23 Facts About Durga Khote

Durga Khote was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her time.

Durga Khote remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.

Durga Khote has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Durga Khote grew up in a large Hindu joint family in Kandewadi.

Durga Khote was educated at Cathedral High School and St Xavier's College where she studied for a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Durga Khote had to seek work in film to support her children.

Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in the obscure 1931 silent film Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machindra.

Durga Khote was promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version Ayodhyecha Raja, another Prabhat film, which was the first ever Marathi talkie, and proved to be a runaway hit, where she played the role of Rani Taramati.

Durga Khote remained active in the theatre circuit for many years, especially the Marathi theatre in Mumbai.

Durga Khote was actively associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association and worked in several plays for the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh.

Durga Khote played a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long, but untouched by scandal.

Durga Khote was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans such as the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Khote's example.

Durga Khote went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies, such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby, the hero's aunt in Abhimaan, and the very memorable Bidaai, where she played a mother, which earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Durga Khote was married when she was a teenager to Vishwanath Khote, of her own caste and similar social background, in a match arranged by their parents.

Durga Khote's family was upper middle class, with modern English education and high social standing; his ancestors had been prominent bankers.

Durga Khote thus felt compelled to make a living any which way she could, and the opening in films happened entirely by chance.

Durga Khote thus raised her two sons, Bakul and Harin, single-handedly.

Durga Khote's grandchildren include her grandson Ravi, a filmmaker; granddaughter Anjali Khote, an actress; and grandson Deven Khote, a successful producer who is one of the co-founders of UTV, and who has directed a film.

Deven Durga Khote is noted for producing films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.

Durga Khote's brother-in-law, Nandu Khote, was a noted stage and silent movie actor.

Durga Khote's son Viju Khote was an actor perhaps best known for his role of "Kalia" in Sholay.

Nandu's daughter is the actress Shubha Durga Khote, who debuted in Seema and worked as a heroine in several films before moving to character roles.

Durga Khote had some rather improbable, distinguished relatives with no connection to films.