Marathi theatre, television and film luminary, Smita Talwalkar, passed away on August 6, 2014. She was battling ovarian cancer. Actor, director and producer, Talwalkar was versatile and kept on reinventing herself over a career spanning four decades. She was 59.



She started her career as a popular news reader on Doordarshan and went on to act in several plays where she won legions of fans with her powerful performances in the plays and films. She starred in Marathi blockbusters like 'Chaukat Raja', 'Tu Tithe Me' and she is also remembered fondly by her roles in the teleserials, 'Avantika' and 'Oon-Paaus'.

Talwalkar diversified into film production with Marathi film, 'Kalat Nakalat' under the banner Asmita Chitra and her debut film won the National Award for best Marathi film. Talwalkar teamed up with director Sanjay Surkar with her next production 'Chaukat Raja' which won awards as well as acclaim. Surkar-Talwalkar pair went on to make many hit films 'Tu Tithe Mee' (1998), 'Saatchya Aat Gharat' (2004) and 'Anandache Jhaad' (2006). Talwalkar made her directorial debut in 1993 with the comedy-drama film 'Sawat Mazhi Ladki'. She produced about 6 films and 25 television serials.

Her son Amber Talwalkar is one the directors of Talwalkars, a major chain of gymnasia in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death saying, "the passing away of veteran film personality Smita Talwalkar is a major loss to Marathi film industry."

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan tweeted, "Sad to hear about Smita Talwalkar. We lost a versatile actor n director. My tributes to her."

Indeed, Smita Talwalkar leaves behind a vacuum in Marathi showbiz that will be hard to fill.