Popular Bollywood actress Vidya Sinha has died at the age of 71. Famous for her roles in Bollywood golden oldies such as Pati Patni Aur Woh, Rajnigandha, Karm, Mukti and Chhoti Si Baat, Sinha passed away in Mumbai on Thursday.
Sinha’s career spanned over 45 years that saw her act both in Bollywood movies and later make a transition to the TV industry.
Sinha made her Bollywood debut at the age of 18. She later took a sabbatical from Bollywood for 14 years before returning to films with Salman Khan-starrer Bodyguard, which went on to become a blockbuster at the box office. In the film, she played the role of Mrs Rana, wife of Raj Babbar’s character, Sartaj Rana. She also acted in several popular TV serials such as Kkavyanjali, Qubool Hai, Chandra Nandini and Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala.
Vidya Sinha was born to Pratap A Rana, who was a filmmaker of repute at that time. She started her career in the entertainment industry as a model, when director Basu Chatterjee spotted her for the first time. Her debut film was Raja Kaka, which was released in 1974. However, it wasn’t until she acted in Rajnigandha, when her acting talent was truly noticed. The film went on to become a huge hit.
Tributes have been pouring in for the veteran actress.
Rest in peace #VidyaSinha. Will always remember as the actor in Indian cinema who looked so real and like the next door girl with the fresh fragrance of Rajanigandha
— Arindam Sil (@silarindam) August 15, 2019
RIP Vidya Sinha! You lent grace and dignity to Indian cinema & made Basu Chatterjee’s auteur come alive in the innocence of Rajnigandha and Chhoti see Baat!!
— Amitabh Mattoo (@amitabhmattoo) August 15, 2019
RIP #VidyaSinha.You will be always remembered spcly for Rajanigandha ..Chotisibat..Mukti.
— Prosenjit Chatterjee (@prosenjitbumba) August 15, 2019
Veteran actress #VidyaSinha (70) passes away in Mumbai. She was suffering from lung & heart problems . Who can forget her memorable roles and performances in films like #ChhotiSiBaat #Rajnigandha & #PatiPatniAurWoh? RIP pic.twitter.com/yhmEPoQzU0
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) August 15, 2019
She later married her neighbour Venkateshwaran Iyer in 1968. The couple adopted a daughter. Her husband died in 1996.