#GoldenFrames: Usha Kiran, one of the finest actresses in Hindi and Marathi cinema

Usha Kiran was born as Usha Marathe on April 22, 1929, to Balkrishna Vishnu Marathe and Radha in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The actress was the second among five daughters. Usha was best known for her role in the movie ‘Baadbaan.’ She acted in over 50 Hindi and Marathi movies in a career spanning over four decades. The actress began her career in theatres before joining movies. She entered the Bollywood industry with a small role in Uday Shankar's dance-drama movie 'Kalpana' (1948). For 'Baadbaan' (1954), she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1955. Usha also received the Maharashtra Government's award in the best actress category for the Marathi movie 'Kanyadaan' (1960).

Balkrishna Vishnu Marathe was an ambitious man, he pushed his eldest daughter and Usha into the theatre. Initially, the actress was reluctant even to do simple stage shows. She just wanted to marry, have a few kids and settle comfortably. But little did she know that her theatre stint wouldn't last long.

In This Pic : Usha Kiran, goldenframes

The great Uday Shankar, who was an Indian dancer and choreographer, best known for creating a fusion style of European theatrical techniques and Indian classical dance, spotted Usha Kiran on stage during M.G. Rangnekar's Marathi play 'Ashirwad' at the now Excelsior Theatre. He gave her a break with a small role in a dance-drama movie ‘Kalpana’ (1948).

(Photo: Poster from the movie 'Kalpana')

In This Pic : Usha Kiran, goldenframes

However, her professional relationship with Uday Shankar didn't end well. During the shoot in Chennai, Shankar wanted Kiran to wear a transparent Manipuri costume for a dance sequence. The actress ignored his order and wore a slit inside the costumes, which made Shankar furious. He not only yelled at her but also his wife for not paying attention to the details. Apparently, throughout the day, Usha's sulky facial expression got into Uday's nerves. He jeered at her, "Don't you know how to smile?", in reply Usha said, "No! You teach me how to smile!" That was the end for her; she was thrown out of the movie and sent packing back to Mumbai.

(Photo: Still from the movie 'Kalpana')

In This Pic : Usha Kiran, goldenframes

Usha's father was hell-bent on making her an actress. Unlike other actresses, Usha was happy with a series of rejection on her way to be an actress. She was secretly pleased, but her father was so desperate that he even produced a movie that flopped miserably. Usha's father had even quit his job, so the family was dependent on her. She got a few roles in Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati movies for keeping the kitchen fires burning.

In This Pic : Usha Kiran, goldenframes