REMEMBERING..HANSABAI WADKAR!

Beautiful Hansa Wadkar in Hindi film 'Navjeevan' (1939).

Today is death anniversary of yesteryears' legendary Marathi actress.. Hansa Wadkar!

Hansa Wadkar in film 'Sant Sakhu' (1941).

Her real name was Ratan Salgaonkar who began her film career at the age of 13. She worked for famous studios of her time includes 'Bombay Talkies', 'Prabhat Film Co.' & 'National Studios'. In the begining she worked in Hindi films like 'Jung-E-Jawani' (1937) & 'Zamana' (1938).

Hansaji got name in Marathi cinema in which includes mythological, historical & social films! In 1941 she did immortal role of 'Sant Sakhu' a film made by 'Prabhat's Damle-Fattelal. In 1947 she got fame by film 'Lokshahir Ram Joshi' (with G. Balkrishna) which was made by two legends Baburao Painter & V. Shantaram!

 

Hansa Wadkar in film 'Sangtye Aika' (1959).

 

Her super hit film was 'Sangtye Aika' (1959) made by Anant Mane! That is also a title of her autobiography on which Shyam Benegal made Hindi film 'Bhumika' (1977). Our great actress Smita Patil portrayed Hansabai in it and won national award!

But Hansabai's life was full of difficulties and she sufferred a lot!

Homage to her..!!

- Manoj Kulkarni