Indian Film History
Varsha Usgaonkar — Actress

Varsha Usgaonkar

Actress • Supporting Actress

Born 28 February 1968

58
Age
1987
Debut
99
Films

Biography

Varsha Usgaonkar became a star with her debut Marathi film Varsha Usgaonkar began her career in Mumbai through stage. Her Marathi drama Brahmachari became a huge hit and she became talk of town. Eminent actor and film director Sachin Pilgaonkar (same child actor Sachin of Bollywood) happened to watch the play and was left stunned by her powerhouse performance and her stunning beauty. Sachin Pilgaonkar, after a failure as hero in Bollywood, had had started directing Marathi films and created a revolution in Marathi Cinema. He gave a chain of hit films and changed the film making process of Marathi cinema. Thus when Sachin approached her for his film Marathi movie Gammat Jammat, Varsha Usgaonkar accepted it with a smile. Varsha Usgaonkar got an opportunity to work with Marathi cinema’s super star Ashok Saraf. The film was a huge blockbuster and set Varsha Usgaonkar’s career rolling. She became a star overnight. Varsha Usgaonkar left her imprint in Bollywood Varsha Usgaonkar made her debut in Bollywood with the film Doodh Ka Karz. It was produced by celebrated filmmaker Salim Akhtar, producer of many hit films like Shammi Kapoor’s Professor, Dharmendra’s Batwara etc. In Doodh Ka Karz, Varsha Usgaonkar had just a special appearance. Her next film was with top filmmaker F.C. Mehra . The film was Shikari opposite Naseeruddin Shah, Mithun Chakraborty but unfortunately the film was a major debacle. Nevertheless she was hopeful of making it big in Bollywood as her next film was with Mahesh Bhatt. The film was Saathi opposite Aditya Pancholi. The film was a huge hit and Varsha Usgaonkar became a star. She continued her success story giving many hit films working with many top Bollywood actors Nana Patekat (Tirangaa), Rishi Kapoor (Honeymoon), Anil Kapoor (Ghar Jamai), Rajnikanth (Insaniyat Ke Devta), Aamir Khan (Mangal Pandey)etc. Varsha Usgaonkar gave a landmark performance as Rani Laxmibai on TV When Varsha Usgaonkar was ruling Marathi cinema as number one actress she was signed by B.R.Films’ epic TV serial Mahanharat to play the role of gorgeous Uttara, wife of Abhimanyu and mother of Parikshit. The TV serial opened doors for her in TV industry but she was selective and only played power packed roles like she played role of Roopmati (Snake Queen) in Chandrakanta and the most challenging role of her career Rani Lakshmibai for TV Serial Jhansi Ki Rani in 1990s on Doordarshan. Besides she also appeared in Hindi television serials Alvida Darling, Tanha and Anhonee. Her other roles on TV are Marathi shows Aakash Zep and Eka Mekansathi etc.

Career & Achievements

Varsha Usgaonkar became famous as Sridevi of Marathi cinema Blessed with exceptional beauty and a powerhouse in acting Varsha Usgaonkar was like Sridevi . Just as Sridevi who entered Bollywood as a glamour doll and later switched to women oriented film similarly Varsha Usgaonkar won stardom as a glamour doll and did many fulfilled movies like Gammat Jammat , Hamal De Dhamal , Saglikade Bombabomb , Shejari Shejari , Lapandav , Aflatoon and others. After acquiring stardom Varsha Usgaonkar switched to women oriented strong characters and displayed she was no glamour doll but a versatile actress. In her film Paij Lagnachi she played a difficult role of rehabilitating a mad man. The role won her much acclaim. Later she did many powerful roles like Kuthe Kuthe Shodu Mi Tila , Atmavishwas , Sawat Majhi Ladki , Ek Hota Vidushak etc and became famous as Sridevi of Bollywood.

Filmography (99)

99 films

Television

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Short Films

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