The Indian rupee opened 35 paise low at Rs 44.99 against the US dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange Wednesday.

Forex dealers said rupee that had been gaining for the last six straight sessions, faltered on weak opening at the stock market, demand for US dollar from importers, and high oil prices that hovered above USD 90 a barrel.

The rupee had ended 30 paise higher at Rs 44.64/65 against the US dollar in the previous session.

Meanwhile, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 154.38 points to 19,780.26 in the opening trade Wednesday.