Lalita Pawar(1916-1998)
- Actress
With seventy years in the film businesses, Lalita Pawar's long career
began as a child in the silent era and continued into leading lady
roles, but she is best remembered for her years as a character actor.
Lalita was born Amba Laxman Rao Sagun, the daughter of a wealthy silk
merchant. While visiting a film studio, young Lalita requested being
photographed so she could see herself on film. The director was so
impressed with her screen presence that he asked for her to take a role
in his next movie.
In 1942, while filming a scene which required her character to be
slapped, she was struck too hard across the face. The accident
compounded with a severe reaction to the medication administered,
damaged her eye and left her with a noticeable permanent squint. This
event marked the end of her leading lady status.
In her late twenties, she began taking on character roles. She
eventually became known and praised for portraying overly-domineering
matriarchs. She won the Filmfare Award for her supporting role in
Anari (1959), and was nominated a further
three times in the best supporting actress category.
began as a child in the silent era and continued into leading lady
roles, but she is best remembered for her years as a character actor.
Lalita was born Amba Laxman Rao Sagun, the daughter of a wealthy silk
merchant. While visiting a film studio, young Lalita requested being
photographed so she could see herself on film. The director was so
impressed with her screen presence that he asked for her to take a role
in his next movie.
In 1942, while filming a scene which required her character to be
slapped, she was struck too hard across the face. The accident
compounded with a severe reaction to the medication administered,
damaged her eye and left her with a noticeable permanent squint. This
event marked the end of her leading lady status.
In her late twenties, she began taking on character roles. She
eventually became known and praised for portraying overly-domineering
matriarchs. She won the Filmfare Award for her supporting role in
Anari (1959), and was nominated a further
three times in the best supporting actress category.