Varsha Usgaonkar

an affluent family. Her father A .K.S. Usgaonkar was a distinguished personality as he was Deputy Speaker in Goa Assembly House. Her mother was forward and an intelligent lady. Hence young Varsha Usgaonkar had all the freedom in her house. Her maternal grandfather Raghuvir Khandeparkar was a dramatic storyteller. Hence young Varsha was brought-up listening to the interestingly stories from her grandfather. These stories inspired Varsha and she began displaying her skill in dramatics. Soon she began dreaming of becoming a film star. Her beauty coupled with her penchant for drama won her many awards and her mother encouraged her too. She did her graduation in Commerce from the Dempo College of Commerce and Economics at Panaji. Along with education she simultaneously pursed her acting passion by doing dramas at Kala Shuklendu . She did a lot of plays like Mahapur, Ek Hoti Vaghinn, Andhar Mazha Sobti, Baki Itihas etc. However when her relatives came to know she was taking a career as heroine in films eye brow were raised. But her parents supported her and at the age of 18 years Varsha Usgaonkar came to Mumbai and begun with stage. Varsha Usgaonkar won scholarship in dramatics Varsha Usgaonkar was so good at Kala Shuklendu that she won many awards. She was widely appreciated and won rave review for her performance in the play Ashrunchi Zali Phule. Legendary drama artist Damu Kenkre, was highly impressed by Varsha Usgaonkar and played an important role in sharpening her talent. This helped her win a scholarship from the Kala Academy that sponsored her to do an acting course from a renowned Acting Institute in Aurangabad. Later when she came to Mumbai. She won instant fame for her performances in Marathi plays Karti Premat Padli and Brahmachari.

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.