Monalisa opens up about her deep bond with Bihar and Patna
Synopsis
Born in Kolkata but beloved in Bihar — Monalisa says Patna feels like home and that everyone on her shoots assumes she belongs to the state. She also broke new ground by openly critiquing the aesthetic gap between Bollywood and Bhojpuri cinema in how women are portrayed on screen.
Key Takeaways
Monalisa (real name Antara Biswas ), a leading Bhojpuri actress , says she feels at home every time she visits Patna .
Despite being originally from Kolkata, West Bengal , she is widely associated with Bihar by fans and co-workers alike.
She noted that Bhojpuri cinema has 'lacked aesthetic treatment at times' compared to mainstream Hindi films in how women are portrayed.
Her remarks on objectification in regional cinema are among the more candid from a working Bhojpuri actress with national television visibility.
Bhojpuri actress Monalisa, whose real name is Antara Biswas, has spoken warmly about her enduring emotional connection with Bihar, saying she feels completely at home every time she visits Patna. The actress, who was recently in the city, said the love and warmth she receives from people there make every visit memorable.
A Home Away From Home
'Whenever I come to Patna, I feel at home,' Monalisa said. 'When I go out for shoots, everyone thinks that I belong to Bihar. I feel very good. I get a lot of love.' The actress described the affection she receives as deeply heartwarming and said she is genuinely touched by the way people associate her with the state.
Notably, Monalisa was born and raised in Kolkata, West Bengal — yet her decades-long association with Bhojpuri cinema has made her a household name across Bihar and the broader Hindi-belt audience. Her connection with the region is as much cultural as it is professional.
On Objectification in Regional Cinema
During her recent visit, Monalisa also addressed a longer-running conversation in the entertainment industry: the objectification of women in regional films. She drew a pointed comparison between mainstream Hindi cinema and Bhojpuri films, acknowledging a gap in aesthetic treatment.
'I think in Hindi cinema, even when there is a lot of skin show, the way it is shot is often very aesthetic. Because of the way it is presented, people may not feel that it looks wrong,' she said. 'I would say that perhaps regional cinema, particularly Bhojpuri cinema, has lacked that aesthetic treatment at times.'
Her remarks are significant coming from an insider — someone who has worked extensively in both Bhojpuri films and national television, including reality shows with large pan-India viewership. Critics and advocates for regional artists have long argued that the framing of content, rather than the content itself, shapes public perception of dignity and artistry.
Monalisa's Career and Cultural Identity
Monalisa is widely recognised for her work in Bhojpuri cinema and on Indian television. Despite her roots in West Bengal, her fan base in Bihar remains among her most passionate, and she has consistently acknowledged that loyalty over the years. Her latest remarks reaffirm the bond she shares with the state and its audience.
As conversations around representation and aesthetics in regional Indian cinema gain momentum, Monalisa's candid perspective adds a credible, experienced voice to the debate — one that is likely to resonate well beyond Patna.
Point of View
But her comments on Bhojpuri cinema's aesthetic shortcomings are the more significant moment here. An industry insider publicly naming the gap between how Bollywood and regional films frame women on screen is an admission that rarely comes from within the Bhojpuri ecosystem. The conversation about representation in regional Indian cinema is overdue, and voices like hers — credible, experienced, and not on the margins — carry weight that external critics do not. Whether the industry responds with introspection or defensiveness will be telling.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Monalisa feel connected to Bihar?
Monalisa says she feels completely at home in Patna every time she visits and is deeply moved by the love she receives there. Although she was born in Kolkata, West Bengal, her long career in Bhojpuri cinema has made Bihar her emotional and professional second home.
What did Monalisa say about objectification in Bhojpuri cinema?
Monalisa said that while mainstream Hindi cinema often treats similar content with aesthetic sophistication, Bhojpuri films have at times lacked that same visual finesse. She acknowledged the gap candidly, saying 'regional cinema, particularly Bhojpuri cinema, has lacked that aesthetic treatment at times.'
Where is Monalisa originally from?
Monalisa, whose real name is Antara Biswas, was born and raised in Kolkata, West Bengal. Despite her roots there, she is most closely associated with Bihar and Bhojpuri cinema by fans and colleagues across India.
What is Monalisa best known for?
Monalisa is best known for her extensive work in Bhojpuri cinema, where she has been one of the most recognised actresses for over a decade. She has also appeared on national Indian television, building a pan-India fanbase beyond her regional audience.
