The rupee on Friday fell by 65 paise to 64.15 against the dollar in early trade, extending Thursday’s weakness, at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on fresh demand from importers for the US currency amid its strengthening overseas.

Forex dealers said besides dollar gaining against other currencies in the global markets ahead of a US Federal Reserve policy meeting next week, a lower opening in the domestic equity market also put pressure on the rupee.

The rupee had lost 12 paise to 63.50 against the dollar in Thursday’s trade.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex fell by 79.67 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 19,702.21 in early trade on Friday.