Meenakshi Shirodkar

Meenakshi Shirodkar (October 11, 1916 – June 3, 1997), born Ratan Pednekar, was an Indian actress who mainly worked in Marathi films, Marathi theatre, and television. She made her debut in 1938 and continued to act in films until the early 1970s. Her appearance in a swimsuit in the Marathi film Brahmachari (1938) with Master Vinayak stunned the traditional audience. She is a grandmother of two Bollywood actresses, Namrata Shirodkar and Shilpa Shirodkar.

Personal life

Shirodkar was born Ratan Pednekar on October 11, 1916 to a Maharashtrian family. She started learning Indian classical music at the early age. In 1936 she married Dr. Shirodkar with whom she had a son. Her granddaughters and Bollywood actresses Namrata Shirodkar and Shilpa Shirodkar also worked in the film industry. Namrata was crowned as Miss India in 1993. On June 4, 1997, Shirodkar died at the age of 80 in Mumbai.

Career

In 1935, Shirodkar joined All India Radio (AIR) where she worked in radio dramas. After her marriage in 1936, she got a film offer from Pandurang Naik, one of the partners in a film company called Hans Pictures. Though Shirodkar declined the offer in the beginning, Naik convinced Shirodkar's husband that she should make film debut.

Shirodkar debuted with a 1938 Marathi film Brahmachari opposite Master Vinayak. The writer of the film, Pralhad Keshav Atre, better known as "Āchārya Atre", changed her name from "Ratan" to "Meenaxi" to suit her big eyes. She created a stir by appearing in a swimsuit in the song "Yamuna Jali Khelu Khel" film and stunned the traditional audience. She rose to fame for her then daring act and her twin-plait hairstyle in the song but also got criticized heavily. The song was sung by Shirodkar herself and became hit. It was also reused in the play by the same name and years later in other films as well. She continued to do several other films with Master Vinayak like Brandichi Batli (1939), Ghar Ki Rani (1940), Amrut (1941), Majhe Bal (1943).

After retiring from major roles in 1950, Shirodkar played a few minor roles in films and joined Marathi theatre with "Nutan Sangeet Natak Mandali". During the period 1950-75, she worked in twelve Sangeet Nataks (musical plays) including Mruchhakatik, Maanaapmaan, Ekach Pyaala and others.

Films

Theater