Priya Tendulkar (19 October 1954 – 19 September 2002) was an Indian actress, television presenter, social activist and author, best remembered for her portrayal of the title character in the Doordarshan television series Rajani (1985), which became a cultural touchstone for consumer rights and middle-class assertiveness in 1980s India.
| Full name | Priya Tendulkar |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 October 1954 |
| Died | 19 September 2002 (aged 47) |
| Place of death | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Profession | Actress, television host, writer, activist |
| Father | Vijay Tendulkar (Marathi playwright) |
| Notable role | Rajani in Rajani (1985) |
| Languages of work | Hindi, Marathi, English |
| Political affiliation | Indian National Congress (later years) |
Priya Tendulkar was the elder daughter of the Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar, whose works such as Ghashiram Kotwal and Sakharam Binder shaped post-Independence Indian theatre. Growing up in a literary household in Mumbai, she was exposed early to writing, journalism and theatre. Before turning to full-time acting, she briefly worked as an air hostess and as a journalist.
Tendulkar's defining work was Rajani, directed by Basu Chatterjee and telecast on Doordarshan beginning in 1985. Each episode followed a middle-class housewife, Rajani, who confronted everyday corruption, civic apathy and unfair commercial practices. The series ran during the early years of state-run television in India and made "Rajani" a popular shorthand for an ordinary citizen who stands up for consumer rights.
She subsequently appeared in and hosted several television shows, including Swayamsiddha, and the talk show The Priya Tendulkar Show, which featured interviews and discussions on social issues. She also acted in the series Hum Panchhi Ek Chaal Ke and others on Doordarshan and early satellite channels.
Tendulkar acted in Hindi and Marathi films, often in supporting or character roles. Her film credits include Govind Nihalani's Aakrosh (1980) and Ardh Satya (1983), as well as appearances in films such as Janam and other parallel cinema productions of the 1980s.
She was a published author in both English and Marathi. Her books include Asahi Ek Jeevan and a collection titled Jaaved Ki Jaya, along with shorter writings and columns in newspapers and magazines. Her prose often dealt with women's experiences, family relationships and urban life.
Drawing on the popular image of Rajani, Tendulkar took up consumer rights and women's issues as part of her public work. She was associated with the Indian National Congress and engaged in social campaigns related to women's welfare. She served on advisory bodies and committees connected to women's and consumer concerns.
Tendulkar's character Rajani is often cited in studies of Indian television as one of the earliest popular depictions of an assertive female protagonist on the small screen. The show coincided with the emergence of consumer rights discourse in India, eventually leading up to the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and Rajani became a recognisable figure in public conversation around citizen grievance. Beyond the role, Tendulkar's writing and activism extended the engagement with women's everyday struggles in urban India.
Priya Tendulkar was married to Karim Lakhani. She was the sister of writer and screenwriter Sushama Deshpande's contemporaries in the Marathi cultural scene; her brother Raja Tendulkar predeceased their father. She lived in Mumbai for most of her life and died there in September 2002.