{{Short description|Indian actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Padma Chavan | image = Padma Chavan.jpg | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = 7 July 1944 | birth_place = Kolhapur state, Bombay Presidency, British India | death_date = {{Death date and age|1996|09|12|1944|07|07|df=yes}} | death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | other_names = | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1957–1996 | spouse = {{marriage|Kamlakar Torane|1966|1996}} <ref>{{cite web |title=Article on Padma Chavan Filmography & Marathi Play History |date=3 August 2021 |url=https://www.lokmat.com/marathi-cinema/do-you-remember-actress-movie-premasathi-vattel-te-was-her-unfortunate-end-a603/ |publisher=Lokmat |accessdate=7 September 2021}}</ref> | partner = | children = | parents = | website = | awards = }}
'''Padma Chavan''' was an Indian actress who appeared in Marathi and Hindi films, television and theatres.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-12|title='कश्मीर की कली' मध्ये झळकली होती ही मराठी अभिनेत्री, २७ वर्षांपूर्वी झालं निधन |url=https://www.lokmat.com/filmy/marathi-cinema/marathi-actress-padma-chavan-acted-in-bollywood-movie-kashmir-ki-kali-died-in-an-accident-27-years-ago-a-a945/ |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=Lokmat |language=mr}}</ref> Chavan made her acting debut in 1959 opposite Ramesh Deo in the movie Akashganga. She was famously known as Maharashtra's Marilyn Monroe.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=महाराष्ट्राची 'मर्लिन मन्रो' अभिनेत्री पद्मा चव्हाण – Marathisrushti Articles |url=https://www.marathisrushti.com/articles/actress-padma-chavan-merlin-manro-of-maharashtra/ |access-date= |website=www.marathisrushti.com}}</ref>
== Early life == Padma Chavan was born on 7 July 1944 into a prominent Sardar family from Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She was the daughter of Captain Annasaheb Chavan. She completed her primary education, but chose to leave formal schooling at a young age to pursue her interest in acting and a career in cinema.
In 1959, at the age of 15, Chavan made her screen debut in the film ''Akashganga'', directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Bhalji Pendharkar. Her natural screen presence and appearance facilitated her early entry into the industry, allowing her to establish herself as an actress during the formative years of her career.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-20 |title=महाराष्ट्राची 'मर्लिन मनरो' आणि 'सौंदर्याचा अॅटम बॉम्ब', पद्मा चव्हाणचा अचानक मृत्यू कसा झाला? |url=https://www.tv9marathi.com/entertainment/padma-chavan-life-stardom-and-sudden-death-explained-1563458.html |access-date= |website=TV9 Marathi |language=mr}}</ref>
==Career== Chavan’s career spanned several decades, during which she worked in Marathi and Hindi cinema, as well as Marathi theatre. She was noted for her versatility in portraying both urban and rural characters. Her performances in the films ''Ya Sukhano Ya'' (1975) and ''Aaram Haram Aahe'' (1976) earned her awards from the Government of Maharashtra. In the context of Marathi theatre, she appeared in plays such as ''Lagnachi Bedi'', ''Majhi Bayko Majhi Mehuni!'', and ''Guntata Hridaya He''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=चव्हाण, पद्मा अण्णासाहेब |url=https://www.maharashtranayak.in/Encyc/2025/8/6/chavan-padma-annasaheb.html |access-date= |website=www.maharashtranayak.in |language=en}}</ref> Following her performance in the play ''Lakhat Ashi Dekhani'', writer-director Acharya Atre referred to her as the "Marilyn Monroe of Maharashtra" and the "Atom Bomb of Beauty."<ref name=":0" />
Chavan also appeared in several Hindi films, including ''Aadmi'', ''Bin Badal Barsaat'', and ''Kashmir Ki Kali'', where she frequently played antagonistic roles. Her extensive filmography includes notable appearances in ''Akashganga'' (1959), ''Avaghachi Sansar'' (1960), ''Sangata Jadali Tuzi Na Majhi'' (1960), ''Zhala Mahar Pandharinath'' (1970), ''Lakhat Ashi Dekhani'' (1971), ''Anolkhi'' (1973), ''Jyotibacha Navas'' (1975), ''Tuch Mazi Rani'' (1976), ''Devghar'' (1981), and ''Gupchup Gupchup'' (1983). After her marriage to director Kamlakar Torne, she transitioned into character roles. Her later successful film appearances included ''Ashtavinayak'' (1979), ''Sasu Varchad Jawai'' (1983), ''Ghayal'' (1993), and ''Porka'' (1993).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |date= |title=अभिनेत्री पद्मा चव्हाण स्मृतिदिन |url=https://www.lokmat.com/filmy/actress-padma-chavan-memorial-day/ |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Lokmat |language=mr}}</ref>
==Personal life and death== Padma Chavan was married to director Kamlakar Torne. She died following a car accident.<ref name=":1" />
==Filmography==
===Films=== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Film !Role !Notes |- | rowspan="2" |1959 |''Aakashganga'' |Padma |Debut film |- |''Mr. X'' |Singh's Assistant |Hindi film |- | rowspan="2" |1960 |''Avaghachi Sansar'' |Asha | |- |''Sangat Jadli Tujhi An Majhi'' | | |- | rowspan="3" |1961 |''Suhag Sindoor'' |Nalini | rowspan="9" |Hindi film |- |''Stree'' |Padma |- |''Bin Badal Barsaat'' |Padma |- | rowspan="3" |1964 |''Challenge'' | |- |''Kashmir Ki Kali'' |Karuna |- |''Ek Don Teen'' |Rosie |- | rowspan="4" |1965 |''Flying Man'' | |- |''Shahi Raqasa'' | |- |''Aadhi Raat Ke Baad'' |Helen |- |''Sher Dil'' |Unnamed |Cameo |- | rowspan="2" |1966 |''Daku Mangal Singh'' |Princess | rowspan="3" |Hindi film |- |''Naagin Aur Saphera'' |Naagin |- |1968 |''Aadmi'' |Parvati |- |1970 |''Jhala Mahar Pandharinath'' |Aawali | |- |1971 |''Lakhat Ashi Dekhni'' |Parvati/Akka | |- |1973 |''Anolkhi'' | | |- | rowspan="3" |1975 |''Jyotibacha Navas'' |Padmaja | |- |''Zinda Dil'' |Parvati Sharma |Hindi film |- |''Ya Sukhano Ya'' | | |- |1976 |''Aaram Haram Aahe'' |Pammi | |- | rowspan="6" |1977 |''Tuch Mazi Rani'' |Rani | |- |''Aadmi Sadak Ka'' |Kamla S. Nath |Hindi film |- |''Bala Gau Kashi Angai'' |Unnamed |Cameo |- |''Jai Bolo Chakradhari'' | | rowspan="3" |Hindi film |- |''Jagriti'' | |- |''Gayatri Mahima'' | |- | rowspan="4" |1978 |''Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulya'' | | |- |''Netaji Palkar'' |Jijabai | |- |''Karwa Chouth'' |Rani | |- |''Dost Asava Tar Asa'' | | |- | rowspan="3" |1979 |''Javayachi Jaat'' |Sujata | |- |''Ashtavinayak'' |Maai Inamdar | |- |''Aapli Manse'' | | |- | rowspan="2" |1980 |''Sharan Tula Bhagwanta'' | | |- |''Devapudhe Manus'' | | |- | rowspan="5" |1981 |''Naram Garam'' |Ratna | |- |''Nanand Bhavjay'' |Nanand | |- |''Khoon Ki Takkar'' |Thakur's Wife | |- |''Mahabali Hanuman'' |Mandodari | |- |''Devghar'' |Baisaheb | |- | rowspan="9" |1982 |''Baghavat'' |Maharani | |- |''Jeevan Dhaara'' |Sadhana Malhotra | |- |''Ashanti'' |Kumar's Mother | |- |''Angoor'' |Alka | |- |''Navare Sagle Gadhav'' |Sonavare | |- |''Kuvari'' | | |- |''Kai Ga Sakhu'' | | |- |''Dulha Bikta Hai'' | | |- |''Daulat'' |Aunty | |- | rowspan="5" |1983 |''Jeet Hamaari'' |Nirmala Singh | |- |''Sadma'' |Madam | |- |''Sansar Pakhrancha'' | | |- |''Sasu Varchad Jawai'' |Gangu Telinbai Teli | |- |''Gupchup Gupchup'' |Madam Jawalkar | |- | rowspan="3" |1984 |''Aao Jao Ghar Tumhara'' | | |- |''Maqsad'' |Mistress Pratap | |- |''Shraddha'' | | |- | rowspan="2" |1987 |''Premasathi Vattel Te'' |Durga | |- |''Khara Kadhi Bolu Naye'' |Saralabai Khote | |- | rowspan="3" |1988 |''Woh Phir Aayegi'' |Kamla | |- |''Hamara Khandaan'' | | |- |''Do Waqt Ki Roti'' |Pammi | |- | rowspan="2" |1990 |''Kasam Dhande Ki'' |Satyaprakash's foster mother | |- |''Ghabraiche Nahin'' |Anusayabai | |- | rowspan="3" |1993 |''Ghayaal'' |Anandibai Mandke | |- |''Porka'' | | |- |''Janmathep'' |Vahini Saheb | |- |1996 |''Ashi Asavi Sasu'' |Mavshi | |}
===Play and role=== * ''Lagnachi Bedi'' (Rashmi) * ''Mazi Bayko Mazi Mevhani'' (Rasika) * ''Navryachi Dhamal Tar Baykochi Kamal'' (Sunita) * ''Sakhi Shejarini'' (Preeti) * ''Biwi Kari Salaam'' (Rama) * ''Mavali'' (Alaknanda) * ''Guntata Hruday He'' (Kalyani) * ''Vaje Paul Aapule'' (Sushila) * ''Lafada Sadan'' (Sandika) * ''Pijara'' (Aai) * ''Baykola Jevha Jaag Yete'' (Avantika) * ''Mhanun Mi Tula Kuthe Net Nahi'' (Satyabhama)
==See also== *Marathi cinema *Hindi cinema
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0154436}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Chavan, Padma}} Category:1996 deaths Category:Marathi actresses Category:Actresses in Marathi cinema Category:Actresses from Mumbai Category:20th-century Indian actresses Category:1948 births Category:Indian stage actresses
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