Marathi entertainment has lost a familiar face whose work brought together cinema, theatre and Maharashtra’s folk-performance traditions. Veteran actor and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar died in Pune at the age of 73 on October 12, following a prolonged illness. Known for her performances in films such as Ek Hota Vidushak and Zapatlela, she spent decades working across different forms of Marathi entertainment.<h2>What is the cause of death of Madhu Kambikar?</h2>Madhu Kambikar was suffering from an unnamed illness for quite some time, as per the ABP Majha report. She passed away in Pune at the age of 73. The same report stated that Madhu had been bedridden for a while. She had a stroke, which deteriorated her health further and changed her life.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/suryaa-release-date-out-sunny-deol-unveils-intense-first-look-1791797648994">Suryaa release date out: Sunny Deol unveils intense first look</a>&nbsp;Reportedly, in November 2016, while performing at the Lavanya Sangeet in Mumbai, she began feeling unwell, which later led to her suffering from a stroke, and was rushed to hospital. Her death has left the Marathi entertainment industry in mourning.<h2>Tributes pour in for Madhu Kambikar</h2>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over Madhu Kambikar’s demise. In a post on X, remembered the artist for her contribution to Marathi cinema, folk theatre, commercial theatre and television. In his message, Devendra Fadnavis said the news of her death was deeply saddening. He recalled her performances in films such as Hech Majha Maher, Raghumaina, Ek Hota Vidushak, Zapatlela, Debu and Yeu Ka Gharat.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/twice-s-nayeon-joins-charlie-puth-for-surprise-duet-at-goyang-concert-watch-1791782517045">TWICE’s Nayeon joins Charlie Puth for surprise duet at Goyang concert | Watch</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री मधू कांबीकर जी यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय दुःखद आहे. चित्रपट, लोकनाट्य, व्यावसायिक रंगभूमी आणि दूरदर्शन मालिकांमध्ये त्यांनी अनेक महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका साकारल्या होत्या. ‘हेच माझं माहेर’, ‘राघुमैना’, ‘एक होता विदूषक’, ‘झपाटलेला’, ‘डेबू’ आणि ‘येऊ का घरात’ यांसारख्या चित्रपटांतील त्यांच्या भूमिका प्रेक्षकांच्या चिरस्मरणात राहतील. अभिनय आणि नृत्य यांचा सुरेख मेळ साधत त्यांनी ग्रामीण जीवनाशी जोडलेल्या लोककलेला लोकप्रिय करण्यासाठी सातत्यानं प्रयत्न केले. चार दशकांहून अधिक काळ कलाक्षेत्रात सक्रिय राहून त्यांनी मराठी मनोरंजनविश्व समृद्ध केलं, त्याचं हे योगदान कायम स्मरणात राहील.

मी त्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण करतो. त्यांच्या कुटुंबीयांच्या आणि चाहत्यांच्या दुःखात आम्ही सहभागी आहोत.

ॐ शांती 🙏&mdash; Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) <a href="https://x.com/Dev_Fadnavis/status/2109553754953724020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The MDGPIR also paid tribute on X and wrote, “Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed profound grief over the passing of veteran actress Madhu Kambikar, who established her identity on the silver screen by preserving the legacy of Maharashtra's folk arts through her acting and multifaceted performances.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/drishyam-3-becomes-ajay-devgn-s-career-biggest-hit-earns-over-rs-300-crore-at-the-box-office-1791781427191">Drishyam 3 becomes Ajay Devgn's career's biggest hit, earns over Rs 300 crore</a>&nbsp;“Madhu Kambikar's artistic journey spanned from folk arts and theatre to the world of cinema. By upholding the traditional Lavani style in folk arts and through her study of Kathak, she earned acclaim as a dancer. The versatile star, who proudly flew the flag of Marathi folk arts on the silver screen, is no more. We share in the sorrow of the Kambikar family and Madhu Tai's fans, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has paid heartfelt tribute to Madhu Kambikar, praying that God grant strength to all to bear this loss,” they further wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री मधू कांबीकर यांच्या निधनाने महाराष्ट्राच्या लोककलेचा वारसा जतन करत रुपेरी पटावर अदाकारी आणि चतुरस्त्र अभिनयाने आपली ओळख निर्माण करणारी तारका निमाल्याची शोकभावना मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी व्यक्त केली आहे.

'लोककला, रंगभूमी ते चित्रपट सृष्टी असा मधू कांबीकर यांचा कला प्रवास राहीला. लोककलेतील लावणीचा पारंपरिक बाज जपत त्यांनी कथ्थकच्या अभ्यासातून नृत्यांगना म्हणून लौकिक मिळविला. मराठी लोककलेची पताका रुपेरी पडद्यावर दिमाखाने फडकत ठेवणारी चतुरस्त्र तारका निमाली आहे. आम्ही कांबीकर कुटुंबीय आणि मधूताईंच्या चाहत्यांच्या दुःखात सहभागी असून या सर्वांना हा आघात सहन करण्याची शक्ती ईश्वराने द्यावी, अशी प्रार्थना करून मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांनी मधू कांबीकर यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली अर्पण केली आहे.

#मधूकांबीकर
#MadhuKambikar&mdash; MAHARASHTRA DGIPR (@MahaDGIPR) <a href="https://x.com/MahaDGIPR/status/2109548791858610310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) shared a lengthy note and paid tribute to the veteran Marathi actress. They wrote, "AICWA prays that God grants peace to her soul and gives strength and courage to her family and her countless fans in this hour of grief."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) is deeply saddened and shocked by the demise of veteran actress, folk artist and film and TV personality Madhu Kambikar.

She was one of the most respected senior actresses of Marathi cinema, and her contribution to the industry was immense. Through her honest performances and her devotion to Maharashtra’s folk traditions, she touched millions of hearts. Her passing leaves a void that can never be filled. Today, an era has come to an end.

The Marathi film industry, and Maharashtra in particular, will never forget her contribution. Her work will keep inspiring generations of artists.

AICWA prays that God grants peace to her soul and gives strength and courage to her family and her countless fans in this hour of grief.

Om Shanti.

| #MadhuKambikar | #MarathiFilmIndustry | #Marathi | #AICWA | #AllIndianCineWorkersAssociation | 

| @ANI | @PTI_News | @ians_india | @sureshsgupta |&mdash; All Indian Cine Workers Association (@aicwaofficial) <a href="https://x.com/aicwaofficial/status/2109551159165763785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Madhu Kambikar's contribution to Marathi film industry</h2>Kambikar appeared in a number of Marathi films, including Shapit, Hech Mazha Maher, Raghu Maina, Ek Hota Vidushak, Zapatlela and Debu. Her work in cinema sat alongside performances in theatre and television, allowing her to reach audiences through several formats.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/spider-man-star-tobey-maguire-takes-on-officiating-role-at-ex-wife-jennifer-meyer-s-wedding-to-geoffrey-ogunlesi-1791776124696">Tobey Maguire takes on officiating role at ex-wife’s wedding to Geoffrey</a>&nbsp;Alongside acting, Kambikar was known for her performances in Lavani, a traditional Maharashtrian art form that combines music, rhythm, dance and expressive storytelling. She also studied Kathak, bringing different elements of dance into her artistic practice.&nbsp;Her work in folk performance was an important part of her identity, separate from her film roles. Over the course of her career, she helped bring the traditional form to audiences through stage performances and cinema. Her contribution to Marathi arts was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zee Chitra Gaurav Awards in 2018.

Veteran Marathi actor and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar died in Pune at 73 after a prolonged illness. She is best remembered for her work in Marathi cinema, theatre and traditional folk performance.

Marathi entertainment has lost a familiar face whose work brought together cinema, theatre and Maharashtra’s folk-performance traditions. Veteran actor and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar died in Pune at the age of 73 on October 12, following a prolonged illness. Known for her performances in films such as Ek Hota Vidushak and Zapatlela, she spent decades working across different forms of Marathi entertainment. What is the cause of death of Madhu Kambikar? Madhu Kambikar was suffering from an unnamed illness for quite some time, as per the ABP Majha report. She passed away in Pune at the age of 73. The same report stated that Madhu had been bedridden for a while. She had a stroke, which deteriorated her health further and changed her life. Also Read: Suryaa release date out: Sunny Deol unveils intense first look Reportedly, in November 2016, while performing at the Lavanya Sangeet in Mumbai, she began feeling unwell, which later led to her suffering from a stroke, and was rushed to hospital. Her death has left the Marathi entertainment industry in mourning. Tributes pour in for Madhu Kambikar Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over Madhu Kambikar’s demise. In a post on X, remembered the artist for her contribution to Marathi cinema, folk theatre, commercial theatre and television. In his message, Devendra Fadnavis said the news of her death was deeply saddening. He recalled her performances in films such as Hech Majha Maher, Raghumaina, Ek Hota Vidushak, Zapatlela, Debu and Yeu Ka Gharat. Also Read: TWICE’s Nayeon joins Charlie Puth for surprise duet at Goyang concert | Watch

Veteran Marathi actor and Lavani artiste Madhu Kambikar died in Pune at 73 after a prolonged illness. She is best remembered for her work in Marathi cinema, theatre and traditional folk performance.

Veteran Marathi actress Madhu Kambikar dies at 73 after prolonged illness, tributes pour in

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Veteran Marathi actress Madhu Kambikar dies at 73 after prolonged illness, tributes pour in