97-ear-old Shanta alias Bimba Modak, eminent Marathi film and stage actress of yesteryear, has passed away in Pune.

The actress died of old age last night, family members said. Modak, who entered the industry when it was a taboo for women to work in cinema, made her debut in the film 'Chul aani Mul' directed by noted playwright and writer Vishram Bedekar in 1946.