Rita Bhaduri was a beloved actress of film and television who is known for her intense and nuanced performances in films like “Kanyakumari” (1974), “Sawan Ko Aane Do” (1979), “Raja” (1995), and TV shows such as “Hasratein,” “Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai,” “Khichdi,” and “Nimki Mukhiya.”
Early Life and Career
Rita Bhaduri was born on November 4, 1955, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, into a Bengali family. Her mother was veteran character actress Chandrima Bhaduri. She had two sisters, Raka Bhaduri and actress Ruma Sengupta, as well as a brother, cinematographer Randev Bhaduri. She attended Government College in Lucknow for initial studies.
Rita was always interested in acting and was very during his school and college days. She made her film debut as a child artist in 1968 with Kewal Mishra’s “Teri Talash Mein,” starring Shailesh Kumar and Kum Kum. She later joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, graduating in the 1973 batch with Zarina Wahab and Shaban. Her training at FTII shaped her acting skills.
Rita Bhaduri In Films
Rita made her film debut as a child artist in 1968 with Kewal Mishra’s “Teri Talash Mein,” starring Shailesh Kumar and Kum Kum. After leaving FTII, she made her debut with K. S. Sethumadhavan’s Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974) opposite Kamal Hassan. She gained notice with a supporting role in Julie (1975), playing Julie’s best friend, where “Yeh Raatein Nayi Purani” featured her. Her breakthrough came with Lakho Phulani (1976), a hit Gujarati film, leading to eight years of lead roles in the industry. She expanded to Hindi and regional cinema thereafter.
One of her memorable roles came in Rajshri’s “Sawan Ko Aane Do” (1979), which also starred Arun Govil, Amrish Puri, and Zarina Wahab. Rita received praise for her grounded performances from her initial days, but she never secured a leading role. The only leading roles she got were in B-grade or low-budget movies.
Rita’s career spanned over five decades, during which she appeared in numerous films and television shows. Some of her notable films include Nagin Aur Suhagan (1979), Raadha Aur Seeta (1979), Khanjar (1980), Unees-Bees (1980), Woh Phir Nahin Aaye, Chalti (1981), Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1982), Nastik (1983), Maya Bazaar (1984), Phoolan Devi (1985), Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam (1988), and Ghar Ho To Aisa (1990).
Super Star of Gujarati Films
In 1976 she starred in Narendra Dave’s histortical fantasy film Lakho Phulani (1976), starring Rajeev, P. Kharsani and Bharat Bhushan. The success of the films leads to eight years of her very suuccesful career in Gujarati films. She expanded to Hindi and regional cinema thereafter.
Some of her other successful Gujarati movies, including Lakho Fulani (1976), Mota Gharni Vahu (1978), Dikri Ane Gai Dore Tiva Jaye (1979), Kashino Dikro (1979), Akhand Chudlo (1980), Diyar Bhojai (1980), Alkhane Oatle (1980), Garvi Naar Gujaratan (1981), Jagya Tyathi Sawaar (1981), Jugal Jodi (1982), Peethi Pili Ne Rang Rato (1982), Kanku Ni Kimat (1983), Maa Na Aansu (1984), Maa Mane Sambhare Che (1984), Preet Na Karsho Koi (1985), and many more.
Later Career
In the 1990s she worked extensively as a character actor in films. Her performance in “Raja” earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Some of her notable films include Beta (1992), Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh (1992), Dalaal (1933), Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1933), Tamanna (1997), Hero No. 1 (1997), Virasat (1997), Kya Kehna (2000), Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), and Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (2003), and many more. Her performance in “Raja” earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In addition to her film career, Rita was a familiar face on Indian television. She started her TV career with Guldasta (1987) and went on to do many iconic serials like Zindagi (1987), Chunati (1987), Tara Ki Duniya (1988), Mujrim Haazir (1988), Aashiana (1993), Bible Ki Kahaniyan (1993), Kirdaar (1993), Grihalakshmi Ka Jinn (1994), Junoon (1994), Zameen Aasmaan (1995), Hasratein (1996), Raj Kahani (1997), and many more.
She also played memorable roles in popular TV shows such as “Manzil,” “Sanjivani,” “Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai,” “Khichdi,” “Hum Sab Baraati,” “Ek Nayi Pehchaan,” “Amanat,” “Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka,” “Kumkum,” “Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein,” “Bani-IIshq Da Kalma,” “Choti Bahu,” and “Nimki Mukhiya.” Her portrayal of grandmotherly figures endeared her to audiences across generations.
“She was a good student and had the prettiest face in the class. She was extremely photogenic, but I felt that she didn’t take her talent seriously. As a student, she was happy to be one of the yaars, chewing Paan Bahar and not caring about appearances. Her mother Chandrima Bhaduri, a veteran actress, was ambitious for her but Reeta was content with what she had. For as long as I can remember I used to snuggle into my parents’ bed first thing in the morning. When I left home for FTII, it was Rita’s bed I would tumble into, my eyes only half-opened. There was something cute and impish about her. We used to call her Tanuja (veteran actress) because of her effervescence. She was a good student, my closest competitor in class but that didn’t colour our friendship. And then life happened. We went our separate ways.”
Shabana Azmi About Rita Bhaduri
Personal Life
Rita remained unmarried throughout her life. A lot of people get confused between her and Jaya Bacchchan’s siter Rita Bhaduri. The confusion led to her linking with actor Rajeev Verma, who is actually the husband of Jaya’s sister.
Rita suffered from kidney ailments, requiring hospitalization in 2018. She died on July 17, 2018, at 62, due to a cardiac arrest at Sujay Hospital, Mumbai, after a week-long stay.
Rita Bhaduri on IMDB
