Smita Talwalkar

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).[1]

Smita Talwalkar
Born
Smita Govilkar

5 September 1954
Died (aged 59)
Mumbai, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationActress, producer, director
RelativesSulekha Talwalkar
Pournima Talwalkar (daughter-in-law)

Career

Born as Smita Govilkar on 5 September 1954,[2] Talwalkar was a television newsreader for 17 years before entering acting.[3] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[3] The production house also had a joint venture with Zee Network for producing three films.[6] 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.[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. The TV show Suvasini that airs on Star Pravah won the Best Serial award at the 2012 Ma-Ta Sanmaan. The banner has also produced a 30-minute documentary for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that featured Sachin Tendulkar on the topic of cleanliness.[8]

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.[3] 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.

Personal life

Talwalkar married at the age of 17.[3] 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.[9][10] 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.[11][12] She died on 6 August 2014 at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, less than a month before her 60th birthday.[13][14]

Selected filmography

Films
Year Title Credited as Notes
Actress Producer Director
1986Tu Saubhagyavati HoYes
1986Gadbad GhotalaYes
1989Suryaa: An Awakening (Hindi Movie)YesGangadhar Choudhary Wife (Special Appearance)
1989Kalat NakalatYes
1991Chaukat RajaYesYesRole: Minal
1993Sawat Mazhi LadkiYesYes
1993Shivrayachi Soon TararaniYesRole: Yesubai
1998Tu Tithe MeeYes
2004Saatchya Aat GharatYes
2006Anandache JhaadYes
2008CheckmateYes
2010Topi Ghala ReYes
2011Adgula MadgulaYes
2011Ek Hoti WadiYes
2011JanmaYesRole: Gynecologist
2012Shyamche Vadil[15]YesCameo role
2012Ya Gol Gol DabyatlaYes
2013Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta[16]Yes

Television
YearTitleCredited asChannel
1995PadosanDD Metro
GharkulProducer
1999PeshwaiProducerAlpha TV Marathi
2000AvantikaProducerZee Marathi
2002Oon PausProducerZee Marathi
2009Katha Eka AnadichiProducerStar Pravah
2009ArdhanginiProducerStar Pravah
2011SuvasiniProducerStar Pravah
2011–2012Unch Majha JhokaProducerZee Marathi

Theatre
TitleRoleNotes
Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal GhyaJanabai

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.[17]
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.[18]
Other Awards

References
  1. "A look at Smita Talwalkar's career". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  2. Phadke, Aparna (29 September 2012). "The day the ever-smiling Sanjay Surkar cried". Times of India. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  3. "Smita Talwalkar: Live wire of positive energy". Navhind Times. Goa, India. 27 March 2012. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  4. Asha Mandpe (24 April 2011). "Different faces of a versatile actor". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  5. "Film exorcises shock of city rape case". Times of India. 22 August 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  6. "Zee network spreads further". 7 February 2007. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  7. "An Interview with Neena Kulkarni: 'Acting is about good characterisation'". Indiantelevision.com. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  8. Ashar, Sandeep (22 January 2009). "Tendulkar's clean sweep in BMC film". DNA. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  9. P R Sanjai, P. R. (24 October 2005). "Talwalkars plan pvt equity placement, IPO". Business Standard India. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  10. "This is how you do it". DNA. 8 October 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  11. "Cancer patients speak of benefit of homeopathy treatment". Times of India. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  12. "Words of the Wise". Pune Mirror. Pune, India. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  13. Ians (6 August 2014). "Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar passed away". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  14. Mukane, Pratik (6 August 2014). "Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar passes away at 59". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  15. "Shyamche Vadil based on divorce cases in the country". Times of India. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  16. Kulkarni, Pooja (26 November 2012). "Seasoned actors step into lead roles in Marathi films". Times of India. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  17. "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  18. "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  19. "Ga Di Ma award for Smita Talwalkar". Indian Express. 13 August 1999. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  20. "Maha Govt Confers Raj Kapoor Awards On Nihalani, Shabana". Mumbai: NDTV.com. 1 May 2011. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
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