Alka Kubal-Athalye (born 23 September 1965)[1] is a Marathi film actress from Mumbai, India. in a carrier spanning 40 years She has worked over 100 Marathi and some Hindi movies. Her film Maherchi Sadi made her a household name in Maharashtra. She has often played strong and complicated female characters—from fictional to literary—in both mainstream and independent films. Kubal won twice Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress and nominated three times for Filmfare Marathi Awards.[2]
Kubal established herself as the most popular Marathi actress of the 1980s and 1990s. She is best known for her performances in films such as Streedhan (1984), Lek Chalali Sasarla (1984), Tujhyawachun Karmena (1986), Shubha Bol Narya (1990), Maherchi Sadi (1991), Soona Yeti Ghara (1995), Kamaal Majhya Baikochi (1997), Navsach Por (1998), and Devki (2001).
Early life
Kubal was born on 23 September 1965 in Mumbai. Her father, Ladu Krishna Kubal, served as a superintendent in the technical department of Tata Mills, while her mother, Sumati Kubal, was a teacher in a municipal school. She completed her schooling at Maharashtra Vidyalaya in Goregaon and later attended Dalmia College in Mumbai, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology.[3]
Although she did not come from a family with a background in the arts, Kubal was drawn to the creative field from an early age. She began her career as a child artist on the Marathi stage, performing in approximately 400 shows of various plays during her school years. Her most notable theatrical works from this period include Natsamrat, Sandhyachhaya, and Veda Vrindavan.[3]
Personal life
She is married to the cinematographer Sameer Athalye, and along with acting she produced some Marathi films like Aamhi Ka Tisre (2012), Agnipariksha (2010) and Suwasinichi Hee Satwapariksha (2010). She has played the role of the mother in the biopic Dr Tatyarao Lahane... Angaar Power is Within.[4]
Career
Early career and cinematic debut (1981–1984)
Alka Kubal began her professional acting journey on the Marathi stage, appearing in plays such as Aapla Manus and Vatvat Savitri. She made her silver screen debut in 1981 with the film Chakra. Her first major commercial success came with the 1984 film Lek Chalali Sasarla, which performed exceptionally well across Maharashtra and established her as a leading actress in the industry.[5]
Stardom and "Queen of Family Dramas" (1980s–1990s)
Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Kubal became synonymous with family-centric and female-oriented cinema. She specialized in portraying various domestic roles, including the resilient daughter, obedient daughter-in-law, and devoted mother. Her career reached a historic peak with the 1991 blockbuster Maherchi Sadi, which became one of the highest-grossing films in Marathi cinema history.[6] She received critical acclaim and awards for her performances in Streedhan and Tujhyavachun Karmena. To challenge her image as a sentimental heroine, she ventured into comedy with the film Shrimant Damodar Pant.[7]
Film Production and Television (2000s–Present)
After three decades in front of the camera, Kubal expanded into film production. Her production credits include Suwasinichi Sattvapariksha, Nate Mama-Bhachiche, Agnipariksha, and the socially relevant film Aamhi Ka Tisre, which addressed the challenges faced by the transgender community.[8]
She has also been a prominent figure on Marathi television, starring in popular series such as Yugandhara, Amrutvel, Bandini, Ye Re Ye Re Paisa, Akashzhep, Mangalsutra, and Aai Majhi Kalubai. Over a career spanning more than 30 years, she has appeared in over 250 Marathi films.[9]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Sobati | Unnamed | |
| 1981 | Chakra | Amli | [10] |
| 1984 | Streedhan | Ratna | Lead debut Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress |
| Lek Chalali Sasarla | Mukta Inamdar | ||
| 1985 | Vahinichi Maya | Madhavi | |
| 1986 | Tujhya Vachun Karamena | Anuradha Suryavanshi | Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress |
| 1987 | Porichi Dhamaal Bapachi Kamaal | Neela | |
| 1988 | Nashibwan | Alka | |
| 1989 | De Taali | Alka Daji Raoji Rede | |
| Rajane Wajvila Baja | Karuna | ||
| Auntie Ne Vajavili Ghanti | Sharmila Pansare | ||
| Rickshaw Wali | Sujata | ||
| Madhu Chandrachi Ratra | Naina | ||
| Dharla Tar Chavtay | Nayan Patil | ||
| Zakali Muth Sawa Lakhachi | Vidya | ||
| Gharkul Punha Hasave | Laxmi | ||
| Balache Baap Brahmachari | Kamal Patil | ||
| 1990 | Shubha Bol Narya | Laxmi | |
| Dhumakool | Alka | ||
| Lapwa Chhapwi | Sita Gokhale | ||
| 1991 | Yeda Ki Khula | Mohini | |
| Bandalbaaz | Manju | ||
| Aandhala Sakshidar | Nilofar D'Souza | ||
| Kal Ratri 12 Wajta | Lakshmi | ||
| Fatfajiti | Maina | ||
| Doctor Doctor | Suman | ||
| Jasa Baap Tashya Pori | Pooja Thorat-Sahukar | ||
| Maherchi Sadi | Laxmi | [11] | |
| Naya Zaher | Alka | Hindi film | |
| 1992 | Anuradha | Anuradha / Madhavi | |
| Amrutvel | Nanda | ||
| Khulyancha Bazar | Radha | ||
| 1993 | Tainchya Bangdya | Suman | |
| Chaar Diwas Sasuche | Shalu | ||
| Ram Rahim | Alka | ||
| Mahercha Aaher | Uma Jadhav | ||
| 1994 | Gharandaaz | ||
| 1995 | Zakhmi Kunku | Durga | |
| Taich Lagna | Alka | ||
| Senani Sane Guruji | Yashodabai | ||
| Sunbaichi Punyaai | Shila | ||
| Soona Yeti Ghara | Savitri | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi | |
| Oti Hi Khana Narlachi | Laxmi | ||
| 1996 | Durga Aali Ghara | Janki Deshmukh | |
| Maya Mamta | Shante | ||
| 1997 | Sasuchi Maya | Gayatri Naik | |
| Baba | |||
| Kamaal Majhya Baikochi | Laxmi Niphadkar | ||
| Bahini Bahini | |||
| Tyaag | |||
| 1998 | Navsach Por | Shanta | Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi |
| 1999 | Nirmala Macchindra Kamble | Nirmala | |
| Sasar Majhe He Bhagyacha | |||
| Maherchi Pahuni | Shubhangi | ||
| Tuch Majhi Suhasini | Suhasini | ||
| Pratidaav | |||
| Dhangad Dhinga | Mrs. Nadkarni | ||
| 2000 | Tochi Ek Samrat | ||
| 2001 | Shirdi Sai Baba | Tulsi | |
| Devki | Vasudha Paranjpe | ||
| Tulas Aali Ghara | Varsha Inamadar | ||
| Zak Marli Mumbai Pahili | |||
| 2002 | Owalini | Devki Kumbhar | [12] |
| Maratha Bataliyan | Savitri Bhosle | ||
| 2003 | Nishkalank | Mansi Desai | |
| Bhaubeej | Mrs khan | ||
| 2004 | Aai Tuza Ashirwad | Urmila | |
| Oti Krishnamaichi | Krushna | ||
| Majh Ghar Tujha Sansar | Sarita | ||
| Suhasinichi Hi Satvapariksha | Suman | ||
| 2006 | Naatigoti | Kusum V. Rao | |
| Gruhlakshmi | Laxmi | ||
| 2010 | Agnipariksha | Alka | |
| 2012 | He Vaat Jeevanachi | Laxmi | |
| Amhi Ka Tisre | Anu's wife | ||
| 2013 | Sur Rahu De | Deepika | |
| Shrimant Damodar Pant | Shanta (Mai) | ||
| Majhi Shala | Savitri | ||
| Sant Sevalal | Unnamed | ||
| 2014 | Marg Maza Aekala | Laxmi | |
| 2015 | Olakh - My Identity | Sanjay's mother | |
| Te Don Diwas | Alka | ||
| Anjaan Parindey | Unnamed | ||
| 2016 | Well Done Bhalya | Rahul's mother's | |
| Chiranjeev | Ganya Kaka's wife | ||
| 2018 | Ghar Hota Menacha | Laxmi | |
| Dr. Tatya Lahane - Angaar Power is Within | Anjanabai | ||
| 2019 | Wedding Cha Shinema | Prakash's mother | |
| 2020 | Dhurala | Jyoti Tai Ubhe | [13] |
| 2022 | Sher Shivraj | Tulja Bhavani | |
| 2023 | Aalay Majhya Rashila | Aai | [14] |
| Subhedar | Jana Garadhin | [15] | |
| 2025 | Mangla | Suhasini Deshpande | [16] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Anand Baba | Chichondi, Ahmednagar dd Sahyadri | |
| 2008 | Ashta Roopa Jai Vaibhavlaxmi Mata | Sheela | |
| 2020-2021 | Aai Majhi Kalubai | Kalubai | Lead role |
Awards
- Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress For Debut Film Streedhan.
- Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress For Tujhyawachun Karmena.
- Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi for film Soona Yeti Ghara.
- Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi For Film Navsach Por.
- Nominated Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi for film Dhurala.
She has received several awards including the V. Shantaram Award in 2016, Rajya Sanskrutik Puraskar in 2013 and many others.[17]
References
- ↑ "Documenting the dying tradition of travelling cinema in India". The Economic Times. 12 June 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
- ↑ "Actress Alka Kubal Athalye Reminded of Her Debut Film Chakra With Smita Patil". News18. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- 1 2 "अलका कुबल – Marathisrushti Articles". www.marathisrushti.com. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
- ↑ "Video : Actor Alka Kubal, director Virag visits Nagpur to promoto 'Tatya Lahane'". Nagpur Today : Nagpur News. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ↑ "फ्लॅशबॅक : लेक चालली सासरला - Marathi News | Flashback By Dilip Thakur Lek Chalali Sasarla - Latest Manoranjan News at Loksatta.com". Loksatta (in Marathi). 28 July 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ डेस्क, एबीपी माझा एंटरटेनमेंट (24 September 2023). "अलका कुबल यांना 'माहेरची साडी' कसा मिळाला? जाणून घ्या..." ABP Majha (in Marathi). Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "कुबल, अलका लाडू". www.maharashtranayak.in. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "अलका कुबल – Marathisrushti Articles". www.marathisrushti.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Alka Kubal's popular TV show Aai Majhi Kalubai set for rerun during Navratri". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Actress Alka Kubal Athalye Reminded of Her Debut Film Chakra With Smita Patil". News18. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ "अलका कुबल यांना 'माहेरची साडी' कसा मिळाला? जाणून घ्या..." ABP Majha (in Marathi). 24 September 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ↑ "Owalini songs - Owalini 2008 Music Album - Owalini Marathi Movie Soundtrack". 16 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ "DhuralaPhotos - Marathi-Movies-The Times of India Photogallery". India Times. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ↑ Borade, Aarti Vilas. "Alka Kubal: 'आलंय माझ्या राशीला'मध्ये अल्का कुबल-चिन्मय मांडलेकर दिसणार एकत्र, टीझर प्रदर्शित". Hindustan Times Marathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ "'सुभेदार' चित्रपटात अलका कुबल यांनी साकारली आहे प्रभावशाली भूमिका, जाणून घ्या..." Loksatta (in Marathi). 29 August 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
- ↑ "Mangla Movie (2024): Cast, Trailer, OTT, Songs, Release Date | मंगला | Mangala | Exclusive 2024 - Rang Marathi". Rang Marathi. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ↑ "53rd Maharashtra State Film Awards 2016: Ringan, Double Seat, Daagdi Chaawl Wins Best Film Awards". marathicineyug.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
External links
- Alka Kubal at IMDb