Chhaya Kadam

Chhaya Kadam is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Marathi and Hindi films. Her best works are starring in Nagraj Manjule films, Fandry (2013), Sairat (2016), and Jhund (2022), Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), Redu (2018), and Nude (2018).  The last of these earned her the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Kadam gained wider recognition for her roles in 2024 comedy-drama's Laapataa Ladies and Madgaon Express.

Early life
Chhaya Kadam was born into a middle-class family in Kalina, a suburb in central Mumbai. Her father was a mill worker. She has cited her father as one of the trustees of Sai Baba. On failing in the 12th grade, she said, "Success and failure come in life, but that is no reason to be discouraged. Because you get a second chance to prove yourself in life. But life doesn't come second. It is said that because of exam failure, some students resort to suicide". She attended Sathaye College, Vile Parle, where she played kabaddi at the state level, and graduated in Textile Design. She performed on stage throughout high school and college.

Career
Chhaya began her career on stage before moving to film in 2009. Her debut on the stage was with Waman Kendre's Zulva. Her first film, Baimanus (2010), was never released. This was followed by films like Mi Sindhutai Sapkal (2010), Baboo Band Baaja (2011), and Kuni Ghar Deta Ka Ghar (2013). Her debut Hindi film was Singham Returns (2013), in which she had a single scene with Ajay Devgn.

Her breakthrough role came in Fandry (2013), directed by Nagraj Manjule. Her performance as Nani in the national award-winning film was critically acclaimed. She then appeared in Highway (2015) and Gour Hari Dastaan (2015).

In 2016, she starred in Nagraj Manjule's Sairat, their second collaboration. The film met with widespread critical acclaim. She portrayed a Hyderabadi Telugu woman who runs a dosa store in the film. She learned Telugu from the cameramen on the shoot for this. She received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi. Babanchi Shala (2016), her film, was received well. Other films in 2016 were Taleem, Vees Mhanje Vees, and Budhia Singh – Born to Run. She appeared in films like Atumgiri (2017), Halal (2017), and Hampi (2017).

In 2018, she starred in the controversial Nude, directed by Ravi Jadhav. Zee Studios, the production house for the film, ran into trouble at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. Despite being chosen as the opening title of the Indian Panorama section at the festival, the movie was dropped on the directives of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The Central Board of Film Certification finally approved the film with an Adult certificate and no cuts. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim, with Kadam receiving praise for her performance. The film went on to win the Best Film award at the New York Indian Film Festival 2018. She then starred in Redu, which was screened at many popular international film festivals and bagged several nominations at the 56th Maharashtra State Film Awards. She played an important role in Andhadhun (2018) and a major role in Zelya (2018).

In 2019, she starred in Aatpadi Nights. She received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Marathi. She appeared in the web series Hutatma Season 2 and made her television debut in Mere Sai.(2020).

In 2022, her first release Nay Varanbhat Loncha Kon Nay Koncha created controversy with the release of its trailer. The chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) has written to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) requesting that the film's trailer be censored after receiving a complaint from Bharatiya Stree Shakti that the film's trailer "depicted women and minors in an offensive manner". Upon its release, the film won accolades for its realistic plot as well as applause for her performance. Kalpeshraj Kubal of Maharashtra Times wrote, "Chhaya Kadam, who is playing the role of Baye, has left us speechless with her acting skills. Her body language and verbal interactions add to the height of the role". She appeared in the experimental drama Soyrik and played a prominent role. Her next two releases were the highly acclaimed Hindi films Gangubai Kathiawadi and Jhund. In the former, she portrayed Rashmibai, a rival of the titular character, played by Alia Bhatt. The latter marked her third collaboration with Nagraj Manjule. She played the wife of Amitabh Bachchan's character, Vijay Borade. Both roles gained her recognition. Kaun Pravin Tambe?, Bharat Maza Desh Aaze, and ''Yere Yera Pausa. '' were among the year's other films. She next appeared in Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies.

Her upcoming film is Rupesh Paul's neo noir experimental Pedigree (2023), supposedly the first silent Indian film after the post sound era.

Plays

 * Zulva
 * Angai (Lullaby)