# Devoleena Bhattacharjee
**Devoleena Bhattacharjee** is an Indian television actress best known for playing Gopi Ahem Modi, the "Gopi Bahu" of Star Plus's long-running family drama *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya*, a role she took over from the original lead and played for years on one of Indian television's most enduring serials[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/). A trained [Bharatanatyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/bharatanatyam) dancer and former jewelry designer from Sivasagar, Assam, she later broadened her public profile through three seasons of *Bigg Boss* and, in April 2024, announced her film debut[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023) • [4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Signature role | Gopi Ahem Modi ("Gopi Bahu") in *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya* (Star Plus, 2010–2017, 2,152 episodes), replacing the original lead[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) • [1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms) |
| Training | Trained Bharatanatyam dancer; jewelry designer at Gili India Private Limited before acting; Best Actress award for the play *Maya*[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) |
| Reality television | *Bigg Boss* seasons 13, 14, and 15[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023) |
| Recent series | Chhathi Maiyya in *Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya*, 239 episodes, 2024–2025[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) |
| Film | Announced debut *Bengal 1947: An Untold Love Story*, set against the backdrop of Partition (April 2024)[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html) |
| Marriage | Married her gym trainer Shanwaz Sheikh in 2022[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023) |
| Awards | IMDb lists 8 wins and 7 nominations in total, without naming the awarding bodies[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) |
## Early life and training
Devoleena Bhattacharjee was born in Sivasagar, Assam, to a Bengali family, and lost her father, who worked with the National Gas Corporation, during her childhood[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/). She studied at Godula Brown Memorial English High School in Assam, completed a B.Com at the [National Institute of Fashion Technology](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-institute-of-fashion-technology) in Delhi with training in jewelry design, and worked as a jewelry designer at Gili India Private Limited before turning to acting[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
Her performance training is in Bharatanatyam; India Today describes her as a trained Bharatanatyam dancer[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023). Before television she won a Best Actress Award for the play *Maya*[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
## Television career
Her screen career began through dance competition: she appeared in *Dance India Dance* Season 2, and in 2011 received her first major role as Bani in the NDTV Imagine series *Sawaare Sabke Sapne... Preeto*[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
**Gopi Bahu.** The role that defined her career came in *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya*, the Star Plus family drama that first aired in May 2010 and ran to 2,152 episodes before ending in 2017[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/). Bhattacharjee replaced the original lead actress as Gopi and, by her own account, faced the challenge of stepping into an established part: "I entered the show replacing someone, and it was a huge challenge. But I enjoyed the opportunity to overcome those challenges, and I won hearts and became everyone's favorite Gopi Bahu"[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms). How long she actually played the role is reported inconsistently: a fan-maintained biography lists her appearances from 2012 to 2017[5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/), while in a 2021 interview she described herself as having completed nine years playing Gopi Modi[6](https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/indian-tv-news/2021/08/devoleena-bhattacharjee-i-am-ambitious-and-crave-to-explore-new-roles/).
**After the flagship role.** She returned as Gopi in *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2* (2020–2022) and appeared in *Laal Ishq* (2018), according to the fan-maintained filmography[5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/). She later starred in *Dil Diyaan Gallaan* and, from 2024 to 2025, played the title deity in *Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya* across 239 episodes[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
## Reality television and public profile
Bhattacharjee appeared in three consecutive seasons of the reality show *Bigg Boss*: seasons 13, 14, and 15[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023). The Times of India's 2025 retrospective of *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya* lists her *Bigg Boss* appearances among her career milestones after the serial[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms). Her final placements, reported as 15th in season 13, 6th in season 14, and 8th in season 15, come from a single fan-maintained biography site; reputable outlets confirm the participation but give no placements[5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023).
## Film and web work
Beyond daily-soap television, she played Laxmi in Disney+Hotstar's *Lunch Stories Chapter 2*, and has said she is open to South Indian films and OTT web series[6](https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/indian-tv-news/2021/08/devoleena-bhattacharjee-i-am-ambitious-and-crave-to-explore-new-roles/). In April 2024 she announced her film debut, *Bengal 1947: An Untold Love Story*, set against the backdrop of Partition, and stated that she was not quitting television for Bollywood films[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html).
## By the numbers
- *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya*: 2,152 episodes over 2010–2017, one of Indian television's most enduring serials[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) • [1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms).
- *Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya*: 239 episodes across 2024–2025[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
- *Bigg Boss*: three seasons (13, 14, 15)[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023).
- Awards: IMDb lists 8 wins and 7 nominations in total, without naming the awarding bodies[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/).
## Television versus film: her own comparison
Bhattacharjee has spoken directly about the divide between the two mediums. In the April 2024 interview announcing her film debut, she said, "I feel TV demands a sweet, innocent, young actress who fits and grabs attention as a bahu but the movie demands one who is glamorous and strong"[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html). In an earlier [Hindustan Times](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindustan-times) piece she argued that Bollywood looks down on television actors, contrasting the two economies of visibility: "A TV show goes on for a longer period of time, so if you do a two-minute role, no one will remember you. But in films, even a powerful two-minute role can make your career"[7](https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/devoleena-bhattacharjee-what-s-the-difference-between-film-and-tv-acting-it-s-time-bollywood-stops-looking-down-upon-tv-actors/story-31Pnu1CBqe67k0UIdZBuLP.html).
## Personal life
She married her gym trainer Shanwaz Sheikh in 2022[3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023). She announced her first pregnancy with her husband and shared her Panchamrit ceremony on Instagram[8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Devoleena-Bhattacharjee).
## What has changed since 2023
Since late 2023 her career has moved on several fronts. She took the title role in *Chhathi Maiyya Ki Bitiya*, which ran 239 episodes across 2024 and 2025[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/). In April 2024 she signed her first film, *Bengal 1947: An Untold Love Story*[4](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html). She announced her first pregnancy[8](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Devoleena-Bhattacharjee), and the same year marked the 15th anniversary of *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya*, which she called "a life changing experience"[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms).
## Disputed basics
Her date of birth, 1985, appears in a fan-maintained biography and is consistent with India Today's report of her 38th birthday in 2023, but neither IMDb nor her interview sources give a birth date[5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/) • [3](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/). Her tenure in *Saath Nibhaana Saathiya* is likewise reported differently by different sources, as noted above[5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/) • [6](https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/indian-tv-news/2021/08/devoleena-bhattacharjee-i-am-ambitious-and-crave-to-explore-new-roles/). Her birthplace, Sivasagar, Assam, is consistently reported[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/) • [5](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/).
## References
1. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee on Saath Nibhaana Saathiya completing 15 years; says 'It was a life changing experience', Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/devoleena-bhattacharjee-on-saath-nibhaana-saathiya-completing-15-years-says-it-was-a-life-changing-experience/articleshow/121270495.cms)
2. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5389240/)
3. [Bold and Beautiful Devoleena Bhattacharjee, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/visualstories/entertainment/bold-and-beautiful-devoleena-bhattacharjee-57388-22-08-2023)
4. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee after signing Bengal 1947: An Untold Love Story: I am not quitting TV for Bollywood films, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/devoleena-bhattacharjee-after-signing-bengal-1947-an-untold-love-story-i-am-not-quitting-tv-for-bollywood-films-101712225025155.html)
5. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee: Bigg Boss Hindi Season 13 Contestant Biography, biggboss.biz (fan-maintained)](https://biggboss.biz/bigg-boss-hindi-season-13-contestant-devoleena-bhattacharjee-biography/)
6. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee – "I am ambitious and crave to explore new roles.", Urban Asian](https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/indian-tv-news/2021/08/devoleena-bhattacharjee-i-am-ambitious-and-crave-to-explore-new-roles/)
7. [What's the difference between film and TV acting? It's time Bollywood stops looking down upon TV actors, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/devoleena-bhattacharjee-what-s-the-difference-between-film-and-tv-acting-it-s-time-bollywood-stops-looking-down-upon-tv-actors/story-31Pnu1CBqe67k0UIdZBuLP.html)
8. [Devoleena Bhattacharjee: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday, Times of India topic page](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Devoleena-Bhattacharjee)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of South Asia › Indian screen actors, 2000s onward › Surnames symbols to B*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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