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'''Shanta Apte''' (1916-1964) was an Indian singer-actress who worked in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Hindi]] cinema.<ref name="Thoraval2000">{{cite book|author=Yves Thoraval|title=The cinemas of India|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-OpkAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=1 February 2000|publisher=Macmillan India|isbn=978-0-333-93410-4|page=27}}</ref> Renowned for her roles in films like ''[[Duniya Na Mane]]''/Kunku (1937) and ''[[Amar Jyoti]]'' (1936) under the [[Prabhat Films]] banner, she was active in [[Indian cinema]] from 1932-58. Apte's impact on Marathi cinema "paralleled" that of [[Kanan Devi]]'s in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]].<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen2014">{{cite book|author1=Ashish Rajadhyaksha|author2=Paul Willemen|author3=Professor of Critical Studies Paul Willemen|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA44|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=10 July 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-94318-9|pages=88–|chapter=Devi, Kanan}}</ref> Along with Kanan Devi, Apte is cited as one of the "great singing stars" from before the playback singing era.<ref name=Indiancinema>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte|url=https://wiki.indiancine.ma/wiki/Shanta%20Apte|website=wiki.indiancine.ma|publisher=Indiancine.ma|accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref> Apte began her career in films playing the role of a young [[Radha]] in the Marathi film ''Shyamsunder'' (1932). She joined Prabhat Films acting in her first Hindi language film ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' in (1934).<ref name=Streeshakti>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte|url=http://www.streeshakti.com/bookS.aspx?author=16|website=streeshakti.com|publisher=Streeshakti.com|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref>
'''Shanta Apte''' (1916-1964) was an Indian singer-actress who worked in [[Marathi language|Marathi]] and [[Hindi]] cinema.<ref name="Thoraval2000">{{cite book|author=Yves Thoraval|title=The cinemas of India|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=-OpkAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=1 February 2000|publisher=Macmillan India|isbn=978-0-333-93410-4|page=27}}</ref> Renowned for her roles in films like ''[[Duniya Na Mane]]''/Kunku (1937) and ''[[Amar Jyoti]]'' (1936) under the [[Prabhat Films]] banner, she was active in [[Indian cinema]] from 1932-58. Apte's impact on Marathi cinema "paralleled" that of [[Kanan Devi]]'s in [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]].<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen2014">{{cite book|author1=Ashish Rajadhyaksha|author2=Paul Willemen|author3=Professor of Critical Studies Paul Willemen|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA44|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=10 July 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-94318-9|pages=88–|chapter=Devi, Kanan}}</ref> Along with Kanan Devi, Apte is cited as one of the "great singing stars" from before the playback singing era.<ref name=Indiancinema>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte|url=https://wiki.indiancine.ma/wiki/Shanta%20Apte|website=wiki.indiancine.ma|publisher=Indiancine.ma|accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref> Apte began her career in films playing the role of a young [[Radha]] in the Marathi film ''Shyamsunder'' (1932). She joined Prabhat Films acting in her first Hindi language film ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' in (1934).<ref name="Streeshakti">{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte|url=http://www.streeshakti.com/bookS.aspx?author=16|website=streeshakti.com|publisher=Streeshakti.com|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref>


She brought a change in the static style of song renditions in films with her "spontaneous gestures and eye movements". A "woman of rare mettle" she staged a hunger strike in 1939 at the Prabhat Studios gate following a disagreement regarding a clause in her contract.<ref>{{cite book|author=Renu Saran|title=Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0A3qAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT97|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=25 February 2014|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-5083-691-0|pages=97–|chapter=Shanta Apte}}</ref> Cited as a "domestic guerrilla" following her roles in films like Kunku/Duniya Na mane, she became an inspirational role-model for a generation of college students.<ref name="Joshi2002">{{cite book|author=Lalit Mohan Joshi|title=Bollywood: Popular Indian Cinema|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xsEuVL1aGE0C&pg=PA163|accessdate=24 June 2015|year=2002|publisher=Lucky Dissanayake|isbn=978-0-9537032-2-7|pages=163–}}</ref>
She brought a change in the static style of song renditions in films with her "spontaneous gestures and eye movements". A "woman of rare mettle" she staged a hunger strike in 1939 at the Prabhat Studios gate following a disagreement regarding a clause in her contract.<ref>{{cite book|author=Renu Saran|title=Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=0A3qAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT97|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=25 February 2014|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-5083-691-0|pages=97–|chapter=Shanta Apte}}</ref> Cited as a "domestic guerrilla" following her roles in films like Kunku/Duniya Na mane, she became an inspirational role-model for a generation of college students.<ref name="Joshi2002">{{cite book|author=Lalit Mohan Joshi|title=Bollywood: Popular Indian Cinema|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xsEuVL1aGE0C&pg=PA163|accessdate=24 June 2015|year=2002|publisher=Lucky Dissanayake|isbn=978-0-9537032-2-7|pages=163–}}</ref>


Claimed to be the highest paid female screen star in Marathi-language cinema, her "star" status with the audiences as early as 1937 was acknowledged by the cine-magazine editor [[Baburao Patel]] in December 1937 issue of ''[[Filmindia]]'', in an editorial ironically titled "India Has No Star".<ref name=Patel>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=India Has No Star|journal=Filmindia|date=December 1937|volume=3|issue=8|url=<https://archive.org/stream/filmindia19373803unse#page/n17/mode/2up/search/Shanta+Apte|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref>
Claimed to be the highest paid female screen star in Marathi-language cinema, her "star" status with the audiences as early as 1937 was acknowledged by the cine-magazine editor [[Baburao Patel]] in December 1937 issue of ''[[Filmindia]]'', in an editorial titled "India Has No Star".<ref name=Patel>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=India Has No Star|journal=Filmindia|date=December 1937|volume=3|issue=8|url=https://archive.org/stream/filmindia19373803unse#page/n17/mode/2up/search/Shanta+Apte|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref>


She was also one of the earliest Indian cinema actor to write her autobiography ''Jau Mi Cinemat'' (Should I join Films) in Marathi.<ref name=Saran2014/>
She was also one of the earliest Indian cinema actor to write her autobiography ''Jau Mi Cinemat'' (Should I join Films) in Marathi.<ref name=Saran2014 />


==Early Years==
==Early Years==
Born in 1916 in Dudhni, [[Maharashtra]], India,<ref name="CareersDigest">{{cite book|title=Careers Digest|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=byDNAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=26 June 2015|volume=1|year=1964|page=383}}</ref> to a Brahmin family, Apte was the daughter of a station master.<ref name=Filmindia>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=Questions And Answers|journal=Filmindia|date=December 1938|volume=4|issue=12|pages=23|url=https://archive.org/stream/filmindia193804unse#page/n355/mode/2up/search/Shanta+Apte|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Following her father's inclination towards singing, the young Apte took up it up, rendering [[bhajan]]s at the local [[Ganesh festival]]s in [[Poona]]. She studied music at the Maharashtra Sangeet Vidyalaya in Pandharpur.<ref name=Sathe>{{cite web|last1=Sathe|first1=V. P.|title=Article-Profile Shanta Apte (1977)|url=http://cineplot.com/shanta-apte-profile/|website=cineplot.com|accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref>
Born in 1916 in Dudhni, [[Maharashtra]], India,<ref name="CareersDigest">{{cite book|title=Careers Digest|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=byDNAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=26 June 2015|volume=1|year=1964|page=383}}</ref> to a Brahmin family, Apte was the daughter of a station master.<ref name=Filmindia>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=Questions And Answers|journal=Filmindia|date=December 1938|volume=4|issue=12|pages=23|url=https://archive.org/stream/filmindia193804unse#page/n355/mode/2up/search/Shanta+Apte|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Following her father's inclination towards singing, the young Apte took up it up, rendering [[bhajan]]s at the local [[Ganesh festival]]s in [[Poona]]. She studied music at the Maharashtra Sangeet Vidyalaya in Pandharpur.<ref name="Sathe">{{cite web|last1=Sathe|first1=V. P.|title=Article-Profile Shanta Apte (1977)|url=http://cineplot.com/shanta-apte-profile/|website=cineplot.com|accessdate=24 June 2015}}</ref>


She was introduced in films as a child artiste at the age of nine years, by the actor-director [[Baburao Pendharkar]].<ref name="Saran2014"/> The "guidance" of her older brother Baburao Apte, who acted in Apte's first film ''Shyamsunder'' as Radha's husband, was stated to be a help in her rise to stardom.<ref name="Joshi1984">{{cite book|author=G. N. Joshi|title=Down melody lane|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=H40IAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=24 June 2015|year=1984|publisher=Orient Longman|isbn=978-0-86131-175-0|page=29}}</ref>
She was introduced in films as a child artiste at the age of nine years, by the actor-director [[Baburao Pendharkar]].<ref name="Saran2014" /> The "guidance" of her older brother Baburao Apte, who acted in Apte's first film ''Shyamsunder'' as Radha's husband, was stated to be a help in her rise to stardom.<ref name="Joshi1984">{{cite book|author=G. N. Joshi|title=Down melody lane|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=H40IAQAAMAAJ|accessdate=24 June 2015|year=1984|publisher=Orient Longman|isbn=978-0-86131-175-0|page=29}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
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Apte started her acting career when she was discovered at the age of nine years by Baburao Pendharkar and then cast in [[Bhalji Pendharkar]] directed film ''Shyamsunder''. The film is stated to be the first Marathi film to celebrate a "silver jubilee" (25 weeks) in a single theatre.<ref name="Raj2009">{{cite book|author=Ashok Raj|title=Hero Vol.1|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tgo9BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT13|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=1 November 2009|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=978-93-81398-02-9|pages=13–|chapter=2-The Formative Phase of Indian Cinema}}</ref>
Apte started her acting career when she was discovered at the age of nine years by Baburao Pendharkar and then cast in [[Bhalji Pendharkar]] directed film ''Shyamsunder''. The film is stated to be the first Marathi film to celebrate a "silver jubilee" (25 weeks) in a single theatre.<ref name="Raj2009">{{cite book|author=Ashok Raj|title=Hero Vol.1|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tgo9BAAAQBAJ&pg=PT13|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=1 November 2009|publisher=Hay House, Inc|isbn=978-93-81398-02-9|pages=13–|chapter=2-The Formative Phase of Indian Cinema}}</ref>


In 1934 she was cast as the hero's sister in ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' directed by [[V. Shantaram]] for [[Prabhat Films]]. The film was a "box-office bonanza" and a big break for Apte. It was the first Hindi talkie film to celebrate a silver jubilee and was screened at International Film Festival, Venice.The film was the first to have a run of twenty-five weeks (silver jubilee) at a theatre.<ref name=Saran>{{cite book|last1=Saran|first1=Renu|title=History Of Indian Cinema|date=2014|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|location=India|isbn=9789350836514|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=XAT4AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT294&lpg=PT294&dq=Madan+Theatres+Talkie+in+1931&source=bl&ots=wnYdJGIKoc&sig=C7u4LQqagbGGCJa1Jetm-JB3Uxk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=68nxU9TTAsaTuATowIKoDA&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Madan%20Theatres%20Talkie%20in%201931&f=false|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref><ref name=Prabhatfilm>{{cite web|title=Amrit Manthan|url=http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm|website=prabhatfilm.com|publisher=Prabhatfilm.com|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Apte rendered four solo songs under the music direction of Keshavrao Bhole, including the first recorded filmy ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka".
In 1934 she was cast as the hero's sister in ''[[Amrit Manthan (film)|Amrit Manthan]]'' directed by [[V. Shantaram]] for [[Prabhat Films]]. The film was a "box-office bonanza" and a big break for Apte. It was the first Hindi talkie film to celebrate a silver jubilee and was screened at International Film Festival, Venice.The film was the first to have a run of twenty-five weeks (silver jubilee) at a theatre.<ref name="Saran">{{cite book|last1=Saran|first1=Renu|title=History Of Indian Cinema|date=2014|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|location=India|isbn=9789350836514|url=http://books.google.co.in/books?id=XAT4AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT294&lpg=PT294&dq=Madan+Theatres+Talkie+in+1931&source=bl&ots=wnYdJGIKoc&sig=C7u4LQqagbGGCJa1Jetm-JB3Uxk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=68nxU9TTAsaTuATowIKoDA&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Madan%20Theatres%20Talkie%20in%201931&f=false|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Prabhatfilm">{{cite web|title=Amrit Manthan|url=http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm|website=prabhatfilm.com|publisher=Prabhatfilm.com|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Apte rendered four solo songs under the music direction of Keshavrao Bhole, including the first recorded filmy ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka".


1936 saw Apte acting in V. Shantaram directed [[Amar Jyoti]]. It co-starred [[Durga Khote]], Vasanti and [[Chandra Mohan (Hindi film actor)|Chandra Mohan]] and was Prabhat Film banner's first film to have playback singing.<ref name=Prabhatfilm>{{cite web|title=Amar Jyoti}}</ref>
1936 saw Apte acting in V. Shantaram directed [[Amar Jyoti]]. It co-starred [[Durga Khote]], Vasanti and [[Chandra Mohan (Hindi film actor)|Chandra Mohan]] and was Prabhat Film banner's first film to have playback singing.<ref name="Prabhatfilm, Amar Jyoti"> Prabhatfilm, Amar Jyoti</ref>


In 1937, she acted in V. Shantaram's [[Duniya Na Mane]] also called ''The Unexpected'', where she played the role of a young girl, Nirmala, who is married to a rich old widower, played by [[Keshavrao Date]]. She protests and refuses to acknowledge him as her husband. In the end, the old man realises what he's done and commits suicide, leaving a note where he asks Nirmala to remarry.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|last1=Crow|first1=Jonathan|title=Duniya Na Mane|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/253929/Kunku/overview|accessdate=26 June 2015|work=Overview|agency=Ney York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company}}</ref> Shanta sang an English song in the film, a version of H. W. Longfellow's ''Psalm of Life''. The same year she acted in the Marathi version of the film called ''Kunku''.<ref name=Streeshakti>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte}}</ref> The film proved to be the biggest success of her career and is still acclaimed by critics.<ref name=Saran2014>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses}}</ref>
In 1937, she acted in V. Shantaram's [[Duniya Na Mane]] also called ''The Unexpected'', where she played the role of a young girl, Nirmala, who is married to a rich old widower, played by [[Keshavrao Date]]. She protests and refuses to acknowledge him as her husband. In the end, the old man realises what he's done and commits suicide, leaving a note where he asks Nirmala to remarry.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|last1=Crow|first1=Jonathan|title=Duniya Na Mane|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/253929/Kunku/overview|accessdate=26 June 2015|work=Overview|agency=Ney York Times|publisher=The New York Times Company}}</ref> Shanta sang an English song in the film, a version of H. W. Longfellow's ''Psalm of Life''. The same year she acted in the Marathi version of the film called ''Kunku''.<ref name=Streeshakti />The film proved to be the biggest success of her career and is still acclaimed by critics.<ref name=Saran2014>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses}}</ref>


In 1938 Apte acted in another famous film from Prabhat Films, directed by V. Shantaram called Gopal Krishan.
In 1938 Apte acted in another famous film from Prabhat Films, directed by V. Shantaram called Gopal Krishan.
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In 1941, Apte acted in ''Savithri'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film, which also had [[M. S. Subbalakshmi]] playing the role of [[Narada|Narad]].<ref name="'Santosh'">{{cite book|author=Manish Kumar 'Santosh'|title=M.S Subbalakshmi|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tXhwBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP8|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=10 January 2001|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan Children books, Biography|isbn=978-93-5186-330-4|pages=8–}}</ref> Apte acted with [[Noor Jehan]] in ''[[Duhai]]'' (Curse) in 1943, a social melodrama where Noor Jehan played the second lead.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Datta|first1=V. S.|title=Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber|url=http://activeindiatv.com/entertainment/18227-heroine-shanta-apte-whipped-top-journalist-in-his-chamber-|website=activeindiatv.com|publisher=Active India|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> The film was directed by Vishnu Vyas it had music by [[Rafiq Ghaznavi]] and [[Pannalal Ghosh]].
In 1941, Apte acted in ''Savithri'', a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] film, which also had [[M. S. Subbalakshmi]] playing the role of [[Narada|Narad]].<ref name="'Santosh'">{{cite book|author=Manish Kumar 'Santosh'|title=M.S Subbalakshmi|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tXhwBgAAQBAJ&pg=PP8|accessdate=26 June 2015|date=10 January 2001|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan Children books, Biography|isbn=978-93-5186-330-4|pages=8–}}</ref> Apte acted with [[Noor Jehan]] in ''[[Duhai]]'' (Curse) in 1943, a social melodrama where Noor Jehan played the second lead.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Datta|first1=V. S.|title=Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber|url=http://activeindiatv.com/entertainment/18227-heroine-shanta-apte-whipped-top-journalist-in-his-chamber-|website=activeindiatv.com|publisher=Active India|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> The film was directed by Vishnu Vyas it had music by [[Rafiq Ghaznavi]] and [[Pannalal Ghosh]].


In 1946, Apte acted in four films with ''Subhadra'' being a "mythological comedy", which was produced and directed by [[Master Vinayak]] and co-starred [[Yakub (actor)|Yakub]], Ishwarlal and [[Lata Mangeshkar]].<ref name=ReviewSubhadra>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=Review-Subhadra|journal=Filmindia|date=September 1946|volume=12|issue=9|pages=57|url=https://archive.org/stream/filmindia194814unse#page/n689/mode/2up/search/Subhadra|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Subhadra had Apte and Lata Mangeshkar singing together in the song "Main Khili Khili Phulwari" under the music direction of [[Vasant Desai]].<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen2014">{{cite book|author1=Ashish Rajadhyaksha|author2=Paul Willemen|author3=Professor of Critical Studies Paul Willemen|title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SLkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA307|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=10 July 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-94318-9|pages=307–|chapter=Subhadra-1946}}</ref> Then came ''[[Uttara Abhimanyu]]'' directed by [[Sarvottam Badami]] for Paras Pics and co-starring [[Shahu Modak]], ''Panihari'' directed by V. M. Gunjal starred [[Surendra (actor)|Surendra]] and Yakub, and ''Valmiki'' directed by Bhalji Pendharkar with both Prithviraj and Raj Kapoor acting in the film.
In 1946, Apte acted in four films with ''Subhadra'' being a "mythological comedy", which was produced and directed by [[Master Vinayak]] and co-starred [[Yakub (actor)|Yakub]], Ishwarlal and [[Lata Mangeshkar]].<ref name=ReviewSubhadra>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=Baburao|title=Review-Subhadra|journal=Filmindia|date=September 1946|volume=12|issue=9|pages=57|url=https://archive.org/stream/filmindia194814unse#page/n689/mode/2up/search/Subhadra|accessdate=26 June 2015}}</ref> Subhadra had Apte and Lata Mangeshkar singing together in the song "Main Khili Khili Phulwari" under the music direction of [[Vasant Desai]].<ref name="RajadhyakshaWillemen2014 ch. Subhadra (1946)"> ch. Subhadra (1946)</ref> Then came ''[[Uttara Abhimanyu]]'' directed by [[Sarvottam Badami]] for Paras Pics and co-starring [[Shahu Modak]], ''Panihari'' directed by V. M. Gunjal starred [[Surendra (actor)|Surendra]] and Yakub, and ''Valmiki'' directed by Bhalji Pendharkar with both Prithviraj and Raj Kapoor acting in the film.


Shanta Apte thus had the rare distinction of singing and acting with the three "iconic female singers" of Indian cinema: with M. S. Subbulakshmi in ''Savithri'' (1941), with Noor Jehan in ''Duhai'' (1943), and with Lata Mangeshkar in ''Subhadra'' (1946).<ref name="Ranchan2014">{{cite book|author=Vijay Ranchan|title=Story of a Bollywood Song|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=p3h2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=2 January 2014|publisher=Abhinav Publications|pages=23–|chapter=The Rebel Commoner|id=GGKEY:9E306RZQTQ7}}</ref>
Shanta Apte thus had the rare distinction of singing and acting with the three "iconic female singers" of Indian cinema: with M. S. Subbulakshmi in ''Savithri'' (1941), with Noor Jehan in ''Duhai'' (1943), and with Lata Mangeshkar in ''Subhadra'' (1946).<ref name="Ranchan2014">{{cite book|author=Vijay Ranchan|title=Story of a Bollywood Song|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=p3h2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=2 January 2014|publisher=Abhinav Publications|pages=23–|chapter=The Rebel Commoner|id=GGKEY:9E306RZQTQ7}}</ref>
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1950s saw fewer films from Shanta Apte. She acted in Marathi films like [[Raja Paranjpe]]'s ''Jara Japoon'' (Be Careful) in 1950 with [[Keshavrao Date]] and [[Leela Chitnis]], ''Kunkvacha Dhani'' (1951) directed by Datta Dharamadhikari, ''Tai Teleen'' (1953) directed by K. P. Bhave, and ''Mulu Manek'' (1955) directed by Manhar Rangildas Raskapur.
1950s saw fewer films from Shanta Apte. She acted in Marathi films like [[Raja Paranjpe]]'s ''Jara Japoon'' (Be Careful) in 1950 with [[Keshavrao Date]] and [[Leela Chitnis]], ''Kunkvacha Dhani'' (1951) directed by Datta Dharamadhikari, ''Tai Teleen'' (1953) directed by K. P. Bhave, and ''Mulu Manek'' (1955) directed by Manhar Rangildas Raskapur.


Her last two films were in Hindi, ''Chandi Puja'' starring [[Nirupa Roy]], [[Manhar Desai]] and [[Prem Adib]] and directed by Raman B. Desai, and the last released film ''Ram Bhakta Vibhishan'' in 1958,<ref name=Streeshakti>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte}}</ref> directed by Samar Chatterjee with the same star cast as ''Chandi Puja''.
Her last two films were in Hindi, ''Chandi Puja'' starring [[Nirupa Roy]], [[Manhar Desai]] and [[Prem Adib]] and directed by Raman B. Desai, and the last released film ''Ram Bhakta Vibhishan'' in 1958,<ref name=Streeshakti /> directed by Samar Chatterjee with the same star cast as ''Chandi Puja''.


==Personal Life==
==Personal Life==
Apte has been referred to as a woman who "symbolized women power both on and off the screen".<ref>{{cite web|title=Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber}}</ref> According to K. A. Abbas, commenting on the vitriolic writings of the cine-magazine editor [[Baburao Patel]] of ''Filmindia'', "there was only one example of a spirited star like Shanta Apte taking the law in our own hands when she came to Baburao's office and hit him with a cane…".<ref name="Abbas1977">{{cite book|author=Khwaja Ahmad Abbas|title=I Am Not an Island: An Experiment in Autobiography|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SLIJAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=26 June 2015|year=1977|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|isbn=978-0-7069-0477-2|page=200}}</ref> She defied her contractual agreement with Prabhat Films when it hampered her from acting in outside films and decided to stage a fast in front of the studio gates. She was released from her contract by Prabhat Films.<ref>{{cite web|title=Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber}}</ref>
Apte has been referred to as a woman who "symbolized women power both on and off the screen".<ref name=VSD>{{cite web|last1=Dutta|first1=V. S.|title=Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber|url=http://activeindiatv.com/entertainment/18227-heroine-shanta-apte-whipped-top-journalist-in-his-chamber-|website=activeindiatv.com|publisher=Active India|accessdate=17 October 2015}}</ref> According to K. A. Abbas, commenting on the vitriolic writings of the cine-magazine editor [[Baburao Patel]] of ''Filmindia'', "there was only one example of a spirited star like Shanta Apte taking the law in our own hands when she came to Baburao's office and hit him with a cane…".<ref name="Abbas1977">{{cite book|author=Khwaja Ahmad Abbas|title=I Am Not an Island: An Experiment in Autobiography|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=SLIJAQAAIAAJ|accessdate=26 June 2015|year=1977|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|isbn=978-0-7069-0477-2|page=200}}</ref> She defied her contractual agreement with Prabhat Films when it hampered her from acting in outside films and decided to stage a fast in front of the studio gates. She was released from her contract by Prabhat Films.<ref name=VSD />


Ten years after Shanta Apte's death, actress Nayana Apte declared herself to be her daughter. Nayana claimed Apte married a distant cousin in 1947 and left him when she was three months pregnant.<ref name=Sathe>{{cite web|title=Article-Profile Shanta Apte (1977)}}</ref><ref name=veethi>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte Biography|url=http://www.veethi.com/india-people/shanta_apte-profile-6922-14.htm|website=veethi.com|publisher=veethi.com|accessdate=27 June 2015|ref=Cinema}}</ref><ref name=nainaapte>{{cite web|title=Naina Apte|url=https://nainaapte.wordpress.com/|website=nainaapte.wordpress.com|publisher=nainaapte|accessdate=27 June 2015}}</ref> According to Vijay Ranchan in his book "Story of a Bollywood Song", in the section on Shanta Apte titled "The Rebel Commoner", Shanta was unmarried but had a daughter, the Marathi film and stage actress, Nayana Apte.<ref name="Ranchan2014">{{cite book|author=Vijay Ranchan|title=Story of a Bollywood Song|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=p3h2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=2 January 2014|publisher=Abhinav Publications|pages=23–|chapter=The Rebel Commoner|id=GGKEY:9E306RZQTQ7}}</ref>
Ten years after Shanta Apte's death, actress Nayana Apte declared herself to be her daughter. Nayana claimed Apte married a distant cousin in 1947 and left him when she was three months pregnant.<ref name=Sathe /><ref name=veethi>{{cite web|title=Shanta Apte Biography|url=http://www.veethi.com/india-people/shanta_apte-profile-6922-14.htm|website=veethi.com|publisher=veethi.com|accessdate=27 June 2015|ref=Cinema}}</ref><ref name=nainaapte>{{cite web|title=Naina Apte|url=https://nainaapte.wordpress.com/|website=nainaapte.wordpress.com|publisher=nainaapte|accessdate=27 June 2015}}</ref> According to Vijay Ranchan in his book "Story of a Bollywood Song", in the section on Shanta Apte titled "The Rebel Commoner", Shanta was unmarried but had a daughter, the Marathi film and stage actress, Nayana Apte.<ref name="Ranchan2014">{{cite book|author=Vijay Ranchan|title=Story of a Bollywood Song|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=p3h2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23|accessdate=27 June 2015|date=2 January 2014|publisher=Abhinav Publications|pages=23–|chapter=The Rebel Commoner|id=GGKEY:9E306RZQTQ7}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
Apte died of a heart attack following a six-month illness, on February 24, 1964, at her residence in [[Andheri]], Mumbai, Maharashtra.<ref name=CareersDigest>{{cite book|title=Careers Digest}}</ref>
Apte died of a heart attack following a six-month illness, on February 24, 1964, at her residence in [[Andheri]], Mumbai, Maharashtra.<ref name=CareersDigest />


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==

Revision as of 06:59, 17 October 2015

Shanta Apte
Screen shot from Gopal Krishna (1938)
Born
Shanta Apte

1916
Dudhni, Maharashtra, British India
Died1964 (aged 47–48)
Andheri, Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Cause of deathHeart attack
OccupationSinger-actress
Years active1932–1958

Shanta Apte (1916-1964) was an Indian singer-actress who worked in Marathi and Hindi cinema.[1] Renowned for her roles in films like Duniya Na Mane/Kunku (1937) and Amar Jyoti (1936) under the Prabhat Films banner, she was active in Indian cinema from 1932-58. Apte's impact on Marathi cinema "paralleled" that of Kanan Devi's in Bengali cinema.[2] Along with Kanan Devi, Apte is cited as one of the "great singing stars" from before the playback singing era.[3] Apte began her career in films playing the role of a young Radha in the Marathi film Shyamsunder (1932). She joined Prabhat Films acting in her first Hindi language film Amrit Manthan in (1934).[4]

She brought a change in the static style of song renditions in films with her "spontaneous gestures and eye movements". A "woman of rare mettle" she staged a hunger strike in 1939 at the Prabhat Studios gate following a disagreement regarding a clause in her contract.[5] Cited as a "domestic guerrilla" following her roles in films like Kunku/Duniya Na mane, she became an inspirational role-model for a generation of college students.[6]

Claimed to be the highest paid female screen star in Marathi-language cinema, her "star" status with the audiences as early as 1937 was acknowledged by the cine-magazine editor Baburao Patel in December 1937 issue of Filmindia, in an editorial titled "India Has No Star".[7]

She was also one of the earliest Indian cinema actor to write her autobiography Jau Mi Cinemat (Should I join Films) in Marathi.[8]

Early Years

Born in 1916 in Dudhni, Maharashtra, India,[9] to a Brahmin family, Apte was the daughter of a station master.[10] Following her father's inclination towards singing, the young Apte took up it up, rendering bhajans at the local Ganesh festivals in Poona. She studied music at the Maharashtra Sangeet Vidyalaya in Pandharpur.[11]

She was introduced in films as a child artiste at the age of nine years, by the actor-director Baburao Pendharkar.[8] The "guidance" of her older brother Baburao Apte, who acted in Apte's first film Shyamsunder as Radha's husband, was stated to be a help in her rise to stardom.[12]

Career

1930s

Durga Khote, Shanta Apte and Vasanti in Amar Jyoti (1936)

Apte started her acting career when she was discovered at the age of nine years by Baburao Pendharkar and then cast in Bhalji Pendharkar directed film Shyamsunder. The film is stated to be the first Marathi film to celebrate a "silver jubilee" (25 weeks) in a single theatre.[13]

In 1934 she was cast as the hero's sister in Amrit Manthan directed by V. Shantaram for Prabhat Films. The film was a "box-office bonanza" and a big break for Apte. It was the first Hindi talkie film to celebrate a silver jubilee and was screened at International Film Festival, Venice.The film was the first to have a run of twenty-five weeks (silver jubilee) at a theatre.[14][15] Apte rendered four solo songs under the music direction of Keshavrao Bhole, including the first recorded filmy ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka".

1936 saw Apte acting in V. Shantaram directed Amar Jyoti. It co-starred Durga Khote, Vasanti and Chandra Mohan and was Prabhat Film banner's first film to have playback singing.[16]

In 1937, she acted in V. Shantaram's Duniya Na Mane also called The Unexpected, where she played the role of a young girl, Nirmala, who is married to a rich old widower, played by Keshavrao Date. She protests and refuses to acknowledge him as her husband. In the end, the old man realises what he's done and commits suicide, leaving a note where he asks Nirmala to remarry.[17] Shanta sang an English song in the film, a version of H. W. Longfellow's Psalm of Life. The same year she acted in the Marathi version of the film called Kunku.[4]The film proved to be the biggest success of her career and is still acclaimed by critics.[8]

In 1938 Apte acted in another famous film from Prabhat Films, directed by V. Shantaram called Gopal Krishan.

1940s

Shanta Apte in a still from Duhai (1943)

In 1941, Apte acted in Savithri, a Tamil film, which also had M. S. Subbalakshmi playing the role of Narad.[18] Apte acted with Noor Jehan in Duhai (Curse) in 1943, a social melodrama where Noor Jehan played the second lead.[19] The film was directed by Vishnu Vyas it had music by Rafiq Ghaznavi and Pannalal Ghosh.

In 1946, Apte acted in four films with Subhadra being a "mythological comedy", which was produced and directed by Master Vinayak and co-starred Yakub, Ishwarlal and Lata Mangeshkar.[20] Subhadra had Apte and Lata Mangeshkar singing together in the song "Main Khili Khili Phulwari" under the music direction of Vasant Desai.[21] Then came Uttara Abhimanyu directed by Sarvottam Badami for Paras Pics and co-starring Shahu Modak, Panihari directed by V. M. Gunjal starred Surendra and Yakub, and Valmiki directed by Bhalji Pendharkar with both Prithviraj and Raj Kapoor acting in the film.

Shanta Apte thus had the rare distinction of singing and acting with the three "iconic female singers" of Indian cinema: with M. S. Subbulakshmi in Savithri (1941), with Noor Jehan in Duhai (1943), and with Lata Mangeshkar in Subhadra (1946).[22]

1950s

1950s saw fewer films from Shanta Apte. She acted in Marathi films like Raja Paranjpe's Jara Japoon (Be Careful) in 1950 with Keshavrao Date and Leela Chitnis, Kunkvacha Dhani (1951) directed by Datta Dharamadhikari, Tai Teleen (1953) directed by K. P. Bhave, and Mulu Manek (1955) directed by Manhar Rangildas Raskapur.

Her last two films were in Hindi, Chandi Puja starring Nirupa Roy, Manhar Desai and Prem Adib and directed by Raman B. Desai, and the last released film Ram Bhakta Vibhishan in 1958,[4] directed by Samar Chatterjee with the same star cast as Chandi Puja.

Personal Life

Apte has been referred to as a woman who "symbolized women power both on and off the screen".[23] According to K. A. Abbas, commenting on the vitriolic writings of the cine-magazine editor Baburao Patel of Filmindia, "there was only one example of a spirited star like Shanta Apte taking the law in our own hands when she came to Baburao's office and hit him with a cane…".[24] She defied her contractual agreement with Prabhat Films when it hampered her from acting in outside films and decided to stage a fast in front of the studio gates. She was released from her contract by Prabhat Films.[23]

Ten years after Shanta Apte's death, actress Nayana Apte declared herself to be her daughter. Nayana claimed Apte married a distant cousin in 1947 and left him when she was three months pregnant.[11][25][26] According to Vijay Ranchan in his book "Story of a Bollywood Song", in the section on Shanta Apte titled "The Rebel Commoner", Shanta was unmarried but had a daughter, the Marathi film and stage actress, Nayana Apte.[22]

Death

Apte died of a heart attack following a six-month illness, on February 24, 1964, at her residence in Andheri, Mumbai, Maharashtra.[9]

Filmography

List of films:[27]

  • Shyamsundar (1932)
  • Amrit Manthan (1934)
  • Amar Jyoti (1936)
  • Rajput Ramani (1936)
  • Duniya Na Mane/Kunku (1937)
  • Wahan ((1937)
  • Gopal Krishna (1938)
  • Savithri (1941) Tamil
  • Apna Ghar/ Aple Ghar (1942)
  • Zamindar (1942)
  • Duhai ((1943)
  • Mohabbat (1943)
  • Bhagya Lakshmi (1944)
  • Kadambari (1944)
  • Sawan (1945)
  • Panihari (1946)
  • Subhadra (1946)
  • Uttara Abhimanyu (1946)
  • Valmiki (1946)
  • Mandir (1948)
  • Bhagyarekha (1948)
  • Main Abla Nahin Hoon ((1949)
  • Swayamsiddha (1949)
  • Jaga Bhadyane Dene Aahe (1949) (Marathi)
  • Shilanganache Sone (1949) (Marathi)
  • Jara Japoon (1950) (Marathi)
  • Kunkvacha Dhani (1951) (Marathi)
  • Tai Teleen (1953) (Marathi)
  • Mulu Manek (1955) (Marathi)
  • Chandi Puja (1957)
  • Ram Bhakta Vibhishan (1958)

References

  1. ^ Yves Thoraval (1 February 2000). The cinemas of India. Macmillan India. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-333-93410-4. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  2. ^ Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen; Professor of Critical Studies Paul Willemen (10 July 2014). "Devi, Kanan". Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. pp. 88–. ISBN 978-1-135-94318-9. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Shanta Apte". wiki.indiancine.ma. Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Shanta Apte". streeshakti.com. Streeshakti.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. ^ Renu Saran (25 February 2014). "Shanta Apte". Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. pp. 97–. ISBN 978-93-5083-691-0. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  6. ^ Lalit Mohan Joshi (2002). Bollywood: Popular Indian Cinema. Lucky Dissanayake. pp. 163–. ISBN 978-0-9537032-2-7. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  7. ^ Patel, Baburao (December 1937). "India Has No Star". Filmindia. 3 (8). Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  8. ^ a b c Encyclopedia of Bollywood–Film Actresses.
  9. ^ a b Careers Digest. Vol. 1. 1964. p. 383. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  10. ^ Patel, Baburao (December 1938). "Questions And Answers". Filmindia. 4 (12): 23. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  11. ^ a b Sathe, V. P. "Article-Profile Shanta Apte (1977)". cineplot.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  12. ^ G. N. Joshi (1984). Down melody lane. Orient Longman. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-86131-175-0. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  13. ^ Ashok Raj (1 November 2009). "2-The Formative Phase of Indian Cinema". Hero Vol.1. Hay House, Inc. pp. 13–. ISBN 978-93-81398-02-9. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  14. ^ Saran, Renu (2014). History Of Indian Cinema. India: Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789350836514. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  15. ^ "Amrit Manthan". prabhatfilm.com. Prabhatfilm.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  16. ^ Prabhatfilm, Amar Jyoti
  17. ^ Crow, Jonathan. "Duniya Na Mane". Overview. The New York Times Company. Ney York Times. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  18. ^ Manish Kumar 'Santosh' (10 January 2001). M.S Subbalakshmi. Prabhat Prakashan Children books, Biography. pp. 8–. ISBN 978-93-5186-330-4. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  19. ^ Datta, V. S. "Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber". activeindiatv.com. Active India. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  20. ^ Patel, Baburao (September 1946). "Review-Subhadra". Filmindia. 12 (9): 57. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  21. ^ ch. Subhadra (1946)
  22. ^ a b Vijay Ranchan (2 January 2014). "The Rebel Commoner". Story of a Bollywood Song. Abhinav Publications. pp. 23–. GGKEY:9E306RZQTQ7. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  23. ^ a b Dutta, V. S. "Heroine SHANTA APTE whipped top journalist in his chamber". activeindiatv.com. Active India. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  24. ^ Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1977). I Am Not an Island: An Experiment in Autobiography. Vikas Publishing House. p. 200. ISBN 978-0-7069-0477-2. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  25. ^ "Shanta Apte Biography". veethi.com. veethi.com. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  26. ^ "Naina Apte". nainaapte.wordpress.com. nainaapte. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  27. ^ "Shanta Apte". citwf.com. Alan Goble. Retrieved 27 June 2015.

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