Varsha Usgaonkar Wants Powerful Women Roles; Also Duped of Rs 47 Lakh
Synopsis
Marathi actress Varsha Usgaonkar has revealed her dream to play powerful women characters like doctors and lawyers, while also disclosing she was allegedly cheated of Rs 47 lakh by a man posing as a film producer. The accused, Avinash Jadhav, is now facing charges at Mumbai's Shivaji Park Police Station.
Key Takeaways
Varsha Usgaonkar stated at the 'Kaun Sahi' trailer launch on April 26 in Mumbai that she aspires to play powerful women characters like doctors, lawyers, and businesswomen.
The actress expressed interest in OTT platforms but noted she has not yet received a suitable offer that matched her availability.
Varsha Usgaonkar was allegedly among multiple actresses cheated of approximately Rs 47 lakh by Avinash Jadhav , who posed as a film producer and builder.
The accused initially returned Rs 4.52 lakh to build trust before stopping all payments and changing his contact details.
A fraud case against Avinash Jadhav has been registered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park Police Station .
When victims tracked Jadhav to Dombivli , he allegedly threatened them and refused to return the money.
Varsha Usgaonkar, the celebrated Marathi actress, has publicly expressed her strong desire to portray women-empowered characters — including doctors, lawyers, and businesswomen — on both the big screen and OTT platforms. Speaking at the trailer launch of her upcoming historical drama 'Kaun Sahi' in Mumbai on April 26, Usgaonkar also addressed her openness to digital content while revealing she has yet to land the right OTT opportunity.
Varsha Usgaonkar's Vision for Strong Female Characters
At the trailer launch event, Usgaonkar spoke candidly about the kinds of roles she aspires to take on. "I have always wished to play an empowered woman on screen — like a doctor or a lawyer, or a businesswoman. I would like to play such a strong character," she stated.
Her remarks reflect a broader shift in the Marathi film industry, where audiences and creators alike are increasingly demanding narratives that place women at the center of power and agency. Usgaonkar's comments resonate with a growing national conversation around representation of women in Indian cinema.
OTT Ambitions and Missed Opportunities
When asked about her interest in OTT platforms, Usgaonkar was candid. "There is a lot of good work happening on OTT. A lot of good web series are being made. I would love to work on those as well. However, I have not been offered a good role on OTT till now, and when it was offered, I could not do it as I was busy with other commitments," she said.
This reflects a challenge many established regional film actors face — transitioning to the digital space while managing existing commitments in traditional cinema. With platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ZEE5 increasingly investing in Marathi-language content, opportunities for veterans like Usgaonkar are expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
Actress Among Victims in Rs 47 Lakh Fraud Case
In a deeply concerning development, Varsha Usgaonkar was reportedly among several actresses allegedly cheated of approximately Rs 47 lakh by a man who posed as both a film producer and a builder, according to the Mumbai Police.
The accused, identified as Avinash Jadhav, reportedly gained the trust of his victims by initially returning Rs 4.52 lakh before abruptly stopping all payments. A case has been registered against him at Mumbai's Shivaji Park Police Station.
When victims attempted to follow up on their dues, Jadhav allegedly changed both his mobile number and residential address to evade contact. The victims subsequently tracked him down in Dombivli, where he allegedly threatened them, stating he would not return the money and dared them to take action.
A Pattern of Fraud Targeting Film Industry Professionals
This incident is not isolated. Fraud cases involving individuals impersonating film producers or industry insiders to dupe actors — particularly women — have been reported multiple times across Mumbai and Maharashtra. The allure of high-profile projects and the trust-based nature of the entertainment industry make its professionals particularly vulnerable to such schemes.
Notably, Mumbai Police have in recent years registered several cases where fraudsters exploited the aspirations of actors and technicians by promising roles or investments. Experts and industry bodies have repeatedly called for greater financial literacy and due diligence among entertainment professionals.
The Rs 47 lakh fraud case also raises questions about systemic protections for artists in India, many of whom operate without formal contracts or legal counsel, making them easy targets for sophisticated fraudsters.
What Comes Next
With a case now registered at Shivaji Park Police Station against Avinash Jadhav, investigators are expected to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how law enforcement handles fraud cases specifically targeting Bollywood and Marathi film industry professionals.
Meanwhile, Varsha Usgaonkar's upcoming historical drama 'Kaun Sahi' is expected to generate significant attention, and her outspoken advocacy for stronger female roles may well attract the kind of OTT projects she has long been seeking. As the Marathi entertainment industry continues to expand its digital footprint, Usgaonkar's experience and stature make her a prime candidate for impactful women-centric narratives.
Point of View
And the alarming vulnerability of artists to financial fraud. The fact that an experienced actress of her stature could be defrauded of Rs 47 lakh by someone merely claiming to be a producer underscores the absence of formal financial safeguards for entertainment professionals. While the industry celebrates its OTT boom, it has done little to institutionalize protections for the very talent that drives it. This case should prompt both industry bodies and law enforcement to take a harder look at the ecosystem that repeatedly enables such frauds.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of roles does Varsha Usgaonkar want to play in the future?
Varsha Usgaonkar has expressed her desire to play women-empowered roles such as doctors, lawyers, and businesswomen. She wants to portray strong female characters both in films and on OTT platforms.
What is Varsha Usgaonkar's upcoming film?
Varsha Usgaonkar's upcoming project is a historical drama titled 'Kaun Sahi'. The trailer of the film was recently launched in Mumbai.
How much money was Varsha Usgaonkar allegedly cheated of?
Varsha Usgaonkar was reportedly among several actresses cheated of approximately Rs 47 lakh by a man named Avinash Jadhav. He posed as a film producer and builder to gain their trust.
Who is Avinash Jadhav and what charges does he face?
Avinash Jadhav is the accused who allegedly posed as a film producer and builder to defraud multiple actresses including Varsha Usgaonkar. A fraud case has been registered against him at Mumbai's Shivaji Park Police Station.
Is Varsha Usgaonkar planning to work on OTT platforms?
Yes, Varsha Usgaonkar has confirmed her interest in working on OTT platforms, saying a lot of good content is being produced digitally. However, she mentioned she has not yet received a suitable OTT offer that aligned with her schedule.
