Veteran actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar breathes her last due to COVID; Renuka Shahane, Anil Kapoor, Shabana Azmi offer condolences

By Tanmayi Savadi

on September 22, 2020 08:48:03 PM

Veteran Marathi film and theatre actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar breathed her last on Tuesday at a hospital in Satara after contracting Coronavirus. Reportedly, Ashalata along with 20-22 members of the newly launched Marathi show Aai Majhi Kalubai were tested COVID-19 positive recently. The rest of the team were asked to home quarantine themselves and the veteran was reportedly the only one who was on ventilator. According to reports, a dance group from Mumbai was called in for the shoot in Satara and post that, the members are said to have contracted the virus. A source told a leading daily that Ashalata was critical a few days ago but was on the path to recovery.

Soon after the news of the veteran actress's demise broke, Bollywood celebrities offered condolences. Shabana Azmi, on Twitter, recalled working with the actress in Apne Paraye. She wrote, "Deeply saddened. I had the pleasure of working with #Ashalataji in Basu Chatterjee’s #Apne Paraye and she was a delight to work with. Condolences to the family"

Deeply saddened. I had the pleasure of working with #Ashalataji in Basu Chatterjee’s #Apne Paraye and she was a delight to work with . Condolences to the https://t.co/HuaRz1Oi27 pic.twitter.com/WTgpVQGSES

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) September 22, 2020

Renuka Shahane, in Marathi, wrote, "It was a sad day today. COVID-19 took away a very beautiful life. Ashalata Tai merged into infinity. Extremely kind, loving, sensitive, great artist. Peace be upon the soul of Ashalata Tai, who has always blessed me and addressed me as her child. A heartfelt tribute"

. . . , , , . "" .

— Renuka Shahane (@renukash) September 22, 2020

Anil Kapoor shared a picture with her and wrote, "Had the honour of working with Ashalata Ji in Woh 7 Din, a truly talented actress. My heartfelt prayers & condolences to the family"

Had the honour of working with Ashalata Ji in Woh 7 Din, a truly talented actress. My heartfelt prayers & condolences to the family pic.twitter.com/j1AyHLoLXo

— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 22, 2020

The veteran actress starred in over 100 Hindi and Marathi films including Umbartha, Navri Mile Navryala, Ahista Ahista, Woh Saat Din, Ankush, Namak Halaal, Shaukeen and Yaadon Ki Kasam. Her Marathi plays namely Mahananda, Varyavarchi Varaat and Guntata Hridhya He are considered as classics.

(Source: Twitter)