The Indian rupee weakened by 19 paise to 44.77, against the US dollar in the early trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange on Tuesday.

Rising demand for dollar from importers and weak opening at the domestic stock market, coupled with Dollar gaining against other major currencies hurt the rupee’s sentiment.

Forex traders said, besides dollar demand from importers, weak opening on domestic bourses and dollar strengthening against other currencies put pressure on the Indian rupee.

The rupee had ended 11 paise lower to closed at 44.58/59 against the US dollar in the previous session.

Meanwhile, the BSE 30-share index declined by 67.79 points, or 0.33 per cent at 20,407.94 in opening trade on Tuesday.