Durga Khote
Durga Khote 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.
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" as she was one of the first women from respectable families to enter the film industry, thus breaking a social taboo.
She also ranks among the top ten actresses in mother roles in Hindi cinema, most notable among them were as Jodhabai in K. Asif's Mughal-e-Azam ; as Kaikeyi in Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap ; her other memorable roles as mother were in Charnon Ki Dasi ; Mirza Ghalib; Bobby and Bidaai. She has received the highest award in Indian cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
Early life
Khote was born as Vita Lad, to a family which hailed from Goa and spoke Konkani at home. Her father's name was Pandurang Shamrao Lad and her mother's name was Manjulabai. 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.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. She was soon promoted to play heroine in the 1932 double version 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. Indeed, she ventured yet another pioneering trend: Despite working closely with the Prabhat Film Company, she broke away from the "studio system" 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., and Prakash Pictures.In 1936, she played Saudamini in Amar Jyoti, which is one of her most memorable roles. 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.
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. The 40s opened for her in a big way, with award-winning performances in Aachary Atre's Payachi Dasi and Charnon Ki Dasi and Vijay Bhatt's classic Bharat Milap, 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 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.
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 was well received. In 1963, she acted in Merchant Ivory's debut film The Householder.
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, the hero's aunt in Abhimaan, and the very memorable Bidaai, 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, 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. Shs 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.
Durgaji, 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. 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 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. Deven Khote is noted for producing films such as Jodhaa Akbar and Life in a Metro.
Durga Khote's brother-in-law, Nandu Khote, was a noted stage and silent movie actor. Two of Nandu's children are also active in the film industry. His son Viju Khote is an actor perhaps best known for his role of "Kalia" in Sholay. Nandu's daughter is the actress Shubha Khote, who debuted in Seema 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. 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, 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. 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 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, 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 | Humlog | 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 | Adil-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 1975 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 |