Ranjana Deshmukh was an Indian actress. She was well-known for working predominantly in the Marathi film industry. In 2000, she died of a heart attack at the age of 45 in Mumbai. She worked in many popular Marathi films including ‘Sushila’ (1978), ‘Are Sansar Sansar’ (1981), ‘Gupchup Gupchup’ (1983), and ‘Zakhmi Wagin’ (1984).
Wiki/Biography
Ranjana Deshmukh was born on Saturday, 23 July 1955 (age 45 years; at the time of death) in Mumbai. Her zodiac sign was Leo. She studied at Parel English High School in Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 5″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark brown
Family
Ranjana Deshmukh belonged to a Marathi family of actors in Mumbai.
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name was Govardhan Deshmukh, who was a theatre actor, and her mother’s name was Vatsala Deshmukh, who was an Indian actress. She worked in the Marathi and Hindi film industries.
Ranjana Deshmukh’s mother, Vatsala Deshmukh
After the couple got divorced, Vatsala, along with her children, moved to live with her sister, Sandhya. On 12 March 2022, she died at the age of 92. Ranjana had a younger brother.
Husband
She was unmarried.
Other Relatives
Her mother’s sister, Sandhya Shantaram (also known as Vijaya Deshmukh), is an Indian actress, who has worked in the Hindi and Marathi film industries. Her uncle and Sandhya Shantaram’s husband, V. Shantaram, was an Indian filmmaker, producer and actor, who was known for working in the Hindi and Marathi film industries.
Sandhya with her husband V. Shantaram
Relationships/Affairs
Ranjana Deshmukh was allegedly linked to the Marathi and Hindi actor, Ashok Saraf. The affair got disclosed after she met with a car accident in 1987.
Ranjana Deshmukh with Ashok Saraf
Address
Shivaji Park, Parel, central Mumbai
Career
Film
Hindi
In 1952, she debuted as a child actor in the Hindi film industry with the well-known historical drama film ‘Anand Math’ in which she played the role of Kalyani.
Poster of the 1952 Hindi film ‘Anand Math’
In 1963, she worked as a child actor in a fantasy film titled ‘Harishchandra Taramati’ in which Prithviraj Kapoor played the lead role of Raja Harishchandra. In 1966, she worked in the musical drama film ‘Ladki Sahyadri Ki’ directed by famous director V. Shantaram. She worked in the 1987 film ‘Jhanjhaar’ along with actress Padmini Kolhapure. In 1994, she played a supporting role in the comedy-drama film ‘Yeh Dillagi’ starring Akshay Kumar, Kajol, and Saif Ali Khan.
Poster of the 1994 Hindi film ‘Yeh Dillagi’
Marathi
In 1965, she debuted with the drama film ‘Iye Marathiche Nagari.’
Poster of the 1965 Marathi film ‘Iye Marathiche Nagari’
She worked in the 1975 film ‘Chandanachi Choli Anga Aanga Jali.’ In the same year, she worked in the action film ‘Jhunj’ in which she played the role of Kamala Kolhapure. In 1977, she worked in the film ‘Asla Navra Nakoga Bai’ in which she played the role of Shalan. In the same year, she played the role of Channi in the film of the same name. In 1978, she played the role of Durga Mane in the film ‘Sasurvasheen.’ In the same year, she played the role of Sushila in the film of the same name. In 1980, she played the role of Ratna Desai in the film ‘Are Sansar Sansar.’ In the same year, she worked in the film ‘Bhalu’ in which she appeared as Sumitra. In 1981, she worked in a short film titled ‘Devghar.’
Poster of the 1981 Marathi film ‘Devghar’
In the same year, she appeared in the drama romance film ‘Gondhalat Gondhal’ in which she played the role of Mangala. She played the role of Nakubala in the 1982 comedy film ‘Ek Daav Bhutacha.’ In the same year, she appeared as Taramati in the comedy-drama film ‘Galli Te Dilli.’ In 1983, she worked in five films titled ‘Mardani,’ ‘Savitri,’ ‘Baiko Asavi Ashi,’ ‘Gupchup Gupchup,’ and ‘Sasu Varchad Javai.’ She played the role of Dhrupada in the 1984 comedy-drama film ‘Bin Kamacha Navra.’ In the same year, she played the role of Saku in a film titled ‘Mumbaicha Faujdar.’ She appeared in the 1984 action film ‘Zakhmi Wagin’ in which she played the role of Bhanu.
Telugu
In 1977, she debuted in the Telugu film industry with the mythological film ‘Daana Veera Soora Karna’ directed by N. T. Rama Rao.
Poster of the 1977 Telugu film ‘Daana Veera Soora Karna’
Awards
- Won Best Actress Award for the 1978 Marathi film ‘Sushila’ at Filmfare Awards
- Won Best Actress Award for the 1981 Marathi film ‘Are Sansar Sansar’ at the State Government Awards
- Won Best Actress Award for the 1983 Marathi film ‘Gupchup Gupchup’ at the State Government Awards
- Won Best Actress Award for the 1983 Marathi film ‘Savitri’ at Filmfare Awards
Ranjana Deshmukh at the 1983-84 Filmfare Awards
Death
On 3 march 2000, she died of cardiac arrest at her residence at Shivaji Park, Parel in central Mumbai.
Facts/Trivia
- In 1987, Ranjana met with a car accident when she was on her way to Bangalore to shoot for the Hindi social drama film ‘Jhanjhaar.’ She lost both of her legs and also failed her left hand in the accident. After the accident, her acting career declined drastically; however, she worked in a Marathi theatrical production titled ‘Fakt Ekdaach.’
- On 3 March 2011, Zee Talkies showcased her selected films for paying a tribute to her.
- She had worked with many famous actors and made hit pairs with well-known Marathi actors including Ashok Saraf, Avinash Masurekar, Shriram Lagoo, Kuldeep Pawar, Nilu Phule, and more.
- The Maharashtra government introduced an award in her memory.
- In 2022, Abhijeet Mohan Warang, a National Award-winning director, announced a biopic on Ranjana Deshmukh titled ‘Ranjana Unfold.’ The film is expected to be released on 3 March 2023.