~ The iconic silver screen and television actor Shubha Khote was in conversation with her daughter, Indian film and television actress Bhavana Balsaver at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, as part of MOG Sundays.
Enamoured by meeting her onscreen idol, the legendary Dilip Kumar, a young Shubha Khote – then in her twenties – was so overwhelmed that she didn’t wash her hair for days after the late thespian fondly blessed her with a touch on the head. The veteran actress shared this anecdote during a candid conversation with her daughter, Bhavana Balsaver, at the Museum of Goa (MOG) as part of the MOG Sundays talk series in Pilerne.
Shubha, a champion swimmer and cyclist, became a household name with her poise and comic timing in numerous Hindi and Marathi films. Recalling her interaction with the late Dilip Kumar at a film event, she said: “Dilip Kumar was there. After the show, I met him. I used to touch his feet. But he put a hand on my head (in blessing). I did not wash my hair for six days after that.” She later played squash with Kumar regularly.
With a 70-year career, Shubha, an all-India cycling champion in the 1950s, earned a cycling scene in her debut film ‘Seema’ (1955), directed by her mentor, Amiya Chakrabarty. But the role also came with its share of real-life drama.
“In the scene, I was supposed to chase a thief. Since I was a cyclist, a cycling sequence was created… We were shooting that shot, but while I was chasing him, I had a near-death experience due to an accident. My entire face was messed up from the street rubble. There were stitches all over, on the nose, under the chin. It was terrible,” she recalls.
Shubha’s career defied the expectations of a young actress in the early 1950s. She was not only an athlete but also pursued comedy at a time when few female actors chose comedic roles. This decision was inspired by Chakrabarty’s advice.
“Chakrabarty told me not to try to become a heroine and that I didn’t even look like a heroine. He said that I had good timing and suggested I go in for comedy,” said Shubha, who was reliving her experiences with her daughter Bhavana, also a popular television actress, at the MOG Sundays event. “And I am glad I stuck to it because it goes well with my nature. In that sense, I carved a niche for myself.”
Commenting on her success in the comedy genre, Shubha recalls her onscreen bonding in films like ‘Chhoti Bahen’ (1959) with comedy great Mehmood Ali, who she describes as the original ‘bhaijaan’ (elder brother) of Bollywood. “He had a very individualistic style and we understood each other’s craft well to make the shot unforgettable,” Shubha said of Mehmood.
Incidentally, her late brother, Viju Khote, is also known for his comic timing, including his iconic role as Kaalia in ‘Sholay’ (1975).
At 87, Shubha’s passion for theatre remains strong. The same passion helped her found Shubhangi Kala Mandir and she continues to cherish the stage. “Theatre is where I started and it continues to be close to my heart. Acting is my passion and I enjoy doing it. It’s a family experience and I am proud of the productions we’ve taken across the world,” she said, recalling performances in Dubai, London, and Goa.
Commenting on her onstage conversation at the MOG with her daughter, Shubha said that it was almost performative in spirit. “This was something very new to me as my relationship with Bhavana is much more than just being her mother. This conversation at the museum felt like I was performing for the audience by giving them a peep into my life,” the actress said.
Like her father inspired Shubha to become an actor, her daughter Bhavana Balsaver got into the acting scene because of Shubha. “Acting is in my genes because of my grandfather, my uncle and my mother. While I have garnered a lot of respect in the field because of my mother, I strove to make my own mark in the industry” said Bhavana.
