website=Kolkata24x7 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519154210/https://www.kolkata24x7.com/debashree-roy-set-to-come-back-in-mega-serial/ |archive-date=19 May 2021}}</ref> She received backlash from a part of netizens who claimed that she had lost all her charm and splendour to portray a female lead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debashree Roy Is The Target Of Netizens, Bhaswar Chatterjee And Snehasish Chakraborty protested dgtl |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/debashree-roy-is-the-target-of-netizens-bhaswar-chatterjee-and-snehasish-chakraborty-protested-dgtl/cid/1288684 |access-date=24 June 2021 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref> Once broadcast, the series grasped the 3rd position in TRP having attained 8.5 rating point.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 August 2021 |title=TRP তালিকা: শুরুতেই সেরা তিনে সর্বজয়া, প্রথম পাঁচে নেই স্টার জলসার কোনও সিরিয়াল! |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/trp-list-week-32-deboshree-roy-s-sarbojaya-impresses-audience-and-bags-number-3-spot-in-trp-chart-mithai-again-tops-list-31629361889295.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819093622/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/trp-list-week-32-deboshree-roy-s-sarbojaya-impresses-audience-and-bags-number-3-spot-in-trp-chart-mithai-again-tops-list-31629361889295.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 August 2021 |access-date=21 August 2021 |website=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}</ref> Though she faces strong rivalry from young actresses such as [[Soumitrisha Kundu]], [[Shweta Bhattacharya]] and Susmita Dey, she manages to retain her position in the top ten bracket.<ref>{{Cite web |last=সংবাদদাতা |first=নিজস্ব |title=TV Serial: সিদ্ধার্থ-মিঠাইয়ের রোমান্স না 'সহচরী'র স্বপ্ন! 'সর্বজয়া'র প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী কে? |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/tough-competition-between-mithai-sarbojoya-and-aaye-tobe-shahochori-dgtl/cid/1302961 |access-date=12 November 2021 |website=www.anandabazar.com|language=bn}}</ref> In 5th week of 2022, the series lost its position in the top ten countdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRP: অবিশ্বাস্য! শীর্ষে 'গাঁটছড়া', 'আলতা ফড়িং', কোন স্থানে 'মিঠাই'? |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/cinema-and-tv-serial-news/television/story/trp-list-2022-4th-week-mithai-gantchhora-aalta-phoring-top-position-mon-phagun-dhulokona-top-three-see-barc-weekly-rating-chart-television-soc-340320-2022-02-03 |access-date=3 February 2022 |website=Aaj Tak বাংলা |language=bn}}</ref> She gives her nod to Sourav Chakraborty's Bengali web series ''Chemistry Mashi''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-01 |title=রান্নাঘরে রসায়নের পাঠ! ৬২-তে নতুন শুরু 'কেমিস্ট্রি মাসি' দেবশ্রীর, এবার ওটিটি-তে |url=https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/deboshree-roys-ott-debut-chemistry-mashis-announcement-teaser-out-now-shoot-start-in-oct-31696162397452.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010214447/https://bangla.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/deboshree-roys-ott-debut-chemistry-mashis-announcement-teaser-out-now-shoot-start-in-oct-31696162397452.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2023 |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=Hindustantimes Bangla |language=bn}}</ref> She portrays Sucharita Lahiri, a YouTuber who explains chemistry through cooking.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-02 |title=Bengal's leading OTT platform announces season 7, promises to go beyond conventional |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/news/bengali/bengals-leading-ott-platform-announces-season-7-promises-to-go-beyond-conventional/articleshow/104060131.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-10-10 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Dance career==
Roy's mother, initially, wanted Roy to become a dancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=কী যে একটা হয়ে গেল...', আফশোস দেবশ্রীর |url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv-news/debashree-roy-regret-for-not-full-filling-her-dreams/articleshow/85030729.cms |access-date=5 August 2021 |website=Ei Samay |language=bn}}</ref> She alongside her sister [[Tanushree Bhattacharya]], made a career in dance at a very young age after she became popular for her role in ''Balak Gadadhar'' (1969). Barin Dhar, a famous impresario at that time named her "Rumki" and her sister Tanushree "Jhumki".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Debashree Roy {{!}} Bollywood Bash |url=http://www.bollywoodbash.in/debashree-roy/1016/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212005339/http://www.bollywoodbash.in/debashree-roy/1016/ |archive-date=12 February 2018 |access-date=11 February 2018 |website=www.bollywoodbash.in |language=en-US}}</ref> She was trained in [[Odissi]] by [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]]. In 1991, she formed her troupe ''Natraj''.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> In 1991, she was hailed for ''Vasavdatta'', a production by Natraj. It was a dance-drama where she translated classical Indian dance forms and their [[iconography]] into a solemn contemporary dance movements. It was based on ''Abhisar'', a poem by [[Rabindranath Tagore]].<ref name="Nataraj Group" /> She enacted the role of Vasabdatta, a celebrated courtesan who meets a young mendicant on her way and pleads him to accept her hospitality at her home. The mendicant assures her that he will accept only when the right time will come. Later, Vasavdatta is banished and left alone outside of her city as she has contracted a contagious disease. The mendicant comes, takes her into his arms and says that the time has come.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> Roy was careful enough regarding the sobriety and delicacy while rehearsing it. Vasavdatta got full seat occupancy every time it was staged.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /><ref name=":5" />

Roy was exposed to Indian folk dances as well by [[Kelucharan Mohapatra]] and took a keen and sincere interest to adapt them on stage.<ref name=":5" /> She ventured into an attempt to manifest the forms of folk dances of Bengal in ''Swapner Sandhane'', the much acclaimed production of Natraj.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> She was most applauded for her wider attempt to present the various forms of Indian folk dance in ''Bichitro'', the first abroad production of Natraj.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Debasree to dance to Lata's tunes |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/debasree-to-dance-to-latas-tunes/articleshow/6691565.cms |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> The project was critically acclaimed in western media. It was regarded as a valuable workshop on south-eastern Asian culture by Pariscope.<ref name=":6">''Dialogues in Dance Discourse: Creating Dance in Asia Pacific'' by Mohd. Anis Md. Nor, World Dance Alliance, Universiti Malaya. Pusat Kebudayaan. Published by Cultural Centre, University of Malaya, 2007 {{ISBN|983-2085-85-3}}</ref> Bhashyo wrote:  "She created a jugglery with those rapid change in posture and movement."<ref name=":Bhashyo" /><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" />
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| author = An extract from the review on ''Bichitro'' by Bhashyo (August, 1996 ed.)<ref name=":Bhashyo">বিচিত্র নায়িকা by Krishnakanta Vidyarthi. Bhashyo. (August, 1996 ed.)</ref><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com"/>
| quote = Indian folk dance has never been so glamorous before she conglomerated almost all the native dance forms of Indian subcontinent and at the same time it was marvellous to watch one of the biggest pop icons of East Indian cinema, in the manifestation of our folks. She mesmerized with her verve. She created a jugglery with the rapid change in posture and movement especially in the north-eastern Indian sequence and the spectators were bewitched and awe-struck. She has really been a sincere observer and lover of Indian heritage. She has that probing Indian mind that keeps searching and researching on what the modern, cultural outcome has descended from or the overlooked factors of our heritage.
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Roy had an interrupted dance career due to her commitment to film industry. She was always in a dilemma regarding which to focus primarily on between dance and film. After the major success of ''Bichitro'', Roy was persuaded by some of her close ones to pay priority to her dance over her film career as she was regarded as much more excellent as a dancer than an actress. As Roy was, at that time, the most bankable female star of Bengali cinema, directors and producers did not want her to focus less on her film career.<ref name=":5" /> Besides, Roy was getting offered to essay a lot of substantial roles and she did not want to refuse them for the sake of her stage career.

In 1998, Subarna Bharati was staged for the first time. The production glorified amelioration of India since Independence till Kargil war. The Telegraph wrote that the show upheld rich multicultural heritage of India.<ref>{{cite news |title=A slice of India |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/a-slice-of-india/cid/1259638 |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=15 August 2003}}</ref>  Later on, she ventured into Fusion art and collaborated with [[Tanmoy Bose|Taaltantra]] in some of their tours.<ref name=":7" /> She rendered the nine moods of [[Bharata Muni]]'s [[Natya Shastra]] in ''Navaras'', where she exhibited an innovative dance form imbued with elements from [[India]]n classical, tribal and folk dance.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=46f4tgAACAAJ |title=Contemporary Indian Dance: New Creative Choreography in India and the Diaspora |last=Katrak |first=K. |date=26 July 2011 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |isbn=9780230278554 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1040915/asp/calcutta/story_3757343.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041010233927/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040915/asp/calcutta/story_3757343.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 October 2004 |title=Mood Musicscape: Debasree Roy |website=www.telegraphindia.com |access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/archive/notes-of-world-music/108139/ |title=Notes Of world music |work=The Financial Express |access-date=6 August 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref> She has been acclaimed for her vigour while dancing and to sustain this she has always been careful enough regarding the selection of the colour for her costumes, which ranged from tint, tone and shade to exotic ones.<ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> She was also acclaimed for her use of mirrors and curtains on stage, which she claimed to have been used to vivify her presentation.<ref name=":6" /><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" />

==Political career==
Roy, as a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]] from [[Trinamool Congress]], successfully contested the [[2011 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|West Bengal assembly elections 2011]] and [[2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|2016]].<ref>{{cite web |title=DEBASREE ROY |url=https://myneta.info/westbengal2011/expense.php?candidate_id=743 |work=myneta.info |access-date=30 October 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DEBASREE ROY |url=https://www.myneta.info/westbengal2016/candidate.php?candidate_id=1454 |work=myneta.info |access-date=30 October 2025 }}</ref> She won against the [[CPI(M)]] candidate and former minister [[Kanti Ganguly]] from the [[Raidighi Assembly constituency|Raidighi constituency]].<ref name="Politics">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110529/jsp/7days/story_14043271.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615130308/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110529/jsp/7days/story_14043271.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=Debasree has not run away with votes! |publisher=The Telegraph Calcutta |date=29 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/debasree-faces-flood-relief-flak/cid/1278275 |title=Debasree faces flood relief flak |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en |access-date=10 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ebela.in/state/rumours-going-around-that-mayor-sovan-chatterjee-is-taking-care-of-mla-debashree-chatterjee-1.303128 |title=রাখে কানন মারে কে!! |website=ebela.in |language=en |access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref>

On 15 March 2021, she quit TMC after being denied a ticket for the upcoming [[2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election|West Bengal legislative election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=TMC MLA Debashree Roy quits party after being denied ticket |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/west-bengal-assembly-polls-2021/story/tmc-mla-debashree-roy-quits-party-after-being-denied-ticket-1779523-2021-03-15 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=India Today |date=15 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Denied ticket, two-time MLA Debasree Roy quits TMC |url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/tmc-mla-debasree-roy-resigns-says-wants-to-be-freed-of-relation-with-party-7229251/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=15 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Animal rights activity ==
{{quote box
|author = — Debashree Roy during an interview conducted by [[The Hindu]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/spare-a-thought/article3693132.ece |title=Spare a thought |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=2018-03-26 |date=27 July 2012 |last1=Datta |first1=Sravasti}}</ref>
|quote = "Man, Nature and the animal world are inextricably linked. One cannot survive without the other. We must treat our animals with compassion. We must co-exist with them as they are our friends."
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Roy is the founder of Debasree Roy Foundation, an NGO which works for the welfare of the stray animals.<ref name=":FIAPO" /><ref name=":22" /> The object of this NGO is to set up a good relation between mankind and animals. It also enlightens people about the various steps that one can take to prevent animal cruelty and take ample care of the animals.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.whatsuplife.in/kolkata/blog/animal-shelters-rescue-homes-kolkata/ |title=Home Sweet Home: Animal Shelters in Kolkata |work=What's Up Kolkata |access-date=25 March 2018 |language=en-us}}</ref> It also organises vaccination camps in different locations of Kolkata. Eminent veterinary professionals are assigned to preside over these camps.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/ngos-for-animals/ |title=If You Really Want To Do Your Bit For Animals, Here Are 15 NGOs You Can Volunteer At |date=25 October 2018 |website=ScoopWhoop |language=en |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Bangaliana |first=Sholoana |date=13 March 2015 |title=Debasree Roy Foundation organized Free Vaccination Camp |url=http://sholoanabangaliana.in/2015/03/13/debasree-roy-foundation-organized-free-vaccination-camp-for-stray-animals-at-sunderbans/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611074634/http://sholoanabangaliana.in/2015/03/13/debasree-roy-foundation-organized-free-vaccination-camp-for-stray-animals-at-sunderbans/ |archive-date=11 June 2018 |access-date=11 February 2018 |website=sholoanabangaliana.in}}</ref> She gave her backing to Humane Society International's campaign against [[testing cosmetics on animals]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/finance/actress-debasree-roy-supports-humane-society-internationals-be-cruelty-free-campaign-to-end-cosmetics-animal-testing-in-india-news-press-releases-nbetOfdjgdisi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528134249/http://www.sify.com/finance/actress-debasree-roy-supports-humane-society-internationals-be-cruelty-free-campaign-to-end-cosmetics-animal-testing-in-india-news-press-releases-nbetOfdjgdisi.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2018 |title=Actress Debasree Roy supports Humane Society International's Cruelty Frer Campaign to End Cosmetics Animals Testing in India |website=[[Sify]] |access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1983, Roy met [[Sandeep Patil]] on the set of ''[[Kabhie Ajnabi The]]'' and reportedly an affair followed between her and the cricketer who was married at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2020 |title=The connection between Bollywood babes and Cricket where Bollywood actresses are married to Cricketers |url=https://seniorstoday.in/people/bollywood-babes-and-balls |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=Seniors Today |language=en-GB}}</ref> She was rumoured to be the sole reason for the failure of [[Sandeep Patil|Patil]]'s first marriage.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hitting a Six on the Silver Screen |url=https://seniorstoday.in/e-Magazine/Volume-9/index.html#p=17 |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2021 |website=seniorstoday.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513002625/https://seniorstoday.in/e-Magazine/Volume-9/index.html |archive-date=13 May 2021}}</ref> She claimed that she was a good friend to Patil and nothing beyond that. She filed a lawsuit against an article about her, published in the September 1983 edition of Stardust magazine since the article claimed that she was married to Patil.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=বলিউডের ডাকে খারিজ বিদেশ সফর, বাঙালি অভিনেত্রীর প্রেমেই নাকি বিধ্বস্ত হয় সন্দীপ পাটিলের দাম্পত্য |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/sports/sandeep-patil-s-married-life-was-shaken-by-rumoured-affair-with-debashree-roy-dgtl-1.1231465 |access-date=7 February 2021 |website=www.anandabazar.com |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="outlookindia.com"/> In 1985, soon after the release of ''[[Kabhie Ajnabi The]]'', they discontinued their relationship and never publicly discussed anything about their separation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news-hl-cm.newsrep.net/h5/nrshare.html?r=3&lan=en_&pid=11&id=I11d9bd56WW_in&detail=1&ch=200014&app_lan=en_&mcc=404&referrer=200113 |title=The love affairs of Bollywood divas with cricketers |access-date=25 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425205031/http://news-hl-cm.newsrep.net/h5/nrshare.html?r=3&lan=en_&pid=11&id=I11d9bd56WW_in&detail=1&ch=200014&app_lan=en_&mcc=404&referrer=200113 |archive-date=25 April 2017 |url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |url=http://zoom.timesnownews.com/entertainment/article/unlike-anushka-virat-these-actress-cricketers-failed-to-make-it-to-the-aisle/144389 |title=Unlike Anushka Virat these actress cricketers failed to make it to the aisle |work=TimesNow |access-date=29 December 2017 |archive-date=24 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224213849/http://zoom.timesnownews.com/entertainment/article/unlike-anushka-virat-these-actress-cricketers-failed-to-make-it-to-the-aisle/144389 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1994, Roy married [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] and they separated in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=দেব-শুভশ্রীর মতো যদি প্রসেনজিৎ-দেবশ্রী এক হত, তবে কেমন হত? - What would it have been like if Prosenjit Chatterjee and Debasree Roy had done a movie together like Dev and Subhasree? |url=https://www.thewall.in/entertainment/what-would-it-have-been-like-if-prosenjit-chatterjee-and-debasree-roy-had-done-a-movie-together-like-dev-and-subhasree/tid/168645 |access-date=2025-08-08 |website=TheWall |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="filmsack.jimdo.com" /> Her mother wanted her to marry [[Amit Kumar]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} 
{{quote box
| author = — [[Prosenjit Chatterjee]] on his equation with Debashree Roy during an interview conducted by [[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]<ref name="Prosenjit the Fighter">{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1141224/jsp/t2/story_4926.jsp#.WLr_98tX5Ag |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023105555/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1141224/jsp/t2/story_4926.jsp#.WLr_98tX5Ag |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 October 2015 |title=Prosenjit the fighter |work=The Telegraph |access-date=2017-03-04}}</ref>
| quote = "I don't know when and how Chumki (Debasree Roy) and I fell in love. Ma and Chumki's mom were best of friends and Chumki, Maku ([[Pallavi Chatterjee]]) and I were best buddies since childhood. Ma would always say that Chumki would be my wife one day. But I can vouch for the fact that not even for a day did Chumki and I go out or even watch a film together. We didn't date. Suddenly, one day, Chumki came to my flat and said, 'I want to marry you'. Huh! She said, 'I've left my house and you have to marry me, right now'. At that moment I felt like I was some Prithviraj Chauhan! On top of the world! I was a big star then and I agreed and we tied the knot. Everything was going fine and then one day Chumki left me."
| bgcolor = #edf3ee
| align = right
| salign = right
| width = 16em
}}
During an interview conducted by ''[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]'', Prosenjit Chatterjee said that Roy had been one of his close friends since childhood; he also said that it was actually Roy who proposed to get married and decided to separate.<ref name="Prosenjit the Fighter" /> Insiders from Bengali film industry claimed that Chatterjee wanted her to quit her acting career and pursue maternity. Roy could not accept his suggestion to quit her acting career since she was at the peak of her career at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ডেস্ক |first=জুমবাংলা নিউজ |date=2022-07-12 |title=কেন ভেঙেছিল প্রসেনজিৎ-দেবশ্রীর বিয়ে, বেড়িয়ে এলো আসল কারণ |url=https://inews.zoombangla.com/kano-vangaselo-biya/ |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Zoom Bangla news |language=en-US}}</ref> Roy claimed that Chatterjee was professionally jealous of her.<ref name="cmam">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN50f_NdHRc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/RN50f_NdHRc |archive-date=15 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Chena Much Achena Manush. Episode 2 |website=YouTube |date=2 December 2019 |access-date=26 December 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
{{cquote
| author = Roy on her relationship with Prosenjit Chatterjee (in an interview conducted by The Telegraph)<ref name="cmam" />
| width = 80%|At that time my marriage to Prosenjit was going through a bad patch. Nothing I did could make him happy. Our relationship was never like a husband-wife relationship should be – where the two compromise and adjust. I did try to adjust, but my efforts were of no avail as Bumba did neither. I know that he'd have been happy if I gave up acting altogether and became a housewife. But that was something I didn't want to do and he knew it even before he married me. Anyway I had virtually stopped acting during that period because my domestic life was in such a mess. Bumba was very insecure of my success. He was professionally jealous of me. I think his ego, his jealousy and his inferiority complex worked in his mind against me. To him I was the actress Debasree Roy and not his wife Chumki.
}}

She is the maternal aunt of Bollywood actress [[Rani Mukerji]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Rani-Adi-wedding-Rani-Chopra-Adi-is-very-down-to-earth-says-Rani-Chopras-aunt/articleshow/34102659.cms |title=Aditya is very down to earth, says Rani Chopra's aunt – Times of India |work=The Times of India |access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="rani">{{cite news |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/এক-ব-র-জ-ন-ল-ন-র-ন-ভ-ট-ও-অভ-ম-ন-দ-বশ-র-1.25027 |title=এক বার জানাল না রানি, ভোটেও অভিমানী দেবশ্রী |publisher=Anandabazar |date=25 April 2014 |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref>

In February 2021, she filed a defamation case at Alipore Court, against [[Sovan Chatterjee]] and Baishakhi Banerjee who claimed that Roy deceived the people of Raidighi constituency.<ref>{{Cite news |last=ঘোষ |first=পিনাকপাণি |title=মানহানির মামলা করে শোভনকে 'সামাজিক অস্বস্তি' বললেন দেবশ্রী, নাম নিলেন না বৈশাখীর |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/west-bengal/tmc-mla-debashree-roy-fires-salvo-against-sovon-chatterjee-and-baisakhi-banerjee-dgtl/cid/1265205 |access-date=7 February 2021 |work=[[Anandabazar Patrika]] |date=6 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Singha |first1=Aritra |date=6 February 2021 |title=West Bengal: TMC MLA Debasree Roy files defamation case against former KMC Mayor and his close aide |language=en |work=Free Press Journal |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/west-bengal-tmc-mla-debasree-roy-files-defamation-case-against-former-kmc-mayor-and-his-close-aide |access-date=7 February 2021}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==

{| class="wikitable"
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Award}}
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Year}}
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Category}}
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Work}}
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|Result}}
!style="background:#154365"|{{font color|#FFFFFF|{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}}}
|-
! style="background:#FAEB86"| [[National Film Award]]
| 1995
| Best Actress
| ''[[Unishe April]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":42nd1995">{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm42thNFAAward.aspx |title=42nd National Film Festival, 1995 |website=iffi.nic.in |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523171116/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm42thNFAAward.aspx |archive-date=23 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#FAEB86"| [[Banga Bibhushan]]
| 2014
| Contribution in Cinema
| 
| {{won}}
|{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} 
|-
! rowspan="3" style="background:#FAEB86"|[[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards]]
| 1992
| Best Actress
| ''Thikana''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":31" />
|-
| 1997
| Best Actress
| ''[[Unishe April]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":36" />
|-
| 2000
| Best Actress
| ''[[Asukh]]''
| {{won}}
| {{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
|-
! rowspan="4" style="background:#FAEB86" |[[Anandalok Puraskar]]
| 1999
| Best Actress
| ''Daho''
| {{nom}}
|{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} 
|-
| 2000
| Best Actress
| ''[[Asukh]]''
| {{nom}}
|{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} 
|-
| 2001
| Best Supporting Actress
| ''Ek Je Ache Kanya''
| {{nom}}
| {{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} 
|-
| 2005 
| Best Actress 
| ''Teesta''
| {{won}}
|{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}
|-
! rowspan="5" style="background:#FAEB86" |Kalakar Awards
| 1993 
| rowspan="2"| [[Kalakar Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] 
| ''Prem''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":Kalakar" />
|-
| 1994 
| ''Sandhyatara''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":Kalakar" />
|-
| 1996 
| Best Actress (Television)
| ''Louhakapat''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":Kalakar" />
|-
| 2002 
| Best Actress 
| ''Dekha''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":Kalakar" />
|-
| 2003 
| Best Actress 
| ''Shilpantar''
| {{won}}
| <ref name=":Kalakar" />
|-
! style="background:#FAEB86"|[[Aajkaal|Aajkaal Television Award]]
|1990
|Best Actress
|''Dena Paona''
|{{Nominated}}
|
|-
! style="background:#FAEB86"|Bharat Nirman Awards
| 1999 
| Contribution in Film and Television 
| 
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatnirmanawards.com/awards.html |title=-:: Bharat Nirman Awards ::- |website=www.bharatnirmanawards.com |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729174658/http://www.bharatnirmanawards.com/awards.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

== Filmography ==
{{Main|Debashree Roy filmography}}

== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Album
! Language
!No.
!Song
!{{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="6"|
|scope="row" rowspan="6"|''Durga Maa Elo Ghare''
|rowspan="6"|Bengali
|1.
|''Mon Diyechi Mon Niyechi''
|rowspan="6"|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durga Ma Elo Ghare |url=https://gaana.com/album/durga-ma-elo-ghare |website=Gaana.com |access-date=9 March 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012013458/https://gaana.com/album/durga-ma-elo-ghare |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|2.
|''Durga Maa Elo Ghare''
|-
|3.
|''Ghure Ghure Bone Bone''
|-
|4.
|''Chhi Chhi Ki Bolley''
|-
|5.
|''Jai Jadi Jak''
|-
|6.
|''Andhare Deep Keno Jalo Je''
|-
|
|scope="row" |''Shon Shon Mor Gaan''
|Bengali
|
|
|<ref>{{Citation |title=Shon Shon Mor Gaan – Debashree Roy, Jhumki Ray |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/shon-shon-mor-gaan/HaiFzKVtoRE_ |website=www.jiosaavn.com |access-date=10 March 2019 |archive-date=24 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024152007/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/shon-shon-mor-gaan/HaiFzKVtoRE_ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|}

== Notes ==
{{notelist-la}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0746987}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|debashree-roy}}
*[https://prsindia.org/mlatrack/debasree-roy Debashree Roy – PRS profile]

{{National Film Award for Best Actress}}
{{West Bengal Legislative Assembly2}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roy, Debashree}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian film actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Bengali cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Bengali actresses]]
[[Category:Kalakar Awards winners]]
[[Category:Best Actress National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Dancers from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Indian female dancers]]
[[Category:Women artists from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Apeejay School alumni]]
[[Category:Odissi dancers]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Artists from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Trinamool Congress politicians from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Women in West Bengal politics]]
[[Category:Politicians from Kolkata]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2011–2016]]
[[Category:West Bengal MLAs 2016–2021]]
[[Category:Women members of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Indian actor-politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women politicians]]