Usha Chavan

Usha Chavan (born 17 October 1955) is an Indian actress who appears predominantly in Marathi films. Acknowledged as one of the finest actresses in Marathi cinema. she is the recipient of several accolades, including four Maharashtra State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards Marathi. Best known for her comic timing and glamorous roles, especially in partnership with Dada Kondke. The pair became one of the most iconic duos in Marathi cinema. She remembered as one of the most popular leading ladies of Marathi cinema in the 1970s–80s. In 2021, she was honoured with the V. Shantaram Award, Maharashtra's highest award in the field of cinema.

In 1971 Usha Chavan made her debut with the film Songadya. She has also acted in Telugu film such as Durdabitta, and in the Hindi film Shirdi Ke Sai Baba. She has made several appearances with Dada Kondke in Marathi comedy films.

Early life Chavan was born on 17 October 1955 in Pune, Maharashtra. She grew up in a culturally vibrant household, with her family deeply involved in Loknatya. Her mother, Hirabai Chavan, acted in silent films alongside Prithviraj Kapoor. Raised in Pune, she was immersed in performing arts from an early age. She was educated only up to the 7th standard. She showed an interest in singing from a young age and would often perform songs at village fairs (jatras). Over time, she realised that dance offered better financial opportunities than singing. However, due to limited resources, she was unable to receive formal training in dance. Determined to pursue her passion, she began teaching herself by listening to songs on the radio after returning from school and practising dance on her own. She began her entertainment career as a background dancer, helping her gain confidence and visibility in the field.

Career Chavan began her career in performing arts with a tamasha troupe before moving to stage plays. One of her popular plays was Lavangi Mirchi Kolhapurchi alongside Arun Sarnaik. She made her film debut as a lead actress with Kela Ishara Jata Jata (1965), where her performance and dance skills were well received by audiences. Prior to this, she had appeared as a background dancer in Sawaal Majha Aika! (1964). Her entry into films as a lead actress came unexpectedly when director Anant Mane offered her the role, initially intended for Jayshree Gadkar. The film’s success brought her recognition, and at the 5th Maharashtra State Film Awards she won the award for Best Supporting Actress for Sawaal Majha Aika!.

Chavan went on to work in several Marathi films including Khandobachi Aan, Mukkam Post Dhebewadi, Ashi Rangali Ratra, and Kortacha Pairi. She rose to further prominence with Songadya (1971), opposite Dada Kondke. Their on-screen pairing became highly popular and led to a series of commercially successful films such as Ekta Jeev Sadashiv (1971), Pandu Havaldar (1975), Ram Ram Gangaram (1977), Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya (1978), Palva Palvi (1990), Yeu Ka Gharat (1992), Sasarch Dhotar (1994), and Vajvu Ka?. Apart from her collaborations with Kondke, she worked with other noted actors including Ganpat Patil in Sakhya Sajna, where the film succeeded without a conventional hero, and Nilu Phule in Sonaran Tochla Kan and Bapadya. Her role in Ranpakhre received critical appreciation and awards. She also appeared in Hindi films such as Shirdi Ke Sai Baba, Tere Mere Beech Mein, and Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein. She produced and directed two Marathi films, Gauracha Navra and Dharpakad. She received Maharashtra State Film Awards for her performances in Kela Ishara Jata Jata, Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya, and Choravar Mor.

Kalavati

Bakula

Paro Kelewali Varat Ratna Karava Tasa Bharava Manjula/ Khilabai

Radha Choricha Mamla Ratna

Gangi Shirdi Ke Sai Baba Laxmi Hindi Dagaa Anjana Naav Motha Lakshan Khota Unnamed Cameo appearance Navra Maza Brahmachari Aanje

Shyama Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya Maina

Champa Ashtavinayak Herself Special appearance

Maina Paij Indu Mantrayachi Sun Usha Zidd Sugandha Sakhre Choravar Mor Shanta & Kanta Sulavarchi Poli Bhingari

Laxmi Mosambi Narangi Mosambi Ganimi Kawa Chandra Khoon Ki Takkar Laxmi

Tere Mere Beech Mein Gangi

Dalimbi

Jani

Usha

Shevanti

Maina

Banjaran Hindi

Chandrakka

Gaura Deshmukh

Hausa

Radha 1994 Sasarcha Dhotar Rani

Nanda Awards