Rohini Hattangadi

Born: 11 April 1955

Rohini Hattangadi is one of those rare actors who truly transcended language barriers in Indian cinema—working seamlessly across Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati films. Her career took off in 1978 with *Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan*, but it was her unforgettable role as Kasturba Gandhi in *Gandhi* (1982) that became her defining moment, earning her a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress—a distinction no other Indian actress has achieved. She's also bagged a National Film Award and two Filmfare Awards, cementing her status as a powerhouse performer. With over 80 films to her credit, Hattangadi brought gravitas to art-house gems like *Arth* and *Saaransh*, proving she was equally at home in indie cinema and mainstream projects. What sets Rohini apart is her refusal to be confined by the roles Bollywood tried to box her into. After *Gandhi*, she was frequently typecast as the archetypal mother figure—sometimes frustratingly so—yet she brought such depth and authenticity to every character that audiences bought in completely. Her contributions to Indian theatre and television have been equally significant, making her a true thespian in every sense. A proud alumna of the National School of Drama, Hattangadi remains active across mediums, continuing to deliver nuanced performances that remind us why she's considered one of the finest actors of her generation.