Priya Tendulkar

Priya Tendulkar Biography

Priya Tendulkar was a successful television actress and film character artist. She is the daughter of well known theatre artist and scriptwriter, Vijay Tendulkar. She was a social activist and writer too. She is better known as a film actress for playing Bobby Deol’s mother’s role in suspense thriller – Gupt. Her most popular television serial is Rajani, telecasted in Doordarshan during 1984. She has also appeared in Bollywood movies like Devta, Ankoor, Mohra, Trimurti and Aur pyar ho gaya. She was married to her Rajani co-star, Karan Razdan in 1988. But they separated in 1995. She hosted talk shows of television - Priya Tendulkar Talk Show and Zimmedar Kaun which reflected her interests towards social issues and responses to social injustice. Her Kannada movie, Minchina Ota and Gujarati movie Pooja na phool are her other popular movies.

Priya was born on 19 October 1954 as the daughter of eminent writer, Vijay Tendulkar. Her first stage appearance happened in the year 1969 when she appeared as a doll in Haya Vadan, aside popular theatre personality, Kalpana Lajmi. She has worked an air hostess, newsreader, model and a 5-star hotel receptionist.  Her first television commercial was for a sewing machine brand, when she was only 15. It was shot by Aruna Raje. She debut Bollywood in the year 1974 with Shyam Benegal's Ankur, which happened to be director’s debut venture as well. She played supporting role of Anant Nag's submissive wife. Later she appeared in numerous Marathi movies, where she was popular when paired opposite Ashok Saraf, Ravindra Mahajani and Mahesh Kothare.

But it was the television serial, Rajani during middle 1980’s that made Priya a household name. Her role as a house wife fighting against social injustice made her a popular figure. Gulzar's TV series, Swayamsiddha is also a popular television serial.  She acted in television play, Swayam Siddha scrited by her father. She has also hosted many shows on Doordarshan including many music programs. She died on 19 September 2002 following a heart attack. She has been fighting against breast cancer since 1998.

Published: N/A

Updated: October 17, 2013