India’s sweetheart who quit it all: Bhagyashree’s life in pictures

Actor Bhagyashree became an overnight star with with her debut film Maine Pyar Kiya. The 1989 film had her play a docile Suman opposite the rebellious Prem, played by a young Salman Khan. The love story created quite a stir and the Sooraj Barjatya directorial continues to be an iconic romantic film.

While many hoped to see Bhagyashree in more films, the actor chose to get married and leave the industry soon. However, she is now ready to get back in the game as she gears up for the release of her comeback films Thalaivi, starring Kangana Ranaut, and Radhe Shyam, starring Prabhas and Pooja Hegde.

On Bhagyashree's 52nd birthday, here's looking back at her life and career.

Bhagyashree and Salman Khan's chemistry in Maine Pyaar Kiya made them India's sweethearts. (Photo: Express Archive)

A young Sooraj Barjatya at work on the set of Maine Pyar Kiya with Bhagyashree. (Photo: Express Archive)

In a recent interview with indianexpress.com, Bhagyashree spoke about Maine Pyar Kiya and how she quit films after that. "Now when I look back, I realise how I took it so lightly, the film came to me, and I didn’t make the most of it," the actor said.

In 1990, at the peak of her career, Bhagyashree got married to actor-producer Himalaya Dassani. The actor keeps sharing lovely photos with her husband on her social media pages. (Photo: Bhagyashree/Instagram)

Bhagyashree belongs to a royal family as her father Vijay Singhrao Madhavrao Patwardhan is the Raja of Sangli. In this 2015 photo, the actor and her family participated in the five-day long Ganpati celebration. (Photo: Express Archive)

Bhagyashree's son Abhimanyu Dassani is also an actor who made his debut in the critically acclaimed Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. (Photo: Bhagyashree/Instagram)

When Bhagyashree decided to get back into the movie business, she tried her luck in regional cinema. A still from her Bhojpuri film Deva starring Manoj Tiwari. (Photo: Express Archive)

Bhagyashree also made her television debut with Kagaz Ki Kashti, a show on Sahara One. It was produced by her husband Himalya Dassani. (Photo: Express Archive)

The actor also shared screen space with the CID team for a special episode. In 2014, she was back on television playing the lead in Laot Aao Trisha. (Photo: Express Archive)

Bhagyashree has now taken up fitness and keeps sharing her photos and videos from her yoga sessions inspiring many others. (Photo: Bhagyashree/Instagram)