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Durga Khote (14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions.

Durga Khote
Khote in Mughal E Azam (1960)
Born	Vita Lad (1905-01-14)14 January 1905 Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Died	22 September 1991(1991-09-22) (aged 86) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Actress film producer
Years active	1931–1983
Awards	BFJA Award for Best Actress Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
Honours	Padma Shri (1968) Maharashtra State Award (1970) Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1983)

In 2000, in a millennium issue, India Today named her among "100 People Who Shaped India", noting: "Durga Khote marks the pioneering phase for women in Indian Cinema"[1] as she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry, thus breaking a social taboo.[2]

She also ranks among the top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema,[3] most notable among them were as Jodhabai in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam (1960); as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942); her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi (1941); Mirza Ghalib (1954); Bobby (1973) and Bidaai (1974). She has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1983), for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Early life

Khote was born as Vita Lad to a Brahmin family[4] which hailed from Goa and spoke Konkani at home.[5] Her father's name was Pandurang Shamrao Lad and her mother's name was Manjulabai.[5] She grew up in a large joint family in Kandewadi. She was educated at Cathedral High School and St. Xavier's College where she studied for B.A. While still a college-going teenager, she married into the Khote family and settled down with her husband.[6]

By the age of 26, Durga Khote was a widowed mother with two young sons; Bakul and Harin. She had to seek work in film to support her children. In doing so, she became a pioneer of sorts: She hailed from a traditional family and the film industry was regarded as the preserve of the base and the bawdy. Also, most of the female characters were played by men at the time.

Early career

Durga Khote debuted in a minor role in the obscure 1931 silent film Farebi Jaal, by the Prabhat Film Company, followed by Maya Machindra (1932). She was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version (Hindi and Marathi) Ayodhyecha Raja, another Prabhat film, which was the first ever Marathi talkie, and proved to be a runaway hit, where she played the role of Rani Taramati.[7] Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: Despite working closely with the Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" (exclusive contract with a studio to work in its films on a monthly salary) then in vogue and became one of the first "freelance" artistes of that era by working occasionally with the New Theatres, East India Film Co. (both at Calcutta), and Prakash Pictures.

In 1936, she played Saudamini in Amar Jyoti, which is one of her most memorable roles.[8][9] The characters played by her were very much like her regal personality and she commanded a screen presence even in front of legendary actors like Chandra Mohan, Sohrab Modi and Prithviraj Kapoor.[10]

In 1937, she produced and directed a film titled Saathi, making her one of the first women to step into this role in Indian cinema.[11] The 40s opened for her in a big way, with award-winning performances in Aachary Atre's Payachi Dasi (Marathi) and Charnon Ki Dasi (Hindi) (1941) and Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap (1942), both of which got her the BFJA Best Actress Award for two consecutive years.

Durga Khote remained active in the theatre circuit for many years, especially the Marathi theatre in Mumbai. She was actively associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and worked in several plays for the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. In 1954, she famously performed the role of Lady Macbeth in V.V. Shirwadkar's Marathi adaptations of Macbeth, as Rajmukut, The Royal Crown, along with Nanasaheb Phatak.[12]

Later career

Durga Khote played a wide variety of roles over a career that was not only long, but also untouched by scandal. She was the inspiration for several generations of Indian actresses, including veterans such as the late Shobhna Samarth, who frequently spoke of how she had been inspired by Khote's example.

During later years, she played several important character roles, such as the mother of the protagonist. Her portrayal of Jodhabai, the queen of Akbar torn between duty towards her husband and love towards her son in Mughal-e-Azam (1960) was well received. In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film The Householder (1963).[13][14]

She went on to play other widely appreciated character roles in later movies, such as the role of the grandmother of the heroine in Bobby (1973), the hero's aunt in Abhimaan (1973), and the very memorable Bidaai (1974), where she played a mother, a very sensitive role that can make one cry and received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Her final memorable role was in Subhash Ghai's Karz (1980), where she played the role of the mother of Raj Kiran and later, mother to Rishi Kapoor, who played the role of Raj Kiran's reincarnation after the screen death of Raj Kiran in the movie.

She acted in over 200 films in her career. By the 1980s she successfully diversified into production of short films, ad films and documentaries by setting up Fact Films and later, Durga Khote Productions, which produced the Doordarshan TV series Wagle Ki Duniya.

Personal life

Durga Khote was married when she was a teenager to Vishwanath Khote, a gentleman of her own caste and similar social background, in a match arranged by their parents in the usual Indian manner. It was a traditional marriage into an orthodox family, the couple lived a harmonious and happy life, and the marriage was blessed with two sons. Vishwanath was a mechanical engineer who had graduated from Banaras Hindu University. His family was upper middle class and professional, with modern English education and high social standing; his ancestors had been prominent bankers.

Unfortunately, Vishwanath Khote died young, when Durga was barely into her 20s. She and her sons continued to reside with her in-laws, as is traditional in India, but she was not comfortable with her dependent position, especially because her father-in-law was no more, and they were dependent on other family members for their expenses. She thus felt impelled to make a living any which way she could, and the opening in films happened entirely by chance. The fact that she came from a modern and English-educated family meant that, even as a widow, she was able to act in films, which was derided as a disreputable profession in those days.

She thus raised her two sons, Bakul and Harin, single-handedly. Both of them went on to become well-settled in life. But she suffered the loss of her son Harin, who predeceased her and died in his 40s. Harin was married to Vijaya Jaywant, and they were the parents of two sons.[15] After Harin's early death, his widow married a Parsi man named Farrokh Mehta and became famous as the film-maker Vijaya Mehta.

Durga Khote's grandchildren (children of Bakul and Harin) include her grandson Ravi, a filmmaker; granddaughter Anjali Khote, an actress; and grandson Deven Khote, a successful producer who is one of the co-founders of UTV, and who has also directed a film.[16][17] Deven Khote is noted for producing films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.[18]

Durga Khote's brother-in-law, Nandu Khote (brother of Vishwanath), was a noted stage and silent movie actor. Two of Nandu's children also became actors in the film industry. His son Viju Khote (1941-2019) was an actor perhaps best known for his role of "Kalia" in Sholay (1975). Nandu's daughter is the actress Shubha Khote, who debuted in Seema (1955) and worked as a heroine in several films before moving to character roles. Still later, she moved to directing and producing Marathi films and also entered television in the 90s. Shubha's daughter, Bhavana Balsavar, is also an award-winning TV actress who appeared in sitcoms like Dekh Bhai Dekh and Zabaan Sambhalke before deciding to settle down and raise a family.[19][20] Thus, the acting profession which was pioneered by Durga Khote in her family has been fully embraced by her late husband's family.

Durga Khote also had some rather improbable, distinguished relatives with no connection to films. The socialite and politician Sharda Mukherjee (nee Sharada Pandit), who herself served as governor of the states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and who was the wife of Subroto Mukherjee, India's first Chief of the Air Staff, was Durga Khote's first cousin (her mother's sister's daughter). Sharda Mukherjee's paternal uncle, Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, was the husband of Jawaharlal Nehru's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit. In other words, Durga Khote's mausi (mother's sister) was the Devrani of Vijayalakshmi Pandit; their husbands were the Pandit brothers.

Later in life, Durga Khote wrote an autobiography in Marathi, entitled Mee, Durga Khote, which was translated into English as I, Durga Khote,[21] and moved to Alibaug, near Mumbai. Durga Khote died on 22 September 1991.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1931	Farebi Jaal
1932	Maya Machhindra	Queen	Hindi / Marathi film
1932	Ayodhyecha Raja	Taramati	Hindi / Marathi film
1933	Rajrani Meera	Meera
1933	Patit Pawan
1934	Seeta	Seeta
1935	Jeevan Natak	Miss Queen
1935	Inquilab	Miss Renee
1936	Amar Jyoti	Saudamini
1937	Pratibha	Pratibha
1938	Saathi
1938	Nandakumar
1939	Adhuri Kahani	Harbala
1940	Yamla Jat
1940	Narsi Bhagat	Manekbai	Gujarati / Hindi film
1940	Geeta	Durga	Hindi / Marathi film
1941	Charnon Ki Dasi / Payachi Dasi	Vidya's mother-in-law	Hindi / Marathi film
1942	Vijay
1942	Bharat Milap	Maharani Kaikeyi	Hindi / Marathi film
1943	Zameen
1943	Tasveer	Vidya Devi
1943	Prithvi Vallabh	Mrinalvati
1943	Mahatma Vidur
1943	Mahasati Ansuya
1943	Kurbani
1944	Maharathi Karna	Kunti
1944	Dil Ki Baat
1945	Veer Kunal
1945	Phool
1945	Pannadai
1945	Lakharani	Bichwa
1945	Gaon Ki Gori
1946	Rukmini Swayamvar
1946	Maharani Minaldevi
1946	Hum Ek Hain	Zamindari Ma
1948	Seeta Sawayamwar
1948	Anjuman
1949	Jeet	Ratan's mother
1949	Singaar	Kishan's Mother
1949	Maya Bazaar
1950	Surajmukhi
1950	Nishana
1950	Magroor
1950	Har Har Mahadev
1950	Beqasoor
1950	Alakh Niranjan
1950	Hamara Ghar
1951	Sazaa
1951	Nandkishore
1951	Nai Zindagi
1951	Hum Log	Mother
1951	Hamari Shaan
1951	Aaram	Sita
1952	Sandesh
1952	Narveer Tanaji
1952	Mordhwaj
1952	Lal Kunwar
1952	Hyderabad Ki Nazneen	Mrs. Jwala Prasad
1952	Aandhiyan
1953	Naulakha Haar	Devla
1953	Dharma Pathni	Nataraj's Wife
1953	Shikast
1953	Naag Panchami	Rani Sanka
1953	Mashooka
1953	Malkin
1953	Chacha Chowdhury
1954	Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
1954	Mirza Ghalib	Amma, Chaudvin's mother
1954	Maan
1954	Lakeeren
1954	Laila
1955	Adl-E-Jahangir	Mallika-e-Jahangeer
1955	Shri Ganesh Vivah
1955	Madh Bhare Nain
1955	Jagadguru Shankaracharya
1955	Haseena
1956	Rajdhani
1956	Patrani	Raj Mata
1956	Parivar
1956	Insaaf
1956	Harihar Bhakti
1956	Dwarikadheesh
1956	Justice
1957	Talaash
1957	Ram Hanuman Yuddha
1957	Musafir	Mrs. Nilambar Sharma
1957	Mera Salaam
1957	Bhabhi	Ratan's aunt
1957	Bade Sarkar	Sumitra Maan Singh
1958	Gopichand
1959	Ardhangini	Prakash's mom
1959	Raj Tilak
1959	Maine Jeena Seekh Liya
1959	Ghar Ghar Ki Baat
1960	Parakh	Rani Ma, J.C. Roy's mother
1960	Mughal-E-Azam	Maharani Jodha Bai
1960	Usne Kaha Tha	Paro
1960	Love in Simla	Sonia's grandmother
1961	Ek Ladki Saat Ladke
1961	Senapati
1961	Kismet Palat Ke Dekh
1961	Do Bhai	Gopi's Mother
1961	Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan	Prabha's mother
1962	Son of India	Head Nun
1962	Rungoli	Subhagi
1962	Man-Mauji	Dr. Mohan's mother
1962	Main Shadi Karne Chala
1963	The Householder	Prem's mother
1963	Mujhe Jeene Do	Dhara Khan's Mom
1964	Benazir
1964	Tere Dwaar Khada Bhagwan
1964	Shagoon		Uncredited
1964	Main Suhagan Hoon
1964	Kaise Kahoon
1964	Door Ki Awaaz	Prakash's mother
1965	Purnima	Sharda R. Lal
1965	Kaajal	Rani Sahiba
1965	Janam Janam Ke Saathi
1965	Do Dil	Ranimaa
1966	Anupama	Ashok's mother
1966	Sagaai	Sheel's mother
1966	Pyar Mohabbat	Rajmata Rajeshwari
1966	Devar	Gopinath's Mom
1966	Daadi Maa	Daadi Maa / Maharani
1967	Chandan Ka Palna	Mrs. Radha Laxmidas
1968	Sunghursh	Mrs. Bhawani Prasad
1968	Sapno Ka Saudagar	Peter's mother
1968	Jhuk Gaya Aasman	Mrs. Saxena
1969	Pyar Ka Sapna	Sudha's mother
1969	Ek Phool Do Mali	Leela
1969	Jeene Ki Raah	Janki
1969	Dharti Kahe Pukarke	Parvati
1970	Khilona	Thakurain Singh
1970	Dhartichi Lekaren
1970	Umang	Aunti Ji	Uncredited
1970	Gopi	Kunwar's Mother
1971	Anand	Renu's mother	Guest Appearance
1971	Chingari	Mohan's Mother
1971	Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari	Rajlaxmi S. Chaudhary
1971	Banphool	Haria's maternal grandma
1972	Bawarchi	Seeta Sharma
1972	Shararat	Harry's mother
1972	Raja Jani	Rajmata
1972	Mere Bhaiya	Avinash's mother
1972	Mangetar
1973	Sone Ke Haath
1973	Abhimaan	Durga Mausi
1973	Bobby	Mrs. Braganza
1973	Namak Haraam	Somu's mother
1973	Door Nahin Manzil	Dadima
1973	Agni Rekha	Durga
1974	Bidaai	Parvati	Won – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
1974	Insaaniyat	Ram's mother
1974	Dil Diwana	Vijay's Dadimaa
1975	Khushboo	Brindaban's mother
1975	Kala Sona	Mrs. Ranjeet Singh
1975	Chaitali	Manish's mother
1975	Vandana	Rakesh's Mother
1975	Biwi Kiraya Ki
1976	Jaaneman	Ronnie's mother
1976	Jai Bajrang Bali	Devi Maa Anjani
1976	Shaque	Mrs. Bannerjee
1976	Rangila Ratan
1977	Saheb Bahadur	Meena's grandmother
1977	Paheli	Brij Mohan's mother
1977	Paapi	Ashok's mother
1977	Naami Chor
1977	Do Chehere	Daadima
1977	Darling Darling
1977	Chor Sipahee	Mrs. Khanna, Raja's mother
1977	Chacha Bhatija	Mrs. D'Silva
1980	Karz	Mrs. Shanta Prasad Verma
1981	Sangdil
1983	Daulat Ke Dushman	Sunil's mother	(final film role)

Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1942	Charnon Ki Dasi[22]	BFJA Awards: Best Actress	Won
1943	Bharat Milap[23]	BFJA Awards: Best Actress	Won
1968	–	Padma Shri, fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India.	Awarded
1970	Dhartichi Lekre	Maharashtra State Award	Won
1974	Bidaai	Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress	Won
1983	–	Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the lifetime recognition award for films from Government of India[11]	Awarded

Honours and recognitions

A postage stamp, bearing her face, was released by India Post to honour her on 3 May 2013.

References

Further reading

• I, Durga Khote: An autobiography, translated into English by Shanta Gokhale (2006); ISBN 978-0-19-567475-0 & ISBN 0-19-567475-8

External links

• Durga Khote at IMDb
• Durga Khote filmography
• Film music history – First section titled Until 1935
• Mention of her role in theatre and ads

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