Madhu Kambikar, a well-known and respected senior actress of Indian cinema and Marathi theatre, has passed away after a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Pune. The 70-year-old actress was suffering from health issues for some time. It is noteworthy that he has left his indelible mark in many memorable films of Hindi and Marathi cinema. She played the serious and emotional role of actor Nana Patekar's mother in the famous Bollywood film 'Vajud' and many Marathi films, which was highly appreciated by the audience and critics. In a unique and tragic coincidence of fate, Madhu Kambikar breathed her last in the same historical city of Pune, where some time ago a close relative of veteran actor Nana Patekar was also cremated. As soon as this sad news came to light, there was a wave of mourning in the cinema world, Marathi theater fraternity and his countless fans.
Madhu Kambikar's name is taken with utmost respect in the world of Marathi folk culture and art. He started his acting career with Marathi folk art 'Laavani' and folk drama (Tamasha). On the basis of his amazing dancing talent, strong dialogue delivery and acting skills, he very soon cemented his place in theater and silver screen. The characters he played in classic Marathi plays like 'Doodh Bhaat', 'Jambhul Aakhyan' and 'Vastraharan' made him popular in every household. He worked tirelessly throughout his life on the theater stage to keep the classical and traditional Lavani art alive and pass it on to the new generation.
Even today the audience has not been able to forget Madhu Kambikar's lively performance as the mother of Nana Patekar's character in the film 'Vajud' (1998). It is considered extremely challenging to maintain the balance of spontaneity and emotion on screen in front of an intense actor like Nana Patekar, but Madhu ji played her role with such beauty and depth that the audience was left emotional. The mother-son chemistry seen on screen between the two actors greatly strengthened the emotional aspect of the film. Apart from this, he also worked with Nana Patekar in some other Marathi and theater projects, where his work was always appreciated.
Maharashtra's cultural fraternity, politicians, senior theater artists and many Bollywood actors have expressed deep condolences on the demise of Madhu Kambikar. During his funeral at Vaikuntha crematorium in Pune, many big personalities from the cinema and theater world came to bid him farewell. Art experts say that Madhu ji's departure is not just the loss of a great actress, but it is the end of an important era of Marathi folk art and traditional Lavani culture. The coming generations will always remember the invaluable contribution he made in the field of art.