Born to Radhabai and her husband Dr Gopal Pendharkar in a Brahmin family,[1] Bhalji was related to a number of personalities from the Indian film industry.

Bhalji's son with his first wife, Prabhakar Pendharkar (1933–2010), was associated with making of Do Aankhen Barah Haath in 1950s, wrote the book रारंगढांग, and was author-director of noteworthy documentaries.

Bhalji started his career in the era of silent films.

He was associated with Prabhat Film Company's earliest talkies, and also worked with other studios in hometown of Kolhapur.

His more famous films are: Netaji Palkar, Thoratanchi Kamala, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mohityanchi Manjula, Maratha Titutka Melvava, Sadhi Manse, Tambdi Maati.