Paoli Dam

{{Infobox person

| name = Paoli Dam

| image = Paoli Dam saree image.jpg

| alt = Paoli Dam at party for Ankur Arora Murder Case in 2013

| caption = Dam in 2013

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1980}}

| birth_place = Calcutta, West Bengal, India

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Indian

| other_names =

| alma_mater = University of Calcutta

| known_for =

| occupation = Actress

| spouse = {{Married|Arjun Deb|2017}}[https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/hate-story-actress-paoli-dam-gets-married-businessman-arjun-deb/ Hate Story Actress Paoli Dam Gets Married Businessman Arjun Deb] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025170928/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/hate-story-actress-paoli-dam-gets-married-businessman-arjun-deb/ |date=25 October 2021 }}. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 25 October 2021.

| notable_works = Kaalbela (2009)
Hate Story (2012)
Elar Char Adhyay (2012)

| years_active = 2003–present

}}

Paoli Dam (born 1980) is an Indian actress{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/actress-paoli-dam-shoots-for-mirakkel-10/articleshow/78437616.cms |title=Actress Paoli Dam shoots for Mir Afsar Ali-hosted Mirakkel Season 10 |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021090244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/bengali/actress-paoli-dam-shoots-for-mirakkel-10/articleshow/78437616.cms |url-status=live }} who started her career with the Bengali television serial Jibon Niye Khela (2003). She then worked in Bengali television serials such as Tithir Atithi and Sonar Harin; the former ran for six years on ETV Bangla.

Dam spent her childhood in Kolkata, earning a postgraduate degree in chemistry from Rajabazar Science College. Initially, she wanted to become a chemical researcher or a pilot.

Her debut Bengali film—Teen Yaari Katha, directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha—began in 2004, but was not released until 2012. Dam's first film release was Agnipariksha, directed by Ravi Kinagi. Between 2006 and 2009, she appeared in five Bengali films, coming into prominence with the 2009 Kaalbela, directed by Goutam Ghose.

In 2011, she received international recognition for her role in the Bengali film Chatrak.{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/is-chatrak-the-boldest-film-ever-made-in-india/184437-8-73.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923144728/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/is-chatrak-the-boldest-film-ever-made-in-india/184437-8-73.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2011 |title=Is 'Chatrak' the boldest film ever made in India? |last=Vats |first=Rohit |work=The Times of India |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=3 August 2012}} The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and also at film festivals in Toronto and the U.K.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Ill-cast-Paoli-in-my-next-Vimukti-Jayasundara-/articleshow/10026970.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205103753/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-18/news-interviews/30171879_1_nude-scene-cannes-chatrak |url-status=live |archive-date=5 December 2013 |title=I'll cast Paoli in my next: Vimukti Jayasundara |date=18 September 2011 |access-date=3 August 2012 |last=Dasgupta |work=The Times of India |first=Priyanka}} In 2012, Dam made her Bollywood debut in Hate Story{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/which-is-the-raunchiest-hate-story-vote/20151207.htm |title=Which is the raunchiest Hate Story? VOTE! |website=rediff.com |access-date=1 August 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729134912/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/which-is-the-raunchiest-hate-story-vote/20151207.htm |url-status=live }} and also appeared in Vikram Bhatt's Ankur Arora Murder Case, directed by Sohail Tatari. She won the Viewers' Choice Award for Best Actress for her performance in Natoker Moto at the Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival in 2016.

Early life and education

Dam was born in Kolkata, West Bengal to a Bengali family, which is originally from Faridpur (now in Bangladesh).{{cite news |script-title=bn:ফরিদপুর যেতে চান পাওলি |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/article/363226/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF |work=Prothom Alo |access-date=6 April 2016 |language=bn |archive-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230412/http://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/article/363226/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF |url-status=live }} Her father and mother are Amol and Papiya Dam respectively. She also has a brother, Mainak.{{cite web |title=Actress Paoli Dam Parents |url=http://www.merepix.com/2013/01/actress-paoli-dam-parents-photos.html |publisher=MerePix |access-date=3 May 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329160914/http://www.merepix.com/2013/01/actress-paoli-dam-parents-photos.html |url-status=live }}

Dam attended Loreto School in Bowbazar, before passing her Higher Secondary Examination. She was a good student, winning scholarships. Dam was admitted to Vidyasagar College for Women, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, graduating with a degree in chemistry.{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam: Who is she? |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paoli-dam-who-is-she/1/185255.html |access-date=3 May 2013 |newspaper=India Today |archive-date=26 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426024237/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paoli-dam-who-is-she/1/185255.html |url-status=live }} She earned a postgraduate degree in chemistry from the Rajabazar Science College Campus of the University of Calcutta.{{Cite web |url=http://www.magnamags.com/content/view/7677/193/lang,english/ |title=Smita Patil of Bengali cinema |access-date=18 March 2012 |archive-date=30 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430212441/http://www.magnamags.com/content/view/7677/193/lang,english |url-status=live }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20101112024745/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101109/jsp/entertainment/story_13152631.jsp Paoli Dam on life after Kalbela]

She learnt classical dance and was also interested in theater from an early age, but she never aspired to become an actor.{{cite news |title=Damned if She Does |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paoli-dam-graphic-sex-scene-internet-sensation/1/154084.html |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=India Today |archive-date=4 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304172506/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/paoli-dam-graphic-sex-scene-internet-sensation/1/154084.html |url-status=live }}

Career

= Television career =

Dam began her acting career in Bengali television serials. In 2003, she appeared in Jibon Niye Khela, for Zee Bangla and later in the ETV Bangla serial Tithir Atithi, directed by Jishu Dasgupta; the latter ran for six years. The actress also appeared in Tarpor Chand Uthlo, Sonar Harin and Jaya. Dam has said that she has learned a great deal from Bengali television, and it groomed her for a film career.{{cite news |title=Playing it right |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090517/jsp/graphiti/story_10969907.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524235347/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090517/jsp/graphiti/story_10969907.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2009 |access-date=3 May 2013 |newspaper=The Telegraph (India)}}

= {{anchor|Career in Bengali cinema}}Bengali film career =

=2006–2008=

Dam's debut Bengali film Teen Yaari Katha, (directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha), began in 2004, but was not released until 2012. Her first film release was Agnipariksha (2006).{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam on life after Kalbela |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101109/jsp/entertainment/story_13152631.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112024745/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1101109/jsp/entertainment/story_13152631.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 November 2010 |access-date=3 May 2013 |newspaper=Telegraph Calcutta}} The film was directed by Ravi Kinagi and produced by Debendra Kuchar; Dam played a supporting role.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} The actress next appeared in Tulkalam (2007), directed by Haranath Chakraborty and produced by Pijush Saha. Mithun Chakraborty and Rachana Banerjee played the lead male and female characters, respectively.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Dam's third Bengali film release was I Love You, in which she had a supporting role as the heroine's friend.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} In 2008 the actress appeared in the Bengali film Hochheta Ki, a comedy of errors directed by Basu Chatterjee, in which Dam played a Bengali housewife.{{cite web |title=Hccheta Ki review |url=http://screen.indianexpress.com/news/hoccheta-ki-%28bangla%29/289083/2 |publisher=Screen India |access-date=5 May 2013}}

= 2009–2011 =

In 2009 Dam appeared in seven Bengali films, and came into focus with the success of Kaalbela (directed by Goutam Ghose). Based on a Bengali novel by Samaresh Majumdar, the film's background was the Naxalite movement of the 1980s. Dam played Madhabilata, the girlfriend of a young Naxalite leader,{{cite news |title=Kaalbela review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/kaalbela/articleshow/4017033.cms |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023034220/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/kaalbela/articleshow/4017033.cms |url-status=live }} and her performance was praised. In its review, The Times of India appreciated: "Pauli, who plays Madhabilata with such integrity that the pain in her eyes and the romance in her voice charms viewers to believe that she has it in her to lend her face to everything that Madhabilita has epitomised". In an interview, Dam said the film was a "turning point" in her career: "Everybody needs a platform{{Snd}} Kalbela gave me the platform. I had to prove myself". Her other six films released that year were Hochchheta ki, directed by Basu Chatterjee; Jamai Raja, directed by Swapan Saha; Box No. 1313; Mallick Bari; Shob Charitro Kalponik, directed by Rituparno Ghosh and Tinmurti.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}}

In 2010, Dam appeared in eleven Bengali films, including Tara (directed by Bratya Basu), Takhan Teish (directed by Atanu Ghosh), Moner Manush (directed by Goutam Ghose), Kagojer Bou (directed by Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay) and Banshiwala (directed by Anjan Das); five of the eleven are unreleased. Moner Manush was Dam's second film with Ghose; in this film she played Komli, a Baul.{{cite news |title=Review Moner Manush |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/review-moner-manush-70874 |access-date=4 May 2013 |publisher=NDTV |archive-date=6 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406072354/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/review-moner-manush-70874 |url-status=live }} In its review, The Times of India found Dam making "sincere efforts in portraying the role of Kamli".{{cite news |title=Moner Manush review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/Moner-Manush/movie-review/7083788.cms |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-date=30 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030084047/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/Moner-Manush/movie-review/7083788.cms |url-status=live }} The actress later said in an interview that she learned a great deal from working with Ghose.

In 2011, Dam appeared in Chatrak, directed by the Sri Lankan Vimukthi Jayasundara.{{cite news |title=A Calcutta girl at the croisette |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110526/jsp/entertainment/story_14029234.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110529030342/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110526/jsp/entertainment/story_14029234.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 May 2011 |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=Telegraph Calcutta}} The actress played Paoli, a Bengali girl, and the film triggered controversy in India when an explicit unstimulated no-body-double sex scene with Dam and Anubrata Basu was leaked on the Internet.{{cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Priyanka |date=15 September 2011 |title=Paoli axed from movie promos |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Paoli-axed-from-movie-promos/articleshow/9989892.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118063149/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-15/news-interviews/30159319_1_paoli-vimukthi-kolkata-film-festival |url-status=live |archive-date=18 January 2014 |work=The Times of India |access-date=3 August 2012}}

= 2012–present =

In 2012, Dam's first Hindi film Hate Story was released; she also appeared in three Bengali films: Bedroom (directed by Mainak Bhaumik), Elar Char Adhyay (directed by Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay) and Teen Yaari Katha (the actress' first film appearance, directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha).{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} Bedroom{{'}}s story line revolved around the lives of Kolkata urban couples; Dam played Priyanka, a bored and irritable housewife.{{cite web |title=Mainak Bhaumik's next film 'Bedroom' |url=http://www.tollyrise.com/gossip/tollywood/2011/02/18/mainak-bhaumiks-next-film-bedroom.html |publisher=TollyRise |access-date=4 May 2013 |archive-date=8 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308083516/http://www.tollyrise.com/gossip/tollywood/2011/02/18/mainak-bhaumiks-next-film-bedroom.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Bedroom movie review |url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/13991912-wbri-movie-review-bedroom-bengali-2012-realistic-urban-relationships-delivered-smar |publisher=WBRi |access-date=4 May 2013 |archive-date=20 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420191716/http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/13991912-wbri-movie-review-bedroom-bengali-2012-realistic-urban-relationships-delivered-smar |url-status=usurped }} Elar Char Adhyay was based on Rabindranath Tagore's literary work Char Adhyay, and was set in British Raj India during the 1940s. Dam played Ela, teacher of a group fighting for Indian independence. Her acting was praised; The Indian Express found Dam's characterization of Ela "wonderful"{{cite news |title=Elar Char Adhyay |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/elar-char-adhyay/953367/0 |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=The Indian Express review}} and The Times of India wrote: "Those who thought Paoli's "Hate Story" outing was all about being bold will be pleasantly surprised by her sheer maturity in reinterpreting boldness in the context of an era long left behind".{{cite news |title=Elar Char Adhyay |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/Elar-Char-Adhyay/movie-review/13124632.cms |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-date=23 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623164113/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/movie-reviews/Elar-Char-Adhyay/movie-review/13124632.cms |url-status=live }} In Teen Yaari Katha, the actress played a supporting role.{{cite news |title=Teen Yaari Katha movie review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/13124245.cms |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |archive-date=4 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604110131/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/13124245.cms |url-status=live }}

Dam also appeared in Mainak Bhaumik's Family Album. The film, also starring Swastika Mukherjee, deals with an MMS scandal.{{cite news |title=Mainak Bhaumick's new film with Swastika and Paoli |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-06-26/news-interviews/40205941_1_paoli-dam-ankur-arora-family-album |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627004245/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/bengali/news-interviews/Mainak-Bhaumicks-new-film-with-Swastika-and-Paoli/articleshow/20762453.cms |archive-date=27 June 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=25 June 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=26 June 2013}}

In 2014, Dam acted in Chaya Manush. In the film, directed by Arindam De, she played Trisha, a journalist.{{cite news |title=Chaya Manush review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Chaya-Manush/movie-review/30109033.cms |access-date=12 February 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 February 2014 |archive-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228122259/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Chaya-Manush/movie-review/30109033.cms |url-status=live }} Later that year, Dam acted in Obhishopto Nighty (cursed nighty), directed by Birsa Dasgupta. Dam played the character of Miss Monica, a Bengali bar singer of the 1980s in the comedy-romantic film.{{cite news |title=Nightie gets naughty |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120831/jsp/entertainment/story_15916294.jsp#.Uv5_Zc4vx2M |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223051452/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120831/jsp/entertainment/story_15916294.jsp#.Uv5_Zc4vx2M |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=14 February 2014 |newspaper=The Telegraph (India)}} Dam said that she was initially reluctant to accept the role, but later realised that it was a "love story".{{cite news |title=Team Obhishopto Nighty and their lol V-day outing |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140212/jsp/t2/story_17925529.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223051449/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140212/jsp/t2/story_17925529.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2014 |access-date=14 February 2014 |newspaper=The Telegraph (India) |date=12 February 2014}} Her next releases were the drama film Sada Canvas{{cite news |title=Sada Canvas review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Sada-Canvas/movie-review/38682789.cms |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=19 July 2014 |archive-date=12 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812104419/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Sada-Canvas/movie-review/38682789.cms |url-status=live }} and the romantic comedy Hercules, directed by Abhijit Guha and Sudeshna Roy.{{cite news |title=Hercules review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Hercules/movie-review/41433129.cms |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=1 September 2014 |archive-date=5 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905162118/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-reviews/Hercules/movie-review/41433129.cms |url-status=live }} Dam described her character in Hercules, Minu, as "practical, grounded and not driven by emotions".{{cite news |title=You can create magic even in a two-minute scene' |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/you-can-create-magic-even-in-a-two-minute-scene/99/#sthash.zOhr25D6.dpuf |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=22 August 2014 |archive-date=3 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403090356/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/you-can-create-magic-even-in-a-two-minute-scene/99/#sthash.zOhr25D6.dpuf |url-status=live }} Her first 2015 release was Anjan Das' Ajana Batash, in which she played Deepa, who works in an ad agency in Kolkata, "lost in depression amongst all the affluence".{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam : 'Two of my films will be screened at IFFI' |url=http://starblockbuster.com/paoli-dam-%E2%80%98two-my-films-will-be-screened-iffi%E2%80%99 |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=Star Blockbuster |date=26 October 2013 |archive-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031054635/http://starblockbuster.com/paoli-dam-%E2%80%98two-my-films-will-be-screened-iffi%E2%80%99 |url-status=live }}

Dam's upcoming films include Debesh Chattopadhyay's Natoker Moto - Like a Play which, according to Dam, was a "fictional biopic of a famous actress of the Bengali stage during the 1970s", Auroni Taukhon by Saurav Chakraborty, which is a love story set against the background of communal riots,{{cite news |title=Prateik to make Tolly debut opposite Paoli Dam |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Prateik-to-make-Tolly-debut-opposite-Paoli-Dam/articleshow/34594697.cms |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=3 May 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303220515/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Prateik-to-make-Tolly-debut-opposite-Paoli-Dam/articleshow/34594697.cms |url-status=live }} and Swarup Ghosh's rom-com Tobuo Aparichito.{{cite news |title=Tollywood |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140731/jsp/t2/story_18669522.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804103807/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140731/jsp/t2/story_18669522.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 August 2014 |access-date=4 September 2014 |newspaper=The Telegraph (India) |date=31 July 2014}}

= {{anchor|Career in Bollywood}}Bollywood career =

File:Paoli Dam image.jpg, her debut Bollywood film]]

In 2012, Dam made her Bollywood debut in Hate Story, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Vikram Bhatt.{{cite news |title=Heroines have to be desirable: Paoli Dam |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-24/news-interviews/33365468_1_paoli-dam-cabaret-queen-miss-shefali |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126032652/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-24/news-interviews/33365468_1_paoli-dam-cabaret-queen-miss-shefali |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=25 August 2012 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=24 August 2012}} The film had female protagonists; Dam played Kavyah Krishna, a sex worker.{{cite news |title=I am choosy about script: Paoli Dam (Interview) |url=http://www.filmitown.com/2012/04/20/i-am-choosy-about-script-paoli-dam-interview/ |access-date=4 May 2013 |newspaper=FilmyTown |archive-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512002855/http://www.filmitown.com/2012/04/20/i-am-choosy-about-script-paoli-dam-interview/ |url-status=live }} In the film, she and her friend Vicky pull off a caper against one of India's biggest business tycoons.{{cite news |title=Hate Story: Movie Review |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-20/news-interviews/31373583_1_kavya-siddharth-love-stories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807105738/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-20/news-interviews/31373583_1_kavya-siddharth-love-stories |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 August 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=3 May 2013}}

Dam's performance in this film received a lukewarm response. The Times of India in its review:

Paoli Dam doesn't disappoint one bit on the latter aspect, she is not bad in terms of her acting abilities either. She doesn't incite the pathos that one could fervently feel for her character's plight. But though her act is not accomplished, she manages to pull off her role quite well.

After the film's commercial success, producer Vikram Bhatt planned a sequel, in which Dam was replaced by Surveen Chawla.{{cite news |title=Surveen Chawla replaces Paoli Dam in Hate Story sequel |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Surveen-Chawla-replaces-Paoli-Dam-in-Hate-Story-sequel/Article1-965482.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128144759/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Surveen-Chawla-replaces-Paoli-Dam-in-Hate-Story-sequel/Article1-965482.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 November 2012 |access-date=5 May 2013 |newspaper=Hindustan Times}}

After Hate Story, Dam appeared in Vikram Bhatt's next film Ankur Arora Murder Case. The film, directed by Sohail Tatari, is based on the true story of a young boy who died in an operating room due to medical negligence. Dam plays a lawyer fighting for justice.{{cite web |title=Sexy Paoli Dam goes de-glam |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=275368&subcatg=&keyword=bollywood&nid=275368 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129182549/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=275368&subcatg=&keyword=bollywood&nid=275368 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2013 |publisher=NDTV Movies |access-date=15 October 2012 }} In an interview, she described her role: "It's something very real and close to life and it's a de-glamourised role. It's something that I really enjoyed playing".{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam's role in 'Ankur Arora Murder Case' close to life |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2013/apr/240413-paoli-dams-role-in-ankur-arora-murder-case-close-to-life.htm |access-date=3 May 2013 |newspaper=Mid Day |archive-date=29 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429152729/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2013/apr/240413-paoli-dams-role-in-ankur-arora-murder-case-close-to-life.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam in Vikram Bhatt's Ankur Arora Murder, releases 14th June |url=http://www.pardaphash.com/news/paoli-dam-in-vikram-bhatts-ankur-arora-murder-releases-14th-june/712351.html |access-date=5 May 2013 |newspaper=Parda Phash |archive-date=6 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506034544/http://www.pardaphash.com/news/paoli-dam-in-vikram-bhatts-ankur-arora-murder-releases-14th-june/712351.html |url-status=dead }} After attending a special screening of the film in Mumbai, Indian film critic and journalist Taran Adarsh called Dam and said that she should work more in Bollywood.{{cite news |title=The Brave Outsider |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1130425/jsp/entertainment/story_16822959.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428012455/http://telegraphindia.com/1130425/jsp/entertainment/story_16822959.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 April 2013 |access-date=5 May 2013 |newspaper=The Telegraph (India)}}

Dam performed an item number in the 2014 comedy-horror film Gang of Ghosts, directed by Satish Kaushik.{{cite news |title=Gang of Ghost: Paoli Dam to do item number in Satish Kaushik's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Gang-of-Ghost-Paoli-Dam-to-do-item-number-in-Satish-Kaushiks-film/articleshow/22989410.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927201829/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-24/news-interviews/42359439_1_paoli-dam-satish-kaushik-item-number |url-status=live |archive-date=27 September 2013 |access-date=12 February 2014 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=24 September 2013}}

Dam is scheduled to appear in the Hindi film Yaara Silly Silly, directed by Subhash Sehgal. {{As of|2013|04}}, she will also appear in Ashuu Trikha's thriller Jee Jaan Se (with Kay Kay Menon and Raveena Tandon) as a homemaker whose life is shattered after the death of her husband. According to a 25 April 2013 article in The Times of India, after working in two Vikram Bhatt films, Dam has been offered a third (also a thriller).{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam in third Vikram Bhatt project? |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-25/news-interviews/38816123_1_vikram-bhatt-paoli-dam-ankur-arora |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428095240/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-25/news-interviews/38816123_1_vikram-bhatt-paoli-dam-ankur-arora |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 April 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=5 May 2013}}

{{anchor|Career in other film industries}}Other films

In 2012, Dam began working on the Konkani film Baga Beach, directed by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar. The actress said in an interview: "I like working in different kinds of films. I met Laxmikant Shetgaonkar at the Cannes film festival in 2011 and later heard his script for Baga Beach and liked it. I thought it would be a very unique experience working in a Konkani film. And I thought 15 to 20 days of commitment to a film is not much to give".{{cite news |title=Paoli Dam to act in Shetgaonkar's 'Baga beach' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Paoli-Dam-to-act-in-Shetgaonkars-Baga-beach/articleshow/17422562.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006054923/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-30/goa/35484350_1_konkani-film-laxmikant-shetgaonkar-paoli-dam |url-status=live |archive-date=6 October 2013 |access-date=4 January 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=30 November 2012}} In 2017, she made her Bangladeshi with Hashibur Reza Kallol's tragic romance Swatta, in which she played a prostitute co-starring with Shakib Khan. The film won numerous accolades including five National Film Awards in several categories including Khan's fourth Best Actor award at the 42 National Film Awards, six Bachsas Awards and two Meril-Prothom Alo Awards.{{Cite news |date=6 April 2019 |script-title=bn:বাচসাস : সুবর্ণজয়ন্তী উৎসবে ৫ বছরের চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার প্রদান |url=http://www.bhorerkagoj.com/print-edition/2019/04/06/244496.php |access-date=21 February 2020 |work=Bhorer Kagoj |language=bn}}{{Cite news |script-title=bn:শিল্পীদের পাঁচ বছরের পাওনা মেটাল বাচসাস |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/article/1587366/%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A6%9A-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8 |access-date=2020-02-21 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}{{Cite news |script-title=bn:বাচসাস সুবর্ণ জয়ন্তী উৎসব ও চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার প্রদান |url=http://web.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/414585/বাচসাস-সুবর্ণ-জয়ন্তী-উৎসব-ও-চলচ্চিত্র-পুরস্কার-প্রদান/ |access-date=2020-02-21 |work=Janakantha |language=bn}}

Filmography

class="wikitable"

|+Key

| style="background:#ffc;"|

|Denotes films that have not yet been released

Year	Film	Director	Roles(s)	Language	Note
class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
2006	Agnipariksha	Rabi Kinagi	Pooja	Bengali
rowspan="2" \|2007	Tulkalam	Haranath Chakraborty		Bengali
I Love You	Rabi Kinagi	Borsha (Pooja's friend)	Bengali
rowspan="2" \|2008	Aamar Pratigya	Swapan Saha	Anjali Ray	Bengali
Hochchheta ki	Basu Chatterjee	Priya	Bengali
rowspan="6" \|2009	Kaalbela	Gautam Ghosh	Madhabilata	Bengali
Jamai Raja	Swapan Saha		Bengali
Box No. 1313	Aniruddha Bhattacharya		Bengali
Mallick Bari	Anirban Chakraborty, P. J. Joseph	Purnima	Bengali
Shob Charitro Kalponik	Rituparno Ghosh	Kajori Roy	Bengali
Tinmurti	Raja Sen	Debolina	Bengali
rowspan="9" \|2010	Thana Theke Aschi	Saran Dutta	Sandhya Mondol	Bengali
Tara	Bratya Basu	Madhuja	Bengali
Takhan Teish	Atanu Ghosh	Mohini	Bengali
style="background:#FFFFCC;" \|Mati O Manush			Bengali
Kagojer Bou	Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay	Preiti	Bengali
style="background:#FFFFCC;" \|Hurumtaal		Twinkle	Bengali
Banshiwala	Anjan Das	Nipa	Bengali
Bangla Banchao	Anup Sengupta		Bengali
Moner Manush	Gautam Ghose	Komli	Bengali
rowspan="4" \|2011	Ajob Prem Ebong...	Arindam Dey	Moyna	Bengali
Someday Somewhere... Jete Pari Chole	Sanghamitra Chowdhury	Ruu	Bengali
Chatrak	Vimukthi Jayasundara	Paoli	Bengali
Bangla Bachao \|Anup Sengupta \|Mandira \|Bengali \|
rowspan="4" \|2012	Bedroom	Mainak Bhaumik	Priyanka	Bengali
Teen Yaari Katha	Sudeshna Roy, Abhijit Guha		Bengali
Hate Story	Vivek Agnihotri	Kavyah Krishnan	Hindi
Elar Char Adhyay	Bappaditya Bandyopadhyay	Ela	Bengali
rowspan="6" \|2013	Hoi Choi	Debarati Gupta	Piyal	Bengali
Sweetheart	Arup Bhanja	Mimi	Bengali
Promotion	Snhasish Chakraborty	Shuja	Bengali
Ankur Arora Murder Case	Suhail Tatari	Kajori Sen	Hindi
Family Album	Mainak Bhaumik		Bengali
Baga Beach	Laxmikant Shetgaonkar	Sobha	Konkani
rowspan="6" \|2014	Chaya Manush	Arindam Mamdo De	Trisha	Bengali
Obhishopto Nighty	Birsa Dasgupta	Miss Monica	Bengali
Gang of Ghosts	Satish Kaushik	item girl	Hindi
Sada Canvas	Subrata Sen	Rupa	Bengali
Hercules	Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha	Minu	Bengali
Parapaar	Sanjoy Nag	Urmila	Bengali
rowspan="5" \|2015	Ajana Batas	Anjan Das	Deepa	Bengali
Tobuo Aparichito	Swarup Ghosh	Akansha	Bengali
Auroni Taukhon	Saurav Chakraborty	Auroni	Bengali
Natoker Moto{{Snd}} Like a Play	Debesh Chattopadhyay	Kheya	Bengali
Yaara Silly Silly	Subhash Sehgal	Mallika a.k.a. Devanshi S Roy	Hindi
rowspan="2" \|2016	\|Zulfiqar	Srijit Mukherjee	Karishma Ahmed	Bengali
Khawto	Kamaleshwar Mukherjee	Damayanti Chakraborty/Antara	Bengali
rowspan="3" \|2017	Swatta	Hashibur Reza Kallol	Shikha	Bengali	Bangladeshi film{{cite news \|title=Shakib Khan and Paoli Dam starring Swatta gets censor board nod \|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2017/02/01/swatta-gets-censor-board-nod \|work=Dhaka Tribune \|date=1 February 2017 \|access-date=29 November 2021 \|archive-date=29 November 2021 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129064038/https://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2017/02/01/swatta-gets-censor-board-nod \|url-status=live }}
Maacher Jhol	Pratim D. Gupta	Sreela	Bengali \|
Devi \|Rick Basu \|Devi \|Bengali \|
2018 \|Maati	Saibal Banerjee & Leena Gangopadhyay \|Meghla Chowdhury	Bengali \|
rowspan="4" \|2019 \|Tritiya Adhyay	Manoj Michigan \| Shreya	Bengali \|
Konttho	Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy \|Pritha Mallick	Bengali \|
Password	Kamaleswar Mukherjee	Mariom	Bengali	{{cite tweet \|user=taran_adarsh \|author=Taran Adarsh \|date=23 February 2019 \|number=1099188178475352064 \|title=Filming begins today... First look poster of #Bengali film #Password... Stars Dev, Parambrata, Paoli Dam, Rukmini Maitra and Adrit... Directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee... 4 Oct 2019 release. https://t.co/kuwuhJk8hz}}
Sanjhbati	Saibal Banerjee & Leena Gangopadhyay	Phuli	Bengali
rowspan="3"\|2020 \|Raat Baaki Hai \|Avinash Das \|Vaasuki \|Hindi \|Film released on Zee5
Love Aaj Kal Porshu \|Pratim D. Gupta \| \|Bengali \|
Bulbbul \|Anvita Dutt \|Binodini \|Hindi \|
2022 \|Byomkesh Hotyamancha \|Arindam Sil \|Sulochona \|Bengali \|
rowspan="3" \|2023 \|Palaan \|Kaushik Ganguly \|Paoli \|Bengali \|
Paharganj Halt \|Pritha Chatterjee \| \| \|
Ektu Sore Bosun \|Kamaleshwar Mukherjee \| \| \|

Television

class="wikitable sortable"
Year !Show !Role	Channel	Notes
1999 \|Jibon Niye Khela \| \|Zee Bangla \|
\|Tithir Atithi \| \|ETV Bangla \|
\|Tarpor Chand Uthlo \| \|Tara TV \|
\|Sonar Harin \| \| ETV Bangla \|
\|Jaya \| \| \|
\|Scandal \| \| Tara TV \|
2016 \|Mahanayak \| \|Star Jalsha \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

!Show

!Role

Channel

Notes

1999

|Jibon Niye Khela

|Zee Bangla

|Tithir Atithi

|ETV Bangla

|Tarpor Chand Uthlo

|Tara TV

|Sonar Harin

| ETV Bangla

|Jaya

|Scandal

| Tara TV

2016

|Mahanayak

|Star Jalsha

Web series

Year	Title	Role	Platform	Note
class="wikitable sortable"
2018–2020 \| Kaali \| Aparna \| Zee5 \|
2022 \| The Great Indian Murder \| Shabnam Saxena \| Disney+ Hotstar \|
2022 \|Karm Yuddh \|Indrani Roy \|Disney+ Hotstar \|
2023 \|Charlie Chopra \|Saloni Dabral \|SonyLIV \|