'Missing Ladies' fame Chhaya Kadam once used to earn 250 rupees a day, from playing the role of Amitabh's wife she reached Oscar

'Missing Ladies' gets rave reviews

Now let's talk about the year 2024 and today Kadam is being talked about everywhere. She is ruling the big screen, small screen and even international film festivals. Her brilliant performance in 'Missing Ladies' has not only earned her praise all over the world but her film has also been given an official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Academy Awards.

Kadam's character in the film is 'Manju Maayi'

Let us remind you that in this film, Kadam is seen in the role of 'Manju Mai' who runs her own tea shop. Her character in the film touched the hearts of the people, she is a woman who is tough from outside but at the same time she is equally kind from inside. After facing abuse and insults from her husband, she has become tough and after this she teaches others to become self-reliant. This was about the film but if we look at her profession, she did not get this success overnight.

Kadam is from a working-class background

Born in Kalina, Mumbai, Kadam comes from a working class background. Initially, she dreamed of playing Kabaddi as a profession and even reached the state level. Later, she decided to open a gym or join the police. She never dreamt of acting.

The role was such that she had only one scene

While talking to 'The Better India', he told his story, 'I had no plans to become an actor, it all happened suddenly.' While doing different jobs and supporting the family, Kadam entered the world of Marathi theatre. It is said that Kadam's first film never released and his first Bollywood role was one in which he had only one scene.

This role was given to him in the absence of the lead actor

Yet she was not one to give up and was determined to move forward. Early in her career, she approached a director for a role in Doordarshan, but was told the casting had already been done and was offered the position of an assistant instead. She accepted, but was then offered the role in the absence of the lead actor. “It was one of those moments when I knew I was in the right place at the right time. What is meant for you will come to you,” said Kadam.

I used to get 250 rupees per day

However, Kadam often doubted whether she even looked like an actress, in an industry where success is often determined by looks, connections and fluent English. “I started earning Rs 250 a day. Everyone around me seemed younger, smarter and more connected,” she said.

Ranjana's role in 'Jhund' with Amitabh Bachchan

In the year 2013, she was also praised in 'Fandry' in which she played the strong character of a woman Nani struggling with caste oppression. After this, she was seen playing brilliant characters in some Marathi films like 'Sairat' and created her strong image. After this, in the year 2018, apart from Sriram Raghavan's film 'Andhadhun', in the year 2022, she played the role of Ranjana in 'Jhund' with Amitabh Bachchan in which she got the privilege of playing the role of his wife.

From the Cannes Film Festival to the Oscars

Chaaya said that she simply listened to her inner voice, which led her to attend her first acting workshop in the year 2001. In May 2024, after almost 23 years, Kadam will mark her screen presence not once but twice at the biggest film festival 'Cannes'. Apart from Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine As Light', Karan Kandhari's 'Sister Midnight' has forever become a part of her best films.