Mumbai, April 17: Lalita Pawar is a name familiar to lovers of Hindi cinema. Whether portraying a menacing mother-in-law or the character Manthara in Ramanand Sagar’s epic Ramayana, she captivated audiences with her powerful performances. Her birth anniversary is celebrated on April 18.
Pawar’s portrayal of the ‘saas’ (mother-in-law) became so iconic that audiences often found her roles intimidating. However, in real life, she was a dedicated and hardworking actress. Starting her film career at just nine years old, she worked for seven decades, appearing in over 700 films and establishing a unique place in Indian cinema.
Born on April 18, 1916, in the town of Yola in Nashik district, her real name was Amba Lakshman Rao Shagun. Her father, Lakshman Rao Shagun, was a prominent silk and cotton trader. At the tender age of nine, she debuted as a child artist in a silent film, earning a mere 18 rupees for her first role. Notably, during that era, it was uncommon for girls to attend school, but her father arranged for Urdu-Hindi teachers and classical music lessons at home.
Lalita Pawar was not only stunning but also an exceptional actress. She quickly became one of the highest-paid heroines in Hindi cinema. She even sang her own songs. However, in 1942, during the shooting of the film “Jang Azaadi,” she suffered a tragic accident. A scene required her to be slapped by actor Bhagwan Dada, which resulted in a ruptured eye nerve. Due to a doctor’s misprescription, she faced facial paralysis. This injury left one of her eyes smaller, and she was away from the film industry for nearly three years. Her dream of becoming a leading actress seemed shattered, but Lalita Pawar persevered and made a comeback as a character artist.
She returned to the screen in 1948 with the film “Grihasthi.” In 1950, she played her first cruel mother-in-law role in V. Shantaram’s film “Dahej,” which catapulted her to fame. Audiences were so affected by her performance that many mothers prayed their daughters would not have a mother-in-law like her. She worked alongside stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor, often taking on maternal roles despite their younger ages. Her notable films include “Shree 420,” “Anand,” “Daag,” “Naseeb,” “Bombay to Goa,” and “Anari.”
In Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana, she portrayed Manthara so brilliantly that she is still remembered by that name today.
Lalita Pawar was married twice. Her first marriage was to film producer G.P. Pawar, which ended in divorce. She later married Rajkumar Gupta, with whom she had a son, Jay Pawar. She passed away on February 24, 1998, at the age of 81 in her Pune bungalow, “Arohi.” Her death from jaw cancer was reported three days later.
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MT/DKP
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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