Smita Talwalkar

Smita Talwalkar
Born Smita Govilkar
5 September 1954
Died (aged 59)
Mumbai, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress, producer, director

Smita Talwalkar (5 September 1954 – 6 August 2014) was a Marathi film actress, producer and director. She won two National Film Awards as producer of the films Kalat Nakalat (1989) and Tu Tithe Mee (1998).

Career

Born as Smita Govilkar on 5 September 1954,[1] Talwalkar was a television newsreader for 17 years before entering acting.[2] Her initial successful films as an actress include Tu Saubhagyavati Ho and Gadbad Ghotala, both of 1986. Gadbad Ghotala was a comedy romance film with ensemble caste of various notable actors. She stepped into the role of a film producer with her first film Kalat Nakalat under the banner of Asmita Chitra in 1989.[2] The drama dealt with delicate topic of families and children where one of the parents is involved in the extra-marital affair. Directed by Kanchan Nayak, the film was adjudged as the Best Marathi Feature Film at the 37th National Film Awards.

In 1991, Talwalkar played the role of Minal, a childhood friend of a mentally challenged boy in Chaukat Raja. The lead role of the boy was played by Dilip Prabhavalkar, for which he won Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actor.[3] Directed by Sanjay Surkar, the film was also produced by Talwalkar. Surkar-Talwalkar pair would create many notable films in future like Tu Tithe Mee (1998), Saatchya Aat Gharat (2004) and Anandache Jhaad (2006). After her role as a producer, Talwalkar made her directorial debut in 1993 with the comedy-drama film Sawat Mazhi Ladki. The film received the Maharashtra State Film Award.

The Surkar-Talwalkar pair reprised their roles of director and producer respectively in their next ventures of Tu Tithe Mee and Saatchya Aat Gharat. Tu Tithe Mee was a story of troubles that an aged couple faced in a joint family where the lead roles were played by Mohan Joshi and Suhas Joshi. The film won Talwalkar her second National Film Award. Saatchya Aat Gharat was based partly on a 2002 incident in the University of Pune campus where a girl student was raped by a phony policeman. The film also criticized the Western cultures of pubs, body piercings, Valentine's Day, etc.[4] Apart from producing films, Talwalkar continued her acting in various cameo and supporting roles in several films and televisions.

Under Asmita Chitra banner, Talwalkar produced about 6 films and 25 television serials.[2] The production house also had a joint venture with Zee Network for producing three films.[5] Her notable television series include Peshwai, Avantika, Suvasini, Unch Maaza Zoka, etc. Featuring Mrinal Kulkarni in the title role, Avantika that aired on Alpha Marathi was a family drama. Peshwai was a historical story based on the Peshwas of Maharashtra. The show had Neena Kulkarni playing the role of Tara Rani.[6][7] Unch Maaza Zoka was based on the life of social activist Ramabai Ranade.

She appeared in Katha Ek Aanandichi and Ardhangini, which also dealt with social issues.[8] The TV show Suvasini that airs on Star Pravah won the Best Serial award at the 2012 Ma-Ta Sanmaan.[9] The banner has also produced a 30-minute documentary for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that featured Sachin Tendulkar on the topic of cleanliness.[10]

Talwalkar also runs an acting school named "Asmita Chitra Academy". The academy is located at various locations in Pune, Mumbai and Thane and trains around 300 to 350 students in various fields of media.[2] Talwalkar also worked in theatre as an actress and producer. She was on the juries of various stage events, both local and international. She was the president of the Marathi cinema festival organised by Natya Chitra Kala Academy.[11]

Personal life

Talwalkar married at the age of 17.[2] Her son, Amber Talwalkar, is one the directors of Talwalkars, a major chain of health club in India. Amber is married to actress Sulekha Talwalkar.[12][13] Smita's other daughter-in-law is television actress Purnima Talwalkar, formally known as Purnima Bhave.

Death

In 2010 Smita Talwalkar was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was treated with chemotherapy.[14][15] She died on 6 August 2014 at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, aged 59.[16]

Selected filmography

Films

Year Title Credited as Notes
Actress Producer Director
1986 Tu Saubhagyavati Ho Yes
1986 Gadbad Ghotala Yes
1989 Kalat Nakalat Yes
1991 Chaukat Raja Yes Yes Role: Minal
1993 Sawat Mazhi Ladki Yes Yes
1993 Shivrayachi Soon Tararani Yes Role: Yesubai
1998 Tu Tithe Mee Yes
2004 Saatchya Aat Gharat Yes
2006 Anandache Jhaad Yes
2008 Checkmate Yes
2010 Topi Ghala Re Yes
2011 Adgula Madgula[17] Yes
2011 Ek Hoti Wadi Yes
2011 Janma[18] Yes Role: Gynecologist
2012 Shyamche Vadil[19] Yes Cameo role
2012 Ya Gol Gol Dabyatla[20] Yes
2013 Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta[21] Yes

Television

Year Title Credited as Channel
Gharkul Producer
Peshwai Producer Alpha Marathi
(Now Zee Marathi)
1998 Avantika Producer Zee Marathi
1998 Un Paus Producer Zee Marathi
2009 Katha Ek Aanadichi Producer Star Pravah
2009 Ardhangini Producer Star Pravah
2011–present Suvasini[22] Producer Star Pravah
2011–present Unch Maaza Zoka Producer Zee Marathi

Theatre

Title Role Notes
Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya[23][24] Janabai

Awards

National Film Awards
Shared with director Kanchan Nayak
Citation: For its delicate description of the tension of love in various facets; wife, mistress and children; and the resolution of tensions in favour of keeping a family together.[25]
Shared with director Sanjay Surkar
Citation: For shedding light on the plight of the old and the ageing and the crumbling of the joint family system in a novel and entertaining format of a love story. Beautiful performance by Mohan Joshi and Suhas Joshi are the highlights of the film.[26]
Other Awards

References

  1. ↑ Phadke, Aparna (29 September 2012). "The day the ever-smiling Sanjay Surkar cried". Times of India. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Smita Talwalkar: Live wire of positive energy". Goa, India: Navhind Times. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  3. ↑ Asha Mandpe (24 April 2011). "Different faces of a versatile actor". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Film exorcises shock of city rape case". Times of India. 22 August 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  5. ↑ "Zee network spreads further". 7 February 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  6. ↑ "An Interview with Neena Kulkarni: 'Acting is about good characterisation'". Indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  7. ↑ ""Playing the role of Radha, is more challenging" - Shruti Marathe". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  8. ↑ Shirke, Ulhas. ""Playing a vegetable vendor is a more challenging act." – Smita Talwalkar". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  9. ↑ "Ma Ta Sanman 2012 - WINNERS". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  10. ↑ Ashar, Sandeep (22 January 2009). "Tendulkar’s clean sweep in BMC film". DNA. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "The Marathi Cinema Festival". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  12. ↑ P R Sanjai, P. R. (24 October 2005). "Talwalkars plan pvt equity placement, IPO". Mumbai: Business Standard. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  13. ↑ "This is how you do it". DNA. 8 October 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Cancer patients speak of benefit of homeopathy treatment". Times of India. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  15. ↑ "Words of the Wise". Pune, India: Pune Mirror. 18 May 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  16. ↑ Mukane, Pratik (6 August 2014). "Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar passes away at 59". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "'Adgula Madgula' offers gentle entertainment". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  18. ↑ Shirke, Ulhas. "Realistic 'Janma' is absorbing". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "Shyamche Vadil based on divorce cases in the country". Times of India. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  20. ↑ "'Ya Gol Gol Dabyatla' sends a strong message". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  21. ↑ Kulkarni, Pooja (26 November 2012). "Seasoned actors step into lead roles in Marathi films". Times of India. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  22. ↑ Shirke, Ulhas (November 2011). "Smita Talwalkar's grand comeback with 'Suvasini'". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  23. ↑ Shirke, Ulhas. "INTERVIEWS. Kiran Mane - Actor". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  24. ↑ "Theatre Buzz - Play Review: Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya". Marathi Movie World. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  25. ↑ "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  26. ↑ "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  27. ↑ "Ga Di Ma award for Smita Talwalkar". Indian Express. 13 August 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  28. ↑ "Maha Govt Confers Raj Kapoor Awards On Nihalani, Shabana". Mumbai: NDTV.com. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2013.

External links

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