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Shubha Shetty Saha (MID-DAY; December 26, 2015)
Sadhana is yet another example to the statistics of how the film industry largely doesn’t really turn back to check on its people, once they are past their prime and fade into the oblivion. Even though Sadhana enjoyed the position of being one of the most sought after actresses in ’60s, she was easily forgotten once she decided to step into the shadows. Sadhana had chosen to stay away from the media glare since, by her own admission, she wanted to be remembered as the ‘khubsoorat’ Sadhana.
What she hadn’t chosen, however, was fighting a battle in her old age, all alone — the struggle to keep her Santacruz home for which she even had to seek police protection. Not many from the industry, except old friends Helen and her family, and Nanda, came forward to help her.
It was in the ’60s that beautiful Sadhana, along with being an actress to reckon with, was also a fashion icon. Her fringe cut hairstyle, presumably simply done at the behest of director RK Nayyar (whom she later married) to hide her broad forehead, went on to be imitated by millions of girls, famously called as Sadhana cut.
Born in Karachi, Sadhana might have been destined to be an actress, as her father named her after his favourite actress of ’ 40s, Sadhana Bose. After making her debut in a Sindhi film, Sadhana’s big Bollywood break came in the form of Love In Simla, with Joy Mukherjee. Lore has it that she had to compete with another promising actress (Asha Parekh) to get the coveted role.
Sadhana easily fit into the various roles that she was offered, from being a cotton saree clad teacher from a small town in Asli Naqli to a Muslim student in Mere Mehboob to a rich modern girl in Waqt. In the earlier phase of her career, Sadhana made a hit pair with Dev Anand (who can forget the utterly romantic Abhi na jao song in Hum Dono picturised on this couple?). However, later, it was her onscreen chemistry with jubilee star Rajendra Kumar that was much talked about. The two stars were great friends off screen too.
Interestingly, while Sadhana’s endearing smile was considered an asset for her romantic roles, it also served another purpose. Some filmmakers felt her smile held the mystery ideal for her to be cast in mystery thrillers. Her double role in the 1966 mystery film, Mera Saaya, where she played two sisters, one homely and another a restless wayward character, turned out to be the highlight of her career. Her feisty dance performance on Jhumka gira re, is still one of the most memorable things about the actress’ career.
Clik here to view.
Shubha Shetty Saha (MID-DAY; December 26, 2015)
Sadhana is yet another example to the statistics of how the film industry largely doesn’t really turn back to check on its people, once they are past their prime and fade into the oblivion. Even though Sadhana enjoyed the position of being one of the most sought after actresses in ’60s, she was easily forgotten once she decided to step into the shadows. Sadhana had chosen to stay away from the media glare since, by her own admission, she wanted to be remembered as the ‘khubsoorat’ Sadhana.
What she hadn’t chosen, however, was fighting a battle in her old age, all alone — the struggle to keep her Santacruz home for which she even had to seek police protection. Not many from the industry, except old friends Helen and her family, and Nanda, came forward to help her.
It was in the ’60s that beautiful Sadhana, along with being an actress to reckon with, was also a fashion icon. Her fringe cut hairstyle, presumably simply done at the behest of director RK Nayyar (whom she later married) to hide her broad forehead, went on to be imitated by millions of girls, famously called as Sadhana cut.
Born in Karachi, Sadhana might have been destined to be an actress, as her father named her after his favourite actress of ’ 40s, Sadhana Bose. After making her debut in a Sindhi film, Sadhana’s big Bollywood break came in the form of Love In Simla, with Joy Mukherjee. Lore has it that she had to compete with another promising actress (Asha Parekh) to get the coveted role.
Sadhana easily fit into the various roles that she was offered, from being a cotton saree clad teacher from a small town in Asli Naqli to a Muslim student in Mere Mehboob to a rich modern girl in Waqt. In the earlier phase of her career, Sadhana made a hit pair with Dev Anand (who can forget the utterly romantic Abhi na jao song in Hum Dono picturised on this couple?). However, later, it was her onscreen chemistry with jubilee star Rajendra Kumar that was much talked about. The two stars were great friends off screen too.
Interestingly, while Sadhana’s endearing smile was considered an asset for her romantic roles, it also served another purpose. Some filmmakers felt her smile held the mystery ideal for her to be cast in mystery thrillers. Her double role in the 1966 mystery film, Mera Saaya, where she played two sisters, one homely and another a restless wayward character, turned out to be the highlight of her career. Her feisty dance performance on Jhumka gira re, is still one of the most memorable things about the actress’ career.
