Durga Khote (1905-91)
The first Marathi star to catapult to All-India film popularity. Born into an élite Maharashtra family in Bombay; educated in Cathedral School and influenced by Avantikabai Gokhale who helped put feminist issues on to the nationalist agenda. Her class background, unusual for an actress, allowed her to assume different images from the conventional Sangeet Natak stereotypes. Acted in Bhavnani’s Farebi Jaal but effectively introduced in Prabhat’s first sound film, Ayodhyecha Raja/Ayodhya? Ka Raja. She then shifted to New Theatres to work with Debaki Bose, being the only actress featuring simultaneously in the two leading studios. As the queen in Shantaram’s Maya Machindra, with the Cheetah at her feet or in her most famous early role as the pirate in Amar Jyoti, she recalled the Talmadge sisters or Mary Pickford. Following her role in Atre’s Payachi Dasi, she settled down to a long career as character actress (e.g. as queen mother in Mughal-e-Azam) and did some theatre, being associated for a while with the IPTA (she acted in their production of Andolan to replenish the Gandhi Fund). Also acted in and directed some Marathi plays, starting with Bhaubandhaki. Started Durga Khote Prod. for advertising and short films, run by her daughter-in-law, Tina Khote. Wrote an autobiography, Mee Durga Khote (1982).
FILMOGRAPHY: 1931: Farebi Jaal; 1932: Ayodhyecha Raja/Ayodhya? Ka Raja; Maya Machhindra; 1933: Patit Pawan; Rajrani Meera; 1934: Seeta; 1935: Jeevan Natak; Inquilab; 1936: Amar Jyoti; 1937: Pratibha; Kal Ki Baat; 1938: Nandakumar (Mar); Savangadi/Saathi?; 1939: Adhuri Kahani; 1940: Narsi Bhagat; Geeta; Raigad; 1941: Payachi Dasi/Charnon? Ki Dasi; 1942: Bharat Milap/Bharat? Bhet; Vijay; 1943: Qurbani; Mahasati Ansuya; Prithvi Vallabh; Tasveer; Zameen; Mahatma Vidur; 1944: Dil Ki Baat; Maharathi Karna; Phool; 1945: Lakhrani; Pannadai; Veer Kunal; Village Girl; 1946: Rukmini Swayamvar; Daasi Ya Maa; Hum Ek Hain; Maharani Meenal Devi; 1948: Anjuman; Moruchi Mavshi; Seeta Swayamvar; 1949: Maya Bazaar; Jeet; Singaar; 1950: Alakh Niranjan; Hamara Ghar; Magroor; Mi Daru Sodli; Shri Krishna Darshan; Surajmukhi; Har Har Mahadev; Hindustan Hamara; Nishana; Veer Bhimsen; Beqasoor; Kalyan Khajina; 1951: Jashaas Tase; Aaram; Hamari Shaan; Humlog; Malati Madhav; Muraliwala; Nai Zindagi; Nand Kishore; Sagar; Sazaa; 1952: Aandhiyan; Hyderabad Ki Nazneen; Lal Kunwar; Indrasan; Mordhwaj; Sandesh; Narveer Tanaji; 1953: Anand Bhavan; Chacha Choudhury; Dharmapatni; Mashuqa; Naulakha Haar; Shikast; Naag Panchami; Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu; Malkin; 1954: Laila; Ramayan; Lakeeren; Mirza Ghalib; Khel Chalala Nashibacha; Jhanjavaat; 1955: Hasina; Adl-e- Jehangir; Madh Bhare Nain; Shri Ganesh Vivah; Jagadguru Shankaracharya; 1956: Dwarkadheesh; Insaaf; Parivar; Patrani; Harihar Bhakti; Rajdhani; 1957: Bade Sarkar; Bhabhi; Mera Salaam; Musafir; Ram Hanuman Yuddha; Talash; 1958: Gopichand; Raj Tilak; 1959: Ardhangini; Maine Jeena Seekh Liya; Ghar Ghar Ki Baat; 1960: Love in Simla; Mughal-e-Azam; Parakh; Usne Kaha Tha; Umaj Padel Tar; 1961: Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan; Do Bhai; Ek Ladki Saat Ladke; Senapati; Kismat Palat Ke Dekh; 1962: Main Shaadi Karne Chala; Manmauji; Rangoli; 1963: Mujhe Jeene Do; The Householder; 1964: Benazir; Door Ki Awaz; Kaise Kahun; Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan; Masterji (also d); 1965: Do Dil; Raigadacha Rajbandi; Kajal; Purnima; Janam Janam Ke Saathi; 1966: Anupama; Dadi Maa; Devar; Pyar Mohabbat; Sagaai; 1967: Chandan Ka Palna; 1968: Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan; Sangharsh; Sapnon Ka Saudagar; 1969: Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke; Jeene Ki Raah; Mera Dost; Pyar Ka Sapna; Ek Phool Do Mali; 1970: Dhartichi Lekre; Gopi; Dev Manoos; Khilona; Umang; 1971: Banphool; Dharti Ki God Mein; Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari; 1972: Bawarchi; Mangetar; Mere Bhaiya; Shararat; Raja Jani; 1973: Abhimaan; Agni Rekha; Bobby; Door Nahin Manzil; Namak Haram; Sone Ke Haath; Paanch Dushman; 1974: Insaniyat; Bidaai; Dil Diwana; 1975: Biwi Kiraye Ki; Chaitali; Do Thug; Kala Sona; Khushboo; Vandana; 1976: Bajrang Bali; Jaaneman; Rangila Ratan; Shaque; 1977: Chacha Bhatija; Chor Sipahi; Darling Darling; Do Chehre; Naami Chor; Paheli; Paapi; Saheb Bahadur; 1980: Karz.