#Goldenframes: Sulochana Latkar

Sulochana Latkar made her debut in movies in 1943. She was the lead actress in Marathi movies from 1946 to 1961, such as 'Sasurvas' (1946), 'Vahinichya Bangdya' (1953), 'Meeth Bhakar' (1949), 'Sangtye Aika' (1959), 'Laxmi Ali Ghara' (1965), 'Moti Manse' (1949), 'Jeevacha Sakha' (1948), 'Pativrata' (1959), 'Sukhache Sobti' (1958), 'Bhaubheej' (1955), 'Akashganga' (1959) and 'Dhakti Jaoo' (1958). In one of her interviews, the actress quoted that she loved playing mother to three actors—Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna. The actress has worked in nearly 300 Marathi and Hindi movies. Sulochana Latkar is a recipient of the civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1999. In 2003, she was awarded the Chitrabhushan Award instituted by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Baburao Painter, one of the founders of the modern Marathi cinema. Sulochana was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She was awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan Award by the Government of Maharashtra in 2009. The Government of India has named Sulochana Latkar Badminton Academy after the actress in Kothrud, Pune.

In This Pic : Sulochana Latkar, golden frames

Born on July 30, 1928, in Khadaklaat village of Belgaum district, Sulochana Latkar came from humble beginnings. The actress was ten years younger than her brother. Her father was on a police post in Kolhapur. Latkar's child-widow maternal aunt also lived with the family. In earlier days, a person's surname originated from the place they lived or their work. So, the village where Sulochana lived with her family addressed them as 'Latkar'. Her real name was Nagabai but was lovingly called Rangu.

(Photo: Still from the movie 'Ab Dilli Door Nahin')

In This Pic : Sulochana Latkar, golden frames

The actress did her primary education in the village. However, she was not so inclined towards studies. Sulochana was inclined towards street acts, plays and film shows. Without fail, she would attend local fairs to see theatrical work.

Pic Courtesy : Wikipedia

Sulochana lost both her parents during the plague epidemic. The actress left everything behind and took refuge at her father's friend's place along with her brother and maternal aunt. Her father's friend Binadekar was a lawyer by profession who knew well-known people in town. One day, Master Vinayak visited Binadekar, a prominent filmmaker and the owner of Prafulla Pictures, a film company. Knowing the dire situation Sulochana's family went through, Master Vinayak invited her to take a job in Prafulla Pictures. Sulochana met Lata Mangeshkar at Prafulla Pictures. Latter's family situation was almost the same as Latkar. Both of them have a lot in common, and their friendship is still going strong.

In This Pic : Sulochana Latkar, golden frames

After Prafulla Pictures moved to Mumbai, Sulochana took a job at Jayaprabha Studio on a monthly salary of ₹30. She played a small part in Prafulla Pictures's Marathi movie 'Chimukla Sansaar'. However, the actress claims that she learned a lot from Bhalji Pendharkar. Under him, the actress learnt to ride horses, use laathi and sword in a fight.

(Photo: Still from the movie 'Chimukla Sansaar')

In This Pic : Sulochana Latkar, golden frames