NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTION 99
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Usha Kiran passes away

Well-known actress and former Bombay sheriff Usha Kiran passed away in Nashik due to cancer today.

She leaves behind her talented actress-daughter Tanvi Azmi.

Her death has shocked the Marathi cinema.

Her Marathi films include blockbusters like Kanyadaan, Shikleli Bayko, Bala Jo Jo Re, Postatil Mulgi, Udyacha Sansar, Garibagharchi Lek, Garambicha Bapu, Stree Janma Tujhi Kahani, Doodhava and Jasachya Tasa.

She also acted in Hindi films like Patita with Dev Anand, Nazrana with Raj Kapoor, Daag with Dilip Kumar, Badhwa , Kabuli Wala with Balraj Sahani, Chupke Chupke and Musafir.

Born on April 22, 1929, Usha Kiran never wanted to be an actress. She was a good student and, left to herself, Usha would have been quite happy going through the everyday grind of school and studies.

At the age of 10, she was enrolled in a dance class and was learning Kathak. Very soon, she was doing modest stage shows and, at the age of 12, was picked up for a Marathi play, Ashirwaad.

At that time, Uday Shankar was scouting for talent for his ambitious film fantasy Kalpana . Usha and her sister were shortlisted and spent a few days at their dance academy. However, they could not make to it to the film. But her father had made up his mind to make Usha a film star.

The actress married Dr Manohar Kher in 1954 and had two children Adwait and Tanvi.

She continued to work even after marriage but quit after her daughter's birth. She made a comeback to films with a character role in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Bawarchi. She also acted in Hrishida's Mili and Chupke Chupke.

UNI

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report