Ranjana Deshmukh

Ranjana
Ranjana
Born	Ranjana Deshmukh
Died	March 3, 2000; Parel, Mumbai, India
Alma mater	Studied at Parel English High School
Years active	1975–1987
Parent(s)	Vatsala Deshmukh

Ranjana Deshmukh (1955 – March 3, 2000), famous on-screen as just Ranjana, was a popular Marathi actress who dominated the Marathi silver screen in the '70s and '80s. Like her aunt, noted Hindi actress Sandhya, she was introduced to the screen by V. Shantaram in Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jaali, directed by Kiran Shantaram in 1975. She then starred in the lead role in Shantaram's next film, Jhunj. Ranjana won the best actress award in 1980 from the state government for Are Sansar Sansar. She won the award again for Gup Chup Gup Chup in 1983. Her other key films include Sushila, Gondhalat Gondhal, Mumbaicha Faujdar, Bin Kamacha Navra, Khichdi, Chani, Jakhmi Vaghin, Bhujang and Ek Daav Bhutacha.

Ranjana made hit pairs at the box office with several noted Marathi film actors including Ashok Saraf, Avinash Masurekar, Shriram Lagoo, Kuldeep Pawar, Nilu Phule, Ravindra Mahajani, Raja Gosavi and others.

Filmography

Films

Galli te Dilli

Asla Navara Nako Ga Bai
Mumbaicha Faujdar
Jhunj
Ek Dav Bhutacha
Chandanachi Choli Ang Aang Jali
Jhakmi Vaghin
Bhujang
Kela Ishara Jata Jata
Gup Chup Gup Chup
Gondhalat Gondhal
Bin Kamacha Navra
Khichadi
Sushila
Chaani
Bhalu
Bahuroopi
Sasu Varchadh Jawai
Savitri
Lakshmi
Lakshmichi Paule
Iye Marathiche Nagari
Sage Soyre
Baiko Asavi Ashi
Devghar
Are Sansar Sansar
Halad kunku
Jhanjhaar (1987)
Daivat
Mardani (1983)

End of career

Ranjana Deshmukh's career came to an abrupt end in 1987 in a car accident while she was on her way to Bangalore to shoot a Shantaram film named Jhanjhaar. Ranjana's legs were paralysed in the accident.

Death

Ranjana died of a heart attack^[1] at her residence at Parel in central Mumbai, India. She was 45. She is survived by her mother Vatsala Deshmukh, a noted character actress of her time and her aunt Sandhya, Hindi film actress and wife of V. Shantaram.

Zee Talkies paid tribute to Ranjana by showcasing her select movies on 3 March 2011.^[2] The government of Maharashtra has instituted an award in her memory.