Today is the birth anniversary of Lalita Pawar, the most prolific actress of Indian Cinema . In a career spanning over six decades she acted in about 700 films in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati. Born Amba Laxman Rao Shagun in 1916 to a rich, wealthy family , she started acting at a very young age and is said to have co produced and acted in a silent movie . She also produced a talkie as early as in 1938. In the beginning, with her good looks and acting talent, she was a fit star material of the class of Noor Jahan , Khursheed and other contemporary heroines.
In 1942 while shooting for a slapping scene in the movie Jung-e-Azadi, the new comer actor , slapped her so hard that the optic nerve of her felt eye was badly damaged and even three years of hospitalization and treatment left a permanent defect in her left eye besides affecting her facial looks. Thereafter unfortunately she was fated to play character roles only. She mostly played the vamp mostly as a wicked mother- in- law , a scheming aunt or a strict matron. She also played roles of a kind hearted and emotional woman with élan . She is remembered for her role in 1959 film ‘Anari’ as Mrs. D’ Sa , a kind hearted woman showering her care and affection on Raj Kapoor, who played the ‘Anari’ protagonist. In an equally impressive and appealing role in the film 'Professor' , she appeared as the strict guardian of two young women and two kids, herself succumbing to feelings and emotions in the end. Likewise her roles in Mr. & Mrs. 55, Shree 420 and Daag are unforgettable.
In 1942 while shooting for a slapping scene in the movie Jung-e-Azadi, the new comer actor , slapped her so hard that the optic nerve of her felt eye was badly damaged and even three years of hospitalization and treatment left a permanent defect in her left eye besides affecting her facial looks. Thereafter unfortunately she was fated to play character roles only. She mostly played the vamp mostly as a wicked mother- in- law , a scheming aunt or a strict matron. She also played roles of a kind hearted and emotional woman with élan . She is remembered for her role in 1959 film ‘Anari’ as Mrs. D’ Sa , a kind hearted woman showering her care and affection on Raj Kapoor, who played the ‘Anari’ protagonist. In an equally impressive and appealing role in the film 'Professor' , she appeared as the strict guardian of two young women and two kids, herself succumbing to feelings and emotions in the end. Likewise her roles in Mr. & Mrs. 55, Shree 420 and Daag are unforgettable.
She also acted in noteworthy films like Dahej, Parchhain, Nau Do Gyarah ,Sujata, HumDono, Sampoorna Ramayan , Sehra, Gharana, Khandaan, Mela, Aabroo, Anand, Gopi, Tapasya, Kali Ghata, Phir Wohi Raat, Naseeb , sau Din Saas Ke, Bahurani and many many others .
Who can forget ‘Manthra’ of Ramanand Sagar’s TV serial ‘Ramayan’ played so beautifully by her.
Not for nothing, is she called the mother of all vamps.
It is to her credit that due to her extraordinary acting abilities, she held her own despite the presence and appearance of other notable vamps on the scene like Nadira, Manorama, Shashikala, Bindu, etc. etc. and remained a sought after actress.
She was awarded the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Anari .
She also won the Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1961. The same year she was honoured as the First lady of Indian Cinema by the Government of India.
Our humble tributes to the great actress !
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