# Koel Mallick

Koel Mallick (listen; born Rukmini Mallick on 28 April 1982), known mononymously as Koel, is an Indian actress known for her work primarily in Bengali films. Often referred to as the "Tolly-Queen", she is the recipient numerous accolades, including a Filmfare Awards Bangla, two BFJA Awards, a Anandalok Puraskar. In 2023, she was honoured with the Mahanayak Samman by the Government of West Bengal.
The daughter of Ranjit Mallick, Koel made her acting debut with Nater Guru (2003), which was a box office-success. She rose to fame starring in commercially successful films Shubhodrishti (2005), Mon Mane Na (2008), Premer Kahini (2008), Rangbaaz (2013), Arundhati (2014) and. Starring roles in the top-grossing romances Paglu (2011) and Besh Korechi Prem Korechi (2015), established her as a leading star in Bengali cinema. Her performances in the family drama Bandhan (2004), the political thriller MLA Fatakeshto (2006), the drama Dui Prithibi (2010), the black comedy Hemlock Society (2012), the thriller Mitin Mashi (2019) received critical acclaim.
In addition to acting in films, Koel is a social activist and noted for her work with widows and children. Koel has been married to the producer Nispal Singh since 2013, with whom she has two children.

## Early life and education

Mallick was born in Kolkata to Bengali film actor Ranjit Mallick and Deepa Mallick, of Kolkata's Mallick Bari of Bhowanipore. Mallick did her schooling at Modern High School for Girls, and completed a BSc (honors) in Psychology from the Gokhale Memorial Girls' College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.

## Career
### Film

Mallick's screen debut was in Nater Guru – opposite Jeet. Nater Guru was a "runaway success" at the box office. The film, released in 2003, marked Mallick's entry into Tollywood. She also won her first award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Female at the 4th Tele Cine Awards (2004) for Nater Guru. In the film, Mallick plays the role of a 23-year-old girl named Monica opposite Jeet. Since the release of Nater Guru the pair has worked together often, appearing in eleven films.
In 2004, she starred in Debipaksha, Shudhu Tumi, Badsha The King and Bandhan. While the first two performed poorly at the box office, Bandhan was a huge success in Bengal and was a blockbuster at the box office. It was also the highest grossing Bengali film of 2004.
In 2005, Mallick appeared in Shubhodrishti, Manik, Yuddho and Chore Chore Mastuto Bhai. In 2005, Koel Mallick entered the Odia film industry for the first time. In her first Odia film, Premi No.1, Mallick acted opposite Anubhav Mohanty. She appeared in Yuddho opposite Mithun Chakraborty and Debashree Roy. The film recorded an initial collection of ₹ 12 million (12 million) in its first week. In 2006, she took on a more serious role in MLA Fatakeshto in which she played a reporter. She also starred in the 2008 film Love, the Bengali remake of Love Story.

### Television

Mallick made her television debut with Zee Bangla's first Mahalaya in the year 2007 as Devi Mahisasuramardini and her various avatars. She also appeared in Didi No. 1 in 2010 as a celebrity contestant. She also hosted her first talk-show Katha O Kahini. The show went on to air on Star Jalsha.
In 2013 Mallick appeared as a celebrity judge in the Bengali version of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa along with Bollywood choreographer Remo D'Souza. The show aired on ETV Bangla. She also starred in Dance Bangla Dance Junior as a Judge and in Season 11 as a celebrity judge. She was also seen in Zee Bangla's various reality shows like Rannaghor, Dadagiri Unlimited, and Didi No. 1.
Mallick and Jeet were also seen as a guests in the Star Jalsha serial Sansar Sukher Hoy Romonir Gune for the promotion of the movie 100% Love. Mallick has also appeared on the popular soap Bojhena Se Bojhena which is also aired on STAR Jalsha.

## Brand endorsements

Mallick has endorsed a variety of multi-national brands and has done television commercials for TVS Motor Company, glow & Lovely, Panasonic, and Vaseline.

## Personal life

Mallick married Nispal Singh (Rane) on 1 February 2013. They had been in a relationship for seven years before that, but both of them had decided to keep their relationship away from the glamour world of Tollywood. On 1 February 2020 she announced on Instagram that she was expecting her first child. On 5 May 2020, Mallick gave birth to a boy. The couple named their son Kabir Singh. On 3 October she announced the news of her second pregnancy via social media. On 14 December 2024 she gave birth to a baby girl.

## Filmography

* Denotes films that have not yet been released
* All films are in Bengali unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Films | Role(s) | Language(s) | Notes |
| 2003 | Nater Guru | Manisha | Bengali | Debut film; based on Samaresh Basu's novel of the same name; Winner, Tele Cine Awards for Best Actress; Winner, Kalakar Awards for Best Debudant Actress |
| 2004 | Badsha The King | Titli | Bengali | |
| 2004 | Bandhan | Dual Roles; Meena and Reena | Bengali | |
| 2004 | Shudhu Tumi | Nandini | Bengali | |
| 2004 | Debipaksha | Jayanti | Bengali | |
| 2005 | Manik | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2005 | Yuddho | Barsha | Bengali | |
| 2005 | Premi No. 1 | Priti | Odia | Bilingual film |
| 2005 | Premi No. 1 | Priti | Bengali | Bilingual film |
| 2005 | Shubhodrishti | Sonali | Bengali | Based on Jashwant Gangani's Gujarati story; Winner, Kalakar Awards for Best Rising Star; Winner, Anandalok Puraskar for Best Upcoming Star |
| 2005 | Chore Chore Mastuto Bhai | Malati | Bengali | |
| 2006 | Hero | Puja | Bengali | |
| 2006 | Eri Naam Prem | Reena | Bengali | |
| 2006 | Ghatak | Puja | Bengali | |
| 2006 | Shikar | Seema | Bengali | |
| 2006 | MLA Fatakeshto | Chaitali Roy | Bengali | |
| 2007 | Nabab Nandini | Nandini | Bengali | |
| 2007 | Minister Fatakeshto | Chaitali Roy | Bengali | |
| 2007 | Chander Bari | Nandita | Bengali | Based on Pracheta Gupta's story of the same name |
| 2008 | Premer Kahini | Barsha | Bengali | |
| 2008 | Mon Mane Na | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2008 | Chirosathi | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2008 | Love | Riya | Bengali | Based on Erich Segal's 1970 novel Love Story |
| 2008 | Bor Asbe Ekhuni | Mitil | Bengali | |
| 2009 | Saat Paake Bandha | Pallabi | Bengali | |
| 2009 | Jackpot | Piu | Bengali | |
| 2009 | Neel Akasher Chadni | Chandni | Bengali | |
| 2009 | Hitlist | Anindita | Bengali | |
| 2010 | Bolo Na Tumi Aamar | Dr. Madhurima Chatterjee | Bengali | |
| 2010 | Hangover | Herself | Bengali | Special appearance in the song "Joy Bangla" |
| 2010 | Prem By Chance | Annapurna | Bengali | |
| 2010 | Dui Prithibi | Dr. Nandini Sen | Bengali | Inspired from Motorcycle Diaries (2004) |
| 2010 | Mon Je Kore Uru Uru | Diya | Bengali | |
| 2011 | Paglu | Rimi | Bengali | |
| 2012 | 100% Love | Anuradha Sen | Bengali | |
| 2012 | Jaaneman | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2012 | Hemlock Society | Meghna | Bengali | Nominated, National Award for Best Actress in a leading role |
| 2012 | Paglu 2 | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2012 | Dawshomi | Tuli | Bengali | |
| 2013 | Rangbaaz | Madhurima | Bengali | |
| 2014 | Arundhati | Dual roles; Rani Arundhati and Mishti | Bengali | |
| 2014 | Chaar | Monika Nandi | Bengali | Anthology film |
| 2014 | Highway | Sohini Dasgupta | Bengali | |
| 2015 | Herogiri | Maria | Bengali | |
| 2015 | Besh Korechi Prem Korechi | Rai Roy | Bengali | |
| 2017 | Chaya O Chobi | Rai | Bengali | |
| 2017 | Cockpit | Riya | Bengali | |
| 2018 | Ghare & Baire | Labanya | Bengali | |
| 2019 | Shesh Theke Shuru | Pujarini | Bengali | Based on the 2005 English novel Water & Fire |
| 2019 | Mitin Mashi | Pragyaparamita Mukherjee alias Mitin Mashi | Bengali | Based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's story Haatey Matro Tintey Din |
| 2019 | Sagardwipey Jawker Dhan | Dr. Ruby Chatterjee | Bengali | Sequel to Jawker Dhan (2017) |
| 2020 | Rawkto Rawhoshyo | Swarnaja | Bengali | |
| 2021 | Flyover | Bidisha | Bengali | |
| 2021 | Bony | Pratibha Mukherjee | Bengali | Based on Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay's novel of the same name |
| 2023 | Jongole Mitin Mashi | Pragyaparamita Mukherjee alias Mitin Mashi | Bengali | Sequel to Mitin Mashi (2019); based on Suchitra Bhattacharya's novel Saranday Shoytan |
| 2025 | Shonar Kellaye Jawker Dhan † | Dr. Ruby Chatterjee | Bengali | Third installment of the Jawker Dhan franchise |
| 2025 | Ekti Khunir Sandhane Mitin † | Pragyaparamita Mukherjee alias Mitin Mashi | Bengali | Third installment of the Mitin Mashi franchise |
| 2025 | Shwarthopor † | TBA | Bengali | |

## Television

| Year | Serial | Character | Channel |
| 2011 | Sansar Sukher Hoy Romonir Gune | Guest Appearance | Star Jalsha |
| 2014 | Bojhena Se Bojhena | Guest Appearance for Promoting Arundhati | Star Jalsha |
| 2013 | Jhalak Dikla Jaa | Judge | ETV Bangla |
| 2013 | Didi No.1 Season 4 | Guest | Zee Bangla |
| 2018 | Dance Bangla Dance Season 10 | Guest-Judge | Zee Bangla |
| 2018 | Didi No 1 Season 7 | Guest | Zee Bangla |
| 2020 | Super Singer Grand Finale | Guest-Judge | Star Jalsha |
| 2021 | Dance Bangla Dance Season 11 | Guest-Judge | Zee Bangla |

## Mahalaya

| Year | Mahalaya Title | Character | Channel |
| 10 October 2007 | Mahishasurmardini | Devi Mahishasurmardini and her various avatars | Zee Bangla |
| 27 September 2011 | Durga Durgatinashini | Devi Mahishasurmardini | Star Jalsha |
| 12 October 2015 | Mahishasurmardini Nabarupe Nabadurga | Devi Mahishasurmardini and her 9 avatars (Devi Shailaputri, Devi Brahmacharini, Devi Chandraghanta, Devi Kushmanda, Devi Skandamata, Devi Kattayani, Devi Kaalratri, Devi Mahagouri, Devi Siddhidatri) | Zee Bangla |
| 6 October 2021 | Nabarupe Mahadurga | Devi Parvati, Devi Mahamaya, Devi Uma, & Devi Mahadurga/Mahishasurmardini | Colors Bangla |
| 14 October 2023 | Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu | Devi Parvati, Devi Sati and Devi Mahishasurmardini | Star Jalsha |
| 2 October 2024 | Ranong Dehi | Bhairavi Maa, & Devi Mahishasurmardini | Star Jalsha |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Character | Film/TV show |
| 2004 | Tele Cine Awards | Best Actress | Manisha | Nater Guru |
| 2004 | Kalakar Awards | Best Debudant Actress | Manisha | Nater Guru |
| 2005 | Kalakar Awards | Best Rising Star | Sonali | Shubhodrishti |
| 2005 | Anandalok Awards | Best Upcoming Star | Sonali | Shubhodrishti |
| 2010 | Zee Bangla Gourav Samman Award | Best Actress | Madhurima | Bolo Na Tumi Aamar |
| 2010 | Star Jalsa Entertainment Award | Best Actress | Nandini | Dui Prithibi |
| 2010 | Star Jalsa Entertainment Award | Best Actress | Madhurima | Bolo Na Tumi Aamar |
| 2011 | Star Jalsa Entertainment Award | Best Actress | Nandini | Dui Prithibi |
| 2011 | BFJA Awards | Best Actress Critics | Nandini | Dui Prithibi |
| 2012 | Zee Bangla Gourav Samman Award | Best Actress | Meghna | Hemlock Society |
| 2013 | BFJA Awards | Best Actress | Meghna | Hemlock Society |
| 2013 | BFJA Awards | Best Actress | Meghna | Hemlock Society |
| 2014 | Star Jalsa Entertainment Award | Best Actress | Arundhuri | Arundhati (2014 film) |
| 2019 | Films and Frames Digital Film Awards | Best Actress Critics | Mitin Mashi | Mitin Mashi |
| 2019 | Zee 24 Ghanta Swayang-Shiddha Awards | | | |
| 2019 | The Telegraph SHE Awards | | | |
| 2019 | WBFJA Awards | Most Popular Actor | Labanya | Ghare & Baire |
| 2020 | WBFJA Awards | Most Popular Actor | Mitin Mashi | Mitin Mashi |
| 2022 | Anandalok Impact Award | | | |
| 2023 | Mahanayok Samman | | | |
| 2024 | Star Jalsa Parivar Award | Best Entertainment Show | Goddess Sati,Parvati and Mahisasurmardini | Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu |
| 2024 | Filmfare Awards Bangla | Best Director | Director | Ardhangini |
| 2025 | Star Jalsa Parivar Award | Best Entertainment Show | Goddess Mahamaya and Mahisasurmardini | Ranong Dehi |
| 2025 | Joy Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards Bengal | Most Glamorous Star (Female) | Herself | |