Some actors leave an impression and then there are actors who leave a legacy. Rohini Hattangadi belongs firmly to the latter category. A performer who seamlessly moved between theatre cinema and television she carved her place in Indian entertainment long before stardom became a marketing term. At 75 the veteran actor and the first Indian to win a BAFTA Award for her role in Gandhi continues to inspire with her clarity of thought and an unwavering commitment to her craft.
Her career spans multiple languages disciplines and eras. She has worked across Marathi theatre Hindi films English productions and television dramas. Along the way she earned a National Award for the 1984 film Party cementing her place among the greats. But today Hattangadi stands at a deliberate distance from television a decision she openly explains.

Why did Rohini Hattangadi step away from television?
In a candid conversation with The Free Press Journal Rohini Hattangadi revealed the personal reasons behind her decision to stop working in TV serials.
“When I was young there were no gyms. Our work itself was exercise” she said. Television however demanded relentless hours. Early-morning calls long shoot days late-night returns the cycle left little room for recovery.
She explained that she would often return home at 11 p.m. and had to wake up again by 6 a.m. for the next shift. “I realised I didn’t have time for exercise rest or even to breathe” she said.
The actor eventually understood that her health and pace were suffering. That clarity pushed her to step back from daily television.

What annoyed her about the Marathi TV industry?
Hattangadi also spoke openly about her concerns regarding discipline or the lack of it in parts of the Marathi television ecosystem.
She shared that she frequently received last-minute calls and was often pressured to arrive on set when new scenes were suddenly added. The unpredictability she said became exhausting.
Unwilling to compromise on her working style or tolerate chaotic schedules she quietly stepped away.

What happened on the sets of Shahenshah?
The veteran also revisited her theatre days in Delhi recalling how speaking Hindi daily gave her a strong command over the language though traces of Marathi still slipped in. People would often tease her playfully saying “You also have Punjabi-ness in Hindi.”
She then shared a memorable moment from Amitabh Bachchan’s Shahenshah. The actor performed the song “Mere angene mein” in a particular style that did not appeal to her.
“I had no attachment to that song so I expressed my thoughts and said ‘Why would someone like Amitabh Bachchan perform like this?’”
Hattangadi clarified that she intended to compliment him not criticise. “I meant that he is such a talented actor and I was surprised by the choice” she said. But mid-sentence she realised she had crossed a line. She regretted her words especially after Bachchan left the shoot quietly.
“I don’t know if he remembers this interaction but I crossed my limit. He stayed calm that is his remarkable quality.”