Originally posted by: aalochak
⭐️Padma Khanna⭐️ (Mata Kaikeyi)
Hi guysJust thought I'd post something on our much neglected Kaikeyi Mata - played by Padma Khanna, the woman we love to hate. RS again proved what a cAsting genius he was giving the pivotal role of Kaikeyi to Padma Khanna. Here's some info on her....The moment you mutter the name 'PADMA KHANNA' the first thing that comes across your mind's screen is the busty and sexy vamp of the 70's who was around into the very late 80's doing her bump and grind numbers in innumerable Hindi films. Soif you want to slot PADMA KHANNA as a cabaret dancer vamp like most people instantly do it would not be totally wrong but neither would it be doing justice to her talent or even projecting a complete picture. After all who can deny that given a decent chance by Rajshree Pictures she could actually match upto AMITABH BACHCHAN and make her presence felt on par with NUTAN in SAUDAGAR.
To begin at the start, PADMA KHANNA was born on 10th March in 1940 (that would make her 69 plus!!!).Even though she was a trained Classical dancer, she did small time roles in Bhojpuri films. While everyone would assume that PADMA KHANNA entered Bollywood with Johnny Mera Naam, nothing could be further from the truth because the fact is that even when she was doing Bhojpuri films, she eagerly made herself available for Hindi films too so her struggle to get noticed began as far back as 1967 when she made her Hindi film debut in 'Meherban' that had SUNIL DUTT & Nutan in the lead along with ASHOK KUMAR. Her second film was 'Baharon Ke Sapne'(which incidentally was RAJESH KHANNA's debut film(thus making her senior to the superstar)along with ASHA PAREKH. She even went on to do CHETAN ANAND'S classic epic 'HEER RANJHA' that had RAAJ KUMAR & PRIYA RAJVANSH in the lead. It was only after these films that she bagged 'Johnny Mera Naam' and was catapulted into the top league of vamps and cabaret dancers.In the years to follow her work profile boasted of such hits like Reshma Aur Shera, Rampur Ka Laxman, Lal Pathar, Jungle Mein Mangal, Hindustan Ki Kasam,Naina, Loafer, Anhonee, Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Anokhi Aada & Dhund. She was also seen in Joshila, Aakhri Dao, Geet Gata Chal, Paise Ki Gudiya, Kashmakash,Ek Se Badhkar Ek, Hera Pheri & Vishwasghat along with Chaila Babu,Noorie and the RAHUL ROY-KARISHMA KAPOOR starrer called 'Megha'. Sadly her contribution in each one of them was not much more than the bump and grind numbers or the seduction routine.
PADMA KHANNA got to show her acting skills in the RAMANAND SAGAR epic 'Ramayana' where she got to play 'Kaikeyi' the step mother of Lord Rama that had ARUN GOVIL & DEEPIKA CHIKILIA in the lead.
With advancing age and no roles coming her way, after spending a few years in retirement in Mumbai, last heard she packed her bags and shifted base to America where she is believed to be teaching dance to all those who remember her contribution to Indian Cinema fondly. Her dancing school was quite a rage till she herself was teaching the moves but now almost 70, she just about manages to make her presence felt with fleeting visits while the rest is handled by her staff and relatives.
Cricket
