Background
Shirodkar was born Ratan Pednekar on October 11, 1916 to a Maharashtrian family.
Shirodkar was born Ratan Pednekar on October 11, 1916 to a Maharashtrian family.
She made her debut in 1938 and continued to act in films until the early 1970s. Her appearance in a swimsuit in the Marathi film Brahmachari (1938) with Master Vinayak stunned the traditional audience. She is a grandmother of two Bollywood actresses, Namrata Shirodkar and Shilpa Shirodkar.
In 1935, Shirodkar joined All India Radio (Associated Independent Recording) where she worked in radio dramas.
Though Shirodkar declined the offer in the beginning, Naik convinced Shirodkar"s husband that she should make film debut. Shirodkar debuted with a 1938 Marathi film Brahmachari opposite Master Vinayak.
The writer of the film, Pralhad Keshav Atre, better known as "Āchārya Atre", changed her name from "Ratan" to "Meenaxi" to suit her big eyes. She created a stir by appearing in a swimsuit in the song "Yamuna Jali Khelu Khel" film and stunned the traditional audience.
She rose to fame for her then daring act and her twin-plait hairstyle in the song but also got criticized heavily.
The song was sung by Shirodkar herself and became hit. lieutenant was also reused in the play by the same name and years later in other films as well. She continued to do several other films with Master Vinayak like Brandichi Batli (1939), Ghar Ki Rani (1940), Amrut (1941), Majhe Bal (1943).
After retiring from major roles in 1950, Shirodkar played a few minor roles in films and joined Marathi theatre with "Nutan Sangeet Natak Mandali".
During the period 1950-1975, she worked in twelve Sangeet Nataks (musical plays) including Mruchhakatik, Maanaapmaan, Ekach Pyaala and others
