Gargi Kundu Exclusive: From Frontline Optometrist to Entertainment’s Fearless New Voice

In a country where dreams often crash against the walls of privilege and convention, Gargi Kundu’s story stands as a rebellion. Born into a modest Bengali household, she didn’t just defy the odds, she rewrote them. At 25, she is many things at once: a trained optometrist, a classical dancer, a television and film actress, a digital creator, and most importantly, a voice for millions of Indians who are told they’re “not enough” because of their background, language, or appearance.

From Kolkata’s narrow lanes to Mumbai’s relentless hustle, from a frontline medical professional during the pandemic to a contestant on national reality television, Gargi’s path has been anything but ordinary. In this exclusive, deeply personal interview, she opens up about the struggles that shaped her, the rejections that hardened her, and the vision that keeps her grounded even as fame comes knocking.

The Roots of a Dream

Born on March 18, 2000, in Kolkata, Gargi grew up in a lower-middle-class Bengali household. Her father’s medical treatments often brought her to Mumbai in childhood, a city she once disliked for its chaos but later embraced as her karmabhoomi.

Her journey began with academics. Gargi pursued a Bachelor of Optometry from Vidyasagar College of Optometry and Vision Sciences (VCOVS), graduating in 2020. Even as she excelled in her studies, she was never far from the stage trained in Bharatanatyam, folk, and Bollywood dance, and mentored through the prestigious Nandikar theatre group, she embodied a rare balance of discipline and creativity.

“Dance gave me a body that listens, theatre gave me a mind that questions,” she recalls.

But the pandemic changed everything. Working at the Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre, she witnessed the despair and loss around her. To cope, she started making short positive acting videos online. What began as a release became viral, propelling her into the Bengali entertainment industry.

The Interview: Gargi Kundu in Her Own Words

Your journey from earning an optometry degree to acting is unique. What inspired you to switch paths and pursue the entertainment industry?

"You know, life doesn’t always follow the plans we make. Optometry was something I worked hard for, but my heart was restless. I was always performing whether it was dancing, theatre, or just being dramatic at home (laughs). When acting came into my life, it felt like finally breathing in the right air. I didn’t overthink it. I just knew this is where I belong."

Her words echo the choices of an entire generation of Indians balancing stability with passion. Gargi’s leap was not a rejection of medicine but an embrace of destiny.

You have a strong foundation in classical dance and theatre (with Nandikar). How do these early training experiences influence your approach to acting roles today?

"Dance gave me a body that listens, and theatre gave me a mind that questions. With Nandikar, I learned that discipline is as important as talent. On stage, you can’t fake honesty, and that’s something I carry even on camera. Every role I do, I try to feel it in my bones, not just my face. That’s dance and theatre living inside me."

This fusion of body and soul is visible in her screen work. Whether it was Dolon in Aalta Phoring or her layered performance in Kolkata Chalantika, Gargi brings not just lines, but rhythm and weight to her roles.

You mentioned training with coaches like Saurabh Sachdeva and Atul Mongia. What key lessons or techniques did you learn in those workshops?

"Those workshops taught me to strip away pretence. Saurabh Sir made me realize the importance of silence — sometimes the pause says more than the dialogue. Atul Sir pushed me to bring my real self into the role, not hide behind the script. Both reminded me that vulnerability is the greatest strength an actor can have."

It’s a philosophy that shows in her nuanced performances on OTT platforms like Avishapto and Protishruti where less became more.

Having worked in Bengali TV serials, films and now national web and reality projects, which medium has challenged you the most and why?

"TV trained me to survive long hours without losing energy. Films demand depth you have to live with a character in your head for weeks. Web shows push you to be raw and real. But reality? That shook me the most. Because there’s no script, no hiding. You’re stripped down to who you are, with the world watching. That kind of exposure can break you or make you I chose to let it make me stronger."

Her stint on The Society (JioCinema), where she was nicknamed “Cry Baby,” became a turning point. What others saw as weakness, she reframed as emotional honesty.

You’ve spoken openly about facing rejection and pressure to change your appearance in this industry. How did you stay confident and focused on your craft during those times?

"Rejection stings. And yes, people tell you to change lose this, fix that, look like someone else. For a while, it messes with your head. But then I thought, if I keep changing myself for everyone else, who will I even be at the end of it? My strength has always been my craft, not my nose or waistline. So I decided let me be rejected for being myself rather than be accepted for being fake. That’s the only way I can sleep at night."

For young artists constantly pressured by filters, trends, and fairness ads, Gargi’s words cut like truth serum.

Your role in The Society introduced you to a pan-Indian audience. How was the experience of being on a reality show different from your previous acting work?

"Acting is safe — you get a script, you become someone else. Reality is brutal because it’s just you. No retakes, no edits in the moment. At first, I was terrified what if people didn’t like the ‘real’ me? But I realized, the more I stopped performing and just lived, the more people connected. It taught me that vulnerability is power. And honestly, it was liberating to not hide."

For an actress accused of “not fitting the box,” reality television ironically gave her the loudest stage to be her unfiltered self.

Colourism and beauty standards have been hot topics in your interviews. How do you hope your career and voice will help change industry attitudes?

"I’ve never been someone who fits into the ‘perfect Bollywood box,’ and honestly, I don’t want to. I want my work and my truth to challenge that very box. Colorism, body policing, these ideas of what is ‘beautiful’ they’ve damaged generations of women. If my career says anything, I want it to scream that beauty is not skin-deep, it’s in your fire, your craft, your individuality. The day we stop selling fairness creams and start celebrating real stories, that’s when I’ll know my voice counted for something."

Her stance resonates in a country long obsessed with fairness creams. Gargi’s defiance isn’t just personal it’s political.

You tragically lost a friend to kidney disease and chose to pledge organ donation yourself. How has that personal loss motivated you to raise awareness about organ donation?

"That loss shook me to my core. Watching someone you love fight for time, and then lose that fight, changes you forever. I realized then that silence is dangerous. If we can talk openly about organ donation, we can save thousands of lives that’s not an exaggeration, that’s a fact. For me, pledging wasn’t charity, it was responsibility. I want people to understand that death doesn’t have to be the end of giving; it can be the beginning of someone else’s survival."

Her activism proves that her identity goes far beyond the arc lights.

What has been the proudest moment or performance of your career so far?

"My proudest moments are never about glamour; they’re about truth. There was one performance where I poured out all my anger, grief, and love into the role — and people came up to me saying it felt like I was holding up a mirror to their own lives. That meant more than any trophy. That project was my turning point because it forced me to strip down every insecurity and just be raw, unapologetically. That’s the actor I always want to be."

Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or projects are you most excited to pursue? Any dream collaborators?

"I want roles that scare me, characters who are messy, complex, maybe even unlikeable. Women who aren’t put on screen to be decorative, but to shake you up. Whether that’s in Bengali cinema, a gritty indie, or an international project doesn’t matter I just want stories with a spine. As for collaborators, I dream of working with directors who don’t soften the truth for the audience, who trust you to feel uncomfortable. That’s where magic happens."

Finally, what advice would you give to young performers who look up to you – especially those from non-traditional backgrounds trying to break into acting?

"Don’t let anyone trick you into believing you’re ‘less than’ because you didn’t come from privilege or don’t look a certain way. Your scars, your accent, your background — that’s your power. The industry will try to put you in a mold, but molds are meant to be broken. So train hard, stay fierce, and remember: you’re not here to be a copy, you’re here to be a revolution."

The Larger Legacy

Gargi Kundu is more than an actress. She is a symbol of resistance in an industry that too often sidelines small-town strugglers, dark-skinned women, and non-English speakers. Her rise is proof that India is hungry for authenticity.

From working five events in a day despite fever to buying her own house in Mumbai, her story is an anthem for every dreamer who has been told they “don’t belong.”

She doesn’t just act. She represents. And in that, she may just be the voice Indian entertainment desperately needs.

FAQs (Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab!)

Q1. Who is Gargi Kundu and why is she famous? Gargi Kundu is an Indian actress, optometrist, dancer, and digital creator from Kolkata. She is known for her roles in Bengali TV shows like Uma and Ram Krishnaa, films like Aay Khuku Aay, and her national recognition as a contestant on the JioCinema reality show The Society.

Q2. What was Gargi Kundu’s profession before acting? Before entering the entertainment industry, Gargi Kundu was a qualified optometrist. She completed her Bachelor of Optometry in 2020 from Vidyasagar College in Kolkata and worked as a frontline healthcare professional during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Q3. What challenges has Gargi Kundu faced in her career? Gargi has openly spoken about rejection, colourism, and pressure to change her appearance. She also faced mockery for her English-speaking skills on The Society. Despite this, she chose to remain authentic, focusing on her craft rather than conforming to industry stereotypes.

Q4. Has Gargi Kundu won any awards? Yes. In 2024, she received the OTT Influencer & YouTuber Iconic Award from the Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award Films Organisation (DPIAF), recognizing her as a rising force in digital entertainment.

Q5. What upcoming projects is Gargi Kundu working on? Gargi’s next big project is the film Anveshan, which is expected to showcase her range as an actress. She also continues to collaborate with brands and create content for her 46,000+ Instagram followers.

Q6. Why is Gargi Kundu considered an inspiration?

Her journey from a middle-class Bengali household to national recognition resonates with millions of Indians. By speaking out against colourism and body shaming, and by pledging organ donation after losing a close friend, she has become a symbol of resilience, authenticity, and social responsibility.

Q7. How can fans connect with Gargi Kundu? Fans can follow her verified Instagram account @gargi_kundu_official, where she shares updates on her acting projects, lifestyle content, dance videos, and personal insights.