Smita Talwalkar, Actress

“Playing a vegetable vendor is a more challenging act.” – Smita Talwalkar

Smita Talwalkar has contributed a lot to the Marathi movie world, television and stage with her choice of socially relevant subjects and with her ability to convey a message. Her own films like ‘Chaukat Raja’, ‘Savat Majhi Ladki’, ‘Tu Tithe Mee’ and  ‘SaatChya Aat Gharat’ went on to say a lot about her concern towards society. Her TV productions ‘Katha Ek Aanandichi’ and ‘Ardhangini’ were also relevant to social issues. At present she is playing a lifetime role in the play ‘Govid Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’ depicting a poor lower middle class vegetable vendor fighting for her right. Indeed, Smita Talwalkar is an extraordinary actress with a mission to offer something back to the society where she has earned a name.
MMW met her recently during her stage show. Here she is in chit chat with us.
Smita Talwalkar, Actress
Q: You have produced good films in the past, what’s new in the making ?
A: Yes, I do have a subject; but I have to still work on it. There is still time.
Q: Do you have to say something about the issues relating to suppression of women?
A: Not much to say at present. But, tell me; even if I decide to present something on that topic, how many women would come forward to willingly accept a girl child. Even today, many women still desire to give birth to a male child. Time has changed and so a woman should also change. Watch my role of Janabai in this play ‘Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’. She is illiterate but goes with her conscience when it comes to taking few crucial decisions.

Q: How happy you are playing this character of Janabai ?
A: I am glad that I was offered this role. It is the most challenging role and I enjoy playing Janabai. But, for that I did personally visit Byculla vegetable market to study the body language of those vegetable vendors. Kiran Mane , my co-artiste, helped me to develop on the accent and in just few days time I was ready to enact Janabai .