Who was Madhu Kambikar? 5 career milestones that defined the Marathi star

Highlights

• Veteran Marathi actress and folk performer Madhu Kambikar died at 73 on October 12, 2026, after a prolonged illness.
• She appeared in more than 75 films and became a familiar face in Marathi cinema, theater, and television.
• Her notable film credits include Ek Hota Vidushak, Zapatlela, and movies with filmmaker and actor Dada Kondke.
• She was also celebrated for her contribution to Lavani, a traditional folk performance form from Maharashtra, and received several state and industry honors.

Veteran Marathi actress and folk artist Madhu Kambikar, known for her work across films, theater, and folk performance, died in Pune on Monday, October 12, 2026. She was 73 and had reportedly been battling health problems for several years.

Kambikar built a career spanning more than 75 films and became particularly well known during the 1980s. Alongside her screen work, she earned recognition for her Lavani performances, helping bring Maharashtra’s folk traditions to wider audiences.

Here are five highlights from her career that reflect her contribution to Marathi entertainment.

1. Ek Hota Vidushak

One of Kambikar’s notable screen appearances was in filmmaker Jabbar Patel’s Ek Hota Vidushak. She played the mother of Laxmikant Berde’s character and also performed Lavani in the film.

The role brought together two important parts of her artistic career: acting and traditional folk performance.

2. Zapatlela and other Marathi films

Kambikar’s filmography included Zapatlela, along with Gosht Choti Dongraewdhi and Paij Lagnachi. Across more than 75 films, she established herself as a versatile performer in Marathi cinema.

Her work helped make her a recognizable presence for audiences who followed Marathi films through the 1980s and beyond.

3. Her association with Dada Kondke

Kambikar also worked with popular Marathi filmmaker and actor Dada Kondke, appearing in films including Yeu Ka Gharat and Mala Gheun Chala.

Her collaborations with Kondke formed another part of her career in regional cinema, where she took on roles that showcased her natural acting style.

4. Her contribution to Lavani

Beyond movies, Kambikar was known for her association with Lavani, a traditional Maharashtrian performance form combining music, rhythm, dance, and expressive storytelling.

Performances associated with her career included “Bharla Abhaal Paasvi Pahuuna Gan Bai” and “Kutan Tumi Gela Hota Sanga Karbhari.” Her work across stage and screen helped keep this folk tradition visible to audiences.

5. The awards that recognized her career

Kambikar received several honors during her career, including a Filmfare Marathi Award and six Maharashtra State Film Awards.

In 2018, she was honored with the Zee Chitra Gaurav Award. As she was unable to attend the ceremony, her daughter-in-law, Sheetal Jadhav, accepted the award on her behalf.

Madhu Kambikar’s lasting legacy

Kambikar’s career connected Marathi cinema with theater and Maharashtra’s folk performance traditions. Her work across more than 75 films, along with her contributions to Lavani, established her as a respected figure in regional entertainment.

Her death marks the loss of an artist whose career spanned several forms of performance and left a lasting imprint on Marathi cultural life.