Shama Deshpande (née Gosavi) is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi films and television, with a career spanning over four decades.
Early life and career Deshpande was born as Shama Gosavi to the legendary Marathi actor Raja Gosavi and Sunanda Gosavi, a homemaker. The youngest among four siblings, she grew up in a theatre-rich environment and developed a fascination for the performing arts by observing actors backstage and watching them prepare for their roles. Her mother died when she was 25, followed by her father's death a decade later when she was 35.
She began her acting journey by stepping in as a replacement in her father's stage plays, which gradually sparked her interest in the craft. Her first screen appearance came in the 1977 Marathi film Asla Navra Nako Ga Bai, where she played the role of the heroine's friend, a part offered by her father. She went on to appear in Marathi films like Ashtavinayak and Zidd, but found the struggle in the industry more challenging than expected, leading her to briefly step away from acting.
Over the years, she made occasional appearances in films such as Madhuchandrachi Raatra (1989), Jodidar (1997), Betaabi (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998), Nidaan (2000), and Koi Aap Sa (2005).
Deshpande made her television debut with The Great Maratha, directed by Sanjay Khan and aired on DD National, where she portrayed Gopikabai, the Peshwin of the Maratha Empire. Her television career gained momentum with Zee TV’s Aashirwad, followed by prominent roles in successful Balaji Telefilms shows such as Ghar Ek Mandir, Kutumb, Kya Hadsaa Kya Haqeeqat, and Kahani Terrii Merrii. These appearances established her as a well-recognized face on Indian television.
She has worked alongside noted television actors including Hiten Tejwani, Ram Kapoor, Gauri Pradhan, Harshad Chopda, and Vivian Dsena. Her performances in shows like Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi Roshni, Dheere Dheere Se, and Udne Ki Aasha further strengthened her television career. She received widespread acclaim for her roles in Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, earning a nomination for the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the latter.
Personal life Deshpande married Kiran Deshpande in 1978 at the age of 18, and the couple had two daughters. Kiran passed away around the year 2000 after a prolonged illness. She later married actor Sai Ballal, her co-star from Kutumb.
Filmography
Films +YearTitleRoleNotes1977Asla Navra Nakoga Bai1979AshtavinayakNayana Chavan1980Zidd1989EeshwarRaniMadhuchandrachi RaatraAlka Deshmukh1990Kuthe Kuthe Shodu Mi TilaMary1991Ek Full Chaar Half1992Hach Sunbaicha BahuMukta1994Chikat NavraKavita Bhusavalkar1995The DonDeepti1997JodidarLandlord's wifeVishwavidhaataBetaabiMrs. Sumitra Ajmera1998Pyaar To Hona Hi ThaAnita JaitleyYamraajShamaKalicharan1999LohpurushManchalaMrs. ShantiPyaar Koi Khel NahinNisha's MotherNyaydaataAaya ToofanGul's momAanganiya Sajavo RaajKaraycha Te Dankyat2000BaaghiSurya's MotherKaho Naa... Pyaar HaiPapa The GreatRadha DidiNidaanVeena S. Kamat2001MaseehaParvati SrivastavHadh: Life on the Edge of Death2002AakheerPrashant's momKitne Door Kitne PaasGeeta2003TadaAjay's wife Indian BabuAsha SharmaRaja Bhaiya 2004Mein Bikaaoo: On SaleKrishna CottagePrarambhShanta2005DhamkeeMrs. Geeta J DholakiaMumbai XpressKishore's wifeKoi Aap SaSumati2010PaalkhiAai2015Love ExchangeMrs. Malti Sathe2019D.A.T.EMrs. Sharma Short film
Television +YearSeriesRoleNotes1994The Great MarathaGopikabai1998–1999AashirwadAparna Purushottam Choudhary1999MuskaanRatna1999X ZoneEpisodic roles1999–2000Rishtey Episodic roles2000–2002Ghar Ek MandirGayatri2000–2001Tanhaiyaan2000–2001KutumbGayatri Umesh Mittal2003Kya Hadsaa Kya HaqeeqatMother2003–2004Awaz – Dil Se Dil TakTanya's Mother2003Kahani Terrii Merrii2004PrratimaSumitra Tapendu Ghosh2005Sarkarr:Rishton Ki Ankahi KahaniVineeta2005–2007Kituu Sabb Jaantii HaiMrs. Purohit2007–2008Meri Awaz Ko Mil Gayi RoshniMeenakshi Malik2008–2010Kabhi Saas Kabhi BahuSujata Mallu Awasthi2008–2010Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa DilGayatri Lalit Juneja2012–2014Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek JunoonRadha Bhatia2022Aashaon Ka Savera... Dheere Dheere SeSavita Brijmohan Srivastav2024—presentUdne Ki AashaSavitri Deshmukh
Awards
Nominated: Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
References
External links