Veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram, wife of legendary film-maker V Shantaram, died on Friday evening in Mumbai. She was 87. Her funeral was held at Shivaji Park crematorium on Saturday morning. Acclaimed for her dancing skills besides acting in 50s, 60s and 70s, the actress who was known by her first name all her life, did some memorable Hindi films like Do Aankhe Baraah Haat in 1957, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje in 1955 and Navrang in 1959. She was discovered by V Shantaram and later became his third wife. The movie Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. She had debuted in the Marathi movie, Amar Bhoopali in 1951 in which she played the role of vocalist who was wooed by poet Honaji Bala. In Teen Batti Char Raasta , released in 1953, she played the role of an improverished girl who is shunned because of her dark skin. In Do Aankhen Barah Haath where she starred opposite V Shantaram, Sandhya played to perfection the role of a toy seller. The song, Aare Ja Re Hatt Natkhat, from Navrang become immensly popular and continues to enchant the cinegoers. The Marathi movie, Pinjara, released in 1972 saw her pitted opposite Shriram Lagoo who played the role of a school teacher who falls in love with a ''tamasha'' artiste. The film was directed by her husband V Shantaram and turned into a blockbuster in Maharashra. The Marathi Manoos lapped it up with full gusto. All the songs in the movie became instant hits with the movie buffs. The likes of ''Mala Laagli Kunachi Unchki,'' and ''Chhabidar Chhabi Mee Toryat Ubhi..'' became most popular ones. ''All these movies helped her carve out a space for herself among the cinegoers at a time when actors struggled to find their feet,'' said Amit Gorkhe, who heads Kalarang, a cultural organisation. ''In fact, the Marathi movie, Pinjara, achieved a cult status in Marathi cinema and became the highpoint of her career.'' Recalling her association with Sandhya, Veteran actress Asha Kale told The Indian Express, ''We must have met only for a couple of times but struck instant rapport. Once I remember vividly when she was shooting in Kolhapur. I knew she was a big star and had no clue how she would react. But she was very polite and nice to me. We spoke for sometime and I was impressed by her qualities.'' Asha Kale said whatever few movies, the actress did were very popular. ''I think most of her movies were super hits. She featured in songs which became very popular in the 50s, 60s and 70s,'' she said. Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelkar, who first posted on X about her death this morning, in his tributes said,''The news of passing away of veteran actress Sandhya who was famous for role in Marathi movie, Pinjara, is deeply saddening. She worked in both Hindi and Marathi movies and has left her distinct mark on the audience through her exceptional acting and dancing skills. Kolhapur Congress MLC Satej Patil said,''Legendary filmmaker Shantaram was from Kolhapur. He and his wife, Sandhya, spent better part of their life in Kolhapur. Even though they lived in Mumbai, they never lost their touch with Kolhapur. Sandhya Shantaram has a special place in the heart of the cinegoers, including the Marathi Manoos, because of some the cult movies which did. She won the hearts of the audiences both through acting and dancing.'' Director Madhur Bhandarkar, in a post on X, said,''Saddened by the death of legendary actress Sandhya Shantaram. Her iconic roles in films like Pinjara, Do Ankhen Barah Haath, Navrang and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, will forever be cherished. Her remarkable talent and mesmerising dance skills have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
