Veteran theatre and film personality Sulabha Deshpande, passed away at her Mumbai residence on Saturday after a prolonged illness, family sources said. She was 79 years old.

Deshpande had acted in numerous Marathi and Hindi films such as 'Jait Re Jait', 'Vihir', 'English Vinglish', 'Bhumika', 'Gaman', and 'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai'. Also a veteran of the theatre scene, Deshpande's earliest works included playing the lead role of Leena Benare in Vijay Tendulkar's acclaimed play, 'Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe'. She reprised the same in its film version, directed by Satyadev Dubey . Her work in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, particularly the “Indian New Wave“ was significant.

Prior to her acting career, Deshpande taught at Chhabildas Boys' High School in Dadar. She had requested Vijay Tendulkar to write some plays for her students, which began her association with theatre. Deshpande went on to be among the pioneers of the experimental theatre movement during the 1960s.

She was associated with “Rangayan“, a pioneering Marathi experimental theatre group, along with Tendulkar, Vijaya Mehta, and Satyadev Dubey. In 1971 she co-founded the theatre group 'Awishkar' with her late husband Arvind Deshpande.