By: Vatsala Gurunath

Renown as the style icon and trendsetter, during her reign, Sadhana was a perfect mix of impeccable style, awesome talent and radiant beauty. She ruled the 60's with those kohl highlighted expressive eyes and the most charming smile which exuded innocence.

Sadhana was born in 1941,in Karachi , and named after her father's favourite Bengali actress Sadhana Bose. In 1960 she made her debut with India's first Sindhi film : ABANA . There started her long and memorable journey in the world of films. Her debut was soon followed by S Mukherjee's LOVE IN SIMLA (1960) with Joy Mukherjee. This was a super hit and Sadhana an ardent new comer was declared the overnight sensation and went on to become the most sought after star actress after consecutive hits.

She delivered almost 19 silver jubilee hits out of 28 films she acted in. Some of her most memorable movies - that set the box office ablaze - were PARAKH (1960), HUM DONO (1961), ASLI NAQLI (1962), EK MUSAFIR, EK HASINA (1962), PREM PATRA (1962), MERE MEHBOOB (1963), RAJKUMAR (1964), WOH KAUN THI (1964), WAQT (1965), ARZOO (1966), MERA SAAYA (1966), EK PHOOL DO MAALI (1969), INTEQAM (1969).

Sadhana essayed author backed roles and was mostly identified with suspense thrillers

The transparency of emotions that she conveyed was mostly through those magnetic eyes. Many melodious songs have been picturised with her emoting them in Lata's magical voice like, 'O sajana barkha bahar' and 'tere mera pyar amar'. Because of her immense popularity, Sadhana had the privilege of working with the biggest co-stars of the day - Rajender Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor and Raj Kumar. In 1966, she married her maiden director R K Nayar.

With her flair for style, she became popular as a youth icon. Her fringe haircut in HUM DONO became the hottest hairstyle for young women and the Muslim-style tight churidar-kurtas she wore in WAQT too became a rage that lasted quite a few years. Who is to forget the chirupy syrupy Sadhana in Jhumka Gira re or the mystery woman behind the veil in MERE MEHEBOOB?

Sadhana looked awesome in whatever she was dressed in. she carried off anything with a timeless beauty and a charming smile, that was hers. She looked convincing as a rustic village belle and also as the sophisticated woman. She completed the mystery dream woman look as the veiled heroine in MERE MEHEBOOB. Sadhana excelled as a dear tomboy too. Sadhana could captivate without being glamorised like in ASLI NAQLI where she looks vulnerable yet formidable in crisp cotton sarees and hair tied in a bun minus her trademark fringe.

 It was not just style that carried this actress but the élan and talent with which she crafted her style. She mesmerised the audience with a far away feel in MERA SAAYA.

Thyroid struck Sadhana, and she lost her empire in no time. She was replaced from major movies like AROUND THE WORLD (1967) with Raj Kapoor and SANGHARSH (1968) with Dilip Kumar. However she made a comeback after her medical treatment in Boston and even managed successful movies like INTEQAM and EK PHOOL DO MAALI. After a astounding comeback, Sadhana retired from the lights but left behind a shine that still speaks of her.

Recent Stories
The grand old man: Ashok Kumar
Sensation of yester years, Shashi Kapoor
Archives