Bhasmasur

This is a list of Marathi cinema actresses. Marathi cinema refers to Indian films produced in Marathi, the language of the state of Maharashtra, India. Based in old Mumbai, it is the oldest and one of the pioneer film industries of India. The following are some of the most popular Indian actresses of their decades: In the earliest days of Indian cinema, social taboos meant that men played female roles both onstage and onscreen. This changed in 1913, when pioneering filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke cast Durgabai Kamat and her daughter Kamlabai Gokhale in Mohini Bhasmasur, making them the first female actors to appear in an Indian film. By the 1930s, the arrival of "talkies" brought the rise of the studio era, led by the Prabhat Film Company. During this period, Durga Khote emerged as a leading figure; coming from a respectable, educated background, she was credited with bringing a new level of social acceptance to the acting profession. At the same time, performers such as Shanta Apte, Hansa Wadkar, and Shanta Hublikar became known as "singing stars," drawing on their musical training in socially reformist films such as Kunku (1937) and Manoos (1939). The 1940s were marked by the influence of Meenakshi Shirodkar, who became a trailblazer as the first Marathi actress to appear on screen in a swimsuit, in the 1938 film Brahmachari. Other prominent actresses of the decade included Nalini Jaywant, Sumati Gupte-Joglekar, and Shakuntala Bhome, who were central to the era's cinematic output. By the 1950s, Sulochana Latkar emerged as a leading and influential figure in Marathi cinema, recognised for her grace and the emotional depth of her performances. During this "Golden Age," the industry saw the rise of several other prominent actresses, including Shashikala, Kamini Kadam, Sandhya Shantaram, Nanda, Rekha, Leela Gandhi, and Usha Kiran. Sandhya became known for her collaborations with V. Shantaram, while Usha Kiran received acclaim for her work in social dramas. In the 1960s, Jayshree Gadkar was the leading superstar of Marathi cinema, serving as the industry's most recognisable face. Other highly successful actresses of the period included Seema Deo, Uma Bhende, and Padma Chavan, as well as the continued presence of Latkar. These actresses helped define the "Golden Age" of Marathi film through both urban social dramas and rural folk-based narratives. The 1970s marked a significant period in Marathi cinema, with Usha Chavan becoming a household name through her frequent and successful collaborations with filmmaker Dada Kondke. Alongside her, the decade featured the arrival of Ranjana and Asha Kale, who became major commercial forces. Smita Patil also gained prominence during this time for her contributions to both mainstream and parallel cinema. Other notable actresses of the 1970s included Usha Naik, Kanan Kaushal and Sulabha Deshpande. The 1980s were characterised by the popularity of Varsha Usgaonkar, who brought a new sense of style and glamour to the