Padmini Kolhapure

Padmini Kolhapure was born in a Maharashtrian family of a classical singer father and a working mother on 1st of November 1965. Padmini had her connect into the industry right from her birth, as her father was a cousin to the late Dinanath Mangeshkar, the father of legendary Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

As singing was already present in her genes, Padmini started her career as a chorus singer in flicks like 'Yaadon Ki Baarat', 'Dushman Dost' and 'Kitaab' along with her sister Shivangi (now wife of Shakti Kapoor). She continued with her singing talent until her cousin Asha Bhosle recommended her name to the legendary Dev Anand, and this thus resulted Padmini's debut in acting as a child artist in 1975 release 'Ishq Ishq Ishq'. And as the film succeeded so did Kolhapure's fortune with back-to-back offers to act as a child artist in flicks like 'Zindagi', 'Saajan Bin Suhagan' and 'Dream Girl'. All was going pretty well with this child until a golden opportunity came by her feet, back then the star maker famous Raj Kapoor offered her to play a child character in his 1977 release 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'. Padmini's performance here was commendable and grabbed a lot of attention. The talent was not wasted and it appeared so when she was served to play a pivotal role in 1980 release 'Insaaf Ka Tarazu'. She proved her unique charisma by essaying a controversial character of a role of a rape victim, and was better appreciated for the same. Soon Padmini became the youngest actress in the industry who started acting at a small age of 15.

No sooner Padmini was on a spree to grab all the limelight with her marvels in films like 'Prem Rog', 'Mazdoor', 'Souten', 'Woh Saat Din', 'Rahi Badal Gaye', 'Insaaf Main Karoonga', 'Anubhav' and 'Swarg Se Sunder Desh Hamara'. Apart from acting, she also lend her voice in films like 'Vidhaata', 'Sadak Chhap' and 'Hum Intezaar Karenge', which kept her rooted to singing.

This was her time and she proved it to the world. However, being in the industry, she was brushed by a controversy when she kissed Prince Charles on his visit to India. Nevertheless, resting the past of controversy behind the actress kept on working and was later seen in 'Aisa Pyaar Kahan' released in 1986. The film proved to do a good business and added happiness in her life. But the happiness was not limited to the success, it was the film where she met her partner Pradeep Sharma, the producer of the film. She later got married to Pradeep and still kept on acting. Her list of films then got added by 'Kirayadar', 'Pyar Ke Kabil' and 'Dana Paani'. But soon after this Padmini and Pradeep were blessed with a baby boy 'Priyank'. The newly motherhood became a priority for the star which lead her to take a break from acting.

But as the instinct has, Padmini was unable to keep herself aloof from her first love, acting and she decided her comeback in the industry. It was rather a unique step as the star chose another medium to re-enter, Padmini opted for a regional film rather than a Bollywood flick.

In 2003, Padmini was back with a bang in Marathi film 'Chimani Pakhare' which went on to become a huge success. Next up came 'Manthan', again a Marathi film, which repeated her success. However, the actress appeared in Hindi films too like 'Eight', 'Bolo Raam' and 'Karmayogi', but they all disappointed the talented beauty. Padmini Kolhapure's recent release was the Shahid Kapoor starrer 'Phata Poster Nikhla Hero', in which she essayed the role of Shahid's mother.

Along with her sibling Shivangi roped in her strings in B-Town credited by Shakti Kapoor and now Shraddha Kapoor. Padmini also has another sibling in the Industry, her younger sister Tejaswini Kolhapure, who is a model and actress.