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Economic Times
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
She was a Bollywood hit machine and national trendsetter, but fought allegations and lawsuits in final years
Sadhana Shivdasani, once one of Bollywood's most celebrated actresses, rose to fame in the 1960s with hit films and a style that defined an era. Known for her iconic "Sadhana cut" and memorable roles opposite top stars, she dominated the silver screen before health issues forced her into early retirement. Despite her success, Sadhana's later years were marked by financial hardship, legal disputes, and isolation following the death of her husband, filmmaker RK Nayyar. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Early Life and Ambitions A Decade of Dominance Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Health Struggles and Career Slowdown Personal Loss and Isolation Legal Disputes and Final Years Bollywood has always been a world of glitz, glamour, and adoration — but behind the shimmering façade lies a history of forgotten stars. One such name is Sadhana Shivdasani, remembered not just for her cinematic success but also for the tragic solitude of her later years. Once among the most sought-after actresses of her time, Sadhana's life unfolded like a film script — filled with ambition, love, success, heartbreak, and eventual on September 2, 1941, in Karachi, Sadhana and her family moved to India during the Partition. Her childhood was spent across Delhi, Benaras, and Calcutta before finally settling in Mumbai in 1950. She joined the Auxilium Convent School in Wadala and had already decided to become an actress while still in school. Her journey into films began with a brief appearance in Shree 420 (1955) and a lead role in the Sindhi film Abaana (1958), for which she was reportedly paid just Rs later trained at the Filmalaya School of Acting, where she met filmmaker RK Nayyar. Their professional bond during Love in Simla (1960), her breakout film, eventually led to marriage. The movie's success catapulted her into stardom and gave rise to the iconic "Sadhana fringe" that became a national the 1960s, Sadhana ruled the silver screen. She delivered hit after hit, starring in acclaimed films like Parakh (1960), Hum Dono (1961), Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (1962), and Mere Mehboob (1963). She worked with leading actors including Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, and Shammi Kapoor. Out of the 19 films she headlined during the decade, 11 turned out to be major box-office her stardom, she remained grounded. She once spoke about her camaraderie with male co-stars, preferring their company at social gatherings over female colleagues. Her bond with Rajendra Kumar was particularly close — a friendship her mother had once hoped would blossom into something more. But Sadhana was already committed to RK Nayyar, whom she married at just flourishing career was derailed in the late 1960s when she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, affecting both her health and vision. This forced her to take a break and seek treatment in Boston. The illness came at a cost — she lost out on key roles and felt deeply hurt when filmmakers replaced her without informing her. One such instance involved being dropped from Sunghursh (1968) despite initial she returned with successful films like Intaqam (1969) and Ek Phool Do Mali (1969), the momentum had shifted. She later tried directing with Geetaa Mera Naam (1974) but gradually faded from the passing of her husband in 1995 marked a devastating chapter in her life. The couple had no children, and she once shared that losing her unborn baby remained one of her deepest regrets. With RK Nayyar gone, Sadhana found herself increasingly later years, she relied on a close circle of contemporaries — including Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh, Helen, and Nanda — for emotional support. They would meet monthly for lunch, offering her a rare sense of belonging during a difficult last years of Sadhana's life were plagued by legal troubles. She was involved in multiple cases with the landlord of her Santacruz residence, which included allegations of harassment and a defamation lawsuit. Financial constraints and declining health added to her woes. Despite her once-iconic status, she received little to no help from the industry she had once passed away on December 25, 2015, at the age of 74, following a brief illness. As per accounts, only a handful from the film fraternity attended her funeral, marking a somber end to a life that once sparkled on her final years were marred by loneliness and neglect, Sadhana's legacy in Indian cinema remains untarnished. From defining fashion trends to delivering memorable performances, she carved a niche that continues to be celebrated.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
She was a Bollywood hit machine and national trendsetter, but fought allegations and lawsuits in final years
Bollywood has always been a world of glitz, glamour, and adoration — but behind the shimmering façade lies a history of forgotten stars. One such name is Sadhana Shivdasani, remembered not just for her cinematic success but also for the tragic solitude of her later years. Once among the most sought-after actresses of her time, Sadhana's life unfolded like a film script — filled with ambition, love, success, heartbreak, and eventual isolation. Early Life and Ambitions Born on September 2, 1941, in Karachi, Sadhana and her family moved to India during the Partition. Her childhood was spent across Delhi, Benaras, and Calcutta before finally settling in Mumbai in 1950. She joined the Auxilium Convent School in Wadala and had already decided to become an actress while still in school. Her journey into films began with a brief appearance in Shree 420 (1955) and a lead role in the Sindhi film Abaana (1958), for which she was reportedly paid just Rs 1. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Sadhana later trained at the Filmalaya School of Acting, where she met filmmaker RK Nayyar. Their professional bond during Love in Simla (1960), her breakout film, eventually led to marriage. The movie's success catapulted her into stardom and gave rise to the iconic "Sadhana fringe" that became a national trend. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo A Decade of Dominance Throughout the 1960s, Sadhana ruled the silver screen. She delivered hit after hit, starring in acclaimed films like Parakh (1960), Hum Dono (1961), Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (1962), and Mere Mehboob (1963). She worked with leading actors including Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, and Shammi Kapoor. Out of the 19 films she headlined during the decade, 11 turned out to be major box-office successes. Despite her stardom, she remained grounded. She once spoke about her camaraderie with male co-stars, preferring their company at social gatherings over female colleagues. Her bond with Rajendra Kumar was particularly close — a friendship her mother had once hoped would blossom into something more. But Sadhana was already committed to RK Nayyar, whom she married at just 17. Health Struggles and Career Slowdown Sadhana's flourishing career was derailed in the late 1960s when she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, affecting both her health and vision. This forced her to take a break and seek treatment in Boston. The illness came at a cost — she lost out on key roles and felt deeply hurt when filmmakers replaced her without informing her. One such instance involved being dropped from Sunghursh (1968) despite initial assurances. Though she returned with successful films like Intaqam (1969) and Ek Phool Do Mali (1969), the momentum had shifted. She later tried directing with Geetaa Mera Naam (1974) but gradually faded from the limelight. Personal Loss and Isolation The passing of her husband in 1995 marked a devastating chapter in her life. The couple had no children, and she once shared that losing her unborn baby remained one of her deepest regrets. With RK Nayyar gone, Sadhana found herself increasingly isolated. In later years, she relied on a close circle of contemporaries — including Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh, Helen, and Nanda — for emotional support. They would meet monthly for lunch, offering her a rare sense of belonging during a difficult period. Legal Disputes and Final Years The last years of Sadhana's life were plagued by legal troubles. She was involved in multiple cases with the landlord of her Santacruz residence, which included allegations of harassment and a defamation lawsuit. Financial constraints and declining health added to her woes. Despite her once-iconic status, she received little to no help from the industry she had once illuminated. Sadhana passed away on December 25, 2015, at the age of 74, following a brief illness. As per accounts, only a handful from the film fraternity attended her funeral, marking a somber end to a life that once sparkled on screen. Though her final years were marred by loneliness and neglect, Sadhana's legacy in Indian cinema remains untarnished. From defining fashion trends to delivering memorable performances, she carved a niche that continues to be celebrated.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
York teenagers prepare to fly 6,000 miles for East Africa volunteer work
TEENAGERS from a York school are preparing to fly more than 6,000 miles to do community and volunteer work in East Africa. Nineteen students from Archbishop Holgate's School are embarking on the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Uganda after raising thousands of pounds to cover the costs. Pupils from Years 9, 11 and 12 are going on the adventure in early July for two weeks, travelling with the Christian-based charity Abaana which invests in children in Africa, helping them to break the chains of poverty through education. The group will undertake a range of volunteer work, which will include painting both the inside and outside of a primary school building. School show, The Masked Singer, helped boost their fundraising efforts (Image: Submitted)They will also be teaching and running a range of activities and experiences for primary school children in the town of Kuluba, a sub-county in the Koboko district of Uganda. Group members are paying for their own flights, accommodation and food and will be staying in one of Abaana's guesthouses on the outskirts of Kampala. They have also raised money for the renovation materials for the primary school and to buy resources and gifts to take on the adventure. Each student threw themselves into a range of challenges, including scaling great heights and throwing themselves out of a plane, to bring in the pounds. RECOMMENDED READS: Fantastic news' as more than 5,000 children eligible for free school meals 'The world is changing': head at top York school joins others in smartphone plea New light show to bring vibrant colour to Museum Gardens Joanna Kitney, assistant headteacher and trip lead, said: "It's been so impressive to see them working hard to ensure we meet our aim. 'Brodie Barrow cycled a mile a day for a month, Oscar East has been sorting and selling items on EBay, Reuben Stockdale and Miles Hall walked the Three Peaks. 'Charlie Summers has completed a sponsored bike ride, Charlotte Brannan and Dora Escombe have been busy making and selling homemade products to family and friends and Bryn Wade did a parachute jump.' As a team, the group has also run whole school events which included The Masked Singer show in December and a school disco in April. Collectively both events made more than £1,000. Students who helped to organise the fundraising school disco (Image: Submitted) The group also has a JustGiving page which has received more than £2,400 in donations. To donate to the students' fundraising efforts, visit It is not the first time students from Archbishop Holgate's School have travelled to far-flung destinations to do overseas volunteer work. Back in 2012, pupils from the school, which is named after one of the city's most famous clerics, went to South Africa to do community and voluntary work in schools and orphanages. The group of ten Year Ten students were joined by teachers Richard Nihill and Hannah Turvey as they visited the Diocese of Cape Town for two weeks, and got the chance to meet the city's Nobel Prize-winning former archbishop, Desmond Tutu who was taking a small service at the city's cathedral.
