Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar passes away at 59

Veteran stage and screen actress Smita Talwalkar, who won acclaim in theater, film and television and became a notable figure in the Marathi film industry, passed away on Wednesday. She was 59.

Talwalkar breathed her last at Mumbai's Jaslok hospital, where she was being treated for cancer. She will be cremated at Dadar crematorium on Wednesday at noon. Before that, her body will be kept at Matunga's Yashwant Natya Mandir for the last rites.

Talwalkar was well acclaimed for the roles she played in films such as 'Chavkat Raja', 'Tu Tithe Me', and 'Saat Chya Aat Gharat'. Her performance in 'Avantika' and 'Un-Paaus' serials were well applauded by viewers. 

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Talwalkar, who spent 40 years in the field of cinema, serials and theatre, started her career as a news presenter on Doordarshan. In 1986, with her performances in 'Sawbhagyavati' and 'Gadbad Ghotala', she made a place for herself in the hearts of the people.

Under the banner of 'Asmita Chitra', Talwalkar had produced many films and television soap operas, and also won the national award for her her movie 'Kalat Nakalat' in 1998. She was also the chairperson of the Marathi Natya Parishad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief at her death saying,"the passing away of veteran film personality Smita Talwalkar is a major loss to Marathi film industry."

Condoling the passing away of veteran film personality Smita Talwalkar, PM said that her demise is a major loss to Marathi film industry.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 6, 2014

PM recalled Smita Talwalkar's contribution to the Marathi film industry & prayed that her soul rests in peace.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 6, 2014

Her notable films:
Tu Savbhagyavati (1986), Gadbad Ghotala (1986), Kalat Nakalat (1989), Chavkat Raja (1991), Shivrayachi Sun Tararani (1993), Tu Tithe Me (1998), Saat Chya aat Gharat (2004), and Checkmate (2008).

TV Serials:
Gharkul, Peshvai, Avantika, Un-Paaus, Ardhanghini, Uncha Maaza Zhoka

Many politicians and the Marathi film fraternity expressed their condolences on her death on the micro-blogging site Twitter:

Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar passed away.She was suffering frm cancer.May her soul rest in peace http://t.co/nrI1Vqvxad via @LoksattaLive

— Anjali Damania (@anjali_damania) August 6, 2014

Legendary actress, director, producer Smita Talwalkar no more, extremely disheartening end of an era. May God rest her soul in peace.

— Sonalee (@meSonalee) August 6, 2014

Sad to know Abt the demise of Smita Talwalkar a Grt actress & a Grt human being.Theatre & TV industry will miss u. RIP.@AUThackeray

— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) August 6, 2014

RIP Smitatai Talwalkar. Excellent actress,producer...human being.You, your serials & your films will be terribly missed Tai.

— Shreyas Talpade (@shreyastalpade1) August 6, 2014

Legendary actress, director, producer Smita Talwalkar ll remain in hearts of people. May her soul #RIP. My condolences to the bereaved.

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) August 6, 2014

Sad to hear about Smita Talwalkar. We lost a versatile actor n director. My tributes to her.

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 6, 2014

We at #NCP are highly saddened with the demise of veteran actress, producer, director Smita Talwalkar. May her soul rest in peace.

— Sunil Tatkare (@SunilTatkare) August 6, 2014