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Antara Biswas (born 21 November), known professionally as Monalisa, is an Indian actress who primarily works in Bhojpuri films and Hindi television. She participated as a contestant on Bigg Boss 10 in 2016 and is best known for portraying Mohana Rathod in the supernatural drama Nazar.[1] Monalisa is considered as one of the highest paid Bhojpuri actress.[2][3]
Early life
Antara Biswas was born to a Bengali Hindu family on 21 November.[4][5] She adopted the stage name of Monalisa at the behest of her uncle.[4] She studied at Julien Day School in Elgin Road, South Kolkata, and graduated from Ashutosh College of the University of Calcutta, earning a BA degree in Sanskrit before starting out a few years ago as a small-time TV actress and model in Odia video albums.[6]
Career
Monalisa acted in several low-budget films before making her debut in Bollywood with Blackmail, starring Ajay Devgn and Suniel Shetty.[6] She then acted in South Indian films before coming to notice through her role in Tauba Tauba opposite Amin Gazi. She acted in a Kannada film titled Jackpot.[7]
Monalisa made her Bhojpuri film debut with Bhole Shankar alongside Mithun Chakraborty and Manoj Tiwari. The film was a major commercial success and broke the standing record for biggest opening for a Bhojpuri film.[8] She further established herself as a leading actress in Bhojpuri cinema with successful films such as Hum Bahubali, Saat Saheliyan, Devra Bada Satawela and Devra Bhail Deewana among others.[9]
Monalisa's most notable role on television include her playing Mohana Mehta Rathod in Nazar, Iravati Verma in Namak Issk Ka and Yamini Raichand in Bekaboo.[10][11] In 2022, she participated in Smart Jodi with her husband, Vikrant Singh Rajpoot and later played Rama in Favvara Chowk.[12][13]
Personal life
She married Bhojpuri actor Vikrant Singh Rajpoot in the Bigg Boss house on 17 January 2017.[14][15]
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Monalisa is considered in the media as one of the most popular and highest paid Bhojpuri actress.[16][17] She is also one of the most followed Bhojpuri actress on Instagram with over 5.8 million followers.[18][19] In 2010, The Hindu stated that Monalisa (along with Rinku Ghosh) was the most sought after actress in the Bhojpuri film industry.[20]
Filmography
Bhojpuri films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Bhole Shankar | [21] | ||
| Khatailal Mithailal | ||||
| Kaha Jaiba Raja Najariya Ladaike | ||||
| Tu Babua Hamaar | ||||
| Shrimaan Driver Babu | ||||
| 2009 | Ho Gaini Deewana Tohra Pyar Me | |||
| Kahan Jaiba Raja Nazariya Ladai Ke | ||||
| Hum Bahubali | Radhika | |||
| Dulha Albela | Dulhan | |||
| Ranbhoomi | ||||
| Pratigya | Dancer | Special appearance in song "Lehariya Luta Ae Raja" | ||
| Hum Hai Khalnayak | ||||
| Sindur Daan | ||||
| Jade Mein Balma Pyara Lage | ||||
| Sahar Wali Jaan Mareli | ||||
| 2010 | Ek Aur Kurukshetra | |||
| Tu Jaan Hau Hamaar | ||||
| Dharmatma | ||||
| Nathuniya Pe Goli Maare | ||||
| Bhojpuriya Don | Don's lover | |||
| Rangbaz Daroga | Aanchal | |||
| Nainihal | ||||
| Saat Saheliyan | Mona | |||
| Devra Bada Satawela | Mona | [22] | ||
| Mrityunjay | Special appearance | |||
| Loafer | ||||
| Kanoon Hamra Mutthi Mein | ||||
| Daraar | ||||
| 2011 | Mora Balma Chail Chabila | |||
| Apne Begaane | ||||
| Aakhri Rasta | Bindu | |||
| Barood | ||||
| The Great Hero Hiralal | Hiralal's lover | |||
| Gundairaj | ||||
| Ladaai La Ankhiyan Ae Lounde Raja | ||||
| Kartavya | ||||
| Hamaar Devdas | Paro | |||
| 2012 | Bhaiya Hamar Dayavan | |||
| Mehraru Bina Ratiya Kaise Kati | ||||
| Dacait | [23] | |||
| Khuddar | Sunita | [23] | ||
| Naagin | ||||
| Khoon Pasina | Rama | |||
| Elan E Jung | ||||
| 2013 | Bhaiya Hamar Dayavan | |||
| Rang De Pyar Ke Rang Mein | ||||
| Jaan Lebu Ka Ho | ||||
| Banaraswali | ||||
| Pratibandh | ||||
| Desh Pardesh | ||||
| Kasam Wardi Ke | ||||
| Biwi No. 1 | ||||
| Lagal Sanheiya Ke Dor | ||||
| Saala Main To Sahib Ban Gaya | ||||
| Ziddi Aashiq | ||||
| Saawariyan Tose Laagi Kaisi Lagan | ||||
| Mati Preet Jagawale | ||||
| Zanzeer | ||||
| Ishq Ka Manjan Ghise Hai Piya | ||||
| Gumrah | ||||
| Ijjat | ||||
| Chhamia Bhelwali | ||||
| Jeevan Yudhh | ||||
| Saiyan Bhailan Pardesiyaa | ||||
| Jodi No. 1 | ||||
| Ghulam | ||||
| Mita Deb Raavanraaj | ||||
| Budhwa Tamtamwala | ||||
| Lagal Ba Pyar Ke Bukhar | ||||
| Tulsi Bin Suna Anganwa | Tulsi | |||
| Ganga Putra | ||||
| Chedi Ganga Kinarewala | ||||
| Natawar Lal | ||||
| Ek Nihattha | ||||
| 2014 | Devra Bhail Deewana | Mona | [24] | |
| Khoon Bhari Hamaar Maang | Mona | |||
| Adalat | ||||
| Tere Naam | ||||
| Kare La Kamaal Dharti Ke Laal | ||||
| 2015 | Raja Babu | Dolly Singh | ||
| Prem Leela | ||||
| Saiyan Toofani | ||||
| Suhag | ||||
| Rakhtbhoomi | ||||
| 2017 | Sarkar Raj | |||
| Jai Shree Ram | ||||
| Pawan Raja | Mona | |||
| 2018 | Jeena Marna Tere Sang | Sita | [25] | |
| Dulhan Chahi Pakistan Se 2 | Dancer | Special appearance in song "Susuk Susuk Ke Royi Thi" | [26] | |
| Dabangg Mora Balma | [27] | |||
| Mafia | [28] |
Other language films
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jayate | Aarti | Hindi | ||
| 1998 | Hamam fi Amsterdam | Odia | |||
| 1999 | Jai Sriram | Rima Das | |||
| 2001 | Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence | Dancer | Hindi | Special appearance in song | |
| 2002 | Wrong Number | Odia | |||
| 2003 | Top Somrat | Bengali | Bangladeshi film | ||
| 2004 | Adhikar | ||||
| Tauba Tauba | Rubina | Hindi | [29] | ||
| Ab Bas! | Special appearance | ||||
| 2005 | Ek Hi Bhool | Tanvi | |||
| Jalwa: Fun in Love | Manisha Tripathi / Tanya "Chinky" | ||||
| 2005 | Bunty Aur Babli | Dancer | Special appearance in song "Bunty Aur Babli" | [30] | |
| Blackmail | Dancer | ||||
| Bobby: Love and Lust | Bobby D'Costa | ||||
| 2006 | Jackpot | Laila | Kannada | [31] | |
| Half Fry Hyderabadi | Hindi | ||||
| 2007 | Love Guru | ||||
| Kaafila | Niharika | ||||
| Jagadam | Dancer | Telugu | Special appearance in song "36-24-36" | ||
| 2008 | Encounter Dayanayak | Kannada | |||
| Money Hai Toh Honey Hai | Manish Sarraf’s wife | Hindi | [32] | ||
| Vathiyar | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |||
| Nagaram | Telugu | ||||
| Silambattam | Herself | Tamil | Cameo appearance | ||
| 2009 | Boni | Dancer | Telugu | Special appearance in song | |
| 2010 | To The London Calling | Sonia / Urvashi | Hindi | ||
| Ek Chatur Naar | |||||
| Royal Utsav | |||||
| Hamilton Palace | |||||
| Khoobsurat – The Beauty | |||||
| Meri Life Mein Uski Wife | Dipal | ||||
| 2011 | Khubsurat Naukrani | ||||
| Bablu | Telugu | ||||
| Kadhalukku Maranamillai | Tamil | ||||
| 2012 | En Peyar Kumarasamy | ||||
| 2016 | Saugandh Chee Maa Baap Na | Kajal | Gujarati |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2017 | Bigg Boss 10 | Contestant | 6th place | [33][34] |
| 2017 | Nach Baliye 8 | 8th place | [35] | |
| 2018–2020 | Nazar | Mohana Mehta Rathod | [36] | |
| 2019 | Kitchen Champion | Contestant | ||
| 2020 | Nazar 2 | Madhulika Chaudhary | [37] | |
| 2020–2021 | Namak Issk Ka | Iravati Verma | ||
| 2021 | Ankahee Dastaan: Nazar | Mohana Rathod | Telefilm | |
| 2022 | Smart Jodi | Contestant | [38] | |
| 2022–2023 | Favvara Chowk | Rama | [39] | |
| 2023 | Bekaboo | Yamini Raichand | [40] | |
| 2024 | Laal Banarasi | Nayantara Sinha | [41] | |
| Mata Ki Mahima | Indrayani | |||
| Shamshaan Champa | Mohini | |||
| 2024–2025 | Prem Leela | Rudrakshi | [42] | |
| 2025 | Jaadu Teri Nazar – Daayan Ka Mausam | Mohana | [43] | |
| 2026 | The 50 | Contestant | Eliminated day 12 | [44] |
Special appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Bigg Boss 6 | Herself | [45] |
| 2016 | Comedy Nights Bachao | ||
| 2017 | Comedy Dangal | ||
| 2019 | Divya Drishti | Mohana Mehta Rathod | [46] |
| 2020 | Bigg Boss 14 | Herself | [47] |
| 2022 | Good Night India |
Web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Dupur Thakurpo: 2 | Jhuma Boudi | ||
| 2020-2022 | Ratri Ke Yatri | Prostitute | 2 seasons | [48] |
| 2022 | Dhappa | Meera | Episode: "Raat Ki Baat" | [49] |
| Hasratein | Shararat Bai | Episode: "Shararat Bai" | [50] | |
| 2023 | Bajao | Tanvi Choudhary | ||
| 2025 | Zindagi Ka U-Turn | Sonam | Microdrama |
Award and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Bhojpuri Film Awards | Best Actor – Female | Adalat | Template:Nom | [51] |
| 2019 | Indian Telly Awards | Best Actress in a Negative Role | Nazar | Template:Nom | [52] |
See also
References
- ↑ Bigg Boss 10: Wild theme, wacky participants!. Rediff(17 October 201). Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Born to a Bengali Hindu family, Antara adopted the stage name of Mona Lisa at the behest of her uncle.. The Times of India. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ↑ Bigg Boss 10 November 21, episode 36 update: Manu's surprise for his 'good friend' Mona Lisa on her birthday. The Times of India(21 November 2016). Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dare girl from Gariahat. The Telegraph Calcutta(14 December 2005). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Understanding love. The Hindu(16 July 2006). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Mithun's first Bhojpuri film creates record in Bihar(3 October 2008). Retrieved 10 December 2009.
- ↑ Ravi Kishan and Rajkumar R Pandey together again. The Times of India(17 December 2014).
- ↑ Nazar to Hum: 2 new shows are all set to hit your screens today. India Today(30 July 2018). Retrieved 1 August 2018.
- ↑ Monalisa on joining Bekaboo: I will be seen in a 90s look and I'm very excited about that. The Times of India.
- ↑ Monalisa and Vikrant Singh Rajput bring on-screen chemistry to city streets. www.timesofindia.com(18 April 2017).
- ↑ Monalisa: Every comedy show needs an element of tadka and my character in Favvara Chowk is just that. TOI(2 December 2022). Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ↑ Bigg Boss 10: Monalisa and Vikrant Singh Rajpoot are married! View exclusive wedding and mehndi pictures & video!(17 January 2017). Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ↑ NACH BALIYE: Monalisa and Vikrant KISS PASSIONATELY in front of everyone(5 April 2017).
- ↑ Check out the list of 10 actresses who rule the Bhojpuri film industry. The Times of India. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
- ↑ From Amrapali Dubey to Monalisa: Highest paid actresses in Bhojpuri cinema. News18. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ↑ These 10 Bhojpuri stars are a sensation on social media, know how many Instagram followers they have. Navbharat Times. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ↑ Monalisa to Amrapali Dubey: Most followed Bhojpuri actresses on Instagram. Jagran TV. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ↑ Bhojpuri cinema edges its way to success. The Hindu(28 August 2010). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Did you know Monalisa's first Bhojpuri movie 'Bhole Shankar' was with Mithun Chakravarty and Manoj Tiwari? Watch it here. Zee News. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
- ↑ Happy Birthday, Ravi Kishan; Best Bhojpuri films of the actor you must watch. The Times of India(17 July 2021). Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Khuddar and Dacait releasing today. The Times of India(27 July 2012). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Devra Bhail Deewana released. The Times of India(18 March 2014).
- ↑ Monalisa: Bhojpuri Movies Of The Actress With Husband Vikrant Singh Rajput. The Times of India.
- ↑ पाकिस्तान से दूसरी दुल्हन बनाकर मोनालिसा को लाएंगे भोजपुरी स्टार चिंटू. Dainik Jagran. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ↑ Monalisa in Ab Dabangg Mora Balma. The Times of India(21 February 2013). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Monalisa to romance Rajkumar Shrivastava in Mafia. The Times of India(31 July 2013). Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ↑ Tauba Tauba Review(11 October 2004). Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- ↑ Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide (IND Rs). Box Office India. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
- ↑ Understanding love. The Hindu(16 July 2006).
- ↑ Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. Bollywood Hungama.
- ↑ Bigg Boss 10 contestant Antara Biswas: Want Salman Khan's attention(17 October 2016). Retrieved 4 October 2019.
- ↑ Bigg Boss 10: Antara Biswas aka Monalisa gets EVICTED!(21 January 2017). Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ↑ Nach Baliye 8: Mona Lisa and husband Vikrant Rajpoot's journey in the dance reality show ends!. India.com(8 May 2017). Retrieved 10 August 2019.
- ↑ Whoa! 'Nazar' and Yehh Jadu hai Jin ka gets an extension. The Times of India(7 September 2018).
- ↑ Nazar 2: Monalisa returns in a fiery avatar; watch new promo. The Times of India(12 February 2020).
- ↑ Bhojpuri stars Vikraant Singh and Monalisa open up on reality show 'Smart Jodi'. The Statesman(27 February 2022).
- ↑ Nazar actress Monalisa to star in Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's show 'Fawara Chowk'. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ↑ Monalisa's retro makeover steals the show in Ekta Kapoor's upcoming TV series 'Bekaboo', Developer, Web. Mid-day(7 March 2023).
- ↑ स्टार प्लस और कलर्स टीवी को टक्कर देगा नया GEC चैनल, वाराणसी की कहानी से होगा शुभारंभ, Bharatvarsh, TV9. TV9 Bharatvarsh(9 May 2023). Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ↑ Saachi Tiwari to play titular role in new show Prem Leela alongside Aakash Ahuja and Monalisa. The Times of India(26 November 2024). Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ↑ Are Monalisa, Devoleena Bhattacharjee In Talks For Maha Dayan Role In Jaadu Teri Nazar?. News18(24 April 2025). Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ↑ Actress Monalisa and husband Vikrant Singh Rajpoot to make their first reality show appearance together on ‘The 50’. The Times of India(18 January 2026). Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ↑ Twitter abuzz with Salman Khan and 'Bigg Boss 6'!. Bhaskar(7 October 2012).
- ↑ Get ready to watch merger episode of serial Divya Drishti and Nazar. ABP News(20 March 2019).
- ↑ Inside Bigg Boss 14 house, see photos. Indian Express(3 October 2020). Retrieved 3 October 2020.
- ↑ WATCH! Anthology series Ratri Ke Yatri's Official Trailer and All Episodes on MX Player. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
- ↑ Jay Bhanushali and Monalisa open up on their roles in 'Dhappa'. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ Monalisa Read 30 Novels To Play An Erotic Poetess In 'Hasratein'(6 December 2022). Retrieved 29 December 2022.
- ↑ Bhojpuri Film Awards 2015 complete list of nominations. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ↑ Indian Telly Awards 2019: Winners. The Indian Express(21 March 2019). Retrieved 21 March 2019.