Swaroop Sampat’s Bio: The Fascinating Voyage from Miss India to Gujarat’s MasterJi

Dr. Swaroop Rawat (Maiden Name: Swaroop Sampat) is an Indian actress and former model. She came into the limelight after she played the role of Kusum in the Hindi film Naram Garam. Read to know more about Swaroop Rampat’s personal and professional life.

Swaroop Sampat’s Early Life, Family, and Education

Born on 3 November 1958 (age 63 years; as of 2023) in Gujarat, Bombay State, India, Swaroop belongs to a well-doing family. Her mother was a surgical oncologist (a medical professional) while her father, Bachu Sampat, was a famous Gujarati theatre artist.

Soon after completing her higher secondary education, Swaroop pursued her graduation at Elphinstone College, Mumbai. Subsequently, owing to her fascination with theatre and acting, she relocated to England where she obtained a Ph.D. in education and drama at the University of Worcester, England.

Career

Early Career – Theatre and Modelling

• Her father’s contribution to theatre greatly influenced Swaroop and hence, wanted to pursue an acting career. Owing to this, Swaroop participated in several theatrical productions during her undergraduate days.
• Later, in 1979, Sampat won the Miss India pageant and also represented India at Miss Universe. Meanwhile, owing to the pageant’s achievement, Swaroop started receiving various acting offers in Hindi films.

Films: Debut and Breakthrough

• In 1981, Swaroop Sampat made her film debut with the Hindi-language film Naram Garam, wherein she played Kusum.
• Meanwhile, between 1980-90, She appeared in many Hindi films including Sawaal, Karishma, Karamdaata, and Trikon ka Chautha Kon.
• Moreover, in recent years, Swaroop has appeared in multiple films including Ki and Ka, Uri: The Surgical Strike, and The White Tiger.

Television

• In 1984, Swaroop Samoat made her television debut with the DD National’s daily soap Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi; she played Renu. Due to its relatable plot, the TV show became incredibly popular in the mid-1980s.
• Subsequently, Swaroop worked in multiple television shows including Yeh Duniya Gazab Ki, Biwi to Biwi Saala Rey Saala, Shanti, and Zindagi in Short.

Social Service and Contributions

• Besides being an actor, Swaroop Sampat is a social worker. Additionally, she travels across the country to train and conduct workshops for teachers for the benefit of underprivileged children.
• In 2009, she received an honorary letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the then CM of Gujarat) to head an educational program for children.
• In 2021, Swaroop was nominated among the top 10 global finalists for the Global Teacher Prize. Moreover, this prestigious award was conducted by the Varkey Foundation, among 10,000 nominations from 179 countries worldwide.

A Relationship Timeline of Swaroop Sampat and Paresh Rawal

For those who are unversed, Swaaroop Sampat is not just known for an illustrious career but for being the wife of Veteran actor Paresh Rawal. Paresh and Sampat met each other during their college days at an inter-college competition. It was love at first sight, according to Paresh. Moreover, Swaroop was the daughter of Paresh’s boss. However, this didn’t stop them and they dated for seventeen long years. 

In 1987, Swaroop and Paresh Rawal entered into a marriage at Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Mumbai. Moreover, the couple is now parents to two sons, Aniruddh Agarwal who has worked as an assistant director for multiple films. Their younger son, Aditya Rawal is a screenplay writer.

Also read – Sonali Bendre’s Bio: The Nuanced Actor and Her Empowered Journey of Surviving and Thriving Cancer

Do You Know These Lesser Known Facts about Swaroop Sampat?

• Along with an actress and a social worker, Swaroop Sampat is a writer. Meanwhile, inspired by Aamir’s production, Taare Zameen Par, penned Learning Disabilities in a Nutshell.
• Her favourite Bollywood actors are Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha.
• Initially, Swaroop Sampat was sceptical about participating in the Miss India pageant. However, her father’s insistence made her participate.
• Although Swaroop Sampat did her graduation a long time ago, her theatre and social service stint influenced her to pursue a Ph.D. Hence, in 2006, Swaroop Sampta pursued a PhD at the University of Worcester.
• Subsequently, in 2018, Dr Swaroop Rawal was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Worcester, England.
• She is a follower of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
• Meanwhile, Narendra Modi mentioned her as “Gujarat’s Master Ji.”