Bhakti Barve

Bhakti Barve Biography

Bhakti Barve was an Indian film, theatre and television actress in Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati languages. She is better known for her role in cult classic comedy - Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro directed by Kundan Shah. She was a talented stage actress and has worked with leading theater groups of the country - Theatre Unit, Indian National Theatre, and Rangayan. As a theatre artist, her noted performances are "Ti Phularani", "Nag Mandala", "Aayee Retire Hote Aahe" and "Hands Up". In 1990, she received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Marathi theatre for Acting. She was also honoured posthumously at the first section of Indian Telly awards held in 2010. She was honoured for her contributions to Indian theatre. She has also received Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar and Abhinay Puraskar. She was married to actor Shafi Inamdar, known for character roles in Hindi cinema. 

Barve was born in Sangli, Maharashtra on 10 September 1948. While at school, she was a member of Sudha Karmarkar's productions of children's theatre, with whom she debut later as an adult theatre artist. Barve began her career by acting for Sudha Karmarkar's Little Theatre. She has also worked as announcer on All India Radio, Mumbai, news reader on Mumbai Doordarshan and presenter of Saptahiki. She acted in Doordarshan telefilm - Bahinabai. She has also acted in Doordarshan serial, Rishtey, Jannet talkies and Gharkil.

Yet it was theatre life that gave her the real stardom. Marathidrama Ajab nyaya vartulacha in 1973 made her top theatre artist of that time. Later she acted in numerous landmark plays during 1970’s and 1980’s. Her noted Hindi movies are Kundan Shah's Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Govind Nihlani's Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998). On 11 February 2001 Barve performed a solo act, Pu La Fulrani Aani Mee, at Wai. On her return, she met with an accident and next day morning she passed away. She was only 52 then.

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Updated: January 16, 2014