Madhu Kambikar, veteran Marathi actress and Lavani artiste, dies at 73

Veteran Marathi actress and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar has passed away at the age of 73 at her residence in Pune following a prolonged illness.

Kambikar enjoyed a prolific career spanning over four decades, appearing in more than 75 films across Marathi, Hindi, and Gujarati cinema. She was highly regarded for her versatile performances in films such as ‘Shapit’, ‘Ek Hota Vidushak’, ‘Zapatlela’, and ‘Hech Majha Maher’. Beyond mainstream cinema, she was a celebrated performer of Lavani and Tamasha, traditional Maharashtrian folk arts, helping to bring these forms to wider audiences.

Her health had significantly declined following a stroke suffered during a Lavani performance in 2016. The incident led to her retirement from active acting and stage performances. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid tribute to her, describing her death as ‘extremely heartbreaking’ and noting her immense contribution to the state’s art and culture.