04 June,2023 07:43 PM IST | mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sulochana Latkar received the fourth Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award from historian Babasaheb Purandare (centre) as Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar (left) looks on Pic/Shadab Khan
Veteran Bollywood and Marathi film actress Sulochana Latkar passed away on Sunday at the age of 94. According to reports, Sulochana was undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital and she died due to age-related ailments. Sulochana's funeral will take place on Monday, at Dadar cremation grounds.
Born on July 30, 1928 at Khadaklat village of Belagavi (now in Karnataka), she made her film debut in 1946. Among her top Bollywood films was in the Bimal Roy classic, 'Bandini' (1963), which is remembered even today. Other Hindi films in which she acted include 'Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai,' 'Duniya,' 'Amir Garib, 'Baharon Ke Sapne,' 'Kati Patang,' 'Mere Jeevan Saathi, 'Pyar Mohabbat,' 'Duniya,' 'Johny Mera Naam,' 'Warrant,' 'Joshila,' 'Doli,' 'Prem Nagar,' 'Aakraman,' 'Bhola Bhala,' 'Tyaag,' 'Aashiq Hoon Baharaon Ka,' 'Adhikar,' 'Nai Roshni,', 'Aaye Din Bahar Ke,' 'Aaye Milan Ki Bela,' 'Ab Dilli Dur Nahin,' 'Majboor,' 'Gora Aur Kala,' 'Devar,' 'Kahani Kismat Ki,' 'Talaash' and 'Azaad.'
Over the years she played the on screen mother to many stars including Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Rajendra Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Zeenat Aman, Tanuja, et al.
Sulochana was conferred the Padma Shri in 1999, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. The Maharashtra government bestowed the 'Maharashtra Bhushan Award' the highest honour of the state.
A familiar resident of Prabhadevi, she was admitted to the Sushrusha Hospital for old-age related problems, where she passed away peacefully on Sunday evening.
Top leaders including Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, CM Eknath Shinde, Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Ajit Pawar, NCP President Sharad Pawar, Congress State President Nana Patole, Shiv Sena-UBT leaders and other personalities mourned her demise.
Leading Bollywood and Marathi film personalities also took to the social media and grieved the loss of Sulochana, and recalled her immense contribution to the film industry.
Sulochana's mortal remains will be consigned to the flames on Monday with full state honours. Sulochana - as she was popular in the film industry - was noted for wide ranging roles, from lead roles supporting characters to a motherly figure, and endeared herself to the viewers for over six decades.
