Rohini Hattangadi

Some Lesser Known Facts About Rohini Hattangadi

• Rohini Hattangadi is an Indian actress, who is known for her work in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Kannada, Tamil, Marathi, Telugu, and Malayalam film, theatre, and television industries. She is best known for playing the roles in the film Gandhi (1982), Saaransh (1984), and Agneepath (1990).
• Till 2023, she is the only Indian actress who the title of BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing the role of Kasturba Gandhi in the English film Gandhi (1982).
• When Rohini was in school, she used to act in various children’s plays and was a trained Indian classical dancer. ^[3]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• When Rohini got admitted to the college, she got actively involved in sports activities. She used to play volleyball and basketball for the university. Not only this but she was also a member of NCC at that time. ^[4]India Forums
• She belongs to a Marathi family. ^[5]The Times of India
• Rohini wanted to pursue a career in theatre, and for that, she shifted to Delhi in 1971 and joined the National School of Drama. There she was trained by Ebrahim Alkazi, an Indian theatre director and drama teacher. She completed her graduation in 1974 and was awarded Best Actress Award and Best All-Round Student at the end of the course. ^[6]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• On 5 December 2008, Rohini’s husband Jayadev Hattagadi died of cancer at the age of 60. ^[7]Hindustan Times
• Rohini started her acting career as a theatre artist and acted in several Marathi plays.
• When Rohini was National School of Drama, she and Jayadev Hattagadi started a Marathi theatre group “Awishkar” in Mumbai. The theatre group has produced more than 150 plays. Rohini was praised for her performance in the play Changuna, a Marathi adaptation of the Spanish classic, Yerma, by Federico García Lorca, which was produced by her theatre group Awishkar. Not only this but she won Actress Award at Maharashtra State Drama Festival, Mumbai for her great performance in the play. Her other most famous plays include Aparajita, Medea, Mitra Chi Gosht, Hori, and Kohra.
• Rohini is the first woman to act in a Kannada play, Yakshagana, and the first woman in Asia to act in a Japanese Kabuki play, Ibaragi. ^[8]OTT Play
• The debut Hindi film of Rohini Hattangadi “Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan” won the Filmfare Critics Award for the best film.
• Her other most famous Hindi films include Arth (1982), Party (1984), Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! (1984), Saaransh (1984), Pratighaat (1987), Aghaat (1985), Anjuman (1986), Agneepath (1990), Damini (1993), Karzzzz (2008), David (2013), and many more.
• Her role as Parvati Pradhan in the film Saaransh (1984) was highly appreciated where she and Anupam Kher played the role of an elderly couple who struggled with the death of their son.
• In the Hindi film Munna Bhai MBBS, Rohini played the role of Parvati Sharma, the mother of Munna (Sanjay Dutt). She reprised her role as Kasturi Venkatraman in the Tamil version of the film, Vasool Raja MBBS (2004).
• Rohini’s performance in the English film Gandhi (1982) was highly appreciated. She was only 27 when she played the role of a middle-aged Kasturba in the film. Her amazing performance in the film helped her to get the maximum roles of women from the middle-aged group. ^[9]The Hindu
• Her other most famous Tamil films include Veeram (2014) and Kolaiyuthir Kaalam (2019).
• In the Marathi film Once More (2019), Rohini played a dual role of both a male and female. To play the male character, prosthetics were used in the film. Her performance in the film was highly appreciated.
• Rohini Hattangadi has appeared in various Telugu films like Bhale Pellam (1994), Top Hero (1994), Little Soldiers (1996), Ganesh Just Ganesh (2009), Shirdi Sai (2012), Chal Mohan Ranga (2018), and many more.
• She has appeared in various Hindi TV shows like Mahayagya (1997-1998), Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann (2006-2009), Maayke Se Bandhi Dor (2011), Chhal — Sheh Aur Maat (2012), Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum, Hindustani, and many more. Her various Marathi TV shows are Vahinisaheb (2006-2009), Honar Sun Me Hya Gharchi (2013-2016), Tuza Maza Breakup (2017-2018), etc.
• Rohini Hattangaid is a trained Indian classical dancer and has received more than eight years of training for Kathakali and Bharatnatyam from Professor Surendra Wadgaonkar. ^[10]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• In an interview, Rohini revealed the reason for switching to the film industry. She said that though her main interest was in theatre but acting in theatre was not enough to make both ends meet. So, she switched to the film industry. ^[11]The Hindu She was more connected to the theatre as according to her, performing the plays in theatres is more interesting as the actors can form a direct connection with the audiences by getting the live feedback.
• Rohini was in her 20s when she played the role of Kasturba Gandhi in the English film Gandhi (1982). Being impressed by her powerful performance, she was approached by American director James Ivory who wanted to cast her in his film Heat and Dust. He was surprised to know the fact that Rohini was in just her 20s when she played the role of middle-aged Kasturba. Later on, the director decided not to cast Rohini in his film as he didn’t want her to use makeup.
• Rohini always had an interest in the theatre. Though in her city Pune, where she was born, the Film and Television Institute of India was located, she still shifted to New Delhi to join the National School of Drama to get admission in theatre. ^[12]The Hindu
• Rohini and her spouse Jayadev Hattangai crossed paths while studying at the National School of Drama in Delhi, under the guidance of Ebrahim Alkazi. Jayadev specialized in direction during his training. After graduating in 1974, Jayadev’s remarkable achievements were recognized when he received the prestigious Best Director Award.
• The Indian English newspaper, The Tribune, bestowed the title of “immortal performances” upon Rohini Hattangadi and Anupam Kher (for his debut performance) for their roles in the 1984 Hindi drama film, Saaransh. ^[13]The Tribune In the film, both Rohini and Kher portrayed an elderly couple struggling with the recent loss of their son. Remarkably, both actors were in their early 20s when they portrayed these mature characters. Rohini Hattangadi’s outstanding performance in the movie led to her nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, solidifying her reputation as a talented motherly figure and resulting in her predominantly being offered motherly roles throughout her career. ^[14]The Hindu In an interview, she refrained from commenting on the acting standards of Bollywood stars, as she often found herself typecast into maternal roles.
• During one of her notable interviews, Rohini Hattangadi shed light on the challenges she faced in maintaining continuity while shooting for different TV shows. She expressed that it was quite demanding to ensure consistency in her character portrayal across various episodes.
• A character that holds a special place in Rohini Hattangadi’s heart is Ashalata Deshmukh, whom she portrayed in the television series Char Divas Sasuche (2001-2013), broadcasted on ETV Marathi. Ashalata Deshmukh was a unique character that seamlessly blended the qualities of a dedicated professional and a caring homemaker, making her a favourite role for Rohini. ^[15]The Hindu
• Rohini Hattangadi shared that Saeed Mirza, the writer and director of the film “Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Ata Hai” (1980), considers her to be his lucky charm. As a result, he cast her in a single scene in the film, emphasizing the significance of her presence in his projects. ^[16]The Hindu
• According to Rohini Hattangadi, the primary source of income for her family came from the Marathi theatre. However, she mentioned that it was insufficient to sustain their livelihood and meet all their expenses. ^[17]The Hindu
• Before being cast as Kasturba Gandhi in the film “Gandhi” in 1982, Rohini Hattangadi was requested to lose weight to travel to London for auditions. Despite facing financial constraints, she managed to achieve the weight loss required to secure the role. In London, she discovered that esteemed actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, John Hurt, and Bhakti Barve were also present, auditioning for roles in the film Gandhi (1982). ^[18]The Hindu ^[19]Mumbai Mirror
• Rohini Hattangadi felt anxious about auditioning for the role of Kasturba in the film Gandhi (1982) because, as a theatre artist, she had a habit of rehearsing her lines before going on stage. She was hesitant to ask Ben Kingsley, who portrayed the role of Gandhi in the film, to practice with her before the auditions. However, her concerns were alleviated when she discovered that Ben also had a theatre background. They then proceeded to rehearse together before delivering their final performances. ^[20]The Hindu
• Rohini Hattangadi admitted that her knowledge about Mahatma Gandhi was limited, and she only knew him as a freedom fighter. It was not until she read his autobiography that she gained a detailed understanding of his life and principles. This allowed her to understand the character well, aiding her in portraying Kasturba Gandhi more authentically in the film.
• Rohini Hattangadi familiarized herself with the life of Kasturba Gandhi by reading two books: “Hamari Ba” and “Ba Bapu Ki Sheetal Chhaya Mein.” These books provided insights into Kasturba’s character, experiences, and her relationship with Mahatma Gandhi. By studying these books, Rohini gained a deeper understanding of Kasturba’s journey, which helped her in portraying the role with authenticity and depth in the film.
• Rohini Hattangadi revealed that during the filming of “Gandhi” (1982), one of the most challenging aspects was to master the proper operation of the charkha (spinning wheel) while delivering dialogues. This was particularly crucial for key scenes in the film, where authenticity and realism were of utmost importance. Balancing the coordination of operating the charkha and speaking lines simultaneously required skill and concentration on her part to ensure the scenes appeared genuine and believable on screen. ^[21]The Hindu
• Following the success of the film “Gandhi,” Rohini Hattangadi held high expectations for her career in Indian cinema and eagerly sought roles in various films. In 1984, she agreed to act in the film “Zakhmi Sher.” However, she was taken aback when she discovered that she was assigned the role of Jeetendra’s mother, despite being 12 years younger than him. The casting decision came as a surprise to her, considering the significant age difference between the characters they were portraying. ^[22]The Hindu
• According to Rohini, one of the major regrets she has in her career is that she didn’t hire any agent after the huge success of the film Gandhi (1982) to look for further opportunities in Hollywood. However, it is important to note that Rohini did not view acting solely as a means to achieve certain goals, and during that time, she prioritized starting her family. ^[23]The Hindu
• Rohini is an avid animal lover and has several pet cats.
  
• During her younger years, Rohini Hattangadi had a habit of creating scrapbooks. In an Instagram post, she shared a picture of her first children’s play, which took place on 1 November 1964.
  
• Rohini Hattangadi has a deep love for gardening and frequently engages in planting trees and various plants in the pots on her balcony. ^[24]Instagram – Rohini Hattangady
• In an interview, Rohini said that she faced a lot of trouble to give auditions for the role of Kasturba Gandhi in the film Gandhi (1982). One such trouble was that she didn’t have a passport to travel to London to give the auditions. However, the casting agent, Dolly Thakore, came to her aid and made the necessary arrangements to obtain a temporary passport for her within a short span of eight days ^[25]The Times of India
• During her leisure time, Rohini Hattangadi enjoys engaging in a few activities. She has a fondness for cooking and finds joy in preparing meals. Additionally, she loves to play Sudoku and Candy Crush. ^[26]Instagram – Rohini Hattangady ^[27]The Indian Weekender
• The birthdate of the reel Kasturba Gandhi portrayed by Rohini Hattangadi and the real-life Kasturba Gandhi are the same, which is 11 April. ^[28]The Times of India
• Rohini Hattangadi disclosed that she underwent elocution classes to learn the proper English pronunciation for the role of Kasturba in the film “Gandhi” (1982) ^[29]The Times of India
• Rohini Hattangadi took on a dual role in the Marathi film “Once More,” released in 2019. This marked the first time she portrayed both a male and a female character simultaneously. While she had previously played two female characters in the theatre play “Rathchakra” during the 1980s, the opportunity to depict both genders in a single film was a unique experience for her. ^[30]India Forums
• During the time Richard Attenborough, the director and producer of the film Gandhi in 1982, was alive, he would annually send greeting cards to Rohini during Christmas. ^[31]Hindustan Times
• Rohini shared that she makes it a point to donate something on her birthday, her son’s birthday, and her husband’s birthday, as well as on the anniversary of her husband’s passing. ^[32]Cinestaan
• During an interview, Rohini shared a humorous incident from her theatre days, specifically from 1981 when she was involved in the play “Mitrachi Gosht” while five months pregnant. In a particular scene, her character required her to wear trousers as part of a male costume. However, due to her bulge, she struggled to button them backstage. Yet, she improvised by using several safety pins to secure the trousers and cleverly adjusted her shirt to conceal her belly. Moreover, she also expressed her sorrow regarding the current disregard for theatre maintenance. ^[33]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• Several Marathi theatre plays, including “Medea,” “Aparajita,” “Mitrachi Gosht,” and “The House of Bernarda Alba,” hold a significant place in Rohini’s heart. Her husband, Jayadev Hattangadi, played a vital role in supporting these productions by guiding her through the logical and practical aspects of each stage performance. Rohini faced a particularly challenging role in “Medea,” where she had to portray a mother who commits the tragic act of killing her own children. However, due to her pregnancy, she had to temporarily suspend her involvement in the play as advised by her doctor. Thankfully, after the birth of their son Aseem Hattangadi, the play was able to proceed. ^[34]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• During an interview, Rohini recounted her journey of securing admission to the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi. After completing her B.Sc., she struggled to find employment for a considerable period. During this time, her father came across a newspaper advertisement about performing arts scholarships, which he encouraged her to apply for. Around the same time, NSD had organized tours in Mumbai and Pune, featuring plays like “Caucasian Chalk Circle” and “Jasma Odan,” directed by Ebrahim Alkazi. Impressed by Alkazi’s direction, Rohini’s father urged her to pursue studies at NSD in Delhi. Despite three months passing without any interview calls, Rohini began to lose hope. However, one day, she received an unexpected call summoning her for the first round of interviews in Kolkata, followed by subsequent interviews in Delhi. This is how she secured her admission to NSD. During her time at the school, she received training in lighting, music, writing, and carpentry, ultimately specializing in acting during her second year. ^[35]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• During her school days, Rohini was a student of Indian classical dance. At one point, there was an audition for a play that featured three dance sequences. Due to her background in Indian classical dance, she was selected for the audition, which marked her entry into the world of theatre. ^[36]Mumbai Theatre Guide
• In a 2022 interview, Rohini revealed her aspiration to participate in the plays of William Shakespeare. ^[37]OTT Play