Smita Talwalkar

Smita Talwalkar Biography

Smita Talwalkar is an actress, producer and director of Marathi cinema. She has also produced a few television serials. Two of her films - Kalat Nakalat (debut movie - 1989) and Tu Tithe Mee (1998) have won National awards for best film in regional category. In 2011, she received V. Shantaram Special Contribution Award by Maharashtra Government for her contributions to Marathi cinema. In 1992, her movie, Sawat Mazhi Ladki won State awards for second best movie. Her son, Amber Talwalkar is one the directors of Talwalkars, a major chain of health club in India. Actress Sulekha Talwalkar is Smita’s daughter in law.

Talwalkar started her career as a newsreader on television and she continued it for 17 years. As a film actress, her first noted works are Tu Saubhagyavati Ho and Gadbad Ghotala, both released in 1986. In 1989, at the age of 34 she turned a producer. The first movie was Kalat Nakalat - under the banner "Asmita Chitra". The movie carried the delicate subject of extra marital affair and lead roles were done by noted Marathi/Hindi actors, Vikram Gokhale, Savita Prabhune and Ashok Saraf. The movie received Best Marathi Feature Film at the 37th National Film Awards.

In 1991, Talwalkar played the role of Minal in Chaukat Raja. The movie was directed by Sanjay Surkar and produced by Smita. It began the successful partnership of this duo and together they have given numerous Marathi films including Tu Tithe Mee (1998), Saatchya Aat Gharat (2004) and Anandache Jhaad (2006). Tu Tithe Mee accumulated numerous state and national awards including National award for best Marathi film.  In 1993, she produced and directed the movie, Sawat Mazhi Ladki. Under her banner "Asmita Chitra", Talwalkar has produced about 6 films and 25 television serials. A few of television serials include - Peshwai, Avantika, Unch Maaza Zoka and Suvasini. In 2010, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has fought it back successfully with chemotherapy.

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Updated: January 22, 2014