Amruta Subhash

Films and television

Subhash made debut in films through the 2004 film Shwaas playing the role of Aasawari, a medical social worker, who helps Parshuram's grandfather (played by Arun Nalawade) understand all the technicalities that doctors talk about. The film revolves around 8-year-old boy Parshuram and his grandfather, who come to Mumbai from a rural village in Konkan to get treatment on Parshuram's retinal cancer. Adjudged as the Best Feature Film at the 51st National Film Awards for the "sensitive and moving portrayal of the relationship",^[5] the film was also the official entry from India to the 77th Academy Awards under Best Foreign Language Film category. But the film failed to reach the nomination list.^[6] Kick-starting through a critically acclaimed film, Subhash went on to act in Hindi films. Her next film Chausar, in Hindi language, was based on the real life event in Uttar Pradesh, where a woman revolts against the society when she was sold by her husband. Directed by Sagar Sarhadi whose 1982 film Bazaar is critically acclaimed, Amruta called this author-backed role as a "dream come true".^[1] The same year, she played the title role in the television film Nirmala, directed by Gulzar, based on Premchand's novel of the same name. Aired on Doordarshan in October 2004, the film was the last episode in Gulzar's series Tehreer.... Munshi Premchand Ki, adapted from Premchand's stories.^[7] She also acted in the series Ek Prem Katha, directed by Basu Chatterjee, aired on Doordarshan.

Amruta was seen playing various roles in TV shows like Zoka, Paaulkhuna and most importantly, Awaghachi Sansaar, that aired on Zee Marathi.^[8] She became popular for her role of Aasawari, opposite actor Prasad Oak, where she fights back against the atrocities laid upon her by her husband.^[3]

Her 2006 film, White Rainbow was based on widows of Vrindavan, where she played a 15-year-old widow who is forced into prostitution.^[9] In 2008, she appeared in a supporting role of Jyoti, in Nandita Das's debut directorial venture Firaaq. Based on the aftermath of 2002 communal riots of Gujarat, the film spun various stories. Critically acclaimed, nationally as well as in various international festivals, the film had notable actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal and Deepti Naval. Subhash's performance of Jyoti, a Hindu woman who tries to save her Muslim neighbour (played by Shahana Goswami), was also appreciated.^[10] The same year, her Marathi comedy Valu, with a multi-star cast also released. Directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni, the film had Atul Kulkarni, Mohan Agashe, Bharati Achrekar, Girish Kulkarni, Dilip Prabhavalkar and many more actors. The film also featured Subhash's mother Jyoti Subhash.^[11]

Her 2009 film Tya Ratri Paus Hota cast her playing the role of a drug addict teenager.^[12] The same year, Sachin Kundalkar's film Gandha saw her playing the role of Veena, a bride-to-be, who falls in love with a man for the fragrance he brings. Her real-life mother, Jyoti Subhash, was seen playing her reel-life mother in this film.^[13] The film was later adapted into Hindi by Kundalkar as Aiyyaa in 2012, where the lead role of Subhash was played by Rani Mukerji.^[14][15]

She is planned to appear in the Bollywood film Spaghetti 24 x 7, playing the main lead actress opposite Mimoh Chakraborty. The film also has Chakraborty's father Mithun Chakraborty. Subhash plays the role of a deaf girl in this film directed by Gaurav Pandey. The production of the film started in 2009; but the release has been halted for unknown reason.^[16][17]

Theater

Along with her film career, Subhash takes time to act in plays. She played roles in the plays Sathecha Kaay Karayacha! and Shree Tashi Sau. In the play Sathecha Kaay Karayacha!, directed by her husband Sandesh Kulkarni, Subhas played the role of Salma, an understanding wife who tries to solve the problems of her husband who falls prey to self-torturing jealousy.^[19] She did not perform many shows of Shree Tashi Sau and her role was later taken up by Dipti Kanhere. In the play Ajuni Yeto Vaas Fhulana, director Chetan Datar paid tribute to veteran theatre personality Satyadev Dubey. While Dubey was played by Nandu Madhav, Subhas played the role of an experienced student of Dubey.^[20] She also appeared in the play Chhotyashya Suteet, which was written by Sachin Kundalkar.^[21] In 2008, she also appeared in the play Love Birds, directed by Girish Joshi. The suspense thriller play was well appreciated by the audience for its innovative way of mixing in video clips with the play. She played the negative role of a wife, whose husband (played by Aniket Vishwasrao) has lost his memory and is learning bitter truths about her as he recovers.^[22][23] Being different from all the roles that she has played, Subhash called this role "challenging".^[18]

Singing

Subhash has learned classical singing for three years.^[4] Her debut album Jata Jata Pawasane did not fare well.^[18] She has featured as a playback singer in films like Haapus (2010) and Ajintha (2012) and has provided background score to the films Nital (2006) and Teen Bahene.^[4] In 2012, she participated in the Marathi singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, organised for celebrities. She went to the top 5 and competed in the finale along with Ajay Purkar, Ketki Thatte, Vaibhav Mangle and Prashant Damle, where Damle won the competition.^[24]