Famous Bhojpuri actress Monalisa, whose real name is Antara Biswas, recently shared her real-life struggles and early career journey. In a candid interview on the YouTube podcast show “The Ed Show”, hosted by Aanchal Dubey (sister of actress Amrapali Dubey), Monalisa opened up about the pressure she faced in Bollywood that made her leave Mumbai and go back to Kolkata.
From Hotel Job to the Silver Screen
Monalisa did not come from a film background. In the beginning, she worked in hotels like Hotel Taj and Oberoi, starting as a waitress. During that time, she met many people from the film world, especially from Kolkata. Some of them offered her roles, but she stayed focused on her job.
Still, the performer inside her never gave up. She soon got a chance to do a song in a film, which became her entry into the industry. That one opportunity pushed her to quit her hotel job and start acting full-time.
She acted in several small roles in Bengali films, and though the roles were not big, she felt comfortable and happy in that space.
Monalisa Tried Her Luck in Bollywood
With dreams of making it big, Monalisa shifted to Mumbai with the help of someone from the film world. She got her first Bollywood film “Jayate” in 1997 through this contact. She also managed to do a few more films but only in small roles.
In the interview, Monalisa clearly said, “There was so much pressure in Bollywood. I was young, living in a PG, and I didn’t know anyone here. The expectations were too high and everything was unfamiliar.”
She also added that the working environment in Bollywood was very different from Bengali films. “There was always a stress to look a certain way, behave a certain way. I wasn’t ready for it,” she said.
She Left Mumbai and Returned to Kolkata
Monalisa could not handle the mental pressure and loneliness. She finally decided to leave Mumbai and return to Kolkata, where she completed her graduation in 2004. During her studies, she also got good offers from Bengali TV serials, and her acting career started gaining momentum.
When asked why she didn’t return earlier to Bollywood, she said, “I didn’t have the courage. I was scared because my earlier experience in Mumbai was not good.”
Return to Mumbai With Confidence and the Bhojpuri Film Break
After completing her education and gaining some acting experience, Monalisa returned to Mumbai with renewed confidence. She got offers from T-Series music videos, and soon she acted in about 20 low-budget Hindi films.
Then came her big break in Bhojpuri cinema in 2007 when she worked with Manoj Tiwari and Mithun Chakraborty. That moment changed her life. She became a well-known face in Bhojpuri films and gained massive fan following.
Monalisa expressed her gratitude, saying, “I will always be thankful to Bhojpuri cinema for giving me my real identity.”
Monalisa’s Story Inspires Many
Monalisa’s story is an honest reminder of how not every journey in Bollywood ends in fame. But with hard work and staying true to herself, she found her success in Bhojpuri cinema. Today, she is one of the most recognised actresses in the regional film industry, and her journey continues to inspire young talent across India.
