Sadhana Shivdasani (2 September 1941 – 25 December 2015), known mononymously as Sadhana, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi cinema. Active primarily through the 1960s and early 1970s, she is regarded among the most popular leading ladies of her era and was noted for her beauty and her trend-setting fashion sensibilities. Her fringe hairstyle, popularised through the film Love in Simla (1960), became widely imitated and came to be known as the "Sadhana cut".
Key facts
| Born | 2 September 1941, Karachi |
|---|---|
| Died | 25 December 2015, Mumbai |
| Other name | Sadhana; "The Mystery Girl" |
| Occupation | Actress, film director |
| Years active | 1955–1994 |
| Spouse | R. K. Nayyar (m. 7 March 1966) |
| Notable award | IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award (2002) |
| Industry | Hindi cinema |
Early life
Sadhana was born on 2 September 1941 in Karachi, then in British India. During the Partition of India, when she was seven years old, her family migrated to Bombay (present-day Mumbai), where she was raised.
Career
Beginnings
Sadhana made an uncredited appearance in Raj Kapoor's Shree 420 (1955). She subsequently became a protégée of producer-director Sashadhar Mukherjee, who launched her in a leading role in Love in Simla (1960), directed by R. K. Nayyar. The film's success and her distinctive fringe hairstyle, the "Sadhana cut", made her an instant style icon.
Stardom in the 1960s
Through the 1960s, Sadhana established herself as one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses with films including Parakh (1960), Hum Dono (1961), Asli-Naqli (1962), Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (1962), Mere Mehboob (1963), Arzoo (1965) and Waqt (1965).
She earned the sobriquet "The Mystery Girl" through her work in a trilogy of suspense thrillers directed by Raj Khosla in the mid-1960s, comprising Woh Kaun Thi? (1964) and Mera Saaya (1966), among others.
Health setback and return
In the latter half of the 1960s, Sadhana's career was interrupted by hyperthyroidism. She travelled to Boston for treatment and returned to acting in 1969 with two consecutive box-office hits, Ek Phool Do Mali and Intaqam.
Direction and later years
In 1974, Sadhana made her directorial debut with the crime thriller Geetaa Mera Naam. She gradually withdrew from acting thereafter. Her final screen appearance came in the delayed release Ulfat Ki Nayi Manzilein (1994).
Personal life
Sadhana married R. K. Nayyar, who had directed her debut Love in Simla, on 7 March 1966.
Death
Sadhana was admitted to Hinduja Hospital on 24 December 2015 and died the following day, 25 December 2015.
Recognition
In 2002, Sadhana received the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to Hindi cinema. Her hairstyle and screen presence remain cultural reference points associated with the 1960s era of Hindi films.
Related topics
- Hindi cinema
- Raj Khosla
- Sashadhar Mukherjee
- R. K. Nayyar
- Woh Kaun Thi?
- Waqt (1965 film)
- Mere Mehboob
- IIFA Awards
References
- "Sadhana Shivdasani", English Wikipedia.
- Wikidata item: Q3133978.