Jyoti Chandekar: A Face We Knew, A Warmth We Felt
Pune has given India many artists. But it also gave us storytellers who touched hearts. Among them was Jyoti Chandekar, a simple and graceful actress. She never chased glamour, yet people always remembered her.
She played roles that felt close to home. Sometimes a grandmother, at times a gentle neighbour, or a mother who was strict but loving at heart. So when she passed away in August 2025 at 68, it didn’t feel like news about a celebrity — it felt like losing someone from the family.
Early Life and Theatre
Jyoti Chandekar was born and raised in Pune. In those days, theatre wasn’t just something people went to for an evening out — it was the pulse of the city. Small auditoriums filled up with locals eager for stories, and backstage had its own magic. You’d hear a tabla being tuned, the soft stretch of a harmonium note, actors muttering lines under their breath, nervous but hopeful. This was the world Jyoti walked into, and slowly, it stopped being playacting. It became the place she truly belonged.
Theatre isn’t forgiving. No retakes, no safety nets. But she carried herself on stage with a calm strength. Her voice cut through the halls, her expressions felt like they belonged to real people, not characters. Directors trusted her instincts. The audience believed every word.
From Stage to Screen
Later, she moved to films and TV. The camera catches even the smallest mistake, but Jyoti adapted quickly. She chose roles that were not flashy but were important. Mothers, grandmothers, aunts — characters that made stories feel real.
For many people, she will always be remembered as “Purna Aaji” in Tharal Tar Mag. That role was strong yet loving, and audiences felt she was part of their own family.
In 2015, she acted in Ticha Umbarthaa. This film was special because she appeared with her daughter, Tejaswini Pandit. Their bond as mother and daughter could be felt both on and off screen.
Her Daughter, Her Student
People often ask, Who is Tejaswini Pandit to Jyoti Chandekar? The answer is simple — she was her only daughter, but also her biggest student and inspiration.
At home, Tejaswini grew up watching her mother rehearse lines and prepare for roles. Acting came naturally to her, because it was always around her.
When Jyoti passed away, Tejaswini wrote that her mother was her “guiding light.” It wasn’t just a post. It was her truth.
Her Husband’s Quiet Role
Jyoti’s husband lived a private life. He stayed away from cameras and events. That quiet support at home gave her strength to manage both family and acting with balance.
Why People Loved Her
People often recall not just the roles she played, but the way she was once the lights dimmed. There was a softness in her voice that made you stop and pay attention, as if each word carried care. She didn’t distinguish between a co-actor, a technician, or a stranger passing by — everyone received the same warmth.
She was not only an actress. She was a storyteller. Her roles reminded people of their own loved ones — an aaji, a mother, or a neighbour who cared.
Saddened to hear that Jyoti Chandekar ji has passed on. She lived the role of Sindhutai SAPKAL while her daughter played the young Sindhu in Mee SindhutaiSapkal. You leave an indelible mark in the performing arts. Will be fondly remembered always 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/kN3pOrQCgi
— ANANTH N MAHADEVAN (@ananthmahadevan) August 16, 2025
Legacy
Her legacy lives on through her daughter, Tejaswini Pandit, and in every home where audiences once watched her and said, “She reminds me of my aaji.”
In today’s world of fame and glamour, Jyoti Chandekar showed us something different — that honesty and simplicity can make you unforgettable.
Read this also Jyoti Chandekar Death: Marathi Cinema Loses a Familiar Voice
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