Paoli Dam (born 1980) is an Indian actress 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.
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, 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 – 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.
2003
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.
2004
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.
Dam's debut Bengali film Teen Yaari Katha, (directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha), began in 2004, but was not released until 2012.
2006
Between 2006 and 2009, she appeared in five Bengali films, coming into prominence with the 2009 Kaalbela, directed by Goutam Ghose.
Her first film release was Agnipariksha (2006).
The film was directed by Ravi Kinagi and produced by Debendra Kuchar; Dam played a supporting role.
2007
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.
Dam's third Bengali film release was I Love You, in which she had a supporting role as the heroine's friend.
2008
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.
2009
In 2009 Dam appeared in seven Bengali films, and came into focus with the success of Kaalbela (directed by Goutam Ghose).
2010
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.
In its review, The Times of India found Dam making "sincere efforts in portraying the role of Kamli".
The actress later said in an interview that she learned a great deal from working with Ghose.
2011
In 2011, she received international recognition for her role in the Bengali film Chatrak. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and also at film festivals in Toronto and the U.K.
In 2011, Dam appeared in Chatrak, directed by the Sri Lankan Vimukthi Jayasundara.
2012
In 2012, Dam made her Bollywood debut in Hate Story and also appeared in Vikram Bhatt's Ankur Arora Murder Case, directed by Sohail Tatari.
2016
She won the Viewers' Choice Award for Best Actress for her performance in Natoker Moto at the Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival in 2016.
Dam was born in Kolkata, West Bengal to a Bengali family, which is originally from Faridpur (now in Bangladesh).
Her father and mother are Amol and Papiya Dam respectively.
She also has a brother, Mainak.
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.
She earned a postgraduate degree in chemistry from the Rajabazar Science College Campus of the University of Calcutta.
She learnt classical dance and was also interested in theater from an early age, but she never aspired to become an actor.
Dam began her acting career in Bengali television serials.
