Durga Khote
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- January 13, 1905 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
- Died
- September 22, 1991
- Active Years
- 1932–1980 (49 Years)
- Total Credits
- 100 credits in database
Biography
Durga Khote was an Indian actress born as Vita Lad on January 13, 1905, in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She is often referred to as a pioneer of Indian cinema because she was the first woman to enter the film industry, thereby breaking the societal taboo surrounding it. During a career spanning fifty years, she starred in numerous theatre productions and approximately 200 films, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her time. Some of her known film credits include Mughal-E-Azam, Anand, and Bidaai. Her family connections in the industry included a brother-in-law, Nandu Khote, who was a stage and silent movie actor, and two of Nandu's children who also became actors. Durga Khote died on September 22, 1991, in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.
Career overview
Durga Khote was an Indian actress born as Vita Lad on January 13, 1905, in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She is often referred to as one of the pioneers of Indian cinema because she was the first woman to enter the film industry and broke societal taboos surrounding it. Beginning her career as one of the foremost leading ladies of her time, she starred in numerous theatre productions and around 200 films during a 50-year-long career.
Her notable work includes appearances in films such as Mughal-E-Azam in 1960, Anand in 1971, and Bidaai in 1974. Throughout her personal and professional life, she had family connections within the entertainment industry. Her brother-in-law, Nandu Khote, was a noted stage and silent movie actor, and two of Nandu's children also became actors in the film industry, including her nephew Viju Khote.
Durga Khote passed away on September 22, 1991, in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, at the age of 86. Her legacy remains tied to her groundbreaking entry into cinema and her extensive filmography that spanned half a century.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
100 titles- Karz (1980)
- Chor Sipahee (1977) as Mrs. Khanna
- Paapi (1977) as Ashok's mother
- Do Chehere (1977) as Daadima
- Saheb Bahadur (1977) as Meena's grandmother
- Shaque (1976)
- Jaaneman (1976) as Ronnie's Mother
- Bajrangbali (1976) as Dev Ma Anjani
- Khushboo (1975) as Brindaban's mother
- Kaala Sona (1975) as Mrs. Ranjeet Singh
- Do Thug (1975) as Guest appearance
- Bidaai (1974) as Parvati
- Insaaniyat (1974) as Ram's Mother
- Bobby (1973) as Mrs. Braganza
- Namak Haraam (1973) as Somu's Mother
- Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973)
- Agni Rekha (1973)
- Abhimaan (1973) as Aunt Durga (Durga Mausi)
- Bawarchi (1972) as Seeta
- Raja Jani (1972)
- Shararat (1972) as Harry's mom
- Anand (1971) as Renu's mother
- Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971) as Rajlaxmi S. Chaudhary
- Banphool (1971) as Haria's Grandmother
- Gopi (1970) as Ranimaa
- Khilona (1970) as Thakurain Singh
- Ek Phool Do Mali (1969) as Leela
- Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke (1969)
- Pyar Ka Sapna (1969) as Sudha's mom
- Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) as Peter's mother
- Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968)
- Sunghursh (1968) as Bhawani Prasad's Wife
- Chandan Ka Palna (1967) as Mrs. Radha Laxmidas
- Daadi Maa (1966)
- Anupama (1966) as Ashok's Mother
- Pyar Mohabbat (1966) as Rajmata Rajeshwari
- Devar (1966) as Gopinath's Mom
- Kaajal (1965) as Rani Maa
- Purnima (1965) as Sharda R. Lal
- Door Ki Awaz (1964)
- Benazir (1964)
- Shagoon (1964)
- Mujhe Jeene Do (1963)
- The Householder (1963) as Prem's mother
- Man-Mauji (1962) as Mohan's mother
- Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan (1961) as Prabha's mother
- Do Bhai (1961) as Gopi's mother
- Mughal-e-Azam (1960) as Maharani Jodha Bai
- The Test (1960) as Sir Jagdish Chandra Roy's Mother
- Umaj Padel Tar (1960)
- Love in Simla (1960) as Sonia's grandmother
- Usne Kaha Tha (1960)
- Ardhangini (1959) as Prakash's Mother
- Raj Tilak (1958)
- Musafir (1957) as Mrs. Nilambar Sharma
- Mera Salaam (1957)
- Bhabhi (1957)
- Bade Sarkar (1957) as Sumitra Maan Singh
- Patrani (1956) as Raj Mata
- Parivar (1956)
- Adl-e-Jehangir (1955) as Malika-E-Jehangir
- Mirza Ghalib (1954) as Chaudhvin's mother (Amma)
- Ramayan (1954)
- Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1954)
- Lakeeren (1954)
- Malkin (1953)
- Shikast (1953)
- Lal Kunwar (1952)
- Aandhiyan (1952) as Ram Mohan's Mother
- Saagar (1951)
- Sazaa (1951) as Maa
- Hamari Shaan (1951)
- Hum Log (1951) as Mother
- Aaram (1951) as Sita
- Hamara Ghar (1950)
- Surajmukhi (1950)
- India Is Ours (1950)
- Beqasoor (1950) as Maa
- Singaar (1949) as Kishan's Mother
- Hum Ek Hain (1946) as Zamindari Ma
- Phool (1945)
- Village Girl (1945) as Jani's Mother
- Lakhrani (1945) as Bichwa / Rani Maa
- Nursemaid Panna (1945) as Pannadai
- Dil Ki Baat (1944)
- Prithvi Vallabh (1943)
- Bharat Milap (1942) as Maharani Kaikeyi
- Vijay (1942) as Jiji
- Charnon Ki Dasi (1941) as Mother-in-Law
- Narsi Bhagat (1940) as Manekbai
- Geeta (1940) as Durga
- Adhuri Kahani (1939) as Harbala
- Savangadi (1938)
- Pratibha (1937) as Pratibha
- Amar Jyoti (1936) as Queen Saudamini
- Life Is a Stage (1935) as Miss Queen
- Inquilab (1935) as Miss Renee
- Seeta (1934) as Seeta
- Rajrani Meera (1933) as Meera Rani
- King of Ayodhya (1932) as Taramati
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Durga Khote best known for?
Durga Khote is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bobby (1973), Mamae Nao Chore Papai Esta Arrependido (2025), Lingam (2026), Time After Time (2015).
When and where was Durga Khote born?
Durga Khote was born on January 13, 1905 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. They passed away on September 22, 1991.
How many credits does Durga Khote have?
Durga Khote has accumulated over 100 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1932 to 1980.
What is Durga Khote's background in cinema and television?
Durga Khote was an Indian actress born as Vita Lad on January 13, 1905, in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She is often referred to as a pioneer of Indian cinema because she was the first woman to enter the film industry, thereby breaking the societal taboo surrounding it. During a career spanning fifty years...
Durga Khote by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Bobby (1973) as Mrs. Braganza — aged about 68
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