Priya Tendulkar (19 October 1954 – 19 September 2002) was an Indian actress, social activist and a writer, who is most known for her eponymous role in the television series Rajani (1985).
Early life Priya displayed an inclination towards art and culture from her childhood, as her father was the eminent popular writer and Padma bhushan awardee Vijay Tendulkar.
Career Her first appearance was as a doll in a stage play called Hayavadana (1969), along with Kalpana Lajmi. Later, she shuffled between different jobs as a hotel service receptionist in a 5 star hotel, an air hostess, and a part-time model, and also she was a news reader.
Her debut film appearance was in Shyam Benegal's Ankur (1974), where she played Anant Nag's submissive wife. Thereafter, she switched her interest towards Marathi films and played stellar roles in nearly a dozen Marathi family socials, opposite actors like Ashok Saraf, Ravindra Mahajani and Mahesh Kothare. She also appears opposite to Anant Nag in the Kannada movie Minchina Ota, in an important role.
She rose to national fame with her TV series Rajani (1985), where she played a housewife who can't stand any injustice and solves public social issues. Her portrayal of Rajani made her a household name all over India. Later, she played a role in Vijay Tendulkar's wikipedia on Vijay Tendulkar TV series, Swayamsiddha.
Priya led a freestyle life wherein she spoke about social issues openly without fear and consistently expressed her feelings without bias or prejudice. This side of her personality reflected in her talk shows like Priya Tendulkar Talk Show and Zimmedar Kaun.
She also played an important role as actress in a Gujarati movie named Pooja Na Phool, which was a very popular movie of the time.
She has also played a role in Hum Panch TV series and she got very famous with that role.
Personal life She married her Rajani co-star, Karan Razdan, in 1988 but they separated in 1995.
Death Priya died following a heart attack on 19 September 2002 at her Prabhadevi residence after a long battle with breast cancer.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1974 Ankur Saru 1980 Minchina Ota Tony's Wife Kannada language film1981 Gondhalat Gondhal Hemangi (Hema) 1982 Thorli Jaau Namita Malavarcha Phool Tara Mai Baap Reema 1983 Devta Anagya Ranine Daav Jinkla Anu1984 Mahadaan Priya Mumbaicha Faujdar Madhuri Yadav Maherchi Manse Vasudha 1985 Vivek Nasoor Dr. Yashoda Gore 1986 Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Dulha Anuradha / Anu Raat Ke Baad 1987 Besahara Charu Majaal Dr. Lalitha Navrayane Sodli Naam O Nishan Geeta 1988 Sila Priya Das Kaal Chakra Anjali Pradhan Insaaf Ki Jung 1989 Shagun 1994 Mohra Pooja Special appearance Maza Saubhagya Durga Sarlaskar 1995 Trimurti Satyadevi Singh 1997 Gupt Sharda Sinha Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya Mrs. Malhotra 1999 Prem Shastra 2000 Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya Mohit's Mother Uncredited2001 Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat Mrs. Bhardwaj Final film role
Television Year Title Role 1985 Rajani Rajani 1987 Asmita Asmita 1995–1999 Hum Paanch Anand Mathur's first wife 1996–1998 Yug Ratna 1996 Itihaas Aahat Rakhi 1997 Damini Mrunalini Ranganekar 1998 Aangan 1999 Professor Pyarelal Sajni Pyarelal Chaturvedi
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