Dadasaheb Phalke’s grandson loses wife after long illness, financial struggles resurface
Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, grandson of Dadasaheb Phalke, lost his wife, Mrudula, after a long illness. Her death has once again highlighted the financial struggles faced by the Phalke family and renewed calls for government support.
New Delhi: Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, the grandson of Indian cinema pioneer Dadasaheb Phalke, is going through a deeply painful phase in his life. On January 30, he lost his wife, Mrudula Pusalkar, after a long illness.
Her death has once again brought attention to the financial struggles faced by the Phalke family, raising serious questions about how the nation treats the legacy of the father of Indian cinema.
Dada Saheb's family faces financial problems
Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, the grandson of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, lost his wife, Mrudula Pusalkar, on January 30 after she suffered from a prolonged illness. Speaking about the loss, Pusalkar said that his wife had been unwell for a long time and her health had worsened in recent months. Towards the end, she had become completely immobile and required constant care.
Mrudula Pusalkar’s death has once again highlighted the difficult financial situation faced by Chandrashekhar Pusalkar, despite his historic family legacy. Over the past few years, he has openly spoken about his struggles and has repeatedly appealed to the government for financial support in the form of a pension.
In an earlier interview, Pusalkar had revealed that his wife’s medical treatment cost nearly Rs 40,000 every month. With no steady source of income, these expenses became impossible to manage. To cope with the rising medical bills, Pusalkar was forced to sell the house that had been donated to his mother, Malti Phalke Pusalkar, by the state government many years ago.
That house was not just a property but a symbol of recognition for the contribution of Dadasaheb Phalke to Indian cinema. Its sale was a painful decision for the family, taken only because of financial hardship and lack of support.
Pusalkar has said that he made several requests to the government seeking a pension or financial assistance, but his appeals did not bring any long-term relief. He has often expressed disappointment that while Dadasaheb Phalke is honoured with awards, textbooks, and national recognition, his own family has struggled to meet basic needs.
The passing of Mrudula Pusalkar has added to Chandrashekhar Pusalkar’s emotional and financial burden. Friends and well-wishers have expressed condolences and renewed calls for authorities to step in and support the family of Indian cinema’s pioneer.
This tragic moment has reopened an important discussion about how India remembers and supports the families of its cultural icons—not just in words, but through meaningful action.