Sandhya Shantaram, a celebrated actress renowned for her iconic roles in Hindi and Marathi films, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 87 over the weekend. With a distinguished career spanning two decades, Sandhya leaves behind a legacy of highly acclaimed movies from the golden era of Indian cinema. Some of her most memorable works include “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje” (1955), “Do Aankhen Barah Haath” (1958), “Navrang” (1959), and the revered Marathi film “Pinjra” (1972) — all under the direction of her husband, the legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram.
Sandhya’s cinematic journey commenced when V. Shantaram discovered her at the age of 18 while casting for his film “Amar Bhoopali” in 1950. Their professional relationship evolved into a romance, leading to their marriage in 1956, which endured until the filmmaker’s passing in 1990.
Renowned filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar paid respects to the late actress, acknowledging her exceptional contributions to the film industry. He expressed his sorrow at the loss of the legendary actress, highlighting her unforgettable performances in movies like Pinjra, Do Ankhen Barah Hath, Navrang, and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, which will be cherished forever.
Bhandarkar further emphasized, “Her exceptional talent and captivating dance abilities have made a lasting impact on the world of cinema.” Tributes flooded in from the film community and political spheres, recognizing Sandhya’s graceful acting and enduring influence on Indian cinema.