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Veteran actor Sandhya Shantaram, a face familiar to both Marathi and Hindi films, passed away in Mumbai on Saturday. She was 87 years old. Sandhya was married to the late actor-director V. Shantaram, with whom she worked in a number of films.
Sandhya was most popularly known for her performances in a series of critically acclaimed 1950s films, among which Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1958), and Navrang (1959) stand out. In her later years, she played in the cult film Pinjra (1972), which is a Marathi movie. All these were directed by V. Shantaram.
Shantaram found her when he was on the lookout for a heroine for his 1950 film, Amar Bhoopali. The 18-year-old Sandhya landed the role and started a working relationship with the director that would evolve from professional to personal. They got married in 1956 and stayed married till the death of the director in 1990. During her 20-year-long career, Sandhya worked in films directed by her husband alone.
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Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar remembered the late actor in honor of her "great talent and enchanting dance abilities" within the film industry. Going to his X handle, Madhur Bhandarkar posted, "Grieved to hear about legendary actress Sandhya Shantaram Ji. Her timeless performances in films such as Pinjra, Do Ankhen Barah Hath, Navrang, and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje will always be remembered." Her outstanding ability and captivating dance moves have made an unforgettable impression in the realm of film.
Other than the film fraternity, politicians too came forward with their deep condolences on the actress's demise. "The death news of the veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram is very heartbreaking. Her characters in numerous Marathi films like Pinjra and Navrang became extremely popular. She also left her impression in the Hindi film world," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wrote in an X post.
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