Decades ago, in 2001, Chhaya Kadam had not left her home for months. “That year, my father and brother both passed away in quick succession,” she recalls. Kadam was looking for ways to escape her rut, and that’s when she stumbled upon a newspaper advertisement for a workshop. What seemed like an ordinary decision taken to shake off her grief would go on to change her life forever.

Fast forward to 2024, and Kadam is everywhere — on the big screen, small screen, and even at international film festivals. Her stellar role in Laapataa Ladies has not only won global acclaim but has also been picked as India’s official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

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Kadam’s role in Laapataa Ladies — as Manju Mai, a fiercely independent tea stall owner — has become a sensation. Audiences have praised her nuanced portrayal of a woman who is tough yet compassionate. Manju........

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