Upasana Singh (born 29 June 1975[1]) is an Indian actress and stand-up comedian who works in Hindi and Punjabi language films.

Upasana Singh
Singh in 2009
Born (1975-06-29) 29 June 1975 (age 49)
NationalityIndian
Occupations
Years active1986–present
Notable workComedy Nights with Kapil (2013–2016)
Spouse
Neeraj Bharadwaj
(m. 2009)

Singh is known for her role as a deaf-mute in the 1997 film Judaai.[2] Later on, she got famous for her negative portrayal in Son Pari as Cruella/Kalipari, a dark fairy. Her comedic role as Gangaa in patriotic sitcom on Doordarshan's Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Zee thriller show Tamanna House. Later on, she played small roles in Priyadarshan's and David Dhawan's films as a regular cast.

She played the character of "Bua" (paternal aunt) in the TV show Comedy Nights with Kapil which got her widespread critical acclaim. She is popular for her onscreen style and Punjabi and funny English dialogue delivery. She has done numerous Bollywood films as well as regional cinema such as Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani and Gujarati.

Career

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She appeared in the 1988 film Bai Chali Sasariye, which was revolutionary for Rajasthani cinema. Since then, she has acted in many regional films and is a known face in the Punjabi, Gujarati and Hindi film industry. She has also done numerous supporting roles for films such as Darr, Jawani Zindabad, Loafer, Judaai, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Aitraaz, Old Is Gold, My Friend Ganesha, Golmaal Returns and Hungama.

Singh is also known for her comic roles in films and television and she has also appeared in many popular series like Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, Pari Hoon Main, Maayka, Ye Meri Life Hai, Bani - Ishq Da Kalma and Sonpari. Singh became a household name with her stint as Tarawanti on Nadaniyaan and the desperate "Bua" (paternal aunt) in the hit TV show Comedy Nights with Kapil, particularly for her trademark dialogue "Bittu, Kaun hai ye aadmi?" (Bittu, who is this man?).[3] Singh has also acted in Bollywood comedy movies such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Golmaal Returns.[4] In 2015, she played the role of Manjeet in Chalk N Duster, alongside Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi and Girish Karnad.[5]

In 2017, Singh bagged a role in Judwaa 2, alongside Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu.[6]

She has also been a part of the sequel of the popular Punjabi film Carry On Jatta, which was one of the highest grossing Punjabi films in India. The movie stars Gippy Grewal, Sonam Bajwa and Jaswinder Bhalla. She is currently playing the role of Panchami (Bebe), Pancham's mother SAB TV's comedy serial Jijaji Chhat Per Hain.[7] She returned to television in Gangs of Filmistan.

Filmography

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Films

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Year Film Role Language Note
1988 Bai Chali Sasariye Laxmi Rajasthani
1989 Paap Ki Saza Hindi
1990 Jawani Zindabad Rosie Hindi
1991 Subedaar punjabi
1991 Badla Jatti Da Laali Punjabi
1992 Main Hoon Geeta Geeta Hindi Lead role
Ganga Ki Vachan Ganga Hindi
Ramwati Ramwati Hindi
Sanam Tere Hain Hum Hindi
Insaaf Ki Devi Chandramukhi Hindi
1993 Aaj Ki Taaqat Hindi Lead role
Dosti Ki Saugandh Hindi
Bedardi Mane sote diya jagay Hindi Cameo
Khoon Ka Sindoor Police Inspector Asha Sharma Hindi Lead role
Darr Dancer at Marriage ceremony Hindi
1995 Ab To Jeene Do Hindi
Ashique Mastana Esha Hindi
1996 Loafer Woman flirted with Bhiku Hindi
Bhishma Bharti Verma Hindi
1997 Ganga Maange Khoon Hindi
Judaai Vaani Hindi
Krishna Arjun Meera Hindi
Deewana Mastana Neha's Aunt Hindi
Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi Pratap's Girlfriend Hindi
1998 Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind Singh Punjabi
1999 Sarfarosh Mala Hindi
2000 Kothewali Hindi
Bhai Thakur Janki Hindi
Badal Guler Mehndi's Wife Hindi
Bidhatar Khela Shikha Bengali Special appearance
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai Hindi
2002 Ek Aur Visphot Mala Hindi
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Kismis Khajoora Hindi
Angaar -The Fire Hindi
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani Nikki Hindi
2003 Talaash: The Hunt Begins... Herself Hindi Cameo
Hum Hain Pyar Mein Herself Hindi
Ishq Vishk Kamlabai Hindi
Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon Secretary Hindi
Hungama Dulari Hindi
2004 Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Mrs. Surya Prakash Hindi
Mysteries Shaque Paramjeet Hindi
Aitraaz Kanchan Hindi
Hulchul Mrs. Surya Hindi
2005 Naari Ek Khilona? Janki Madam Hindi
Model - The Beauty Hindi
Mahiya - Call of Love Hindi
Jalwa - Fun In Love Manjit Kaur 'Munnu' Hindi
Raja Bhai Lagey Raho Herself Hindi Cameo
Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! Mrs. Vishal Sharma Hindi
2006 Love In Japan Barkha Rani Hindi
Chand Ke Paar Chalo Lajjo Hindi
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye Paramjeet G. Ghuggi Hindi
Aatma Shanta Hindi
Iqraar by Chance Kalawati 'Kal' Talwar Hindi
Hota Hai Dil Pyaar Mein Paagal Hindi
2007 Old Is Gold Neha Hindi
My Friend Ganesha Gangu Tai Hindi [8]
2008 Mr. Black Mr. White Sardar's wife Hindi
Don Muthu Swami Barkha Hindi
Hastey Hastey Mrs. Malhotra Hindi
Good Luck! Anjali M. Khurana Hindi
God Tussi Great Ho Maid Hindi
My Friend Ganesha 2 Gangu Tai Hindi [9]
Golmaal Returns Lucky's customer Hindi Cameo
Chak De Phatte Don Shamsher Punjabi
Wattanaan Ton Door Punjabi language
2009 Chal Chala Chal Chhaya U. Upadhyay Hindi
Ek: The Power of One Manjeet bua Hindi
2010 Idiot Box T.V. Mirchandani Hindi
2011 Who Is There Kaun Hain Wahan Hindi
2012 Jatt & Juliet Chhanno Kaur Punjab
Tension Mat Le yaar Inspector Hindi
Bhanvari Ka Jaal Aunty Hindi
Love Recipe Hindi [10]
2013 Daddy Cool Munde Fool Mrs Pappy Punjabi
2014 Disco Singh Pammi Punjabi
Taanko Bhid Gayo PG Aunty Rajasthani [11]
2015 Wedding Pullav Adi's mother Hindi
Control Bhaji Control Nikki ji Punjabi
P Se PM Tak Hindi
Hum Sab Ullu Hain Kamla Kalyani Hindi
22g Tussi Ghaint Ho Gulabo Punjabi
Myself Pendu MummyJi Punjabi
2016 Chalk n Duster Manjeet Hindi [12]
2017 Judwaa 2 Leela Hindi
2018 Carry on Jatta 2 Channo Punjabi
2019 Ardab Mutiyaran Punjabi
Jind Jaan Bhuaa Punjabi language
Naukar Vahuti Da Simran Sidhu Punjabi
2021 Tomchi Hindi
2022 Babli Bouncer Dolly Chaddha Hindi
2022 Bai Ji Kuttange Punjabi Also producer[13]
2023 Hume Toh Loot Liya Hindi MX Player film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1997–2000 Jai Hanuman Mohini
1997 Om Namah Shivay Mohini
2000–2004 Sonpari Kaali Pari/Cruella aunty
2003 Lady Inspector: Thrills and spills Lady Inspector [14]
2003–2006 Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Ganga Om Bhushan
2004–2005 Ye Meri Life Hai
2004 Tamanna House
2007–2009 Maayka Lovely Bua
2007–2010 Dill Mill Gayye Sid's mom
2008–2010 Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat Bhanumati
2008 Pari Hoon Main Mamiji
2009 Aashiq Biwi Ka Radha Devi/Ghost Mother
2011–2013 Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein
2012 Yeh Zindagi Hai Gulshan
2013–2014 Bani - Ishq Da Kalma Buaji
2013–2016 Comedy Nights with Kapil Pinky Sharma
2013–2017 Nadaniyaan Taravanti Verma, Nandu and Pappu's mother Lead role
2015–2017 Santoshi Maa Madhu Pratap Singh
2016 Comedy Nights Live Pinky Sharma [15]
2016–2017 The Kapil Sharma Show Twinkle
2017 Nach Baliye 8 Host [16]
2017–2018 The Drama Company Various characters [17]
2018–2019 Jijaji Chhat Per Hain Panchami [18]
Chalo Saaf Karein Episodic role
Kanpur Wale Khuranas Pramod's sister in law
2020 Gangs of Filmistan Various characters [19]
2022 Masoom

References

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  1. ^ "Kapil Sharma Bua aka Upasana Singh Celebrated 42nd Birthday". Dainik Bhaskar. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Upasna Singh gets married". NDTV. 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Nobody can replace Sunil as Gutthi: Upasana Singh". IBN Live. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Upasana Singh to play cunning mother-in-law". The Indian Express. 3 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. ^ "'Chalk N Duster' team throws Iftar party". The Indian Express. 4 July 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  6. ^ Vats, Rohit (30 September 2017). "Judwaa 2 movie review: Doesn't make much sense but Varun Dhawan is Salman Khan 2.0". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. ^ "'Carry on Jatta 2': The trailer of the hysterical flick will be out tomorrow". The Times of India. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. ^ Chopra, Anupama (23 July 2007). "Movie review of Rajiv Ruia's My Friend Ganesha". India Today. New Delhi: Living Media. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Up next: My Friend Ganesha 2". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  10. ^ Ayaz, Shaikh. "Review: Love Recipe is quite flavourless". Rediff. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Taanko Bhid Gayo Movie Review, Trailer, & Show timings at Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  12. ^ Verma, Sukanya. "Review: Chalk N Duster has good intent but clumsy execution". Rediff. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Upasana Singh launches her son Nanak Singh with Punjabi film Bai Ji Kuttange, which she promises will be a laugh riot : The Tribune India". Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  14. ^ "The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Television". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  15. ^ Hegde, Rajul. "'Staying back on Comedy Nights Live was a big blunder'". Rediff. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  16. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Yes, I'm hosting Nach Baliye 8 and I will make it really mazedaar, says Bua aka Upasana Singh". India Today. 23 February 2017. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  17. ^ "The Kapil Sharma Show's Upasana Singh has this to say about joining The Drama Company". India Today. 31 August 2017. Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Upasana joins Jijaji Chhat Per Hain : The Tribune India". Archived from the original on 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Sunil Grover: My earnings from Gangs Of Filmistan will go into charity". India Today. 12 August 2020. Archived from the original on 10 July 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
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