Friday 8 March 2013

Durga Khote

http://memsaabstory.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/aj_saudamini.jpg 
Durga Khote is a prominent face pf bollywood's golden era. She was the first 'freelance' artists of her time who played some legendary roles in popular movies like Mughal-E-Azam.
Personal Profile (Personal Biography)
Date of Birth (Birthday):  January 14, 1905
Zodiac Sign:  Capricorn
Hair Color:  Black
Birth Place:  Mumbai, British India
Marital Status:  Married

Family Background
Brother's Name:  Nandu Khote
Husband:  Vijay Mehta (Died), Mohammed Rashid
Sons:  Bakul and Harin
Daughter:  Bhavna Balsaver

Film Background (Filmography)
Debut Film:  Farebi Jaal (1931)
Famous Movies:  Ayodhyecha Raja, Charnon Ki Dasi, Bharat Milap, Mirza Ghalib , Bobby, Bidaai.
Directed Films:  Saathi (1937),
Famous Plays:  Rajmukut-'The Royal Crown' 

http://www.filmkailm.com/wp-content/gallery/classical-heroines/durga-khote-as-soudamini-in-amar-jyoti-1936.jpgEarly career

Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in an obscure 1931 silent film, Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machhindra (1932). She was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version (Hindi and Marathi) Ayodhyecha Raja, another Prabhat film, which was the first-ever Marathi talkie and proved to be a runaway hit, where she essayed the role of Rani Taramati.[4] There was no looking back for the diffident widow from Kolhapur after that. Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: Despite working closely with Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" (exclusive contract with a studio to work in its films on a monthly salary) then in vogue and became one of the first "freelance" artistes of that era by working occasionally with the New Theatres, East India Film Co. (both at Calcutta), and Prakash Pictures.
In 1937, she produced and directed a film titled Saathi, making her one of the first women to step into this role in Indian cinema.[5] The 40s opened for her in a big way, with award-winning performances in Aachary Atre's Payachi dasi(Marathi) and Charnon Ki Dasi (Hindi) (1941) and Vijay Bhatt's classic, Bharat Milap (1942), both of which got her the BFJA Best Actress Award for two consecutive years.
Durga Khote remained active in theatre circuit for many years, especially the Marathi theatre in Bombay. She was actively associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and worked in several plays for the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. In 1954, she famously performed the role of Lady Macbeth, in V.V. Shirwadkar's Marathi adaptations of Macbeth, as Rajmukut, The Royal Crown, along with Nanasaheb Phatak.[6]

Later career

Durga Khote essayed a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long but also untouched by scandal. She was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans like the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Khote's example.
During later years, she played several important character roles, such as the mother of the protagonist. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Akbar torn between duty towards her husband and love towards her son in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was well received. She went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby (1973), the hero's aunt in Abhimaan (1973), and thee really memorableBidaai (1974), where she played a mother, a very sensitive role that can make one cry and received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.
In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film, The Householder (1963),[7][8] and her final memorable role was in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bawarchi (1972).
She acted in over 200 films in her career. By the 1980s she successfully diversified into production of short films, ad films and documentaries by setting up Fact Films and, later, Durga Khote Productions, which produced the Doordarshan TV series Wagle Ki Duniya.

Personal life

Her two sons Bakul and Harin were born during her first marriage with Vishwanath Khote. It was a traditional marriage into an orthodox family. Vishwanath Khote was a son of the millionaire family who were that time largest share brokers and road contractore he was mechanical engineer from Banaras Hindu University who died young. After she was widowed, Khote had an unsuccessful second marriage to Mohammed Rashid.[9][not in citation given] Her son, Harin Khote died at the early age, and was a survived by his wife, Vijaya Mehta and two sons. [10]
Her grandchildren include Ravi, a filmmaker; granddaughter Anjali Khote; grandson Deven Khote a television producer,[11] and a noted film producer, making films like Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.[12]
Her brother-in-law, Nandu Khote, was a noted stage and silent movie actor. His daughter Shobha Khote acted in Hindi films; debuting in Seema (1955), she later directed and produced Marathi films and entered television in the 90s. Viju Khote, most known for his role of Kalia in Sholay (1975) is a noted character actor. Shobha Khote's daughter, Bhavna Balsaver, is an award-winning TV actress. They appeared together in 1993's sitcom Zabaan Sambhalke on DD Metro.[13][14]
Later in life she wrote her acclaimed autobiography in Marathi which was later translated into English as I, Durga Khote,[15] and moved to Alibaug, beachfront near Mumbai. She died on September 22, 1991.

Filmography

Year Film Character/Role Notes
1983 Daulat Ke Dushman Sunil's mother
1980 Karz Mrs. Shanta Prasad Verma
1979 Chor Sipahee Mrs. Khanna, Raja's mother
1977 Chacha Bhatija Mrs. D'Silva
1977 Darling Darling

1977 Do Chehere Daadima
1977 Naami Chor

1977 Paapi Ashok's mother
1977 Paheli Brij Mohan's mother
1977 Saheb Bahadur Meena's grandmother
1976 Jaaneman Ronnie's mother
1976 Jai Bajrang Bali Devi Maa Anjani
1976 Rangila Ratan

1976 Shaque Mrs. Bannerjee
1975 Chaitali Manish's Mother
1975 Kala Sona Mrs. Ranjeet Singh
1975 Khushboo Brindaban's mother
1974 Bidaai Parvati Won 1975 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
1974 Dil Diwana Vijay's Dadimaa
1974 Insaaniyat Ram's mother
1973 Bobby Mrs. Braganza
1973 Namak Haraam Somu's Mother
1973 Abhimaan Durga Mausi
1973 Gopi Kunwar's Mother
1973 Agni Rekha

1972 Bawarchi Seeta Sharma
1972 Mere Bhaiya Avinash's Mother
1972 Raja Jani Rajmata
1972 Shararat Harry's mother
1971 Anand Renu's Mother Guest Appearance
1971 Banphool Haria's maternal grandma
1971 Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari Rajlaxmi S. Chaudhary
1970 Khilona Thakurain Singh
1969 Dharti Kahe Pukarke

1969 Ek Phool Do Mali Leela
1969 Jeene Ki Raah Janki
1969 Pyar Ka Sapna Sudha's mother
1968 Jhuk Gaya Aasman Mrs. Saxena
1968 Sapno Ka Saudagar Peter's mother
1968 Sunghursh Mrs. Bhawani Prasad
1967 Chandan Ka Palna Mrs. Radha Laxmidas
1966 Anupama Ashok's Mother
1966 Daadi Maa Daadi Maa/Maharani
1966 Devar

1966 Pyar Mohabbat Rajmata Rajeshwari
1966 Sagaai Sheel's mother
1965 Do Dil Ranimaa
1965 Kaajal Rani Sahiba
1965 Purnima Sharda R. Lal
1964 Benazir

1964 Door Ki Awaaz Prakash's mother
1964 Kaise Kahoon

1964 Main Suhagan Hoon

1964 Shagoon

1963 The Householder Prem's Mother
1963 Mujhe Jeene Do

1962 Main Shadi Karne Chala

1962 Man-Mauji Dr. Mohan's mother
1962 Rungoli Subhagi
1962 Son of India Head Nun
1961 Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan Prabha's mother
1961 Kismet Palat Ke Dekh

1961 Senapati

1960 Mughal-E-Azam Maharani Jodha Bai
1960 Parakh Rani Ma, J.C. Roy's mother
1960 Love in Simla Sonia's grandmother
1960 Usne Kaha Tha

1959 Ardhangini Prakash's mother
1959 Ghar Ghar Ki Baat

1959 Maine Jeena Seekh Liya

1958 Raj Tilak

1957 Bade Sarkar

1957 Bhabhi Ratan's aunt
1957 Mera Salaam

1957 Musafir Mrs. Nilambar Sharma
1956 Justice

1956 Parivar

1956 Patrani Raj Mata
1956 Rajdhani

1955 Adil-E-Jahangir

1954 Lakeeren

1954 Mirza Ghalib Amma,
Chaudvin's mother

1953 Chacha Chowdhury

1953 Mashooka

1953 Naag Panchami

1953 Naulakha Haar Devla
1953 Shikast

1952 Aandhiyan

1952 Lal Kunwar

1952 Mordhwaj

1952 Narveer Tanaji

1952 Sandesh

1951 Aaram Sita
1951 Hamari Shaan

1951 Humlog Mother
1951 Nai Zindagi

1951 Sazaa

1950 Alakh Niranjan

1950 Beqasoor

1950 Har Har Mahadev

1950 Magroor

1950 Nishana

1949 Singaar

1949 Jeet Ratan's Mother
1949 Maya Bazaar

1948 Anjuman

1948 Seeta Sawayamwar

1946 Maharani Minaldevi

1946 Rukmini Swayamvar

1945 Lakharani Bichwa
1945 Pannadai

1945 Phool

1945 Veer Kunal

1944 Maharathi Karna Kunti
1943 Kurbani

1943 Mahasati Ansuya

1943 Mahatma Vidur

1943 Prithvi Vallabh Mrinalvati
1943 Tasveer Vidya Devi
1943 Zameen

1942 Bharat Milap Maharani Kekaiyi Hindi/Marathi film
1942 Vijay

1941 Payachi Dasi Vidya's Mother-in-law Marathi film
1941 Charnon ki Dasi Vidya's Mother-in-law
1940 Yamla Jat

1940 Geeta Durga
1940 Geeta Durga Marathi film
1940 Narsi Bhagat Manekbai Gujarati/Hindi film
1939 Adhuri Kahani Harbala
1938 Nandakumar

1938 Saathi

1937 Pratibha Pratibha
1936 Amar Jyoti Queen Saudamini
1935 Inquilab Miss Renee
1935 Jeevan Natak Miss Queen
1934 Seeta Seeta
1933 Patit Pawan

1933 Rajrani Meera Meera
1932 Ayodhyecha Raja Taramati Hindi/Marathi film
1932 Maya Machhindra Queen Hindi/Marathi film
1931 Farebi Jaal

Awards

  • 1942: BFJA Awards: Best Actress: Charnon Ki Dasi (1941)[16]
  • 1943: BFJA Awards: Best Actress: Bharat Milap(1942)[17]
  • 1958: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
  • 1968: Padma Shri
  • 1970: Maharashtra State Award: Dhartichi Lekre
  • 1974: Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award: Bidaai
  • 1983: Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the lifetime recognition award for films from Government of India[5]