Durga Khote

Durga Khote (née Vita Lad; 14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her time. She remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.

In 2000, in a millennium issue, India Today named her among "100 People Who Shaped India", noting: "Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for women in Indian Cinema", she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry, thus breaking a social taboo.

She also ranks among the top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema, most notable among them were as Jodhabai in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960), which earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress; as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942); her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941); Mirza Ghalib (1954); Bobby (1973) and Bidaai (1974), winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the lattermost. She has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1983), for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Early life Khote was born as Vita Lad to a Konkani Brahmin family which hailed from Goa and spoke Konkani at home. Her father's name was Pandurang Shamrao Lad and her mother's name was Manjulabai.

By the age of 26, Durga Khote was a widowed mother with two young sons; Bakul and Harin. She had to seek work in film to support her children. In doing so, she became a pioneer of sorts: She hailed from a traditional family and the film industry was regarded as the preserve of the base and the bawdy. Also, most of the female characters were played by men at the time.

Early career

Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in the obscure 1931 silent film Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machindra (1932). She was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version (Hindi and Marathi) Ayodhyecha Raja, another Prabhat film, which was the first ever Marathi talkie, and proved to be a runaway hit, where she played the role of Rani Taramati. Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: Despite working closely with the Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" (exclusive contract with a studio to work in its films on a monthly salary) then in vogue and became one of the first "freelance" artistes of that era by working occasionally with the New Theatres, East India Film Co. (both at Calcutta), and Prakash Pictures.

In 1936, she played Saudamini in Amar Jyoti, which is one of her most memorable roles. The characters played by her were very much like her regal personality and she commanded a screen presence even in front of legendary actors like Chandra Mohan, Sohrab Modi and Prithviraj Kapoor.

In 1937, she produced and directed a film titled Saathi, making her one of the first women to step into this role in Indian cinema.

Later career

Durga Khote played a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long, but also untouched by scandal. She was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans such as the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Khote's example.

During later years, she played several important character roles, such as the mother of the protagonist. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Akbar torn between duty towards her husband and love towards her son in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was highly acclaimed and earned her a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film The Householder (1963).

She went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies, such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby (1973), the hero's aunt in Abhimaan (1973), and the very memorable Bidaai (1974), where she played a mother, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Her final memorable role was in Subhash Ghai's Karz (1980), where she played the role of the mother of Raj Kiran and later, mother to Rishi Kapoor, who played the role of Raj Kiran's reincarnation after the screen death of Raj Kiran in the film.

She acted in over 200 films in her career. By the 1980s she successfully diversified into production of short films, ad films and documentaries by setting up Fact Films and later, Durga Khote Productions, which produced the Doordarshan TV series Wagle Ki Duniya.

Personal life

Durga Khote was married when she was a teenager to Vishwanath Khote, of her own caste and similar social background, in a match arranged by their parents. It was a traditional marriage into an orthodox family, and the couple lived a harmonious and happy life. They had two sons. Vishwanath was a mechanical engineer who had graduated from Banaras Hindu University. His family was upper middle class, with modern English education and high social standing; his ancestors had been prominent bankers.

Unfortunately, Vishwanath Khote died young, when Durga was 26. She and her sons continued to reside with her in-laws, as is traditional in India, but she was not comfortable with her dependent, especially because her father-in-law was no more, and they were dependent on other family members financially. She thus felt compelled to make a living any which way she could, and the opening in films happened entirely by chance. The fact that she came from a modern and English-educated family meant that, even as a widow, she was able to act in films, which was derided as a disreputable profession in those days.

She thus raised her two sons, Bakul and Harin, single-handedly. Both of them went on to be well-settled in life. But she suffered the loss of her son Harin, who predeceased her and died in his 40s. Harin was married to Vijaya Jaywant, and they were the parents of two sons. After Harin's early death, his widow married a Parsi man named Farrokh Mehta and became famous as the film-maker Vijaya Mehta.

Durga Khote's grandchildren include her grandson Ravi, a filmmaker; granddaughters Anjali, Rekha and Priya ; and grandson Deven Khote, a successful producer who is one of the co-founders of UTV, and who has also directed a film. Deven Khote is noted for producing films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.

Durga Khote's brother-in-law, Nandu Khote (brother of Vishwanath), was a noted stage and silent movie actor. Two of Nandu's children also became actors in the film industry. His son Viju Khote (1941–2019) was an actor perhaps best known for his role of "Kalia" in Sholay (1975). Nandu's daughter is the actress Shubha Khote, who debuted in Seema (1955) and worked as a heroine in several films before moving to character roles. Still later, she moved to directing and producing Marathi films and also entered television in the '90s. Shubha's daughter, Bhavana Balsavar, is also an award-winning TV actress who appeared in sitcoms like Dekh Bhai Dekh and Zabaan Sambhalke before deciding to settle down and raise a family. Thus, the acting profession which was pioneered by Durga Khote in her family has been embraced by her late husband's family.

Durga Khote also had some rather improbable, distinguished relatives with no connection to films. The socialite and politician Sharda Mukherjee (née Sharada Pandit), who herself served as governor of the states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and who was the wife of Subroto Mukherjee, India's first Chief of the Air Staff, was Durga Khote's first cousin (her mother's sister's daughter). Sharda Mukherjee's paternal uncle, Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, was the husband of Jawaharlal Nehru's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit.

Later in life, Durga Khote wrote an autobiography in Marathi, entitled Mee, Durga Khote, which was translated into English as I, Durga Khote, and moved to Alibaug, near Mumbai. Durga Khote died on 22 September 1991.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1931 Farebi Jaal 1932 Maya Machhindra Queen Hindi / Marathi film 1932 Ayodhyecha Raja Taramati Hindi / Marathi film 1933 Rajrani Meera Meera 1933 Patit Pawan 1934 Seeta Seeta 1935 Jeevan Natak Miss Queen 1935 Inquilab Miss Renee 1936 Amar Jyoti Saudamini 1937 Pratibha Pratibha 1938 Saathi 1938 Nandakumar 1939 Adhuri Kahani Harbala 1940 Yamla Jat 1940 Narsi Bhagat Manekbai Gujarati / Hindi film 1940 Geeta Durga Hindi / Marathi film 1941 Charnon Ki Dasi Vidya's mother-in-law Hindi / Marathi film 1942 Vijay 1942 Bharat Milap Maharani Kaikeyi Hindi / Marathi film 1943 Zameen 1943 Tasveer Vidya Devi 1943 Prithvi Vallabh Mrinalvati 1943 Mahatma Vidur 1943 Mahasati Ansuya 1943 Kurbani 1944 Maharathi Karna Kunti 1944 Dil Ki Baat 1945 Veer Kunal 1945 Phool 1945 Pannadai 1945 Lakharani Bichwa 1945 Gaon Ki Gori 1946 Rukmini Swayamvar 1946 Maharani Minaldevi 1946 Hum Ek Hain Zamindari Ma 1948 Seeta Sawayamwar 1948 Anjuman 1949 Jeet Ratan's mother 1949 Singaar Kishan's Mother 1949 Maya Bazaar 1950 Surajmukhi 1950 Nishana 1950 Magroor 1950 Har Har Mahadev 1950 Beqasoor 1950 Alakh Niranjan 1950 Hamara Ghar 1951 Sazaa 1951 Nandkishore 1951 Nai Zindagi 1951 Hum Log Mother 1951 Hamari Shaan 1951 Aaram Sita 1952 Sandesh 1952 Narveer Tanaji 1952 Mordhwaj 1952 Lal Kunwar 1952 Hyderabad Ki Nazneen Mrs. Jwala Prasad 1952 Aandhiyan 1953 Naulakha Haar Devla 1953 Dharma Pathni Nataraj's Wife 1953 Shikast 1953 Naag Panchami Rani Sanka 1953 Mashooka 1953 Malkin 1953 Chacha Chowdhury 1953 Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 1954 Mirza Ghalib Amma, Chaudvin's mother 1954 Maan 1954 Lakeeren 1954 Laila 1955 Adl-E-Jahangir Mallika-e-Jahangeer 1955 Shri Ganesh Vivah 1955 Madh Bhare Nain 1955 Jagadguru Shankaracharya 1955 Haseena 1956 Rajdhani 1956 Patrani Raj Mata 1956 Parivar 1956 Insaaf 1956 Harihar Bhakti 1956 Dwarikadheesh 1956 Justice 1957 Talaash 1957 Ram Hanuman Yuddha 1957 Musafir Mrs. Nilambar Sharma 1957 Mera Salaam 1957 Bhabhi Ratan's aunt 1957 Bade Sarkar Sumitra Maan Singh 1958 Gopichand 1959 Ardhangini Prakash's mom 1959 Raj Tilak 1959 Maine Jeena Seekh Liya 1959 Ghar Ghar Ki Baat 1960 Parakh Rani Ma, J.C. Roy's mother 1960 Mughal-E-Azam Maharani Jodha Bai Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1960 Usne Kaha Tha Paro 1960 Love in Simla Sonia's grandmother 1961 Ek Ladki Saat Ladke 1961 Senapati 1961 Kismet Palat Ke Dekh 1961 Do Bhai Gopi's Mother 1961 Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan Prabha's mother 1962 Son of India Head Nun 1962 Rungoli Subhagi 1962 Man-Mauji Dr. Mohan's mother 1962 Main Shadi Karne Chala 1963 The Householder Prem's mother 1963 Mujhe Jeene Do Dhara Khan's Mom 1964 Benazir 1964 Tere Dwaar Khada Bhagwan 1964 Shagoon Uncredited 1964 Main Suhagan Hoon 1964 Kaise Kahoon 1964 Door Ki Awaaz Prakash's mother 1965 Purnima Sharda R. Lal 1965 Kaajal Rani Sahiba 1965 Janam Janam Ke Saathi 1965 Do Dil Ranimaa 1966 Anupama Ashok's mother 1966 Sagaai Sheel's mother 1966 Pyar Mohabbat Rajmata Rajeshwari 1966 Devar Gopinath's Mom 1966 Daadi Maa Daadi Maa / Maharani 1967 Chandan Ka Palna Mrs. Radha Laxmidas 1968 Sunghursh Mrs. Bhawani Prasad 1968 Sapno Ka Saudagar Peter's mother 1968 Jhuk Gaya Aasman Mrs. Saxena 1969 Pyar Ka Sapna Sudha's mother 1969 Ek Phool Do Mali Leela 1969 Jeene Ki Raah Janki 1969 Dharti Kahe Pukarke Parvati 1970 Khilona Thakurain Singh 1970 Dhartichi Lekaren 1970 Umang Aunti Ji Uncredited 1970 Gopi Kunwar's Mother 1971 Anand Renu's mother Guest Appearance 1971 Chingari Mohan's Mother 1971 Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari Rajlaxmi S. Chaudhary 1971 Banphool Haria's maternal grandma 1972 Bawarchi Seeta Sharma 1972 Shararat Harry's mother 1972 Raja Jani Rajmata 1972 Mere Bhaiya Avinash's mother 1972 Mangetar 1973 Sone Ke Hath Vijay Khanna's mother 1973 Abhimaan Durga Mausi 1973 Bobby Mrs. Braganza 1973 Namak Haraam Somu's mother 1973 Door Nahin Manzil Dadima 1973 Agni Rekha Durga 1974 Bidaai Parvati Won – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1974 Insaaniyat Ram's mother 1974 Dil Diwana Vijay's Dadimaa 1975 Khushboo Brindaban's mother 1975 Kala Sona Mrs. Ranjeet Singh 1975 Chaitali Manish's mother 1975 Vandana Rakesh's Mother 1975 Biwi Kiraya Ki 1976 Jaaneman Ronnie's mother 1976 Jai Bajrang Bali Devi Maa Anjani 1976 Shaque Mrs. Bannerjee 1976 Rangila Ratan 1977 Saheb Bahadur Meena's grandmother 1977 Paheli Brij Mohan's mother 1977 Paapi Ashok's mother 1977 Naami Chor 1977 Do Chehere Daadima 1977 Darling Darling 1977 Chor Sipahee Mrs. Khanna, Raja's mother 1977 Chacha Bhatija Mrs. D'Silva 1980 Karz Mrs. Shanta Prasad Verma 1981 Sangdil 1983 Daulat Ke Dushman Sunil's mother (final film role)

Awards 1942 Charnon Ki Dasi BFJA Awards: Best Actress 1943 Bharat Milap BFJA Awards: Best Actress 1958 – Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 1968 – Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India. 1970 Dhartichi Lekre Maharashtra State Award 1974 Bidaai Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1983 – Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the lifetime recognition award for films from Government of India Honours and recognitions

A postage stamp, bearing her face, was released by India Post to honour her on 3 May 2013.