Woke up to sombre news today. Legendary actress Sulochana Latkar, a stalwart of Indian cinema, known for her quintessential mother roles in both Marathi and Hindi films, passed away due to age-related ailments. She was 94.
The iconic actress was given full state honours, her body draped in the Tricolour at her Dadar residence, before being moved to the Shivaji Park funeral ground. The state protocol included a police gun salute to commemorate her invaluable contributions to Indian cinema.
The demise of the celebrated actress drew heartfelt tributes from celebrities, industry veterans and political leaders alike. Veteran actor Jackie Shroff, who had shared screen space with Sulochana, attended the funeral. Luminaries such as Sachin Pilgaonkar, Subodh Bhave, Raj Thackeray, and CM Eknath Shinde paid their respects at her residence.
More Photos of Farewell of Sulochana Latkar
Among the tributes, the words of Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan stood out. He fondly remembered Sulochana Latkar as a “gentle, generous, caring mother” in several films they worked together on, including ‘Reshma Aur Shera’, ‘Yaarana’, and ‘Muqadddar Ka Sikander’. In a heart-wrenching note on his blog, Bachchan expressed sorrow at the loss of “another great of our Cinema World”.
Born on July 30, 1928, in Khadaklat village of Belagavi (now in Karnataka), Sulochana Latkar made her film debut in 1946, embarking on an illustrious career spanning over four decades. She graced the silver screen with memorable performances in classic films, such as the Bimal Roy’s ‘Bandini’ (1963), and numerous others like ‘Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai’, ‘Amir Garib’, ‘Kati Patang’, ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’, and ‘Azaad’.
A remarkable figure in Indian cinema, Sulochana Latkar played an array of characters with grace and authenticity. However, it was her portrayal of the ‘Indian mother’ that struck a chord with audiences, leading to her being endearingly dubbed as the ‘mother of Indian cinema’.
As the nation mourns her passing, Sulochana Latkar’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through her unforgettable performances and her contributions to Indian cinema. Her departure marks the end of an era, leaving a void that will be hard to fill.
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