Usha Jadhav is an Indian actress who has worked in feature films, short films and television. She is best known for her role in the 2012 Marathi film Dhag for which she is announced the winner of Best Actress Award at the 60th National Film Awards. She has also played various roles in Bollywood films and commercial advertisements. Usha was born and brought up in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She shifted to Pune and started her career as a theatre artist. But her passion of art reminded her to move to Mumbai and she did so. She was doing odd jobs at Pune during this time. Madhur Bhandarkar's Traffic signal released in the year 2007 was her first break. She played a bit role of a girl selling goods at the traffic signal. She appeared in a bit role in 2009 movie, Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish, directorial debut of actress, Deepti Naval as well. She appeared 2010 movies, Striker and Ashok Chakra: Tribute to Real Heroes also. Her ad aside Big B for the promotion of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 6 proved to be the big break of her career.

She appeared in a few short films like Gaali, The Mumbai Trilogy, Cinema Ki Aankh and Gubbare. She appeared in one episode of television serial of Star Plus, Lakhon Mein Ek. The episode featured Jadhav as a young bride who is discriminated for her dark complexion by her in-laws. In the Marathi movie Daag, she played the role of a low caste lady who fights against society to bring up her son as an educated citizen.