TV women who inspired generations: Sakshi Tanwar, Rupali Ganguli and more

Female TV stars may have won hearts with their onscreen portrayal of characters over the years. Their off-screen presence has been equally powerful when it comes to sparkling conversations around societal change.

Time and again, female TV actors have used their influence to speak on issues concerning inclusivity, gender equality, animal rights, adoption and child welfare. By leveraging their stardom, they have helped spotlight issues to inspire change in society for humankind. From Sakshi Tanwar advocating for adoption and single parenthood at 45, to Rupali Ganguly being a voice for the voiceless, here are the times female actors won hearts with their efforts for social welfare.

Sakshi Tanwar’s Adoption Journey

In 2018, Actor Sakshi Tanwar embraced motherhood at the age of 45. She adopted a nine-month old girl and named her ‘Ditya’. The actor who has many renowned tv shows and movies to her name, like ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki’, ‘Bade Achhe Lagte Hain’, ‘Dangal’, revealed in an interview with us that motherhood has changed her life completely.In an exclusive interview with Times Parenting, the actor revealed that being a parent has been rewarding in many ways.

She also spoke about what it feels like being a single mother in a male-dominated world. “The best part is that you are the centre of the universe for your child. For everything, the go-to person is mumma. The hugs and cuddles, the non-stop innocent conversations and millions of things that bring unmatched joy every day”, she said. Speaking of her out-of-the-box choice for parenting, the actor also thanked her family for being her support system.

“ I have been lucky that when I was shooting, my family stepped in and were very supportive from the beginning. It’s very difficult to strike a balance between your own aspirations and time with your child. Every day is a new lesson and a new challenge”, she said.

Rupali Ganguly’s animal welfare efforts

While we have all enjoyed watching Rupali as Anupama and Monisha, her approach to animal welfare is as unconventional as her onscreen roles. The actor has rescued over 14 stray dogs and has also established a safe space for them.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Rupali said that her kitchen staff makes food for street dogs, which is then distributed among strays of the nearby living areas. In 2024, Rupali wrote a letter calling on Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee to stop the use of horse-drawn carriages in the city. She urged the CM to follow the example of Mumbai by transitioning to motorized e-carriages. Following this, the Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal state government to present a proposal for rehabilitating horse owners and providing them with an alternative livelihood.

Jennifer Winget’s wildlife advocacy

With a career spanning over a decade, Jennifer Winget has aced every genre of storytelling, whether it is playing the love interest in ‘Dil Mil Gaye’ or the obsessed lover in ‘Beyhadh’. But while essaying strong roles, the actor has also advocated for a much stronger cause, like Elephant conservation, collaborating with Wildlife SOS. In 2024, February, Jennifer spent three whole days at the elephant shelter and even prepared meals for them.

“Elephants are magnificent and yet the gentlest of creatures and to be in such close company is awe-inspiring, to say the least. We have all heard renditions of the torture and pain they have suffered and the damage and destruction we sometimes carelessly hold them accountable for, but seeing and understanding this from their point of view is eye-opening for me. I owe it to a place of influence I am blessed with, to shine a light on the subject and do all I can to help the cause”, she said in an interview with SOS.

Rubina Dilaik’s mission for dignity and inclusion

In October 2024, actor Rubina Dilaik channelled her influence to campaign for transgender rights. To commemorate Pride Month, the actor gave away a few of her selected items for a virtual sale. Some of which include the gown she wore for the Big Boss 14 finale, and the outfits she wore in her music video ‘Marjaneya’.

Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya’s mission for child development

Actor Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya was chosen as the ambassador for Paalan 1000, a government of India initiative which focuses on the first 1000 days of a child’s life to ensure healthy growth.

The initiative is supported by organizations like the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Van Leer Foundation, and Johns Hopkins CCP. The actor, through her Instagram, has made several posts about the initiative and emphasized the importance of cognitive development in children.

Divyanka has taken to her Instagram to explain the various features of the app and help new parents understand the various features like identifying health centres and digital aids for early child development. She has also emphasized the need to reduce child mortality for the betterment of society as a whole.