Usha Nadkarni

A veteran and popular character actress of Marathi and Hindi cinema, Usha Nadkarni is known for films such as Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Sanam (1997), Rustom (2016), as well the popular TV serial Pavitra Rishta (2009). With more than 90 films and serials to her credit, she has played the mother of many popular artistes and once admitted that she would like to play the mother of Amitabh Bachchan onscreen. She was a contestant on the Marathi version of Bigg Boss in 2018, becoming one of the oldest contestants to participate in the reality show. Awards she has won over the course of her career include Zee Gold awards - best actor in a negative role (female)- for the serial Pavitra Rishta, BIG Television awards - favourite teekha character - for the serial Pavitra Rishta, and Zee Gold awards - best actress in a negative role (critics) - for the serial Pavitra Rishta.

Born on 13 September 1946, she was interested in acting and dancing from childhood. Participating in various plays and acts from her school days, her shyness saw her stay away from performing while in college. 

She made her film debut with the Marathi film Simhasan in 1979. A crime drama directed by Jabbar Patel and written by Vijay Tendulkar, the film draws a parallel with the political turmoil of India. She played the character Shanti in the film in a cast that included Nilu Phule, Arun Sarnaik, Shriram Lagoo, Mohan Agashe, Reema Lagoo, and Nana Patekar. It revolved around the chief minister of Maharashtra who gets an anonymous call to warn him against possible rebellion in his party. While the current government is being questioned by the opposition on several issues such as health, education and the situation of drought, there are other contenders to his crown. What ensues is an intriguing tale of Machiavellian politics devoid of any values.

She went on to feature in Hech Mazha Maher (1984) directed by Rajdutt followed by the Jabbar Patel-directed Musafir (1986) featuring Rekha, Naseeruddin Shah and Moon Moon Sen. Musafir, based on Vijay Tendulkar's Marathi play Ashi Pakhare Yeti, was part of India's neorealist art films, known in India as parallel cinema. She next appeared in Pratighaat (1987), an action-crime drama directed by N Chandra and starring Sujata Mehta. Made on a low budget, the film was a hit, revolving around the politics-criminal nexus and a college lecturer who takes them on. Nadkarni played the mother-in-law of Mehta’s character Laxmi S Joshi, in the film. It was followed by the crime drama Sadak Chhap (1987), directed by Anil Ganguly and starring Jackie Shroff, Padmini Kolhapure and Richa Sharma. 

Purnasatya (1987) saw her play Dr Ashmita in the crime drama directed by Bhaskar Jadhav. She played Bairubai, a maidservant who is the actual winner of a lottery prize, in Nashibwan (1988); and the aunt – maushi in Ghanchakkar (1990), comedy directed by Avinash Thakur. 

Among the many films she acted in thereafter are Lakshmanrekha (1991), Jasa Baap Tashi Poore (1991), Bandal Baaz (1991), Nishpaap (1992), Shatranj (1993), Gundaraj (1995), Tu Chor Main Sipahi (1996), Gang (2000), Hathyar: Face to Face with Reality (2002), Patth (2003), Krishna Cottage (2004), Pak Pak Pakaak (2005), Aai Mala Maaf Kar (2006), Sakhi (2007), One Two Three (2008), Sanam Hum Aapke Hai (2009), Deool (2001), Matter (2012), Mhais (2013), R…Rajkumar (2013), Bhootnath Returns (2014), Slambook (2015), Great Grand Masti (2016), Ventilator (2016), Jaane Kyun De Yaaron (2018), Yeh Kaisa Tigdam (2018), Adrushya (2022), and Love Jaisa Pyaar (2022), among others. 

Maherchi Sadi (1991), the highest-grossing Marathi film of that time, saw her play the mother-in-law of Laxmi, in the Vijay Kondke-directed drama film revolving around a father who rejects his daughter as his wife had died after giving birth to her. 

Pak Pak Pakaak saw her play Gaurakka in the adventure comedy drama about a mischievous boy, living with his grandmother in a village that people believe is haunted. He meets the ghost Bhutya, and the film follows how Bhutya transforms the boy's character and the whole village in the process. 

She was part of Vaastav: The Reality (1999), directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, which revolved around an innocent man getting involved in crime after making an error; as well as the action drama Sanam (1997) directed by Aziz Sejawal.

She played Jamnabai in the crime drama thriller Rustom (2016) which told the tale of a naval officer who returns home to find out about his wife's affair. Soon, he surrenders after murdering the lover but as the case unfolds, it starts to reveal his hidden intention. 

Nadkarni has also acted in several TV serials such as 405 Anandvan (2002), Vadalvaat (2003), Kumkum: Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan (2004), Kucch Is Tara (2007), Thodi Si Zameen Thoda Sa Aasmaan (2007), Mrs Pammi Pyarelal (2013), Rishton Ka Mela (2015), Khulata Kali Khulena (2016), Laal Ishq (2018), and Shankaracharya (2022).  Perhaps her best-known work on the small screen is Pavitra Rishta (2009). Created by Ekta Kapoor and featuring Ankita Lokhande, Sushant Singh Rajput and Amit Sarin, the serial revolved around Archana, whose sole objective is to fulfill the needs of her family and keep everyone happy. It depicted how she meets her soul mate Manav, gets married to him and how they deal with twists and turns of life. Nadkarni won multiple awards for her portrayal of Savita Deshmukh, the devious mother-in-law. 

In 2015, she starred in a stage show, Londoncharya Aajibai by Rajiv Joshi, playing the community leader Aajibai Banarase.

Having been active in films as well as in web series and advertisements, she has never limited herself in terms of medium. “I have seen some actors who say that they will not work on TV anymore because they are working in films. I think they are over-smart and they think they have some superpower. I have seen in my career that some actors bash about TV, always opt for films and when they don't get one or their films don't run, they switch themselves to television. But this is not the case with me. Acting is acting I don't care about the medium. No matter it is a web series, TV serial, or film if there is good work I will do it,” she said in an interview.

She also believes that newcomers should focus more on work than glamour. “I have started working at an early age in my life. I am 75 now and still working and that is why I know people like my work. I focus more on work but I see the newcomers who are coming to the industry now are more focused on glamour than their acting skills. Sadly, today's actresses are focusing more on eyeliner than eye expressions. They come into Bollywood or any other regional industry just to get fame and not to entertain people with good work,” she opined.

Married to Anand Nadkarni, she has a son, Ayush Nadkarni.