Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar dead

Zee Media Bureau

Mumbai: Veteran Marathi actress Smita Talwalkar breathed her last at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai. She was 59. Talwalkar was suffering from cancer and was undergoing treatment at the hospital. The cremation will be held later today. The Marathi showbiz fraternity is in a state of shock since the news of her death broke. She owned a company named Asmita Chitra Academy and was into theatre, films and television. Murlidhar Kamat, who was treating the actress, told IANS that she was first treated for the disease six years back. "It recurred after sometime and she was treated again. She responded quite well and she faced this disease with great courage. Yesterday she was very serious and this morning she passed away," he said. A winner of two National Awards, Talwalkar was the director of one of the country's largest fitness chains, 'Talwalkars'. In a condolence message, the official Twitter handle of the PMO said: "Condoling the passing away of veteran film personality Smita Talwalkar, PM said that her demise is a major loss to Marathi film industry. PM recalled Smita Talwalkar's contribution to the Marathi film industry & prayed that her soul rests in peace." "Sad to hear about Smita Talwalkar. We lost a versatile actor and director. My tributes to her," reacted Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on her demise. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar described her as "legendary actress who will always remain in the hearts of the people." Survived by a son and and a daughter, Talwalkar's last rites shall be performed later Wednesday afternoon in Mumbai. Some of her notable films are ‘Chaukat Raja’, ‘Kalat Nakalat’, ‘Prem Manhje Prem Manhje Asta’. She had produced films- ‘Kalat Nakalat’, ‘Chaukat Raja’, ‘Sawat Mazhi Ladki’, ‘Saatchya Aat Gharat’, ‘Anandache Jhaad’, TV show ‘Avantika’ and had directed a film titled ‘Sawat Mazhi Ladki’. She was also a part of a popular play titled ‘Govind Ghya Koni Gopal Ghya’. (With IANS inputs)