Veteran actress Usha Nadkarni, who has been captivating audiences for over six decades across films, television, theatre, and reality shows, recently opened up about her remarkable journey. Now in her eighties, she revealed that she began working as early as the fourth grade.
Early Beginnings on ‘Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar’
On the reality show ‘Tum Ho Naa- Ghar Ki Superstar’, Nadkarni shared candid insights into her life and career. Reflecting on her start, she said, “Main chauthi class mein thi tabhi acting kiya tha. Aaj meri 80 chal rahi hai, main abhi bhi kaam kar rahi hoon.” (I started acting when I was in the fourth grade. Today, I’m in my eighties, and I’m still working.)
Passion Over Criticism
Discussing her passion for acting, Nadkarni revealed that her mother, a teacher, initially disapproved of her career choice. “Acting mera kaam hai. Matlab bachpan se hi mujhe acting ki chahat thi bahut. Ye aate hain, dikhte hain picture mein, ye aate hain TV pe. Maa ko pasand nahi tha. Maa teacher thi na, toh usko pasand nahi tha. Uske hisaab se woh sahi thi. Kyunki hum middle class wale, aaju baaju mein log hote hain, woh bolte hi rehte hain.” (Acting is my profession. Since childhood, I had a strong desire to become an actor. I saw people in films and on TV and wanted that. My mother, being a teacher, didn’t like it. From her perspective, she was right. In a middle-class family, people around you always comment.)
She learned early to ignore naysayers. “Mera toh kehna hai bhaad mein gaye log. Apne ko jo karna hai na woh karna hai. Wahan jaake hum kuch galat nahi karte, woh dekhke aur maa-baap ka naam kharab nahi hoga, woh dekhke hi chalna chahiye.” (What I say is, to hell with what people think. Do what you truly want. We’re not doing anything wrong, and it won’t bring shame to our parents’ name. That’s how one should think.)
Discipline and Independence
Nadkarni also spoke about living independently and her disciplined routine. “Uthne ke baad mera shooting chalu hai na toh main paanch baje uthti hoon. Mera dabba main khud banati hoon. Main dabba ghar se lekar jaati hoon. Matlab bhaji, roti, chawal, daal, chaas.” (Since I have shooting schedules, I wake up at five. I prepare my own lunchbox with vegetables, rotis, rice, dal, and buttermilk.)
“Ek baar aadat lag gayi kaam ki na, baaki kuch sochta hi nahi hai tumko. Ghar, kaam, ghar, kaam.” (Once you get used to working, you don’t think about anything else. It’s just home, work, home, work.)
Overcoming Fear of Living Alone
Admitting she once feared living alone, Nadkarni said, “Aadat ban gayi na. Insaan aadat ka gulaam hota hai. Pehle main darti bhi thi. Matlab upar jaate samay watchman ko bula ke leke jaati thi. Darwaza kholne tak khade raho. Aur kholte kholte peeche dekhna, jaise bhoot aake mujhe hi pakadne wala hai. Ab ye aadat ho gayi. Ab watchman ko nahi bulati.” (It became a habit. Earlier, I was scared—I’d call the watchman to accompany me upstairs and wait until I unlocked the door, looking over my shoulder as if a ghost would grab me. Now I’ve gotten used to it and don’t call him anymore.)
Self-Reliance as a Guiding Value
Emphasizing self-reliance, she stated, “Industry mein ek toh tumhara kaam achha hoga toh hi kaam milega. Woh bhi guarantee nahi hai. Aur mujhe woh bheekh maangne ki aadat bhi nahi.” (In this industry, you get work only if your work is good. Even then, there’s no guarantee. And I’m not used to begging for opportunities.)
When asked who stands by her, she replied, “Usha ke liye khade hone ki zarurat nahi hai. Usha, Usha ke liye khadi hai.” (Usha doesn’t need anyone to stand by her. Usha stands for herself.)
Notable Works and Legacy
Nadkarni has been part of hit projects like ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai’, ‘Rustom’, ‘Bhoothnath Returns’, ‘Great Grand Masti’, and the critically acclaimed Marathi film ‘Deool’. She was beloved for her role as Ankita Lokhande’s on-screen mother-in-law in ‘Pavitra Rishta’, where she played the mother of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s character.
