Actor who worked with Kajol, Kangana Ranaut, once didn't have money for food, electricity. Today owns 3 bungalows, luxury cars

Today, he is one of the most sought-after actors in Tollywood (the Bengali film industry), and he has also worked opposite Bollywood A-listers such as Kajol, Rani Mukerji, and Kangana Ranaut. However, the journey to success was far from a cakewalk for Jisshu Sengupta. Although his father, Ujjwal Sengupta, was a known face in theatre circuits and worked in films as well, the family was far from prosperous, and often there were no funds for electricity and food.

In a candid conversation with SCREEN magazine, he reflected on days when electricity was cut off for months because the family could not afford to pay bills. Food was scarce at times, yet his mother turned even those hardships into moments of warmth by treating candlelit meals as special occasions. Though material comforts were missing, he remembered those years as simple but happy.

Breakthrough in Television

Fortunes began to shift when Jisshu was cast as the lead in the 1998 television series 'Mahaprabhu,' which was based on the life of the saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The success of the show gradually transformed the family’s circumstances. With time, they acquired small luxuries—a telephone, a refrigerator, a freshly painted home, and even a modern bathroom. The role not only brought financial stability but also established him as a household name.

Transition to Films and Setbacks

By 2001, Jisshu chose to step away from television and focus solely on films. The transition, however, proved challenging. His early film choices did not fare well, and many labeled him as an unlucky actor. Offers that came his way were mostly for roles in poorly received productions, while his brief appearances in successful films went largely unnoticed. For nearly a decade, he faced professional rejection and struggled to find meaningful opportunities.

“I was labelled as an unlucky actor; no one gave me work. Any hero role I got was in C-grade films that released on Friday and were out on Saturday," he recalled.

Career Revival with Rituparno Ghosh

A turning point arrived when acclaimed filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh cast him in Abohomaan. The film earned critical praise and repositioned Jisshu as a serious performer. This revival opened the doors to both Bengali cinema and Bollywood, where he went on to act in projects like Barfi, Manikarnika, and Mardangi. More recently, he appeared alongside Kajol in the web series The Trial: Season 2.

From Scarcity to Prosperity

Now enjoying the success that once eluded him, Jisshu owns multiple homes in Kolkata and drives luxury cars. "Today, I have properties—3 bungalows in Calcutta—and I have Mercedes and Range Rovers standing in my garage," he told SCREEN.

Despite these accomplishments, he admits to one regret—that his parents did not live to witness the fulfillment of his long, arduous journey.