# Nayna Bandyopadhyay

Nayna Bandyopadhyay is an Indian actress and politician who is known for her work in Bengali cinema and television. She is the MLA of the Chowrangee Assembly constituency since 2014, as an Trinamool Congress candidate. She was the MLA of the Bowbazar Assembly constituency since 2001 till 2006, as a candidate from the same political party.
When she was in tenth grade, she made her debut opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee in Tarun Majumdar's Pathbhola (1986). She subsequently appeared in Bengali films such as Surer Akashe (1988), Aamar Tumi (1989), Tufan (1989), Anurag (1990), Balidan (1990), Pati Param Guru (1991), Shaitan (1992), Ghar Sansar (1993). She rose to wider fame and popularity for her role as Sita in Anup Sengupta's commercial hit Sinthir Sindur (1996). In most of her films including Sinthir Sindur, she starred opposite Tapas Paul. Her political career hit the crux when she defeated Somen Mitra in the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election.

## Acting career

Bandyopadhyay made her debut opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee in Tarun Majumdar's Pathbhola (1986) when she was in tenth grade. She was recommended by Haranath Chakraborty. She then collaborated with Biresh Chatterjee in his romantic drama film Surer Akashe (1988). The film stars Tapas Paul and Debashree Roy in the lead. She played sister to Paul's character. The film became a major financial grosser at the box office. She once again collaborated with Biresh Chatterjee in his multistarer film Tufan (1989). The plot revolves around three estranged brothers played by Tapas Paul, Chiranjeet and Abhishek Chatterjee.
In 1996, Banerjee starred opposite Tapas Paul in Anup Sengupta's drama film Sinthir Sindur.
She featured in Raja Sen's Desh (2002). It also features Jaya Bachchan and Sabyasachi Chakraborty.

## Political career

She was a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from Bowbazar Assembly constituency since 2001 till 2006, as a candidate from the same political party. In 2004, she was suspended as she made a comment in opposition to Mamata Banerjee. She defeated her strong Congress contender Somen Mitra in the 2016 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election. In April 2023, Bandyopadhyay was seen sharing conversation with the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Reportedly, she attempted to touch the feet of the CM, but the latter disapproved her in doing so. The former then burst into tears. It was rumoured that she was denounced by the CM as the latter believed that her performance was not satisfactory. Bandyopadhyay later uploaded a photo of a letter written by the CM, on her official Facebook page. The letter was then made into giant hoardings.

## Filmography
### Feature films

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1986 | Pathbhola | Rani |
| 1988 | Surer Akashe | Rinku |
| 1989 | Amar Tumi | |
| 1989 | Tufan | Soma |
| 1990 | Anurag | |
| 1990 | Balidan | |
| 1991 | Akanksha | |
| 1991 | Pati Param Guru | Pameli |
| 1992 | Shaitan | |
| 1993 | Ghar Sansar | |
| 1996 | Miss Maitreyi | |
| 1996 | Sinthir Sindur | Sita |
| 1997 | Matribhumi | |
| 1998 | Banglar Badhu | Purnima |
| 1998 | Hingsa | |
| 1998 | Matir Manush | |
| 2002 | Desh | Shila Chatterjee |
| 2003 | Alo | |
| 2003 | Zehad | |
| 2007 | Bandhu | |

### TV series

| Year | Title |
| 1989 | Chowdhury Pharmaceuticals |
| | Ek Shunyo Ek |
| 2004 | Alokito Ek Indu |
| 2004 | Shanai |