Saroj Sukhtankar

Veteran Marathi actress Saroj Dhondiram Sukhtankar was a prominent name in the Marathi film industry. The actress started small and achieved immense success in the acting field. Sukhtankar, who lived in her ancestral village Rui ( Hatakangal taluka), made her foray into theatre through the New Bharat Natya Club. After stepping foot in the theatre world, the actress toured the entire state and became a professional actor. She performed in more than 60 plays, including Prema Tuja Rang Kasa, Man of Mumbai, Tujh Hai Tujhpashi, Diva Jalu De Sari Raat. Dancer was a smash and had more than 300 performances.

Besides earning fame for theatre performances, Sukhtankar has over 90 Marathi movies like Bai Mi Bholi, Kunkvacha Karanda, Jyotibacha Navas, Soon Ladki Ya Gharchi, Totaya MLA, Sahakar Samrat, Kulswamini Ambasal, Bhingri, Bhujang, Dhumdhadka, Soyrik, Savaj, Kaul De Khanderaya, Ashtavinayak, De Danadan, Ekta Jeevan Sadashiva', Bali Raja's Rajya Yehu De, Irasaal Karti, Mardani, Bhukh, Aikave Te Navalach to her credit. She featured in important roles in Marathi films. And Dhangarwada was her final movie.

The renowned actress was also a part of the series Amritvel and Tujhya Jeev Rangla. The latter was her last TV series. Apart from earning accolades for her performances, several authorities honored the veteran actor for her contribution to the cinema. In 2006, Sukhtankar was bestowed with the Chitrakarmi Award by All India Marathi Film Corporation. In 2015, she bagged the Chitraseva Award by Bhalkars Kala Akademi to contribute to the Marathi cinema. In 2017-18, the Marathi actress received an award from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. Besides these, her exemplary work in Marathi cinema earned her several other prizes.

Sukhantar, born in 1936, died at the age of 84 on September 23, 2020, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Her last rites took place at Hatkanangle taluka in Rui. The prominent actress was not married and is survived by her nephews and brothers. Tributes poured in from many quarters when she passed away, including the All India Film Corporation President Meghraj Rajebhosle. Senior actors like Ninad Kale, Bhalchandra Kulkarni Bhalchandra Kulkarni is an Indian actor and writer >> Read More... , Milind Ashtekar, Sangram Bhalkar Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , Raju Raut, among others condoled her death and paid obeisances to her. Even after leaving this world, the great actress continues to enthrall the audience with her outstanding work both in cinema and on television. She is a figure of inspiration for the present and upcoming generations of actors.