Nanda Karnataki (8 January 1939 – 25 March 2014) known mononymously as Nanda, was an Indian actress who appeared in Hindi and Marathi films. As one of the most popular actresses in Hindi cinema, her career spans over 30 years and she is best known for her performances in Chhoti Bahen, Dhool Ka Phool, Bhabhi, Kala Bazar, Kanoon, Hum Dono, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Gumnaam, Ittefaq, The Train and Prem Rog.
Early life
Nanda was born in a Maharashtrian show-business family to Vinayak Damodar Karnataki (Master Vinayak), a successful Marathi actor-producer-director. Master Vinayak was related to many personalities in the Indian film industry. His brother Vasudev Karnataki was a cinematographer while noted film personalities Baburao Pendharkar (1896–1967) and Bhalji Pendharkar (1897–1994) were his half-brothers. He was also a maternal cousin of legendary film director V. Shantaram. Master Vinayak was a good friend of the Mangeshkar family and introduced Lata Mangeshkar to the film industry in his movie Pahilee Mangalagaur.
Her father died in 1947, aged 41 when Nanda was seven years old. The family faced hard times. She became a child actress, helping her family by working in films in the early 1950s. As a result of her involvement in movies, her...More about Nanda...