Varsha Usgaonkar | |
|---|---|
 Usgaonkar in March 2015 | |
| Born | 28 February 1968 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse | Ajay Shankar Sharma (m. 2000) |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Manisha Usgaonkar Tosha Usgaonkar (Siblings) Ravi Shankar Sharma (father-in-law) |
Varsha Usgaonkar (born 28 February 1968 [1] ) is an Indian actress, model and singer. She has worked in various Marathi as well as Hindi movies as a leading actress. During the 1990s, she was the most popular actress in Marathi cinema. [2]
Usgaonkar was born in Usgao, Goa, India, on 28 February 1968, to A. K. S. Usgaonkar and Manikabai Usgaonkar. [3] Konkani is her native language. Her father served as a Cabinet Minister in Goa, while her mother was a classical singer. Under the tutelage of Pandit Sudhakar Karandikar, she honed her skills in classical music. She pursued her B.Com degree in Goa and actively engaged in theatrical productions during her academic years. [4]
Usgaonkar first shot to fame in 1984 as the lead heroine in the super-hit Marathi stage play Brahmachari. Subsequently, she quickly rose to become one of the top actresses in the Marathi film industry with super-hit productions such as Gammat Jammat , [5] Hamaal De Dhamaal , Saglikade Bombabomb , Savat Mazi Ladki , Shejari Shejari , Ek Hota Vidushak , Lapandav and Aflatoon. She starred as a lead actress in the Bollywood films, Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi and Pathreela Raasta . In 2005, she appeared in the Bollywood films Mangal Pandey: The Rising and Mr Ya Miss as a supporting actress.
In the Faisal Saif-directed controversial Hindi feature film, Jigyaasa , she played the role of a "mother" to Hrishitaa Bhatt. Usgaonkar started her television career in 1988 playing the role of Uttara, wife of Abhimanyu and mother of Parikshit, (the future of the Bharat Dynasty TV serial Mahabharata ). [6] The role led her to many Hindi movie offers and most of them failed to create box office success. She also played "Roopmati" (Snake Queen) in the 1994 TV serial Chandrakanta . She has appeared in the Marathi shows Aakash Zep and Eka Mekansathi and has acted in the Hindi television serials Alvida Darling, [7] Tanha and Anhonee.
One of her most prominent performances was on the TV serial Jhansi Ki Rani in the 1990s on Doordarshan, where she played the lead character of Rani Lakshmibai. Usgaonkar is also a singer and has sung in a Konkani music album Roop Tujem Laita Pixem, with Ulhas Buyao. [8] She is currently playing the supporting role of Nandini Yashwant Shirke-Patil in Star Pravah's popular serial Sukh Mhanje Nakki Kay Asta .
Usgaonkar is a Konkani speaker born and raised in Goa. [9] [10] She is the daughter of Goa's former deputy speaker, A. K. S. Usgaonkar. She has two sisters, Tosha Kurade and Manisha Tarcar. [11]
Usgaonkar was dating Nitish Bharadwaj in late 80s soon they broke up in 1991. [12] She married Ajay Sharma, son of Indian film music director, Ravi Shankar Sharma in March 2000. [13]
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Tuzya Wachun Karamena | Dolly | Marathi |
| 1987 | Gammat Jammat | Kalpana Korde | |
| Kathyal Sasu Nathal Soon | Maya Jagde | ||
| 1988 | Majjach Majja | Kamini Pratap Singh | |
| Reshimgathi | Shimpli | ||
| 1989 | Saglikade Bombabomb | Rajni Bala | |
| Hamaal De Dhamaal | Nandini Patwardhan | ||
| Atmavishwas | Nisha | ||
| Bhutacha Bhau | Anjali | ||
| Pasant Aahe Mulgi | Madhumati Dhurandhar | ||
| Navra Baiko | Varsha | ||
| 1990 | Doodh Ka Karz | Kajri Lohar | Hindi |
| Shejari Shejari | Preeti | Marathi | |
| Aamchya Sarkhe Aamhich | Nandini Deshpande | ||
| Changu Mangu | Herself | ||
| Ghanchakkar | |||
| Patli Re Patli | Nanda | ||
| Kuthe Kuthe Shodhu Me Tila | Sujata | ||
| Baap Re Baap | Naina | ||
| Dokyala Taap Nahin | Vandana | ||
| 1991 | Shikari: The Hunter | Chanchal | Hindi Russian |
| Saathi | Nisha | Hindi | |
| Hafta Bandh | Maria | ||
| Aflatoon | Bitti | Marathi | |
| Mumbai Te Mauritius | Aarti/Bharti | ||
| Yeda Ki Khula | Aarti Divekar | ||
| 1992 | Sone Ki Zanjeer | Sonali | Hindi |
| Honeymoon | Asha S. Verma | ||
| Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare | Shabnam | ||
| Ghar Jamai | Mona | ||
| Maal Masala | Varsha Deshmukh | Marathi | |
| Shubh Mangal Savdhan | Jaya | ||
| Jeeva Sakha | Paru | ||
| Sone Ki Lanka | Roma | Hindi | |
| 1993 | Savat Mazi Ladki | Dr. Beena Karnik | Marathi |
| Ek Hota Vidushak | Menaka | ||
| Tirangaa | Shanti | Hindi | |
| Parwane | Suzie | ||
| Insaniyat Ke Devta | Husna Bano | ||
| Lapandav | Rasika Samarth | Marathi | |
| Aikava Te Navalach | Dr. Vandana | ||
| Paisa Paisa Paisa | Tanuja (Tannu) Kelkar | ||
| Hasti | Anita | Hindi | |
| Pardesi | Shanker's love interest | ||
| Khal-Naaikaa | Varsha Sharma | ||
| Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi | Radha | ||
| 1994 | Pathreela Raasta | Mona | |
| Beta Ho To Aisa | Mini | ||
| Yadnya | Nisha | Marathi | |
| 1995 | Painjan | Jaswanti | |
| Jamla Ho Jamla | Radha | ||
| Dushmani: A Violent Love Story | Dancer | Hindi | |
| Aboli | Mona | Marathi | |
| Zakhmi Kunku | Inspector Rajlaxmi | ||
| 1996 | Shohrat | Nikhil's wife | Hindi |
| Muqadama | Seema | ||
| 1997 | Ghar Jamai | Miss Chamcham | |
| 1998 | Haste Hasate | Varsha | |
| Paij Lagnachi | Pooja | Marathi | |
| Bayko Chukli Standvar | Hausa/Sribaby | ||
| 1999 | Rang Premacha | Champa | |
| Navra Mumbaicha | Gauri | ||
| Dhangad Dhinga | Madhura Mone | ||
| Ladhaai | Sunita Nadkarni | ||
| Chehraa | Uncredited | Hindi | |
| Sei To Abar Kache Ele | Ishita | Bengali | |
| 2001 | Dhyaas Parva | Shakuntala Paranjpye | Marathi |
| Style | Police Inspector | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Baap Ka Baap | Uma Dixit | |
| 2004 | Hatya: The Murder | Kavita Jaiswal | |
| Sakshatkaar | Saudamini | Marathi | |
| 2005 | Sawal Majha Premacha | Jayshree Karadkar | |
| The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey | Rani Laxmibai | Hindi | |
| Mr Ya Miss | Devi Parvati | ||
| 2006 | Jigyaasa | Teacher Malini Mathur | |
| 2009 | Mare Paryant Phashi | Jailor's wife | Marathi |
| 2010 | Bayko Zali Gayab | Hausa | |
| Ladigodi | Rekha | ||
| 2011 | Arjun | Maya Thackeray | |
| 2013 | Thoda Tuza Thoda Maza | Malti | |
| Duniyadari | Rani Maa | ||
| Naam | Unreleased | Unreleased | |
| 2014 | Super Nani | Chandani | Hindi |
| Hututu | Madhu | Marathi | |
| Capuccino | Sunanda | ||
| 2016 | Kangana | Kangana | Rajasthani |
| Ardhangini Ek Ardhsatya | Noor's wife | Hindi | |
| 2017 | Bhavishyachi Aishi Taishi | Megha's mother | Marathi |
| Oli Ki Suki | Advocate | ||
| 2018 | Zanvoy No.1 | Diana's mother-in-law | Konkani |
| Madhav - Every Child Needs Mentor | Sharda Mehta | Marathi | |
| 2019 | Benddkar [14] | Jessy | Konkani |
| 2022 | Hawahawai | Varsha | Marathi |
| Sher Shivraj | Badi Begum |
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Mahabharat | Uttara | Hindi | [15] |
| 1994 | Rani Lakshmi Bai | Rani Laxmi Bai | Lead role | |
| Chandrakanta | Roopmati Nagrani | |||
| 1995 | Aahat 1 | Varsha | Episodic role | |
| 1998 | Ghar Jamai | Ms. Chamcham | ||
| 2001 | Vishnu Puran | Mohini | ||
| 2005 | Tuzyavina | Sai Deshmukh | Marathi | Parallel lead |
| 2009-2011 | Man Udhan Varyache | Anuradha Mohite | Parallel lead | |
| 2014 | Jamai Raja | Kritika Khurana | Hindi | [16] |
| 2020-2023 | Sukh Mhanje Nakki Kay Asta | Nandini Shirke-Patil (Maisaheb) | Marathi |
Prashant Damle is a Marathi actor, comedian who has acted in numerous Marathi drama, movie and Soap opera over 35 years. He has been associated with Marathi theatre since 1983 and till date has performed in 27 different plays and a variety of hundreds of roles. Damle is widely recognized as the biggest ultimate superstar of Marathi theatre.
Ashok Saraf is an Indian actor and comedian, known for his work in Marathi and Hindi films along with theatre in both languages. Saraf has received several awards including four Filmfare Marathi Awards. He is referred to as the Mahanayak, Ashok Samrat or Mama of the Marathi film industry. In 2023, he received the Maharashtra Bhushan, the highest civilian honour in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Sudhir Joshi was an Indian Marathi actor and comedian.
Reema Lagoo was an Indian theatre and screen actress known for her work in Hindi and Marathi cinema. She began her acting career in the Marathi theatre, after which she became a household name for playing motherly roles in the 1990s and early 2000s. She became a household name after her roles in the 90s classic TV sitcoms Shriman Shrimati and as Devaki Verma starring opposite Supriya Pilgaonkar in Tu Tu Main Main.
Ashwini Bhave is an Indian model and actress known for her work in both Hindi and Marathi-language films and television serials. Born and raised in India, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Ashalata Wabgaonkar commonly known as Ashalata, was an Indian actress. Originally tracing her roots to Goa's Palolem village in Canacona taluka, she was associated with the Mumbai-based Goa Hindu Association. She acted in over a hundred Hindi and Marathi movies. She also sang some Konkani songs broadcast over the Mumbai station of the All India Radio.
Gammat Jammat is a 1987 Indian Marathi-language comedy film written by Shantaram Nandgaonkar, directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and produced by Satish Kulkarni under the production banner of Shree Tulsi Productions. The film stars an ensemble cast of Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Varsha Usgaonkar, Charusheela Sable, Shrikant Moghe, Ashalata Wabgaonkar, Viju Khote, Satish Shah and Sudhir Joshi. The music was composed by Arun Paudwal.
Ramesh Bhatkar was a Marathi film, stage and TV actor. Of the various roles that Bhatkar portrayed, he was best known for his roles in the TV series Commander and Hello Inspector. He worked for more than 30 years as an actor in the mainstream commercial movie industries of the Marathi and Hindi languages. He died on 4 February 2019 at the age of 69 in Mumbai due to cancer.
Ek Hota Vidushak is a 1992 Marathi film directed by Jabbar Patel and produced by National Film Development Corporation of India. The film stars Laxmikant Berde, Madhu Kambikar, Nilu Phule, Varsha Usgaonkar in lead roles and Mohan Agashe and Dilip Prabhavalkar in supporting roles.
Shubha Balsavar is an Indian film and television actress who has worked in several Hindi-language and a few Marathi-language films. She is also a former women's national champion in swimming and cycling.
Brahmachari (transl. Celibate) is a 1938 black and white Marathi film. The film was directed by Master Vinayak and written by Pralhad Keshav Atre and starred Master Vinayak himself along with Meenakshi Shirodkar in lead roles.The film was also made in Hindi language.
Mohan Joshi is an Indian film, television and theater actor. He has worked in Hindi, Marathi and Bhojpuri films.
Savat Mazi Ladki is a 1993 Indian Marathi-language comedy film directed and produced by Smita Talwalkar and distributed by Everest Entertainment. The film was released in Maharashtra on 30 August 1993 and stars Mohan Joshi, Neena Kulkarni, Varsha Usgaonkar and Prashant Damle in lead roles.
Rupali Bhosale is an Indian television actress known for playing Sanjana in Star Pravah's show Aai Kuthe Kay Karte and Varsha Ghotala in Sony SAB's Badi Doooor Se Aaye Hai. She was a contestant in the reality show Bigg Boss Marathi 2 in 2019.
Achyut Kashinath Sinai Usgaonkar also known as A. K. S. Usgaonkar, was an Indian politiican who served as the leader of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. He served as cabinet rank minister in the Shashikala Kakodkar ministry of Goa, Daman and Diu from 13 August 1977 to 27 April 1979. Prior to that, Usgaonkar was deputy minister in the Dayanand Bandodkar ministry and was also deputy speaker of the Goa, Daman and Diu Legislative Assembly.
Shrikant Moghe was an Indian film and theatre actor who has worked in several Hindi and Marathi films. He is better known as Bhaurao Deshmukh in Navri Mile Navryala (1984) and Dadasaheb Korde in Gammat Jammat (1987).
Aamchyasarkhe Aamhich is a 1990 Indian Marathi-language comedy drama film written and directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and produced by Prakash Patil. The film was released in Maharashtra on 1 November 1990 and stars an ensemble cast of Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Nivedita Joshi Saraf, Varsha Usgaonkar, Rekha Rao, Sudhir Joshi, Jairam Kulkarni, Viju Khote and Mangala Sanzgiri.
Shejari Shejari is a 1990 Indian Marathi-language comedy film directed by Dilip Kolhatkar and produced by Sachin Parekar and Sanjay Parekar under the production banner of Amol Production with the story and screenplay provided by Ashok Patole. The film was released in Maharashtra on 31 December 1990 and stars Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Nishigandha Wad, Varsha Usgaonkar in lead roles and Ravindra Berde, Nayana Apte Joshi and Shrikant Moghe in supporting roles. The film was loosely based on the 1964 American film Good Neighbor Sam, and was remade in Hindi in 2005 as Ssukh. The film was also loosely inspired by the Marathi play Pati Sagle Uchapati which was based on the English play Right Bed Wrong Husband. The Marathi play was later adapted into the 2009 Hindi film All The Best: Fun Begins.
Suryakant Lavande was an Indian cinematographer who worked primarily in Marathi cinema, occasionally in Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He received the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award from Government of Maharashtra for his work in cinematography.
Pooja Pawar is an Indian actress in Marathi cinema and television. She appeared in Marathi cinema during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
