Bollywood in tears as veteran Sadhana bids adieu

Sadhana, who is credited for introducing the fringe hairstyle in Indian film industry, passed away at a private hospital here, sources said. Her body was taken to her residence in suburban Mumbai where Bollywood personalities, including her former colleague and friend Waheeda Rehman, went to pay their last respects. Sadhana was admitted to a suburban hospital here last year for a lesion in her mouth and underwent a surgery. Born in 1941 in a Sindhi family, she was named after her father’s favourite actress Sadhona Bose. Her father and actor Hari Shivdasani were brothers. Hari’s daughter is actress Babita Kapoor.

Sadhana was the only child and her mother home-schooled her until she was eight. In 1955 she played a chorus girl in the song Mud Mud Ke in Raj Kapoor’s Shree 420 . She made her full-fldged film debut in the first ever Sindhi film Abana . Some of her memorable films include Love in Simla, Hum Dono, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina , Asli-Naqli and Mere Mehboob.

Film personalities including Lata Mangeshkar, Karan Johar, Rishi Kapoor and Anushka Sharma mourned the demise of veteran actress Sadhana, remembering the iconic songs she featured in. Melody Queen Mangeshkar paid tribute to the actress, to whom she has lent her voice in songs like Mera Saaya Sath Hoga, Lag Jaa Gale among others. I just came to know about sudden demise of my favourite actress Sadhana.

I am very saddened with the news. She was a great artist. May her soul rest in peace,” she tweeted. Expressing his grief, filmmaker Johar wrote, “RIP Sadhana aunty... Your legacy of beauty, poise and utmost grace…. Will live on forever.” Veteran actor Rishi said, “RIP Sadhana Shivdasani.” Calling her the most “graceful woman”, actress Shruti Haasan tweeted, “Sadhanaji one of the most incredible and graceful women, thank you so much for the memories and advice love you and miss you.”