CarmenCarey59 at 12:13, 8 February 2026

2026-02-08T12:13:07Z

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{{Short description|Indian actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Meenakshi Shirodkar
| native_name =
| image = Meenakshi Shirodkar.jpg
| image_size =
| alt = Meenakshi Shirodkar wearing swimsuit in Bramhachari (1938)
| caption = Meenakshi Shirodkar in Bramhachari (1938)
| birth_name = Ratan Pednekar
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1916|10|11}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1997|06|3|1916|10|11}}
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| occupation = [[Actor|Actress]]
| known_for = ''[[Brahmachari (1938 film)|Brahmachari]]''
| relatives = [[Namrata Shirodkar]], [[Shilpa Shirodkar]] (Grand-daughters),
[[Mahesh Babu]],(Grand-Son-in-law), [[Gautam]], ((Great-Grand-Son)) [[Sitara]], ((Great-Grand-Daughter))
}}

'''Meenakshi Shirodkar''' (born '''Ratan Pednekar'''; 11 October 1916 – 3 June 1997), was an Indian actress who mainly worked in [[Marathi cinema|Marathi films]], [[Marathi theatre]] and television. She made her debut in 1938 and continued to act in films until the early 1970s. Her appearance in a swimsuit in the Marathi film ''[[Brahmachari (1938 film)|Brahmachari]]'' (1938) with [[Master Vinayak]] stunned the traditional audience. She is the paternal grandmother of two [[Bollywood]] actresses, [[Namrata Shirodkar]] and [[Shilpa Shirodkar]].

== Personal life ==
Shirodkar was born Ratan Pednekar on 11 October 1916 to a [[Marathi people|Maharashtrian]] family with [[Goan]] roots. She started learning [[Indian classical music]] at an early age.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In 1936, she married Dr. Shirodkar, with whom she had a son, who married Marathi actress Gangu Bai and became parents of film actresses [[Namrata Shirodkar]] and [[Shilpa Shirodkar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=No full stops |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/12/11/stories/2004121101430200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216050501/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/12/11/stories/2004121101430200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |date=11 December 2004 |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref> Namrata was crowned [[Femina Miss India|Miss India]] in 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=Miss India Winners 2010-1964 |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://feminamissindia.indiatimes.com/archives/miss-india-winners-2010-1964/2000-1991/Namrata-Shirodkar/articleshow/7883181.cms |accessdate=15 January 2013 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805162146/http://feminamissindia.indiatimes.com/archives/miss-india-winners-2010-1964/2000-1991/Namrata-Shirodkar/articleshow/7883181.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref> and is married to Tollywood actor, [[Mahesh Babu]] and has two children.

On 4 June 1997, Shirodkar died at the age of 80 in [[Mumbai]].<ref name="shrie">{{cite news |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970604/15550853.html |title=Veteran Marathi actress dead |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=4 June 1997 |accessdate=15 January 2013 |location=Mumbai |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230015903/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970604/15550853.html |archivedate=30 December 2012}}</ref>

== Career ==
In 1935, Shirodkar joined [[All India Radio]] (AIR) where she worked in [[radio drama]]s. After her marriage in 1936, she got a film offer from Pandurang Naik, one of the partners in a film company called ''Hans Pictures''. Though Shirodkar declined the offer in the beginning, Naik convinced Shirodkar's husband that she should make a film debut.<ref name="shr2">{{cite news |url=http://www.abhayparanjape.com/%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%9A-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0 |title=आजसारखी विकृती हीच संस्कृती तेव्हा नव्हती!: मिनाक्षी शिरोडकर |trans-title=We did not have cultural deterioration, unlike today: Meenakshi Shirodkar |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref>

Shirodkar debuted with a 1938 [[Marathi cinema|Marathi film]] ''[[Brahmachari (1938 film)|Brahmachari]]'', opposite [[Master Vinayak]]. The writer of the film [[Pralhad Keshav Atre]], better known as "Āchārya Atre", changed her name from "Ratan" to "Meenaxi" to suit her big eyes.<ref name="shr2"/> She created a stir by appearing in a swimsuit in the song "Yamuna Jali Khelu Khel"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6184538.cms |title=मराठी सिनेमात सात दशकांनी बिकीनी |trans-title=Bikini after 7 decades in Marathi cinema |work=[[Maharashtra Times]] |date=19 July 2010 |accessdate=15 January 2013 |author=Kanvinde, Vaishnavi |language=Marathi}}</ref> in the film and stunned the traditional audience.<ref name="shrie"/><ref name="yahoo"/> She rose to fame for her then daring act,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://m.outlookindia.com/story.aspx?sid=4&aid=200877 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216150539/http://m.outlookindia.com/story.aspx?sid=4&aid=200877 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 February 2013 |title=Gorgeous Ghatans: The southern belles have made way for Bollywood's new glam girls—the Mumbai bombshells |work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=28 February 1996 |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/technologic/a-potpourri-of-trivia-for-cinephiles-a-nerds |title=A potpourri of trivia for cinephiles & nerds |work=The Sunday Guardian |date=16 September 2012 |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref> and for her [[Braid|twin-plait]] hairstyle in the song, but also got criticized heavily.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |url=http://marathi.yahoo.com/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%98%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%82-134156937.html |title=काय बघावं... |trans-title=What you should see |work=[[Lokmat]] |date=5 August 2012 |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |accessdate=15 January 2013 |author=Karnik, Hemant |language=Marathi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.loksatta.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=215971:2012-03-15-16-05-54&catid=360:cut-&Itemid=363 |title=स्मिता गोंदकरला झालयं तरी काय? |trans-title=What has happened to Smita Gondkar |work=[[Loksatta (newspaper)|Loksatta]] |date=16 March 2012 |accessdate=15 January 2013 |language=Marathi}}</ref> The song was sung by Shirodkar herself and became a hit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cineplot.com/encyclopedia/meenakshi-shirodkar/ |title=Meenakshi Shirodkar |work=Cineplot.com |accessdate=15 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402192930/http://cineplot.com/encyclopedia/meenakshi-shirodkar/ |archive-date=2 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was also reused in the play by the same name,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/msid-3127726,prtpage-1.cmss |title=अशोक पत्की |trans-title=Ashok Patki |work=[[Maharashtra Times]] |accessdate=15 January 2013}}</ref> and years later in other films as well.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.lokprabha.com/20111209/chitrapat.htm |title=यमुनाजळी खेळू खेळ... |trans-title=Yamuna Jali Khelu Khel |work=Lokprabha |date=9 December 2011 |accessdate=15 January 2013 |author=Kanvinde, Vaishnavi |language=Marathi}}</ref> She continued to do several other films with Master Vinayak such as ''Brandichi Batli'' (1939), ''[[Ghar Ki Rani]]'' (1940), ''Amrut'' (1941) and ''Majhe Bal'' (1943).<ref name=Janokti>{{cite web |url=http://www.janokti.com/hindi-news-media-%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE-cinema-media-blog-fourth-pilar/cinema-film-tv-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80/hindi-cinema-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%B0-3/ |title=हिंदी सिनेमा का सफ़र -3 (पुराने जमाने में भी हिट थीं जोड़ियां) |trans-title=The journey of Hindi cinema - 3 (Hit pairs from golden era) |publisher=Janokti |date=13 October 2010 |accessdate=15 January 2013 |language=Hindi |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021030954/http://www.janokti.com/hindi-news-media-%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%8C%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE-cinema-media-blog-fourth-pilar/cinema-film-tv-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%9F%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%80/hindi-cinema-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AB%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%B0-3/ |archivedate=21 October 2010}}</ref>

After retiring from major roles in 1950, Shirodkar played a few minor roles in films and joined [[Marathi theatre]] with "Nutan Sangeet Natak Mandali".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itcsra.org/sra_news_views/obituary/saraswatibai_rane.html |title=ITC Awardee Shrimati Saraswatibai Rane passes away |work=[[ITC Sangeet Research Academy]] |accessdate=16 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516100154/http://www.itcsra.org/sra_news_views/obituary/saraswatibai_rane.html |archivedate=16 May 2008}}</ref> During the period 1950-75, she worked in twelve [[Sangeet Natak]]s (musical plays) including ''Mruchhakatik'', ''Maanaapmaan'', ''Ekach Pyaala'' and others.<ref name="shr2"/>

== Films ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:50%"
|-
!scope="col" | Year
!scope="col" | Film Title
!scope="col" | Role
!scope="col" | Language
|-
| 1938
!scope="row" | ''[[Brahmachari (1938 film)|Brahmachari]]''
| Kishori
| [[Marathi language|Marathi]] / [[Hindi language|Hindi]]
|-
| 1939
!scope="row" | ''Devata''
| Pushpa
| Marathi
|-
| 1939
!scope="row" | ''Brandichi Batli'' / ''Brandy Ki Botal''
| Malati
| Marathi / Hindi
|-
| 1940
!scope="row" | ''Lapandav''
|
| Marathi
|-
| 1940
!scope="row" | ''Ardhangi'' / ''[[Ghar Ki Rani]]''
| Savitri
| Marathi / Hindi
|-
| 1941
!scope="row" | ''Amrut'' / ''Amrit''
| Gulab
| Marathi / Hindi
|-
| 1941
!scope="row" | ''[[Jhoola (1941 film)|Jhoola]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1942
!scope="row" | ''[[Jawani (film)|Jawani]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1943
!scope="row" | ''Majhe Bal''
| Shashi
| Marathi
|-
| 1943
!scope="row" | ''Sangam''
|
| Marathi
|-
| 1943
!scope="row" | ''Amanat''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1943
!scope="row" | ''Chimukala Sansar''
|
| Marathi
|-
| 1944
!scope="row" | ''Ramshastri''
|
| Marathi / Hindi
|-
| 1945
!scope="row" | ''[[Badi Maa]]''
| Usha
| Hindi
|-
| 1945
!scope="row" | ''Pannadai''
|
| Marathi
|-
| 1952
!scope="row" | ''[[Pelli Chesi Choodu]]'' / ''Kalyanam Panni Paar''
|
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]] / [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
|-
| 1955
!scope="row" | ''Raftar''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1957
!scope="row" | ''[[Miss Mary (1957 film)|Miss Mary]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1958
!scope="row" | ''[[Raj Tilak (1958 film)|Raj Tilak]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1966
!scope="row" | ''[[Gaban (1966 film)|Gaban]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1968
!scope="row" | ''[[Mere Huzoor]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1970
!scope="row" | ''[[Moojrim]]''
|
| Hindi
|-
| 1972
!scope="row" | ''[[Pakeezah]]''
|
| Hindi
|}

== Theater ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:50%"
|-
!scope="col" | Play Title
!scope="col" | Language
|-
!scope="row" | ''Mruchhakatik''
| [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
|-
!scope="row" | ''Sanshaykallol''
| Marathi
|-
!scope="row" | ''Maanaapmaan''
| Marathi
|-
!scope="row" | ''Saubhadra''
| Marathi
|-
!scope="row" | ''Ekach Pyaala''
| Marathi
|-
!scope="row" | ''Bhavbandhan''
| Marathi
|-
!scope="row" | ''Udyacha Sansar''
| Marathi
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|0576172}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shirodkar, Meenakshi}}

[[Category:Marathi actresses]]
[[Category:1916 births]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing]]
[[Category:1997 deaths]]
[[Category:Actresses in Marathi cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Marathi theatre]]
[[Category:Actresses in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Maharashtra]]

Meenakshi Shirodkar - Revision history

CarmenCarey59 at 12:13, 8 February 2026