Veteran Hindi and Marathi film actress Sulochana Latkar, who gained recognition as the archetypal Bollywood mother in the 1960s and the 70s, passed away aged 94 after a prolonged illness at a Mumbai hospital on Sunday.
The actor was admitted to a private hospital in Dadar on May 8. Family sources said the actress passed away around 6.30 p.m. at the hospital.
Hailing from Kolhapur, Sulochana made a name for herself as a leading heroine in Marathi films before moving to Bombay cinema where she essayed various shades of motherly roles in Hindi cinema for almost four decades. From Dev Anand to Sunil Dutt to Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna to Jackie Shroff, she played mother to several generations of stars, always epitomising values of Indian motherhood.
Sulochana started her career with Bhalji Pendharkar’s Sasurrvas (1946) when a young Sulochana joined his famous Jaiprabha Studios on a monthly salary and learned the intricacies of the craft under the watch of the legendary Marathi filmmaker. Gradually, she became a big name in the Marathi film industry, featuring in hits like Vahinichya Bangdya (1953) and Sangtye Aika (1959). She is still remembered for playing Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maratha Tituka Melvava (1964).
In Hindi films, initially, she was offered remakes of Marathi films like Aurat Teri Yahi Kahaani and mythologicals but was noticed in Ab Dilli Dur Nahin where she worked with Motilal. The master of natural acting praised her talent and Sulochana’s graph soared.
A significant shift in her career came when Bimal Roy asked her to play Nutan’s mother in Sujata (1960). After consulting with her friends and senior colleagues Durga Khote and Lalita Pawar, Sulochana accepted the role and did full justice to the character. The lifting lullaby Nanhi Kali Sone Chali picturised on her remains etched on our collective memory and continues to stir motherly feelings.
The success of the film meant that the actor became typecast in motherly roles. With Dil Deke Dekho and Do Ustad which were released a year before Sujata, she enhanced her image as the doting mother, caring spouse, and sister-in-law and went on to do memorable roles in Aaye Din Bahaar Ke, Majboor, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Kati Patang.
She did try variations like playing Kaikayi in Sampoorna Ramayan (1961) and the desolate wife of a greedy man played by Ashok Kumar in Dil Daulat Duniya. She often credited Kumar for helping her learn how to perform romantic scenes and described Mehrbaan (1967) where again she was cast opposite him as one of her most satisfying performances.
A close confidant of Geeta Bali and Lata Mangeshkar, the Padma Shri was untouched by the arrogance that came with success and remained a learner throughout her career. The gentle soul had a sweet tooth and she would take out time to knit sweaters for her co-actors. Along with Nirupa Roy, Sulochana will be remembered for epitomising a selfless mother and devoted spouse, who would make endless sacrifices for her children and husband, which became central to Hindi film narratives in the 1960s and 70s.
She is survived by her daughter Kanchan Ghanekar.
Her mortal remains will be kept at her house in Prabhadevi for last darshan and then the actor’s last rites will be performed at the cremation ground at Shivaji Park on Monday.
Tributes flowed from across the spectrum, with film personalities and politicians condoling Sulochana’s passing.
CM Eknath Shinde said that Sulochana Didi left her mark in Marathi and Hindi cinema, particularly in her essaying of the role of ‘mother’.
Paying fulsome tributes to her many performances on celluloid, CM Shinde said: “The death of veteran actress Sulochana Latkar who graced the film industry both on and off screen, has left us with a deep sense of loss. We have lost a ‘mother’. Both Marathi and Hindi film industries have lost a great actress who won the hearts of many with her effortless acting skills.”
