Madhu Kambikar. Pic via IMDb
Veteran Marathi actress and Lavani performer Madhu Kambikar has died on Monday, October 12. The actress breathed her last at her Pune residence following a prolonged illness, at the age of 73. Madhu, who was known for her powerful acting, and Lavani performances, leaves behind a rich legacy in Marathi cinema, theatre as well as folk arts.
As per ABP Majha, Madhu Kambikar died following prolonged health issues in Pune. She had suffered a stroke in 2016, which significantly affected her health and forced her to step away from acting and dance performances.
On November 27, 2016, Kambikar's life changed forever when she returned on stage to perform at Lavanyasangeet, a program conducted in Yashwant Natya Mandir, Matunga, Mumbai after nearly 12 years. She reportedly began feeling ill during the event, however, she continued with her Bhairavi act despite the discomfort. Later, when she entered the makeup area, Madhu experienced a stroke that affected her right hand.
The news of her passing comes just days after her Yeshwant co-star Nana Patekar died of heart attack.
Madhu was a prominent figure in Marathi entertainment. Some of her iconic films include Zapatlela, Debu, Binkamacha Navra, Majha Chakula and Ek Hota Vidushak. In her career spanning nearly four decades, the actress appeared in over 75 films and a dozen plays, transitioning from vibrant folk performances to complex, emotionally layered roles in mainstream cinema.
Kambikar was often seen playing motherly roles like moms, mothers-in-law, and more, through which she added warmth and emotional depth to family bonds on screen. Her most memorable roles including playing Nana Patekar's on-screen mother despite being two years younger than him in the 1997 film Yeshwant.
Beyond Marathi cinema, Madhu also made appearances into Hindi and Gujarati films, appearing in Bollywood movies like Shola Aur Shabnam, Hum Dono, Saatwan Aasman, Apnapan, and Yeshwant.
She was last seen in the film Aabhraan, which released in 2015, marking her last onscreen appearance. Despite the severe stroke in November 2016 that forced her away from active stage and screen work, she contonued her legacy through the sickness through roles such as in the Zapatlela franchise.
