Upasana Singh is an Indian actress and comedian. She works regularly in films and television. She is known for her quirky dialogue delivery and hilarious performances in films, including, ‘Judaai’ (1997), ‘Sarfarosh’ (1999), ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004), and television shows, such as ‘Son Pari’ (2000), ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’ (2003) and ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’ (2013).
Wiki/Biography
Upasana Singh was born on Sunday, 29 June 1975 (age 48 years; as of 2023) in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Her zodiac sign is Cancer. She has completed her schooling in her hometown, Hoshiarpur. She completed her Bachelor of Arts from Government College, Hoshiarpur. She then pursued her Master’s in Indian Theatre from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5’6″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Family
Upasana Singh was born in a Sikh family.
Parents & Siblings
Upasana’s father, Mohinder Singh, was a businessman. Her mother, Santosh Singh, worked under the Punjab Government as a health visitor.
She has an elder sister, Nirupama, who has a PhD in English Literature.
Upasana Singh (right) with her sister
Husband & Children
Upasana is married to Neeraj Bharadwaj, who is an actor. While working together in the serial, ‘Aye Dil-e-Nadaan’ (2009), they fell in love and married in 2009.
Upasana Singh with Neeraj Bharadwaj
They have a son, Nanak Singh, who is also an actor. He made his debut with the film, ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’ (2022). Upasana produced the film under her production house, Santosh Entertainment Studio LLP.
Religion
Upasana Singh follows Sikhism.
Career
Rajasthani Films
In 1988, Upasana made her debut in the Rajasthani film, ‘Bai Chali Sasariye’, starring in it as Laxmi.
Upasana Singh in a still from Bai Chali Sasariye
In 2004, she appeared in ‘Jiyo Mhara Lal’. In 2014, she starred in ‘Taanko Bhid Gayo’, playing the role of PG Aunty.
Upasana Singh on the poster of Taanko Bhid Gayo
Gujarati Films
In 1990, she starred in ‘Amdavad No Rikshawalo’. In 2000, she starred in ‘Parshuram’.
Upasana Singh in a still from Amdavad No Rikshawalo
Hindi Films
In 1990, she made a special appearance in the film, ‘Amba’.
Upasana Singh in a still from Amba
In 1991, she had her first starring role in Hindi cinema with the film, ‘Ramwati’, playing the role of Ramwati.
Upasana Singh in a still from Ramwati
In 1992, she played the lead role of Ganga in the film, ‘Ganga Ka Vachan’. In 1993, she starred in ‘Khoon Ka Sindoor’, playing the role of Police Inspector Asha Sharma.
Upasana Singh in a still from Khoon ka Sindoor
In 1996, she played the role of Bharti Verma in the film, ‘Bhishma’.In 1999, she played the role of Mala in the film, ‘Sarfarosh’. In 2002, she appeared in ‘Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya’, playing the role of Kismis Khajoora.
Upasana Singh in a still from Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya Hai
In 2003, she appeared in the film, ‘Hungama’, playing the role of Dulari. In 2004, she played the role of Mrs. Surya Prakash, in the film, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’.
Upasana Singh in a still from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
In 2008, she had a cameo appearance in ‘Golmaal Returns’, as Lucky’s customer. In 2015, she starred in ‘Wedding Pullav’ as Adi’s mother.
Upasana Singh in a still from Wedding Pulav
In 2016, she played the role of Manjeet in the film ‘Chalk n Duster’. In 2017, she appeared in the film, ‘Judwaa 2’, and played the role of Leela. She appeared in ‘Babli Bouncer’ as Dolly Chaddha in 2022.
Upasana Singh in a still from Judwa 2
Punjabi Films
She made her debut in Punjabi films in 1991, starring in ‘Badla Jatti Da’ as Laali. In 1998, she appeared in ‘Sarbans Dani Guru Gobind Singh’.
Upasana Singh in a still from the film Badla Jatti Da
In 2012, she appeared in ‘Jatt & Juliet’ as Chhanno Kaur. In 2013, she appeared in ‘Daddy Cool Munde Fool’, playing the role of Mrs Pappy.
Upasana Singh in a still from Daddy Cool Munde Fool
In 2014, she played the role of Pammi in the film, ‘Disco Singh’. In 2015, she starred in ’22g Tussi Ghaint Ho’ and played the role of Gulabo.
Upasana Singh on the poster of 22G Tussi Ghaint Ho
In 2018, she played the role of Channo in ‘Carry On Jatta 2’. In 2022, she appeared in ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’, which she also produced.
Upasana Singh on the poster of Bai Ji Kuttange
Odiya Films
In 1994, she appeared in ‘Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie’. In 2004, she appeared in ‘Rakhiba Jadi Se Maariba Kie’.
Poster of Rakhile Siba Mariba Kie
Bengali Film
In the year 2000, she had a special appearance in the film, ‘Bidhatar Khela’ and played the role of Shikha.
Upasana Singh in a still from Bidhatar Khela
Marathi Films
In the year 2000, she appeared in ‘Tuch Maji Bhagyalaxmi’, playing the role of Bindu. She has also appeared in ‘Family 420’, released in 2015.
Poster of Tuch Maji Bhagyalaxmi
Bhojpuri Films
In 2003, she appeared in ‘Kanhaiya’. In 2007, she appeared in ‘Hamaar Sainyaa Hindustani’. In the same year, she appeared in the film, ‘Paandav’. In 2009, she appeared in ‘Tohse Bhail Pyaar’.
Upasana Singh in a still from Kanhaiya
Television
Upasana made her television debut in 1997 in the serial ‘Jai Hanuman’, which started in 1997 and lasted till 2000, playing the role of Mohini. In 2000, she appeared in ‘Son Pari’, and played the role of Kaali Pari/Cruella Aunty.
Upasana Singh in a still from Jai Hanuman
In 2003, she appeared in ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’, and played the role of Ganga Om Bhushan. In 2004, she appeared in ‘Tamanna House’. In 2007, she appeared in ‘Dill Mill Gayye’ and played the role of Sid’s mom. In 2008, she appeared in ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat’, playing the role of Bhanumati.
Upasana Singh in a still from Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat
In 2013, she starred in ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’, playing the role of Pinky Sharma/Pinky Bua. In 2016, she starred in ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, playing the role of Twinkle.
Upasana Singh in a still from The Kapil Sharma Show
In 2020, she starred in ‘Gangs of Filmistan’, playing various characters. In 2017, she hosted the celebrity dance reality show, ‘Nach Baliye’. In 2022, she starred in ‘Masoom’ as Dr. Gunwant.
Upasana Singh in a still from Masoom
Controversies
Booked for flouting the COVID-19 rules
On 4 May 2021, Upasana Singh was booked in Punjab for breaking the COVID-19 rules and shooting a film without any official permission, along with the cast. Police had further made a video of the event before filing a case against the crew.
Sued Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu for not fulfilling her contract
Upasana filed a lawsuit against Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu of Rs. 1 crore on 4 August 2022, for not fulfilling her contract of promoting the film, ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’ (2022), in which she starred. The film was produced under Upasana’s production house, Santosh Entertainment Studio LLP. Upasana claims that her absence in promotional activities cost the film its distributors and delayed the film’s release from 27 May 2022 to 19 August 2022. Harnaz has denied the charges claiming that charges against her are false in an attempt to defame her.
Awards
- In 2013, Upasana Singh won the PTC Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Jatt And Juliet’ (2012).
- In 2014, she won the PTC Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Daddy Cool Munde Fool’ (2013).
Upasana Singh with her PTC Best Supporting Actress Award
- In 2013, she won the Golden Petal Award for Tez Taraar Personality.
- In 2014, she won the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Comedy), for her show, ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’.
- In 2015, she won the PTC Best Supporting Actress Award for ‘Disco Singh’ (2014)
- In 2022, she was felicitated for her performances at Hunaar Haat by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Upasana Singh being felicitated at Hunar Haat
Car Collection
She owns a Toyota Fortuner and Mercedes Benz GCC.
Favourites
- Restaurant: Yoko Sizzlers
Facts/Trivia
- She talked about naming her son, Nanak, in an interview and said,
It was given by my mother because when he was a very serene child and never cried.”
- Upasana is an animal lover. She had 22 birds and animals when growing up in Hoshiarpur. In 2018, she posted a pic on Instagram of her childhood, holding a goat and captioned it,
I’ve been an animal lover since I was a kid, and my love for them will never die!! #AnimalLover #Pets #Animals #Throwback ”
Upasana Singh with a goat
- She had separated from her husband and there were rumours of divorce in 2016. But, in 2018, after 4 years of separation, they reconciled their differences and got back together. In an interview, Upasana talked about the whole incident and said,
Every couple fights and so do we. It’s no big deal. My husband is quite temperamental (laughs), possibly that’s why he said what he did (about them contemplating divorce). He regretted what he said, but it was too late to clarify it. We could have sorted our issues amicably. I was more angry with him for speaking with the media about our personal issues and thinking of taking such a drastic step (divorce). My family and in-laws were quite disturbed after reading the news and I was busy fielding questions on my personal life.”
- She started learning Kathak when she was around 7 to 8 years old. She also started acting as a child artist in Jalandhar at the same age.
- In an interview, she talked about why she quit ‘Comedy Night’s Live’, and said,
There is no comedy in the show. The work atmosphere is highly unprofessional and I regret working with this production house. It is the biggest mistake of my life.”
- She debuted as a director and producer with films, ‘Yaaran Diya Po Baaran’ and ‘Bai Ji Kuttange’, under her own production house.
- She is a pure vegetarian.
- She doesn’t indulge in alcohol and smoking.
- She housed Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu for a few days before she left for her Miss Universe Pageant in Israel. She talked about the special bond that they had formed and said,
She called me after winning the crown and shouted that she fulfilled her promise. I could feel her happiness on the phone. In fact, I got really emotional talking to Harnaaz and couldn’t stop crying. It felt as if my child had done something. Whenever Harnaaz comes to Mumbai, she stays with me. When her training started after Miss India, we housed her for five days. She was saying that as soon as she comes to Mumbai (from Israel), she will come to my house first.”
- When she visits Chandigarh, she likes to tour Panjab University and meet with her friends there. She also likes to visit Laxmi Bai Girls’ Hostel Number 2, which she remembers very fondly.
- She is for her acting skills and her funny dialogues in various films and shows have made her a household name. Her dialogue in the film ‘Judaai’ (1997), in which she played a deaf and dumb girl who could only say, “Abba Dabba Jabba”, has become synonymous with her so much that she is often called Abba Dabba Jabba girl.
- She is also famous for her character of Bua in ‘Comedy Nights With Kapil’ and her dialogue, “Bittu, Kaun hai ye aadmi?”
Upasana Singh saying “Bittu, Kaun hai ye aadmi?”
- Upasana wanted to become an actress since she was a child. Although her relatives were against her decision to become an actress, Upasana’s mother provided her with strong support to help her realise her dreams.
- On March 11, 2018, when she was returning from her shooting to her hotel room in Chandigarh, a cab driver tried to molest her. She called the cops and the driver was immediately arrested. Later, she dropped the charges after the driver gave her a written apology.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education