It's actress Sumona Chakravarti's birthday today. As the TV actress turned 32, we look at some of her most candid pictures on Instagram along with few lesser-known facts.
Updated On: 2020-06-24 10:27 AM IST
Best known as Natasha Kapoor from Bade Acche Lagte Hain or as Kapil Sharma's on-screen wife from his stand-up comedy shows, Sumona Chakravarti was born on June 24, 1988. Her hometown is Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. After studying in Loreto Convent School, in Lucknow, Sumona Chakravarti moved to Mumbai and graduated from Jai Hind College, Mumbai. (All pictures/Sumona Chakravarti's official Instagram account)
She was 11 when she made her debut in Bollywood. Sumona Chakravarti worked in Indra Kumar's Mann, starring Manisha Koirala and Aamir Khan. In 2017, when Manisha Koirala appeared on the sets of Kapil Sharma's comedy show to promote her Dear Maya, the two had a reunion of sorts. Sumona tweeted this picture and wrote in the caption, "How time flies... Year '99 when I worked wit u in Mann and now after 18yrs... @mkoirala. it was absolutely lovely meeting u again"
Sumona Chakravarti stepped into the Television world in 2006. She was 18 when she featured in fiction TV show Kasamh Se and then later, went on to bag roles in shows like Detective Doll, Sun Yaar Chill Maar, Kasturi, Neer Bhare Tere Naina Devi, Sapno Se Bhare Naina, Horror Nights, Khotey Sikkey.
However, it was 2011's show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, that gave much recognition to Sumona as an actor. She played the character of Ram Kapoor's sister Natasha and had garnered a good fanbase after that.
In picture: Sumona Chakravarti with Ram Kapoor
But did you know Sumona Chakravarti started her career with theatre? In an interview with mid-day earlier, she had said, "I started my career with English theatre in Mumbai. Theatre is a lot more challenging because there are no cuts or retakes. It's doing the same thing for multiple shows and being consistent. I opted for television back then since the theatre doesn't pay your bills."
In picture: Sumona Chakravarti with her parents and brother
After Bade Acche Lagte Hain's Natasha, Sumona Chakravarti became popular as comedian Kapil Sharma's on-screen wife - be it Manju Sharma in Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013), or Sarla Gulati in The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) or Bhoori in The Kapil Sharma Show Season 2 (2018).
Sumona Chakravarti has teamed up with Kapil Sharma for his comedy shows various times and shares a wonderful chemistry with him. "From day one our equation has been fantastic. That is why I am doing the show. There is a fantastic rapport, which we have," said Sumona, in an earlier interview with mid-day.
Did you know Sumona Chakravarti and Kapil Sharma have been together since they first did comedy as a two-partner team in 'Comedy Circus' years ago? Sumona also emerged as the winner of Kahani Comedy Circus Ki, along with her partner Kapil Sharma.
In picture: Sumona Chakravarti, Kapil Sharma, Sunil Grover, Ali Asgar
While her comic timing is loved by the audience, Sumona Chakravarti in a candid confession to mid-day had that comedy is not her forte. "I never thought that I will have a comic streak and be part of hardcore comedy. It is not that difficult, but not that easy also. One has to find a way," she said.
"I would not say comedy is my forte. I am an actor and I am glad to know that I can dabble in comedy too. There is a lot more left for me to do in comedy," she added.
In picture: Sumona Chakravarti with her besties - Tarana Raja and Urvashi Dholakia. The super cool picture of the trio enjoying by the poolside had caption by Sumona, which read - "They both try and succeed in mothering me..."
Repetition of roles or being trapped in a particular image is what Sumona Chakravarti wants to avoid. "I have only one agenda in terms of work that I don't like to repeat my work. It has to be different and challenging. I am totally open," said Sumona Chakravarti in an interview with mid-day.
Talking about her career in the film industry, after making her debut in Mann, as a child artist, Sumona Chakravarti's first film as the lead actress was 2010's Aakhari Decision. In 2012, she featured in Anurag Basu's Barfi, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz and Priyanka Chopra. Sumona had a brief role as Shruti's (Ileana) friend in the film.
Sumona Chakravarti later featured in Salman Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Randeep Hooda-starrer Kick in 2014. Again, this time as well, Sumona played the character of Jacqueline's friend, who has eloped with her lover. This one too was quite a small role.
In picture: Sumona with Tarana. She wrote in the caption, "Friendship without a filter! My adopted mother... Love u to Pluto and back n more Always! Happy Happy Birthday"
In 2019, Sumona Chakravarti had expressed her disappointment over people not taking small screen actors seriously and comparing them to film stars. Pointing out the discrimination prevailing in Hindi showbiz against TV actors, she said, "From stylists saying that designers don't want to give their clothes to TV actors... to type casting us... to not even giving us the opportunity or considering us for film auditions and now for web shows. TV actors being pitted against unsuccessful film actors or just simply the ones who have played small character roles."
Sumona also shared how she got rejected from getting roles in several projects because of the TV actress tag. She wrote on social media, "I know how many times my name has been turned down because I am a TV face. Arrey that girl is from 'Kapil...' show . No let's take film actor. It's just sad. Casting people are now telling TV actors to stay away from TV for a while if you want to get considered for web shows. You know what, f**k you."
Sumona also spoke about nepotism in Bollywood. "We are hard-working actors. Not everyone comes from a business/filmy background. We all know the bitter truth of Bollywood (nepotism and casting couch is an existing reality. Let's not kid ourselves). "An artiste is an artiste, irrespective of the medium. Respect," she concluded.
On the personal front, Sumona Chakravarti and Bengali actor Samrat Mukherjee had been in a relationship for almost four years. But they both prefered to be tightlipped. The duo, had been spotted together at Durga Puja celebrations in town, had over an 11-year age difference between them.
Samrat, who featured in Ashutosh Gowariker’s 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' (2010), happens to be the brother of actress Sharbani Mukherjee and cousin of Kajol and Rani Mukerji. In 2016, there were rumours of Samrat Mukherjee tying the knot with Sumona. However, their relationship ended.
Sumona Chakravarti is a devotee of Maa Durga. In her Instagram post, she had mentioned, "My friend, confidante and guide. I never have the need to tell her anything. She knows what's in my heart. And all I have for her is immense gratitude for everything she has bestowed on me and made me stronger with each passing day. You live in my heart ... #duggadugga"
Sumona Chakravarti too gets trolled on social media, just like every other female celebrity, for wearing "revealing" clothes. In a befitting reply to shut the trolls, Sumona, who is a complete water baby, posted this picture and wrote alongside, "Now you will say why am I wearing a swimsuit? Why am I not covered? Listen up - What we wear or don't wear, What we do or don't, Whether we drink or smoke, Wear pants, bikini or a saree, Whether we're working women or not, Whether we choose to have children or not, Whether we choose to marry or not, IS NONE OF YOUR GODDAMN BUSINESS. Go and enrich your life and the ones around you. Stop with those judgemental, stereotypical, chauvinistic behaviour. That'll be enough for us."
