Overview
Paoli Dam (born 1980) is an Indian actress who works primarily in Bengali cinema and television, with appearances in Hindi films as well. She spent her childhood in Kolkata and earned a postgraduate degree in chemistry from Rajabazar Science College. Before turning to acting, she had considered pursuing careers in chemical research and aviation.
Dam began her career with the Bengali television serial Jibon Niye Khela in 2003, and went on to feature in serials such as Tithir Atithi and Sonar Harin. Tithir Atithi ran for six years on ETV Bangla. Although her debut Bengali film, Teen Yaari Katha, directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha, commenced production in 2004, its release was delayed until 2012. Her first film to reach audiences was Agnipariksha, directed by Ravi Kinagi.
Between 2006 and 2009, Dam appeared in five Bengali films and gained wider recognition with Goutam Ghose's Kaalbela in 2009. In 2011, she received international attention for her role in the Bengali film Chatrak, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and at festivals in Toronto and the United Kingdom. In 2012, she made her Hindi film debut with Hate Story and also featured in Ankur Arora Murder Case, directed by Sohail Tatari and produced under Vikram Bhatt's banner.
At the Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival in 2016, Dam received the Viewers' Choice Award for Best Actress for her performance in Natoker Moto.