Veteran actor Sulochana Latkar dies at 94; tributes pour in

Noted actor Sulochana Latkar died on Sunday due to prolonged illness at a hospital here, her grandson-in-law Parag Ajgavkar confirmed. She was 94.

Latkar, a well-known actor of Marathi and Hindi cinema, started her career in 1940s and went on to feature in over 250 films.

The actor was admitted to Shushrusha Hospital in Dadar on May 8.

“She passed away at around 6.30 pm at the hospital due to prolonged illness. She had a respiratory tract infection for which she was admitted on May 8,” Parag told PTI.

Some of Latkars notable films are “Sasurvas”, “Vahinichya Bangdya”, and “Dhakti Jau” in Marathi and “Aaye Din Bahar Ke”, “Gora Aur Kala”, “Devar”, “Talaash”, and “Azaad”, in Hindi.

In Bollywood, the actor largely played on-screen mother to lead stars of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s including Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, and Amitabh Bachchan.

She featured in Hindi blockbuster hits such as “Heera”, “Reshma Aur Shera”, “Jaani Dushman”, “Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai”, “Jhonny Mera Naam”, “Kati Patang”, Mere Jeevan Saathi”, “Prem Nagar”, and “Bhola Bhala”. In his condolence message, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar said in her death the film industry had lost an artiste who exuded strength and innocence.

She carved a niche for herself with her portrayal of various characters in Hindi and Marathi cinema in a career spanning more than six decades, Pawar said. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the film industry had lost a motherly figure, adding that she had good relations with families in both Hindi and Marathi film industries. The film industry has lost an evergreen artiste, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said.

The death of Sulochana didi was the end of a glorious era in Marathi and Hindi cinema, said senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Latkar was honoured with Padma Shri in 1999. She is survived by her daughter Kanchan Ghanekar. Her last rites will be held tomorrow at 5 pm at Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar.

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