Romantic actress - Sadhna

Sadhna's contribution to Indian films:

By: Souvik Chatterji.

Amongst the established actresses of the 50s and 60s, Sadhna graced the silver screen with her remote style of soft performance and made a significant impact in the golden era of Indian films. Sadhna made her debue in the film Love in Shimla, in 1959, opposite Joy Mukherjee. She made a haircut and created a distinct identity and the new generation started following her style with Sadhna cut. She amazed the film lovers with her serene performance in Raj Khosla's Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, 1962, opposite Joy Mukherjee. It was a black and white classic but scenes were shot at picturesque locations in Jammu and Kashmir. OP Nayyar made as many musical experiments in the film as possible.

Sadhna made the musical sequences of the song "aap yu hi agar humse milte rahe" sung by Asha and Rafi immortal, by making postures in a manner by which a peacock welcomes the monsoon. The other songs in the film titled "bahut shukriya, bari meherbani" sung by Asha and Rafi, also impressed the filmlovers. After acting in Asli Nakli, opposite Dev Anand and Dulha Dulhan opposite Raj Kapoor, Sadhna addressed the purdanashin community of Aligarh, Lucknow and the middle-east countries with her dynamic performance in the film Mere Mehboob, opposite Rajender Kumar in 1963. Her combination with Rajender Kumar was well appreciated in the film Aarzoo in 1965. Sadhna gave tremendous lips for Lata's extraordinary songs like "mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam", "aji ruth kar ab kaha jaiyega", "bedardi balma", etc.

While performing in romantic films Sadhna also excelled in ghostly characters in suspense thrillers like Woh Kaun Thi, 1964, opposite Manoj Kumar, Mera Saya, opposite Sunil Dutt, Anita, etc. Woh Kaun thi was probably the most successful horror film made in that age. Manoj Kumar played the role of a doctor who was horrified by presenting the sister of his wife who was a twin. Sadhna played in double role and till the end of the film every person started believing that Sadhna was a ghost. The villain in the film Prem Chopra was told by the lawyer in the family that the property of Manoj Kumar will revert back to him if it can be proved that he is insane.

So throughout the entire film Sadhna was presented at every place, sometimes near graveyard, sometimes in some other fields and Manoj Kumar started disbelieving his wife who knew nothing about her twin sister. After the doctor advised Manoj Kumar to go to Shimla for change of mind he found Sadhna there also and ultimately the death of twin sister led to disclosure of the truth. Madan Mohan's outstanding compositions sung by Lata were picturised on Sadhna including "naina barse", "lagja gale", etc. In Mera Saya also Sadhna displayed the fearful entity and the superlative composition of Madan Mohan including "tu jaha jaha chalega" etc. added glamour in the coloured blockbuster.

Sadhna also performed in other films like Raj Kumar opposite Shammi Kapoor in 1965, Hum Dono, etc. In the late 60s Sadhna suffered from infirmity which changed her face and lost her romantic look, although her strong performance compelled producers to launch her in films like Isq Par Zor Nahi opposite Dharmender, Aap Aye Bahar Aye opposite Rajender Kumar, Inteqam, etc.

Sadhna's films should be restored and preserved to bring back the memories of horror films which entertained and horrified film lovers during the golden age.

Similar articles are available in http://stationhollywood.blogspot.com

she has decorated some amazing movie songs! 👏

More information on Sadhna is available in the articles on Manoj Kumar, Madanmohan and OPNayyar in http://stationhollywood.blogspot.com
Souvik Chatterji.

A few years ago Sadhana recieved a lifetime achievement award and I remember,Yash Johar and Karan Johar came on stage and gave her the award. Karan referred to her as his aunt and if I remember correctly he said she was his dad's sister. But I never heard anything afterwards. Maybe she is a cousin sister and not a real sister.
DOes anybody know?

Sadhana is my fav actress (alongwith Waheeda Rehman). She was a rare combination of beauty, acting, style, charishma and screen presence. Unki awaaz shayad sabse achhi hai abhi tak jitni bhi actresses huyi hain Hindi cinema mein. I have many of her video songs in my mobile phone, love watching them.

I think the first movie I saw of hers was Rajkumar. She worked in many quality movies and gave some memorable performances. Unfortunately unki jo thyroid related health problem thi jiski wajah se unki eyes ka operation hua, that was a great setback for her career. Maine unki bahut saari movies dekhi hai, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, Woh Kaun Thi, Waqt, Aarzoo, Mera Saaya, Rajkumar, Hum Dono...bahut saari dekhni hai abhi.

Is she the one whus in the song 'Abhi na Jao Chodke' with Dev Anand?

Originally posted by: raiinie

Is she the one whus in the song 'Abhi na Jao Chodke' with Dev Anand?

Yes, she is the one.

Originally posted by: jaysp

A few years ago Sadhana recieved a lifetime achievement award and I remember,Yash Johar and Karan Johar came on stage and gave her the award. Karan referred to her as his aunt and if I remember correctly he said she was his dad's sister. But I never heard anything afterwards. Maybe she is a cousin sister and not a real sister.
DOes anybody know?

Sadhana is Babita's first cousin. [Karishma and Kareensa's mom] I don't think that she is really related to the late Yash Johar. Now maybe she tied a rakhi and became a sister of sorts. I know half of Bollywood tied rakhis in the 50's, and 60's. That was one sure way to put an end to all the gossip😉

Reference on Sadhna is also given in the article on Lata and Madanmohan in http://stationhollywood.blogspot.com

Souvik Chatterji.

I have seen only one film of Sadhana i.e mera Saya, but no doubt she was a very beautiful & brilliant actreess. yes, babita is the cousin sister of sadhana