This is a list of Marathi cinema actresses. Marathi cinema refers to Indian films produced in Marathi, the language of the state of Maharashtra, India. Based in old Mumbai, it is the oldest and one of the pioneer film industries of India.
The following are some of the most popular Indian actresses of their decades:
In the earliest days of Indian cinema, social taboos meant that men played female roles both onstage and onscreen. This changed in 1913, when pioneering filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke cast Durgabai Kamat and her daughter Kamlabai Gokhale in Mohini Bhasmasur, making them the first female actors to appear in an Indian film. By the 1930s, the arrival of "talkies" brought the rise of the studio era, led by the Prabhat Film Company. During this period, Durga Khote emerged as a leading figure; coming from a respectable, educated background, she was credited with bringing a new level of social acceptance to the acting profession. At the same time, performers such as Shanta Apte, Hansa Wadkar, and Shanta Hublikar became known as "singing stars," drawing on their musical training in socially reformist films such as Kunku (1937) and Manoos (1939). The 1940s were marked by the influence of Meenakshi Shirodkar, who became a trailblazer as the first Marathi actress to appear on screen in a swimsuit, in the 1938 film Brahmachari. Other prominent actresses of the decade included Nalini Jaywant, Sumati Gupte-Joglekar, and Shakuntala Bhome, who were central to the era's cinematic output.
By the 1950s, Sulochana Latkar emerged as a leading and influential figure in Marathi cinema, recognised for her grace and the emotional depth of her performances. During this "Golden Age," the industry saw the rise of several other prominent actresses, including Shashikala, Kamini Kadam, Sandhya Shantaram, Nanda, Rekha, Leela Gandhi, and Usha Kiran. Sandhya became known for her collaborations with V. Shantaram, while Usha Kiran received acclaim for her work in social dramas. In the 1960s, Jayshree Gadkar was the leading superstar of Marathi cinema, serving as the industry's most recognisable face. Other highly successful actresses of the period included Seema Deo, Uma Bhende, and Padma Chavan, as well as the continued presence of Latkar. These actresses helped define the "Golden Age" of Marathi film through both urban social dramas and rural folk-based narratives.
The 1970s marked a significant period in Marathi cinema, with Usha Chavan becoming a household name through her frequent and successful collaborations with filmmaker Dada Kondke. Alongside her, the decade featured the arrival of Ranjana and Asha Kale, who became major commercial forces. Smita Patil also gained prominence during this time for her contributions to both mainstream and parallel cinema. Other notable actresses of the 1970s included Usha Naik, Kanan Kaushal and Sulabha Deshpande. The 1980s were characterised by the popularity of Varsha Usgaonkar, who brought a new sense of style and glamour to the Marathi screen. Alka Kubal became closely associated with emotional family dramas, frequently cast as the wronged or long-suffering woman, a persona cemented by Maherchi Sadi (1991). Nivedita Saraf built her following through popular commercial comedies, while Madhu Kambikar and Priya Berde were noted for their rural, folk-rooted roles. They were joined by Supriya Pilgaonkar and Savita Prabhune among the decade's other notable talents.
The 1990s saw the rise of Sonali Kulkarni and Ashwini Bhave, both of whom became prominent figures by balancing regional success with national recognition. They were part of a diverse group of actresses that included Sukanya Kulkarni, Nishigandha Wad, Neena Kulkarni and Aishwarya Narkar. The 2000s were defined by the emergence of Mukta Barve, whose performances were noted for redefining contemporary female roles. She was joined by other notable actresses such as Madhura Velankar, Kranti Redkar, Amruta Subhash, and Kishori Godbole. Amruta Khanvilkar, Sai Tamhankar, and Sonalee Kulkarni brought glamour and a modern screen presence to the industry, and continued to grow in popularity well into the following decades. In the 2010s, Priya Bapat, Urmila Kanetkar, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Pooja Sawant, and Prarthana Behere emerged as prominent names of the decade. In the late 2010s, Vaidehi Parshurami emerged as a fresh addition to this talented group. The 2020s began with Sayali Sanjeev, Prajakta Mali, Hruta Durgule, and Priyadarshini Indalkar stepping into the spotlight, even as Rinku Rajguru went on to maintain her status as a cultural icon following her breakthrough earlier in the decade.
1910s YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1913Durgabai KamatMohini Bhasmasur Kamlabai Gokhale1919Tara KoregaonkarKabir KamalKalidas (1922)
1920s YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1920Kamala DeviSairandhriSavkari Pash (1925), Gajgouri (1926), Bhakta Pralhad (1926), Rani Saheba (1930)1923Charu BaiGuru Dronacharya1925Krishna ChauhanSimantak ManiSatyabhama (1925)Yamuna GoleHidimb Bakasur WadhKichak Wadha (1926), Bhakta Pralhad (1926)1927Gangubai MohiteRukamangada MohiniSushila BaiNetaji Palkar Muraliwala (1927)1928AshrabaiParshuramLalita PawarRaja HarishchandraNetaji Palkar (1939), Ram Shastri (1930)1929Shakuntala TembeSant MirabaiSakribaiGopal Krishna
1930s
YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1930Nalini TarkhadVasantsenaAmrit Manthan (1934), Chandrasena (1935)1931Lilavati PendharkarChandrasena Agnikankan: Branded Oath (1932), 1932Shanta ApteShyamsunderAmrit Manthan (1934), Kunku (1937), Gopal Krishna (1938)Durga KhoteAlakh NiranjanAyodhyecha Raja (1932), Geeta (1940), Payachi Dasi (1941)1933Shakuntala ParanjpyeSairandhriRam Shastri (1944)1935Usha MantriUshaRatnavali (1945)RatnaprabhaDharmatma (1935), Dharmaveer (1937), Jwala (1938)Shobhna SamarthVilasi IshwarTaramati (1945)VasantiDharmatmaTaraNaganand1936Indira WadkarChhayaDevata (1939) Leela ChitnisSant Tulsidas (1939)Hansa WadkarVijaychi LagneSant Sakhu (1941), Lokshahir Ram Joshi (1947), Sangtye Aika (1959)GauriSant TukaramSant Sakhu (1941)Santa Mujumbar1937Kusum DeshpandeGangavataranPayachi Dasi (1941)1938Meenakshi ShirodkarBrahmachariLapandav (1940), Ram Shastri (1944)Shanta HublikarMazha MulgaManoos (1939), Pahila Palna (1942)1939RatnamalaMazi LadkiSongadya (1971), Ekta Jeev Sadashiv (1972), Pandu Havaldar (1975)
1940s
YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1940VanamalaLapandavShyamchi Aai (1953)Shakuntala BhomeLagna Karave PahunSarkari Pahuna (1942) 1941Sumati Gupte-JoglekarThoratanchi KamlaSant DnyaneshwarIndira ChitnisNalini JaywantNirdosh1942Lata MangeshkarPahili Mangalagaur1943Nalini DherePaisa Bolto Aahe1946Sulochana LatkarSasurvas Jivacha Sakha (1948), Vahinichya Bangdya (1953), Sukhache Sobti (1958), Meeth Bhakar (1959), Sangtye Aika (1959), Laxmi Ali Ghara (1965)1947Usha KiranKuberKrantiveer Vasudev Balwant (1950), Jasas Tase (1951)
1950s
YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1950ShashikalaPatthe Bapurao1951Sandhya ShantaramAmar BhoopaliPinjara (1972)1952RekhaLakhachi GoshtChitra Nawathe1953Medha GupteDevbappa1955Nanda KarnatakiKuldaivat Shevagyachya Shenga (1955), Devghar (1956), Zalegele Visrun Jaa (1957)Kamini KadamYere Maazya MagalyaDhakti Jaoo (1957), Don Ghadicha Daav (1957)1959Jayshree GadkarSangtye AikaManini (1961), Sawal Maza Aika (1964), Sadhi Mansa (1965)Leela GandhiSaata Janmachi SobtiManaacha Mujra (1969), Sarvasakshi (1978), Manacha Kunku (1981).
1960s
YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1960Padma ChavanAvaghachi Sansar Jyotibacha Navas (1975)Uma BhendeAakashgangaMadhuchandra (1967), Aamhi Jato Amchya Gava (1968), Angai (1968), Bhalu (1980)Seema DeoJagachya Pathivar1961Asha PatilAntaricha DiwaSadhi Mansa (1965), Samna (1974), Ram Ram Gangaram (1977)1962Shanta TambeVithu Mazha LekurwalaAsha KaleBaikocha Bhau Ha Khel Savlyancha (1976), Bala Gau Kashi Angai (1977), Sasurvashin (1978), Thorli Jaau (1983), Kulswamini Ambabai (1984)JeevankalaHa Maza Marg Ekala1963Asha NadkarniFakira 1964Reema LagooMasterjiSinhasan (1979), Resham Gaath (2002), Janma (2011), Anumati (2013)Maya JadhavSawaal Majha AikaBhavanaPathlaag1965Mandakani BhadbhadeSudharlelya BaikaZunj (1975)Asha PotdarVavtalRatnaPadchhaya1967Shobha KhoteChimukala Pahuna Sushama ShiromaneeKaka Mala VachwaMosambi Narangi (1981), Gulchadi (1984)1968Jayshree T.DharmakanyaChatak Chandni (1982)AnupamaSurekhaEktiKanan KaushalBharati MalwankarYethe Shahane Rahtat1969Sarala YeolekarSaticha VaanPinjara (1972)
1970s
YearNameDebut filmOther notable films1970Usha ChavanSongadyaEkta Jeev Sadashiv (1972), Pandu Hawaldar (1975), Nav Motha Lakshan Khota (1977), Ranpakhre (1980)1971Sulabha DeshpandeShantata! Court Chalu AaheJait Re Jait (1977), Chaukat Raja (1991)Nargis BanuLakhat Ashi Dekhani1972Usha NaikPinjaraKarava Tasa Bharava (1975), Kalavantin (1978), Haldikunku (1979), Ek Hazarachi Note (2014)1973Aruna IraniAndhala Marto DolaBhingri (1977), Ek Gadi Baki Anadi (1988), Changu Mangu (1990)RoohiJawai Vikat Ghene AaheAaram Haram Aahe (1976)1974Smita PatilRaja Shiv ChhatrapatiSamna (1975), Jait Re Jait (1977), Umbartha (1982)Laxmi ChhayaTevdha Sodun BolaLata ArunYashodaZunj (1975), Pandu Hawaldar (1975), Dhamaal Jodi (1995)1975Lalan SarangSamna Ha Khel Savlyancha (1976)Ranjana DeshmukhChandanachi Choli Ang Aang JaliAre Sansar Sansar (1980), Ek Daav Bhutacha (1982), Gondhalat Gondhal (1982), Gupchup Gupchup (1983), Bin Kamacha Navra (1984)Radha BartakePreet Tuzi MaziKamini BhatiaZunjChoricha Mamla (1976), Deed Shahane (1979), Mardani (1983)1976Pallavi JoshiBadla Rita (2009), Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asta (2013)1977Shama DeshpandeAsla Navra Nakoga BaiMadhuchandrachi Raatra (1989)NutanParadh1978Anjali PaigankarSarvasakshi1979Usha NadkarniSinhasanMaherchi Saadi (1991), Pak Pak Pakaak (2005) Agadbam (2010), Ventilator (2016)Nayana ApteJankiVandana PanditAshtavinayakSushma Tendulkar Chimanrao Gundyabhau
1980s