Usha Chavan
Usha Chavan | |
|---|---|
 Chavan in 1964 | |
| Born | Usha Chavan 17 October 1955 Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse |
Dattatray KaduDeshmukh
(m. 1970) |
| Children | 1 |
| Honours | V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award |
Usha Chavan (born 17 October 1955)[1] is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Marathi films. Acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in Marathi cinema. she is the recipient of several accolades, including four Maharashtra State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards Marathi. Best known for her comic timing and glamorous roles, especially in partnership with Dada Kondke.[2] The pair became one of the most iconic duos in Marathi cinema. She remembered as one of the most popular leading ladies of Marathi cinema in the 1970s–80s. In 2021, she was honoured with the V. Shantaram Award, Maharashtra's highest award in the field of cinema.[3]
In 1971 Usha Chavan made her debut with the film Songadya. She has also acted in Telugu film such as Durdabitta, and in the Hindi film Shirdi Ke Sai Baba.[4] She has made several appearances with Dada Kondke in Marathi comedy films.[5]
Early life
Chavan was born on 17 October 1955 in Pune, Maharashtra. She grew up in a culturally vibrant household, with her family deeply involved in Loknatya. Her mother, Hirabai Chavan, acted in silent films alongside Prithviraj Kapoor. Raised in Pune, she was immersed in performing arts from an early age and began her entertainment career as a background dancer, helping her gain confidence and visibility in the field.[6]
Career
Chavan began her career in performing arts with a tamasha troupe before moving to stage plays. One of her popular plays was Lavangi Mirchi Kolhapurchi alongside Arun Sarnaik. She made her film debut as a lead actress with Kela Ishara Jata Jata (1965), where her performance and dance skills were well received by audiences.[7] Prior to this, she had appeared as a background dancer in Sawaal Majha Aika! (1964). Her entry into films as a lead actress came unexpectedly when director Anant Mane offered her the role, initially intended for Jayshree Gadkar. The film’s success brought her recognition, and at the 5th Maharashtra State Film Awards she won the award for Best Supporting Actress for Sawaal Majha Aika!.[8]
Chavan went on to work in several Marathi films including Khandobachi Aan, Mukkam Post Dhebewadi, Ashi Rangali Ratra, and Kortacha Pairi. She rose to further prominence with Songadya (1971), opposite Dada Kondke.[9] Their on-screen pairing became highly popular and led to a series of commercially successful films such as Ekta Jeev Sadashiv (1971), Pandu Havaldar (1975), Ram Ram Gangaram (1977), Bot Lavin Tithhe Gudgudlya (1978), Palva Palvi (1990), Yeu Ka Gharat (1992), Sasarch Dhotar (1994), and Vajvu Ka?.[10] Apart from her collaborations with Kondke, she worked with other noted actors including Ganpat Patil in Sakhya Sajna, where the film succeeded without a conventional hero, and Nilu Phule in Sonaran Tochla Kan and Bapadya. Her role in Ranpakhre received critical appreciation and awards. He also appeared in Hindi films such as Shirdi Ke Sai Baba, Tere Mere Beech Mein, and Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein. She produced and directed two Marathi films, Gauracha Navra and Dharpakad. She received Maharashtra State Film Awards for her performances in Kela Ishara Jata Jata, Bot Lavin Tithhe Gudgudlya, and Chorawar Mor.[8]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Sawaal Majha Aika! | Tamasgir | |
| 1965 | Kela Ishaara Jaata Jaata | Shevanti | |
| 1968 | Khandobachi Aan | Bakula Batisgaokarin | |
| 1969 | Mukkam Post Dhebewadi | Gulabjaan Chikhlikar | |
| 1970 | Ashi Rangli Raat | Akka | |
| Mala Tumchi Mhana | Shevanta Solapurkarin | ||
| 1971 | Songadya | Kalavati | [11] |
| 1972 | Ekta Jeev Sadashiv | Kalavati | |
| 1973 | Sonarane Tochale Kaan | Bakula | |
| 1975 | Pandu Hawaldar | Paro Kelewali | |
| Varat | Ratna | ||
| Karava Tasa Bharava | Manjula/ Khilabai | ||
| 1976 | Pudhari | Radha | |
| Choricha Mamla | Ratna | ||
| 1977 | Ram Ram Gangaram | Gangi | [12] |
| Shirdi Ke Sai Baba | Laxmi | Hindi | |
| Dagaa | Anjana | ||
| Naav Motha Lakshan Khota | Unnamed | Cameo appearance | |
| Navra Maza Brahmachari | Aanje | ||
| 1978 | Bhairu Pehelwan Ki Jai | Shyama | |
| Bot Lavin Titha Gudgulya | Maina | ||
| 1979 | Sunbai Oti Bharun Ja | Champa | |
| Ashtavinayak | Herself | Special appearance | |
| 1980 | Ranpakhre | Maina | |
| Paij | Indu | ||
| Mantrayachi Sun | Usha | ||
| Zidd | Sugandha Sakhre | ||
| Choravar Mor | Shanta & Kanta | ||
| Sulavarchi Poli | Bhingari | ||
| 1981 | Soon Mazi Laxmi | Laxmi | |
| Mosambi Narangi | Mosambi | ||
| Ganimi Kawa | Chandra | ||
| Khoon Ki Takkar | Laxmi | Hindi | |
| Tere Mere Beech Mein | Gangi | ||
| 1982 | Dalimbi | Dalimbi | |
| 1982 | Aali Aangavar | Jani | |
| 1983 | Thingi | Usha | |
| 1984 | Jugalbandi | Shevanti | |
| 1984 | Dhagala Lagli Kal | Maina | |
| 1986 | Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein | Banjaran | Hindi |
| 1987 | Muka Ghya Muka | Chandrakka | |
| 1988 | Gauracha Navra | Gaura Deshmukh | |
| 1990 | Palva Palvi | Hausa | [13] |
| 1992 | Dhar Pakad | Radha | |
| 1994 | Sasarcha Dhotar | Rani | |
| 1995 | Vajau Ka | Nanda |
Awards
| Year | Award | Film | Category | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Maharashtra State Film Awards | Sawaal Majha Aika! | Best Supporting Actress | [8] |
| 1966 | Kela Ishara Jata Jata | Best Actress | ||
| 1977 | Filmfare Awards Marathi | Naav Motha Lakshan Khota | Best Actress | |
| 1979 | Maharashtra State Film Awards | Bot Lavin Titha Gudgulya | Best Actress | |
| 1980 | Choravar Mor | |||
| Filmfare Awards Marathi | Ranpakhare | Best Actress | ||
| 2021 | Government of Maharashtra | Lifetime Achievement | V. Shantaram Award | [3] |
References
- ^ "उषा चव्हाण यांच्याशी करायचे होते दादा कोंडकेंना लग्न; नकार न पचल्याने घेतला असा सूड". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi).
- ^ Deshmukh, Chaitraly. "Film on Dada Kondke hits a roadblock". DNA India. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Maharashtra State Film Award Winners: 57 व्या राज्य चित्रपट पुरस्कार सोहळ्यात या मान्यवरांचा झाला गौरव, वाचा संपूर्ण यादी". Times Now Marathi (in Marathi). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Usha Chavan bio". marathi.tv. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
- ^ "Usha Chavan". Divya Marathi. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "दादा कोंडके यांना या अभिनेत्रीसोबत करायचं होतं लग्न; नकार मिळताच अभिनेत्यानं घेतलेला असा सूड". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Kela Ishara Jata Jata (1965)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ a b c Nandgaonkar, Sudhir (2014). शिल्पकार चरित्रकोश खंड - ७ (in Marathi). Hindustan Prakashan Sanstha (published 15 March 2014). pp. 164–166.
- ^ "Remembering the legend Dada Kondke". The Times of India. 29 August 2018. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Ram Ram Gangaram (1977)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Songadya (1971)". Pune International Film Festival. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Ram Ram Gangaram". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "दादा कोंडके यांचे 'हे' चित्रपट पाहून खळखळून हसाल". ABP Majha (in Marathi). 1 July 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
External links
- Usha Chavan at IMDb