Durga Khote

Durga Khote (; January 14, 1905− September 22, 1991) was an Indian actress, starting as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.

In 2000, in a millennium issue, India Today, a leading magazine, chose her among 100 people Who Shaped India, as it noted that, "Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for woman in Indian Cinema.", India Today. Gautam Rajadhyaksha, Rediff.com.

She also ranks amongst top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema, Statesman, Oct 4, 2008. essayed by her in Hindi cinema, most notable among them were, as Jodhabai in K. Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam (1960), as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt’s classic, Bharat Milap (1942), her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941), Mirza Ghalib , Bobby (1973) and Bidaai(1974). She was awarded, the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema, in 1983.

Early life

She was born in a traditional Mumbaikar Goud Saraswat Brahmin family (Surname Laud) in present-day Maharashtra. By the age of 26, Durga Khote was a widowed mother with two young sons, Bakul and Harin. She had to seek work in films in...
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