The Indian rupee depreciated by 19 paise to Rs 44.49 a dollar in early trade on Friday, weighed down by dollar’s strength against other Asian currencies.

However, positive opening on the stock markets on continued capital inflows by foreign funds into equities, capped its losses.

In the previous session, the domestic unit at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market had closed 4 paise higher at Rs 44.30/31 a dollar.

Forex dealers said weaker Asian currencies against the US dollar and demand for the greenback from importers weighed down the rupee sentiment.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange index, Sensex, rose by 79.31 points or 0.39 per cent to 20,339.89 points in the opening trade on Friday.