Gopi Desai(I)

Gopi Desai is a veteran Indian actress, director, and writer with a substantial career spanning Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati cinema, as well as television and theatre. A graduate of the National School of Drama (NSD), she initially worked as a production assistant for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on edutainment programs before focusing entirely on her acting and directorial pursuits.As an actress, she is noted for her strong supporting roles in critically and commercially successful Hindi films, including 1942: A Love Story, where she played Chachi, Kareeb, Mission Kashmir, and the comedy-drama Dhoop. She has also had a continuous presence in Gujarati cinema, notably appearing in the comedy-drama Sharato Lagu as Dadi, and has recently been seen in popular streaming series like Hansal Mehta's Scoop.Beyond acting, Desai is an accomplished director. Her film Mujhse Dosti Karoge? (1992), which featured Irrfan Khan, earned her a National Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. She also directed the feature film My Little Devil (2000). Her documentary work, including the film Manzar, has also been recognized with a Filmfare Award.Throughout her career, Gopi Desai has been a respected figure, serving as a jury member at various national and international film festivals, and maintaining a dedication to issues surrounding children's interests and women's empowerment, themes often reflected in her directorial projects.