Sulochana Latkar

Biography

Sulochana Latkar made her debut in films in 1946. She was lead actress in Marathi films from 1946 to 1961 with films like Sasurvas (1946), Vahinichya Bangdya (1953), Meeth Bhakar, Sangtye Aika (1959), Laxmi Ali Ghara, Mothi Manse, Jivacha Sakha, Pativrata, Sukhache Sobti, Bhaubheej, Akashganga and Dhakti Jau. She was often paired opposite Nazir Hussain, Trilok Kapoor, and Ashok Kumar throughout her career in Hindi films. She quoted in an interview that she loved playing mother to three actors - Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand, and Rajesh Khanna. She often played a mother or a close relative in Hindi films with Sunil Dutt as the leading man such as in Heera, Jhoola, Ek Phool Char Kante, Sujatha, Mehrbaan (1967), Chirag, Bhai Bahen (1969), Reshma Aur Shera, Umar Qaid, Muqabla, Jaani Dushman and Badle Ki Aag. She was a regular in films with Dev Anand in the lead roles, where either Dev Anand was her son or relative and some of their films together were Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Pyar Mohabbat, Duniya (1968), Jhonny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant and Joshila. Since 1969, she often played an on-screen close relative to the character played by Rajesh Khanna and some of their famous films included Dil Daulat Duniya, Bahraon Ke Sapne, Doli, Kati Patang, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Prem Nagar, Aakraman, Bhola Bhala, Tyaag, Aashiq Hoon Baharaon Ka and Adhikar (1986). Her other best known films include Nai Roshni (1967), Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Aaye Milan Ki Bela, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin, Majboor, Gora Aur Kala, Devar, Bandini, Kahani Kismat Ki, Talaash (1969) and Azaad (1978).

In 2003, she was awarded the Chitrabhushan Award instituted by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Baburao Painter, one of the founders of the modern Marathi cinema.

Latkar lived in Prabhadevi, Mumbai. She was married at the age of 14. Her daughter's name is Kanchan Ghanekar who was the wife of Marathi stage superstar Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar.

Latkar died from respiratory failure at Shushrusha Hospital in Dadar, Mumbai, on 4 June 2023. She was 94.

Latkar was a recipient of the civilian honor of Padma Shri (1999). She was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. In 2009, she was awarded the Maharashtra Bhushan Award by the Government of Maharashtra.