Nalini Chonkar
- Born: 12 /06/1938 (Bombay)
- Died: 26/06/2005 (Mumbai)
- Primary Cinema: Marathi
- Parents: Krishnarao Chonkar
Nalini Chonkar was born in Bombay on June 12, 1940 in a respectable Maharashtrian Family. A skilled actress and singer, Nalini inherited her talent from her father, Krishnarao Chonkar, who was a radio, stage and screen artist in Bombay. She was trained in Bharatnatyam for six years and became proficient in it. While singing was her forte, her dancing skills aided in her future acting endeavours.
She started her career as a playback singer for a Marathi film called Kalagi Tura(1955) under the direction of music composer K Dutta. Thereafter, she sang for Bhau Beej (1955) and Jeevan Sathi (1959), both Marathi films. Impressed with Nalini, Lalita Pawar got her a small role in a Marathi film Sant Bhanudas (1953). Impressing people with her small role, she promptly got the leading role in another Marathi film, Gharche Jhale Thode with the screen name Neelambari. She got her big break in A.V.M.’s Bhabhi (1957) where she played the role of an unsatisfied and angry sister-in-law, Mangala, to Shyama and Pandharibai. The success of Bhabhi established her as a potential actress of the Indian screen.
In an interview, Nalini expressed her gratitude to directors Krishnan-Panju and producer A V Meiyappa Chettiyar for giving her the role of her lifetime in the film Bhabhi that made her a star in Hindi film industry. She said, “When producers in Bombay refrained from signing me up in Hindi films, the south Indian movie magnate showed courage and a spirit of large-heartedness by picking me up from the regional Marathi films and giving me an opportunity to win all India fame. While many veterans and old-timers made in direct attempts to secure contracts from the south, the offer came to me of its own accord.”
After Bhabhi, Nalini appeared in films like Lalkar (1956), Do Roti (1957) opposite Nazir Hussain, Rani Rupmati (1959) with Bharat Bhooshan and Nirupa Roy, Saazish (1959), Chand Ki Duniya (1959), and Madame XYZ (1959) with Shakila and Shammi. With every film, she consolidated her position in the film industry. She also acted in films like Chand Mere Aaja (1960), Modern Girl (1961), Baaje Ghungroo (1962), Parasmani (1963), Sinhal Dweep Ki Sundari (1960), Shravan Kumar (1960), Piya Milan Ki Aas (1961), Tatar Ki Hasina (1968).In some of these films she also played the lead role.
She ceased working in Hindi films in the 70s and continued her career in Gujarati films like Jigar Ane Ami (1970), Lakheni Laj (1977), Rupli Datanwali (1979), Sukhma Sau Dukhma Vahu (1980), Albeli Naar (1981), Vachhda Dada Ni Dikri (1983), Dhola Maru (1983) and Hiran Ne Kanthe (1984). She also acted in the 1985 Hindi film Patthar Dil starring Padmini Kolhapure, Danny Denzongpa and Amrish Puri.
She passed away on 26 June 2005.
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Filmography (23)
SortRole
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Patthar Dil 1985
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Parion Ki Shahzadi 1969
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Tatar Ki Hasina 1968
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Mata Mahakali 1968
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Namaste Ji 1965
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Parasmani 1963
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Baaje Ghungroo 1962
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Madan Manjari 1961
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Modern Girl 1961
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Piya Milan Ki Aas 1961
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Jo Huwa So Bhool Jaa 1960
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