Jyoti Subhash

Jyoti Subhash is an Indian actress who works in Marathi film, television and theatre industry. She is best known for her works in Marathi films like Valu, Gabhricha Paus (2009) and Bollywood films like Phoonk (2008) and Aiyyaa (2012).

Career Jyoti Subhash started her career through theatre and then moving to television and films. She was recognised in her early works of television. Aired on Doordarshan, she featured in the telefilms Rukmavati Ki Haveli (1991) and Zazeere (1992). Directed by Govind Nihalani, the 1991 show Rukmavati Ki Haveli was based on the Spanish play The House of Bernarda Alba, which was written by Federico García Lorca. A story of a new-widow, Rukmavati, raising her five unwed daughters in her haveli in Rajasthan, was shot on 16 mm film and was later blown up to 35 mm. In 2009, the film was shown in a special session by National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai. In 1999, she translated the Marathi play Raste, originally written by Govind Purushottam Deshpande into Hindi as Raaste. The Hindi play was directed by Arvind Gaur and Satyadev Dubey. She played various supporting roles of elder women in the family in films like Dahavi Fha, Devrai, Aamhi Asu Ladke, Shubhra Kahi and more.

In 2004, she acted in an Urdu play Jis Lahore Naee Dekhya, a story based in the partition era of India. Subhash played an aged Hindu woman left behind in Lahore while her family migrates to India. Her haveli is then occupied by a Muslim family who at first are hostile to her, but later on accept her into their family.

In 2006, she acted in the Marathi movie Nital, directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhthankar. Neena Kulkarni was a co-actress. The lead character was played by Devika Daftardar. The film was produced by Dr. Maya Tulpule , owner and founder of Sahawas Hospital and president of Shweta Association, a Vitiligo self help support group. The film showcased the story of a girl having vitiligo and social stigma around it.

quote="Umesh and I complement each other but if you ask about our lucky mascot then it has to be Jyoti Subhash. It is essential for both of us that Jyotiji be a part of our film." She has also played Kulkarni's mother in Gabhricha Paus. In 2009, she played a mother worried about her daughter's marriage in the film Gandha. Directed by Sachin Kundalkar, the film had three different stories and Subhash played her real-life daughter, Amruta Subhash's mother. In 2012, the film was made in Hindi by Kundalkar as Aiyyaa, where she played the lead actresses's grandmother; a role which was not present in the original Marathi version.

In Masala (2012), she plays the supporting role of a wife of a businessman (played by Mohan Agashe). Recently in 2013, she was part of the Marathi play Uney Purey Shahar Ek (or Boiled Beans on a Toast), originally written by Girish Karnad in Kannada as Benda Kaalu on Toast. Being story of a city, rather than of people, the play had cast of Radhika Apte, Vibhavari Deshpande, Anita Date, Ashwini Giri and more.

Personal life Her original name is Jyoti Subhashchandra Dhembre after marriage. Jyoti Subhash is mother of actress Amruta Subhash. They have acted together in many films (Aaji, Zoka, Gandha, Masala, Nital, Valu, Badha, Gully Boy, Vihir) and a play (Kalokhachya Leki). She says that being together in any creative process makes the bond stronger. She played Amruta's grandmother in Aaji and that of her mother in 2009 film Gandha. She also helped her while playing a 60-year-old woman in her film Kavadase. Her son-in-law Sandesh Kulkarni is a film director.

Selected filmography

Year Title Role Medium Notes 1991 Rukmavati Ki Haveli TV film Hindi language 1992 Jazeere Chuha Mausi TV film Hindi language 1997 Nazarana TV film Hindi language 1999 Raaste – Play Writer of Hindi version 2002 Dahavi Fa Marathi film Adhantar Play Ek Shunya Bajirao Play 2004 Devrai Film 2004 Shubhra Kahi Aai Film 2004 Jis Lahore Naee Dekhya Maaee Play Urdu language 2005 Aamhi Asu Ladke Film 2005 Pak Pak Pakaak grandmother of Chikloo Film 2006 Nital Vasudha Film 2006 Badha Film 2008 Valu Sakhubai Film 2008 Mahasatta Film 2008 Phoonk Amma Film Hindi language 2009 Bokya Satbande Film 2009 Gabhricha Paus Film 2009 Gandha Veena's mother Film 2009 Swatantryachi Aishi Taishi Film 2009 Ekam – Play Director of the play 2010 Vihir Film 2011 Deool Kanta Film 2011 Dhoosar Nurse Mary Film 2012 Baba Lagin Film 2012 Masala Film 2012 Aiyyaa Meenakshi's grandmother Film Hindi language 2012 Mokla Shwas 2012 Samhita Film 2013 Uney Purey Shahar Ek Play 2013 Fandry Film 2016 Sairat Film 2017 Chi Va Chi Sau Ka Film Zee Chitra Gaurav Puraskar for Best Supporting Actress 2018 Pad Man Film 2019 Gully Boy Film 2020 Ghost Stories Granny Netflix Anthology Film 2021 Basta Kamal Aaji Marathi film 2023 Dunki Santosh Lakhanpal Hindi